618 research outputs found
PYRO-NN: Python Reconstruction Operators in Neural Networks
Purpose: Recently, several attempts were conducted to transfer deep learning
to medical image reconstruction. An increasingly number of publications follow
the concept of embedding the CT reconstruction as a known operator into a
neural network. However, most of the approaches presented lack an efficient CT
reconstruction framework fully integrated into deep learning environments. As a
result, many approaches are forced to use workarounds for mathematically
unambiguously solvable problems. Methods: PYRO-NN is a generalized framework to
embed known operators into the prevalent deep learning framework Tensorflow.
The current status includes state-of-the-art parallel-, fan- and cone-beam
projectors and back-projectors accelerated with CUDA provided as Tensorflow
layers. On top, the framework provides a high level Python API to conduct FBP
and iterative reconstruction experiments with data from real CT systems.
Results: The framework provides all necessary algorithms and tools to design
end-to-end neural network pipelines with integrated CT reconstruction
algorithms. The high level Python API allows a simple use of the layers as
known from Tensorflow. To demonstrate the capabilities of the layers, the
framework comes with three baseline experiments showing a cone-beam short scan
FDK reconstruction, a CT reconstruction filter learning setup, and a TV
regularized iterative reconstruction. All algorithms and tools are referenced
to a scientific publication and are compared to existing non deep learning
reconstruction frameworks. The framework is available as open-source software
at \url{https://github.com/csyben/PYRO-NN}. Conclusions: PYRO-NN comes with the
prevalent deep learning framework Tensorflow and allows to setup end-to-end
trainable neural networks in the medical image reconstruction context. We
believe that the framework will be a step towards reproducible researchComment: V1: Submitted to Medical Physics, 11 pages, 7 figure
Dynamic Reconstruction with Statistical Ray Weighting for C-Arm CT Perfusion Imaging
Abstract—Tissue perfusion measurement using C-arm angiography systems is a novel technique with potential high benefit for catheter-guided treatment of stroke in the interventional suite. However, perfusion C-arm CT (PCCT) is challenging: the slow C-arm rotation speed only allows measuring samples of contrast time attenuation curves (TACs) every 5 – 6 s if reconstruction algorithms for static data are used. Furthermore, the peaks of the tissue TACs typically lie in a range of 5 – 30 HU, thus perfusion imaging is very sensitive to noise. Recently we presented a dynamic, iterative reconstruction (DIR) approach to reconstruct TACs described by a weighted sum of linear spline functions with a regularization based on joint bilateral filtering (JBF). In this work we incorporate statistical ray weighting into the algorithm and show how this helps to improve the reconstructed cerebral blood flow (CBF) maps in a simulation study with a realistic dynamic brain phantom. The Pearson correlation of the CBF maps to ground truth maps increases from 0.85 (FDK), 0.87 (FDK with JBF), and 0.90 (DIR with JBF) to 0.92 (DIR with JBF and ray weighting). The results suggest that the statistical ray weighting approach improves the diagnostic accuracy of PCCT based on DIR. I
Deep OCT Angiography Image Generation for Motion Artifact Suppression
Eye movements, blinking and other motion during the acquisition of optical
coherence tomography (OCT) can lead to artifacts, when processed to OCT
angiography (OCTA) images. Affected scans emerge as high intensity (white) or
missing (black) regions, resulting in lost information. The aim of this
research is to fill these gaps using a deep generative model for OCT to OCTA
image translation relying on a single intact OCT scan. Therefore, a U-Net is
trained to extract the angiographic information from OCT patches. At inference,
a detection algorithm finds outlier OCTA scans based on their surroundings,
which are then replaced by the trained network. We show that generative models
can augment the missing scans. The augmented volumes could then be used for 3-D
segmentation or increase the diagnostic value.Comment: Accepted at BVM 202
KidNet: An Automated Framework for Renal Lesions Detection and Segmentation in CT Images
Renal lesions segmentation and morphological assessment are essential for improving diagnosis and our understanding of renal cancer, which in turn is imperative for reducing the risk of mortality and morbidity in patients. In this paper, we propose an automatic image based method to first detect kidneys in CT images and then segment both kidneys and lesions in higher resolution. Kidneys are detected using an encoder-decoder method trained on low-resolution images. Based on probability maps generated by detector model, we can identify corresponding kidney regions and segment both kidneys and lesions in higher resolution with reducing the false positive voxels. We evaluate our approach on KITS 2019 challenge data set and demonstrate that our proposed method generalizes to unseen clinical CTs of the abdominal
Fast and robust detection of solar modules in electroluminescence images
Fast, non-destructive and on-site quality control tools, mainly high
sensitive imaging techniques, are important to assess the reliability of
photovoltaic plants. To minimize the risk of further damages and electrical
yield losses, electroluminescence (EL) imaging is used to detect local defects
in an early stage, which might cause future electric losses. For an automated
defect recognition on EL measurements, a robust detection and rectification of
modules, as well as an optional segmentation into cells is required. This paper
introduces a method to detect solar modules and crossing points between solar
cells in EL images. We only require 1-D image statistics for the detection,
resulting in an approach that is computationally efficient. In addition, the
method is able to detect the modules under perspective distortion and in
scenarios, where multiple modules are visible in the image. We compare our
method to the state of the art and show that it is superior in presence of
perspective distortion while the performance on images, where the module is
roughly coplanar to the detector, is similar to the reference method. Finally,
we show that we greatly improve in terms of computational time in comparison to
the reference method
Hybrid adiabatic quantum computing for tomographic image reconstruction -- opportunities and limitations
Our goal is to reconstruct tomographic images with few measurements and a low
signal-to-noise ratio. In clinical imaging, this helps to improve patient
comfort and reduce radiation exposure. As quantum computing advances, we
propose to use an adiabatic quantum computer and associated hybrid methods to
solve the reconstruction problem. Tomographic reconstruction is an ill-posed
inverse problem. We test our reconstruction technique for image size, noise
content, and underdetermination of the measured projection data. We then
present the reconstructed binary and integer-valued images of up to 32 by 32
pixels. The demonstrated method competes with traditional reconstruction
algorithms and is superior in terms of robustness to noise and reconstructions
from few projections. We postulate that hybrid quantum computing will soon
reach maturity for real applications in tomographic reconstruction. Finally, we
point out the current limitations regarding the problem size and
interpretability of the algorithm
First identification of large electric monopole strength in well-deformed rare earth nuclei
Excited states in the well-deformed rare earth isotopes Sm and
Er were populated via ``safe'' Coulomb excitation at the Munich MLL
Tandem accelerator. Conversion electrons were registered in a cooled Si(Li)
detector in conjunction with a magnetic transport and filter system, the
Mini-Orange spectrometer. For the first excited state in Sm at
1099 keV a large value of the monopole strength for the transition to the
ground state of could be extracted. This confirms the interpretation of the lowest
excited state in Sm as the collective -vibrational
excitation of the ground state. In Er the measured large electric
monopole strength of clearly identifies the state at 1934 keV to be the
-vibrational excitation of the ground state.Comment: submitted to Physics Letters
Modern machine-learning can support diagnostic differentiation of central and peripheral acute vestibular disorders
BACKGROUND Diagnostic classification of central vs. peripheral etiologies in acute vestibular disorders remains a challenge in the emergency setting. Novel machine-learning methods may help to support diagnostic decisions. In the current study, we tested the performance of standard and machine-learning approaches in the classification of consecutive patients with acute central or peripheral vestibular disorders.
METHODS 40 Patients with vestibular stroke (19 with and 21 without acute vestibular syndrome (AVS), defined by the presence of spontaneous nystagmus) and 68 patients with peripheral AVS due to vestibular neuritis were recruited in the emergency department, in the context of the prospective EMVERT trial (EMergency VERTigo). All patients received a standardized neuro-otological examination including videooculography and posturography in the acute symptomatic stage and an MRI within 7~days after symptom onset. Diagnostic performance of state-of-the-art scores, such as HINTS (Head Impulse, gaze-evoked Nystagmus, Test of Skew) and ABCD2 (Age, Blood, Clinical features, Duration, Diabetes), for the differentiation of vestibular stroke vs. peripheral AVS was compared to various machine-learning approaches: (i) linear logistic regression (LR), (ii) non-linear random forest (RF), (iii) artificial neural network, and (iv) geometric deep learning (Single/MultiGMC). A prospective classification was simulated by ten-fold cross-validation. We analyzed whether machine-estimated feature importances correlate with clinical experience.
RESULTS Machine-learning methods (e.g., MultiGMC) outperform univariate scores, such as HINTS or ABCD2, for differentiation of all vestibular strokes vs. peripheral AVS (MultiGMC area-under-the-curve (AUC): 0.96 vs. HINTS/ABCD2 AUC: 0.71/0.58). HINTS performed similarly to MultiGMC for vestibular stroke with AVS (AUC: 0.86), but more poorly for vestibular stroke without AVS (AUC: 0.54). Machine-learning models learn to put different weights on particular features, each of which is relevant from a clinical viewpoint. Established non-linear machine-learning methods like RF and linear methods like LR are less powerful classification models (AUC: 0.89 vs. 0.62).
CONCLUSIONS Established clinical scores (such as HINTS) provide a valuable baseline assessment for stroke detection in acute vestibular syndromes. In addition, machine-learning methods may have the potential to increase sensitivity and selectivity in the establishment of a correct diagnosis
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