BMAI
Biomedical Artificial
Intelligence Research Unit
Biomedical Artificial
Intelligence Research Unit
En
The conventional noise-reduction filters tend to blur the edge information while noise is reduced. To address this issue, we developed a supervised nonlinear filter based on an artificial neural network (ANN), called a “neural filter,” for reduction of noise in images. The neural filter is trained with input images and the corresponding teaching images. To reduce noise in images, we created Read more...
In order to gain insight into the internal presentation of a trained neural edge enhancer, we developed an analysis method for the nonlinear kernel of a trained neural edge enhancer. We trained a neural edge enhancer to enhance edges in noisy images. Our analysis method was applied to the trained neural edge enhancer with a five-by-five-pixel input kernel. Six graphs obtained by the analysis, w Read more...
We propose a new edge enhancer based on a modified multilayer neural network, which is called a “neural edge enhancer” (NEE), for enhancing the desired edges clearly from noisy images. The NEE is a supervised edge enhancer: through training with a set of input noisy images and teaching edges, the NEE acquires the function of a desired edge enhancer. The input images are synthesized from noi Read more...
Tracing of vessels is one of the most fundamental techniques in a computer-aided diagnostic (CAD) scheme for vascular systems. A major challenge of methods for tracing vessels is to trace vessels robustly against noise, vessel branching, vessel size changes, and curved vessels, because those factors often lead to errors in tracing. Among them, the robustness against vessel size changes is espec Read more...
We developed a method for extracting the left ventricular (LV) contours from left ventriculograms by means of a neural edge detector (NED) in order to extract the contours which agree with those traced by a cardiologist. The NED is a supervised edge detector based on a linear-output artificial neural network model, which is trained with a modified back-propagation training algorithm. The NED ca Read more...
We developed a supervised nonlinear filter based on an artificial neural network (ANN), called a “neural filter,” for reduction of quantum noise in coronary angiograms. The neural filter can be trained with input images and the corresponding teaching images. To learn the relationship between low-dose and high-dose x-ray images, we created simulated low-dose angiograms from actual high-dose Read more...
We developed a new computer-aided diagnostic (CAD) system for coronary artery stenosis, which can learn physicians’ diagnosis. To realize such a system, we developed a linear-output artificial neural network (LOANN) which is capable of learning of experts’ judgment. Our CAD system consisted of (a) an automated method for tracing vessels, (b) a robust method for determining the edges of the Read more...
We evaluated our virtual dual-energy radiography technique based on a massive-training artificial neural network (MTANN) in the improvement of the conspicuity of nodules in chest radiographs. To do this, we used a validation test database consisting of 118 chest radiographs with pulmonary nodules and an independent test database consisting of 136 digitized screen-film chest radiographs with 136 Read more...