Comparison of super-resolution algorithms applied to retinal images

A critical challenge in biomedical imaging is to optimally balance the trade-off among image resolution, signal-to-noise ratio, and acquisition time. Acquiring a high-resolution image is possible; however, it is either expensive or time consuming or both. Resolution is also limited by the physical properties of the imaging device, such as the nature and size of the input source radiation and the optics of the device. Super-resolution (SR), which is an off-line approach for improving the resolution of an image, is free of these trade-offs. Several methodologies, such as interpolation, frequency domain, regularization, and learning-based approaches, have been developed over the past several years for SR of natural images. We review some of these methods and demonstrate the positive impact expected from SR of retinal images and investigate the performance of various SR techniques. We use a fundus image as an example for simulations

An edge-directed interpolation method for fetal spine MR images

Abstract Background Fetal spinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a prenatal routine for proper assessment of fetus development, especially when suspected spinal malformations occur while ultrasound fails to provide details. Limited by hardware, fetal spine MR images suffer from its low resolution. High-resolution MR images can directly enhance readability and improve diagnosis accuracy. Image interpolation for higher resolution is required in clinical situations, while many methods fail to preserve edge structures. Edge carries heavy structural messages of objects in visual scenes for doctors to detect suspicions, classify malformations and make correct diagnosis. Effective interpolation with well-preserved edge structures is still challenging. Method In this paper, we propose an edge-directed interpolation (EDI) method and apply it on a group of fetal spine MR images to evaluate its feasibility and performance. This method takes edge messages from Canny edge detector to guide further pixel modification. First, low-resolution (LR) images of fetal spine are interpolated into high-resolution (HR) images with targeted factor by bi-linear method. Then edge information from LR and HR images is put into a twofold strategy to sharpen or soften edge structures. Finally a HR image with well-preserved edge structures is generated. The HR images obtained from proposed method are validated and compared with that from other four EDI methods. Performances are evaluated from six metrics, and subjective analysis of visual quality is based on regions of interest (ROI). Results All these five EDI methods are able to generate HR images with enriched details. From quantitative analysis of six metrics, the proposed method outperforms the other four from signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR), structure similarity index (SSIM), feature similarity index (FSIM) and mutual information (MI) with seconds-level time consumptions (TC). Visual analysis of ROI shows that the proposed method maintains better consistency in edge structures with the original images. Conclusions The proposed method classifies edge orientations into four categories and well preserves structures. It generates convincing HR images with fine details and is suitable in real-time situations. Iterative curvature-based interpolation (ICBI) method may result in crisper edges, while the other three methods are sensitive to noise and artifacts

Medical Image Enhancement using Deep Learning and Tensor Factorization Techniques

La résolution spatiale des images acquises par tomographie volumique à faisceau conique (CBCT) est limitée par la géométrie des capteurs, leur sensibilité, les mouvements du patient, les techniques de reconstruction d'images et la limitation de la dose de rayonnement. Le modèle de dégradation d'image considéré dans cette thèse consiste en un opérateur de ou avec la fonction d'étalement du système d'imagerie (PSF), un opérateur de décimation, et du bruit, qui relient les volumes CBCT à une image 3D super-résolue à estimer. Les méthodes proposées dans cette thèse (SISR - single image super-résolution) ont comme objectif d'inverser ce modèle direct, c'est à dire d'estimer un volume haute résolution à partir d'une image CBCT. Les algorithmes ont été évalués dans le cadre d'une application dentaire, avec comme vérité terrain les images haute résolution acquises par micro CT (µCT), qui utilise des doses de rayonnement très importantes, incompatibles avec les applications cliniques. Nous avons proposé une approche de SISR par deep learning, appliquée individuellement à des coupes CBCT. Deux types de réseaux ont été évalués : U-net et subpixel. Les deux ont amélioré les volumes CBCT, avec un gain en PSNR de 21 à 22 dB et en coefficient de Dice pour la segmentation canalaire de 1 à 2.2 %. Le gain a été plus particulièrement important dans la partie apicale des dents, ce qui représente un résultat important étant donnée son importance pour les applications cliniques. Nous avons proposé des algorithmes de SISR basés sur la décomposition canonique polyadique des tenseurs. Le principal avantage de cette méthode, lié à l'utilisation de la théorie des tenseur, est d'utiliser la structure 3D des volumes CBCT. L'algorithme proposé regroupe plusieurs étapes: débruitage base sur la factorisation des tenseurs, déconvolution et super-résolution, avec un faible nombre d'hyperparamètres. Le temps d'exécution est très faible par rapport aux algorithmes existants (deux ordres de magnitude plus petit), pour des performances légèrement supérieures (gain de 1.2 à 1.5 dB en PSNR). La troisième contribution de la thèse est en lien avec la contribution 2 : l'algorithme de SISR basé sur la décomposition canonique polyadique des tenseurs est combiné avec une méthode d'estimation de la PSF, inconnues dans les applications pratiques. L'algorithme résultant effectue les deux tâche de manière alternée, et s'avère précis et rapide sur des données de simulation et expérimentales. La dernière contribution de la thèse a été d'évaluer l'intérêt d'un autre type de décomposition tensorielle, la décomposition de Tucker, dans le cadre d'un algorithme de SISR. Avant la déconvolution, le volume CBCT est débruité en tronquant sa décomposition de Tucker. Comparé à l'algorithme de la contribution 2, cette approche permet de diminuer encore plus le temps de calcul, d'un facteur 10, pour des performances similaires pour des SNR importants et légèrement supérieures pour de faibles SNR. Le lien entre cette méthode et les algorithmes 2D basés sur une SVD facilite le réglage des hyperparamètres comparé à la décomposition canonique polyadique.The resolution of dental cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images is imited by detector geometry, sensitivity, patient movement, the reconstruction technique and the need to minimize radiation dose. The corresponding image degradation model assumes that the CBCT image is a blurred (with a point spread function, PSF), downsampled, noisy version of a high resolution image. The quality of the image is crucial for precise diagnosis and treatment planning. The methods proposed in this thesis aim to give a solution for the single image super-resolution (SISR) problem. The algorithms were evaluated on dental CBCT and corresponding highresolution (and high radiation-dose) µCT image pairs of extracted teeth. I have designed a deep learning framework for the SISR problem, applied to CBCT slices. I have tested the U-net and subpixel neural networks, which both improved the PSNR by 21-22 dB, and the Dice coe_cient of the canal segmentation by 1-2.2%, more significantly in the medically critical apical region. I have designed an algorithm for the 3D SISR problem, using the canonical polyadic decomposition of tensors. This implementation conserves the 3D structure of the volume, integrating the factorization-based denoising, deblurring with a known PSF, and upsampling of the image in a lightweight algorithm with a low number of parameters. It outperforms the state-of-the-art 3D reconstruction-based algorithms with two orders of magnitude faster run-time and provides similar PSNR (improvement of 1.2-1.5 dB) and segmentation metrics (Dice coe_cient increased on average to 0.89 and 0.90). Thesis II b: I have implemented a joint alternating recovery of the unknown PSF parameters and of the high-resolution 3D image using CPD-SISR. The algorithm was compared to a state-of-the-art 3D reconstruction-based algorithm, combined with the proposed alternating PSF-optimization. The two algorithms have shown similar improvement in PSNR, but CPD-SISR-blind converged roughly 40 times faster, under 6 minutes both in simulation and on experimental dental computed tomography data. I have proposed a solution for the 3D SISR problem using the Tucker decomposition (TD-SISR). The denoising step is realized _rst by TD in order to mitigate the ill-posedness of the subsequent deconvolution. Compared to CPDSISR the algorithm runs ten times faster. Depending on the amount of noise, higher PSNR (0.3 - 3.5 dB), SSI (0.58 - 2.43%) and segmentation values (Dice coefficient, 2% improvement) were measured. The parameters in TD-SISR are familiar from 2D SVD-based algorithms, so their tuning is easier compared to CPD-SISR