Lung nodule modeling and detection for computerized image analysis of low dose CT imaging of the chest.

From a computerized image analysis prospective, early diagnosis of lung cancer involves detection of doubtful nodules and classification into different pathologies. The detection stage involves a detection approach, usually by template matching, and an authentication step to reduce false positives, usually conducted by a classifier of one form or another; statistical, fuzzy logic, support vector machines approaches have been tried. The classification stage matches, according to a particular approach, the characteristics (e.g., shape, texture and spatial distribution) of the detected nodules to common characteristics (again, shape, texture and spatial distribution) of nodules with known pathologies (confirmed by biopsies). This thesis focuses on the first step; i.e., nodule detection. Specifically, the thesis addresses three issues: a) understanding the CT data of typical low dose CT (LDCT) scanning of the chest, and devising an image processing approach to reduce the inherent artifacts in the scans; b) devising an image segmentation approach to isolate the lung tissues from the rest of the chest and thoracic regions in the CT scans; and c) devising a nodule modeling methodology to enhance the detection rate and lend benefits for the ultimate step in computerized image analysis of LDCT of the lungs, namely associating a pathology to the detected nodule. The methodology for reducing the noise artifacts is based on noise analysis and examination of typical LDCT scans that may be gathered on a repetitive fashion; since, a reduction in the resolution is inevitable to avoid excessive radiation. Two optimal filtering methods are tested on samples of the ELCAP screening data; the Weiner and the Anisotropic Diffusion Filters. Preference is given to the Anisotropic Diffusion Filter, which can be implemented on 7x7 blocks/windows of the CT data. The methodology for lung segmentation is based on the inherent characteristics of the LDCT scans, shown as distinct bi-modal gray scale histogram. A linear model is used to describe the histogram (the joint probability density function of the lungs and non-lungs tissues) by a linear combination of weighted kernels. The Gaussian kernels were chosen, and the classic Expectation-Maximization (EM) algorithm was employed to estimate the marginal probability densities of the lungs and non-lungs tissues, and select an optimal segmentation threshold. The segmentation is further enhanced using standard shape analysis based on mathematical morphology, which improves the continuity of the outer and inner borders of the lung tissues. This approach (a preliminary version of it appeared in [14]) is found to be adequate for lung segmentation as compared to more sophisticated approaches developed at the CVIP Lab (e.g., [15][16]) and elsewhere. The methodology developed for nodule modeling is based on understanding the physical characteristics of the nodules in LDCT scans, as identified by human experts. An empirical model is introduced for the probability density of the image intensity (or Hounsfield units) versus the radial distance measured from the centroid – center of mass - of typical nodules. This probability density showed that the nodule spatial support is within a circle/square of size 10 pixels; i.e., limited to 5 mm in length; which is within the range that the radiologist specify to be of concern. This probability density is used to fill in the intensity (or Hounsfield units) of parametric nodule models. For these models (e.g., circles or semi-circles), given a certain radius, we calculate the intensity (or Hounsfield units) using an exponential expression for the radial distance with parameters specified from the histogram of an ensemble of typical nodules. This work is similar in spirit to the earlier work of Farag et al., 2004 and 2005 [18][19], except that the empirical density of the radial distance and the histogram of typical nodules provide a data-driven guide for estimating the intensity (or Hounsfield units) of the nodule models. We examined the sensitivity and specificity of parametric nodules in a template-matching framework for nodule detection. We show that false positives are inevitable problems with typical machine learning methods of automatic lung nodule detection, which invites further efforts and perhaps fresh thinking into automatic nodule detection. A new approach for nodule modeling is introduced in Chapter 5 of this thesis, which brings high promise in both the detection, and the classification of nodules. Using the ELCAP study, we created an ensemble of four types of nodules and generated a nodule model for each type based on optimal data reduction methods. The resulting nodule model, for each type, has lead to drastic improvements in the sensitivity and specificity of nodule detection. This approach may be used as well for classification. In conclusion, the methodologies in this thesis are based on understanding the LDCT scans and what is to be expected in terms of image quality. Noise reduction and image segmentation are standard. The thesis illustrates that proper nodule models are possible and indeed a computerized approach for image analysis to detect and classify lung nodules is feasible. Extensions to the results in this thesis are immediate and the CVIP Lab has devised plans to pursue subsequent steps using clinical data

Evaluating and Improving 4D-CT Image Segmentation for Lung Cancer Radiotherapy

Lung cancer is a high-incidence disease with low survival despite surgical advances and concurrent chemo-radiotherapy strategies. Image-guided radiotherapy provides for treatment measures, however, significant challenges exist for imaging, treatment planning, and delivery of radiation due to the influence of respiratory motion. 4D-CT imaging is capable of improving image quality of thoracic target volumes influenced by respiratory motion. 4D-CT-based treatment planning strategies requires highly accurate anatomical segmentation of tumour volumes for radiotherapy treatment plan optimization. Variable segmentation of tumour volumes significantly contributes to uncertainty in radiotherapy planning due to a lack of knowledge regarding the exact shape of the lesion and difficulty in quantifying variability. As image-segmentation is one of the earliest tasks in the radiotherapy process, inherent geometric uncertainties affect subsequent stages, potentially jeopardizing patient outcomes. Thus, this work assesses and suggests strategies for mitigation of segmentation-related geometric uncertainties in 4D-CT-based lung cancer radiotherapy at pre- and post-treatment planning stages

Content-based image retrieval-- a small sample learning approach.

Tao Dacheng.Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2004.Includes bibliographical references (leaves 70-75).Abstracts in English and Chinese.Chapter Chapter 1 --- Introduction --- p.1Chapter 1.1 --- Content-based Image Retrieval --- p.1Chapter 1.2 --- SVM based RF in CBIR --- p.3Chapter 1.3 --- DA based RF in CBIR --- p.4Chapter 1.4 --- Existing CBIR Engines --- p.5Chapter 1.5 --- Practical Applications of CBIR --- p.10Chapter 1.6 --- Organization of this thesis --- p.11Chapter Chapter 2 --- Statistical Learning Theory and Support Vector Machine --- p.12Chapter 2.1 --- The Recognition Problem --- p.12Chapter 2.2 --- Regularization --- p.14Chapter 2.3 --- The VC Dimension --- p.14Chapter 2.4 --- Structure Risk Minimization --- p.15Chapter 2.5 --- Support Vector Machine --- p.15Chapter 2.6 --- Kernel Space --- p.17Chapter Chapter 3 --- Discriminant Analysis --- p.18Chapter 3.1 --- PCA --- p.18Chapter 3.2 --- KPCA --- p.18Chapter 3.3 --- LDA --- p.20Chapter 3.4 --- BDA --- p.20Chapter 3.5 --- KBDA --- p.21Chapter Chapter 4 --- Random Sampling Based SVM --- p.24Chapter 4.1 --- Asymmetric Bagging SVM --- p.25Chapter 4.2 --- Random Subspace Method SVM --- p.26Chapter 4.3 --- Asymmetric Bagging RSM SVM --- p.26Chapter 4.4 --- Aggregation Model --- p.30Chapter 4.5 --- Dissimilarity Measure --- p.31Chapter 4.6 --- Computational Complexity Analysis --- p.31Chapter 4.7 --- QueryGo Image Retrieval System --- p.32Chapter 4.8 --- Toy Experiments --- p.35Chapter 4.9 --- Statistical Experimental Results --- p.36Chapter Chapter 5 --- SSS Problems in KBDA RF --- p.42Chapter 5.1 --- DKBDA --- p.43Chapter 5.1.1 --- DLDA --- p.43Chapter 5.1.2 --- DKBDA --- p.43Chapter 5.2 --- NKBDA --- p.48Chapter 5.2.1 --- NLDA --- p.48Chapter 5.2.2 --- NKBDA --- p.48Chapter 5.3 --- FKBDA --- p.49Chapter 5.3.1 --- FLDA --- p.49Chapter 5.3.2 --- FKBDA --- p.49Chapter 5.4 --- Experimental Results --- p.50Chapter Chapter 6 --- NDA based RF for CBIR --- p.52Chapter 6.1 --- NDA --- p.52Chapter 6.2 --- SSS Problem in NDA --- p.53Chapter 6.2.1 --- Regularization method --- p.53Chapter 6.2.2 --- Null-space method --- p.54Chapter 6.2.3 --- Full-space method --- p.54Chapter 6.3 --- Experimental results --- p.55Chapter 6.3.1 --- K nearest neighbor evaluation for NDA --- p.55Chapter 6.3.2 --- SSS problem --- p.56Chapter 6.3.3 --- Evaluation experiments --- p.57Chapter Chapter 7 --- Medical Image Classification --- p.59Chapter 7.1 --- Introduction --- p.59Chapter 7.2 --- Region-based Co-occurrence Matrix Texture Feature --- p.60Chapter 7.3 --- Multi-level Feature Selection --- p.62Chapter 7.4 --- Experimental Results --- p.63Chapter 7.4.1 --- Data Set --- p.64Chapter 7.4.2 --- Classification Using Traditional Features --- p.65Chapter 7.4.3 --- Classification Using the New Features --- p.66Chapter Chapter 8 --- Conclusion --- p.68Bibliography --- p.7

Mathematical Modelling and Machine Learning Methods for Bioinformatics and Data Science Applications

Mathematical modeling is routinely used in physical and engineering sciences to help understand complex systems and optimize industrial processes. Mathematical modeling differs from Artificial Intelligence because it does not exclusively use the collected data to describe an industrial phenomenon or process, but it is based on fundamental laws of physics or engineering that lead to systems of equations able to represent all the variables that characterize the process. Conversely, Machine Learning methods require a large amount of data to find solutions, remaining detached from the problem that generated them and trying to infer the behavior of the object, material or process to be examined from observed samples. Mathematics allows us to formulate complex models with effectiveness and creativity, describing nature and physics. Together with the potential of Artificial Intelligence and data collection techniques, a new way of dealing with practical problems is possible. The insertion of the equations deriving from the physical world in the data-driven models can in fact greatly enrich the information content of the sampled data, allowing to simulate very complex phenomena, with drastically reduced calculation times. Combined approaches will constitute a breakthrough in cutting-edge applications, providing precise and reliable tools for the prediction of phenomena in biological macro/microsystems, for biotechnological applications and for medical diagnostics, particularly in the field of precision medicine

Artificial Intelligence in Image-Based Screening, Diagnostics, and Clinical Care of Cardiopulmonary Diseases

Cardiothoracic and pulmonary diseases are a significant cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the lack of access to clinical care, the overburdened medical system, and the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in improving medicine. There are a variety of diseases affecting the cardiopulmonary system including lung cancers, heart disease, tuberculosis (TB), etc., in addition to COVID-19-related diseases. Screening, diagnosis, and management of cardiopulmonary diseases has become difficult owing to the limited availability of diagnostic tools and experts, particularly in resource-limited regions. Early screening, accurate diagnosis and staging of these diseases could play a crucial role in treatment and care, and potentially aid in reducing mortality. Radiographic imaging methods such as computed tomography (CT), chest X-rays (CXRs), and echo ultrasound (US) are widely used in screening and diagnosis. Research on using image-based AI and machine learning (ML) methods can help in rapid assessment, serve as surrogates for expert assessment, and reduce variability in human performance. In this Special Issue, “Artificial Intelligence in Image-Based Screening, Diagnostics, and Clinical Care of Cardiopulmonary Diseases”, we have highlighted exemplary primary research studies and literature reviews focusing on novel AI/ML methods and their application in image-based screening, diagnosis, and clinical management of cardiopulmonary diseases. We hope that these articles will help establish the advancements in AI

Applications of Medical Physics

Applications of Medical Physics” is a Special Issue of Applied Sciences that has collected original research manuscripts describing cutting-edge physics developments in medicine and their translational applications. Reviews providing updates on the latest progresses in this field are also included. The collection includes a total of 20 contributions by authors from 9 different countries, which cover several areas of medical physics, spanning from radiation therapy, nuclear medicine, radiology, dosimetry, radiation protection, and radiobiology

The Artificial Intelligence in Digital Pathology and Digital Radiology: Where Are We?

This book is a reprint of the Special Issue entitled "The Artificial Intelligence in Digital Pathology and Digital Radiology: Where Are We?". Artificial intelligence is extending into the world of both digital radiology and digital pathology, and involves many scholars in the areas of biomedicine, technology, and bioethics. There is a particular need for scholars to focus on both the innovations in this field and the problems hampering integration into a robust and effective process in stable health care models in the health domain. Many professionals involved in these fields of digital health were encouraged to contribute with their experiences. This book contains contributions from various experts across different fields. Aspects of the integration in the health domain have been faced. Particular space was dedicated to overviewing the challenges, opportunities, and problems in both radiology and pathology. Clinal deepens are available in cardiology, the hystopathology of breast cancer, and colonoscopy. Dedicated studies were based on surveys which investigated students and insiders, opinions, attitudes, and self-perception on the integration of artificial intelligence in this field