KEYWORDS: Skin, Image segmentation, Hyperspectral imaging, Data modeling, Image classification, Principal component analysis, Tissues, In vitro testing, Binary data
Hyperspectral imaging is a useful tool for characterization of human tissue. However, the vast amount of data created makes it challenging and tedious to manually select spatial regions of interest for further processing. In this study, a random forest-based method was evaluated on basis of its ability to segment human skin regions from the background. The method was compared to the performance of two alternative methods, spectral angle mapper (SAM) and a K-means clustering-based method. The methods were tested on hyperspectral images of ex vivo and in vivo human skin in the wavelength range 400-1000 nm. The random forest approach was found to be robust and perform well regardless of image type. The method is simple to train, and requires minimal parameter tuning for good skin segmentation results.
The spectral and spatial resolution of hyperspectral imaging is useful for investigation of tissue autofluorescence. The low-light, noisy conditions in fluorescence imaging usually necessitates noise removal for extraction of precise spectral signatures and peak shifts. However, noise removal techniques like low-pass filtering or the Maximum Noise Fraction transform might discard information or distort spectral features. In this study, smoothing splines is proposed as an alternative technique to avoid spectral distortion in analysis of hyperspectral fluorescence images in the wavelength range 400-1000 nm. Continuous tuning parameters and use of natural cubic splines makes the method advantageous for unbiased peak extraction. The method was tested on ex vivo images of atherosclerosis lesions and simulations. The method was used to estimate autofluorescence peak shifts, and found to perform well in comparison with MNF.
Obtaining a sharp and focused image is essential to fully utilize the advantages of hyperspectral imaging. For line scanning hyperspectral devices, focusing is a challenge in applications where the height and/or position of the imaged object might vary during a scan. Initial focusing is in addition a tedious process that has to be repeated for each sample or measurement. In this paper, a new continuous autofocus tracking system for hyperspectral line-scanning cameras is reported. The presented system is able to automatically and objectively find the correct distance between the camera and the imaged object for proper focus, and retain this focus distance during scan using a laser triangulation system. Concurrent with the focusing, a 3D model of the object is constructed. The system was tested and found to perform well for NIR-SWIR imaging of human hands and test objects with sharp changes in height and contrast. The method is easily adaptable to other spectral ranges and applications, such as industrial conveyor belt applications. The method significantly eases the acquisition of hyperspectral images by ensuring optimal image quality in every scan and eliminating the need for manual refocusing between individual samples.
Hyperspectral imaging (HSI) is a noncontact and noninvasive optical modality emerging the field of medical research. The goal of this study was to determine the ability of HSI and image segmentation to discriminate burn wounds in a preclinical porcine model. A heated brass rod was used to introduce burn wounds of graded severity in a pig model and a sequence of hyperspectral data was recorded up to 8-h postinjury. The hyperspectral images were processed by an unsupervised spectral–spatial segmentation algorithm. Segmentation was validated using results from histology. The proposed algorithm was compared to K-means segmentation and was found superior. The obtained segmentation maps revealed separated zones within the burn sites, indicating a variation in burn severity. The suggested image-processing scheme allowed mapping dynamic changes of spectral properties within the burn wounds over time. The results of this study indicate that unsupervised spectral–spatial segmentation applied on hyperspectral images can discriminate burn injuries of varying severity.
Hyperspectral imagery opens a new perspective for biomedical diagnostics and tissue characterization. High spectral
resolution can give insight into optical properties of the skin tissue. However, at the same time the amount of collected
data represents a challenge when it comes to decomposition into clusters and extraction of useful diagnostic information.
In this study spectral-spatial classification and inverse diffusion modeling were employed to hyperspectral images
obtained from a porcine burn model using a hyperspectral push-broom camera. The implemented method takes
advantage of spatial and spectral information simultaneously, and provides information about the average optical
properties within each cluster. The implemented algorithm allows mapping spectral and spatial heterogeneity of the burn
injury as well as dynamic changes of spectral properties within the burn area. The combination of statistical and physics
informed tools allowed for initial separation of different burn wounds and further detailed characterization of the injuries
in short post-injury time.
Hypercholesterolemia is characterized by high blood levels of cholesterol and is associated with increased risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. Xanthelasma is a subcutaneous lesion appearing in the skin around the eyes. Xanthelasma is related to hypercholesterolemia. Identifying micro-xanthelasma can thereforeprovide a mean for early detection of hypercholesterolemia and prevent onset and progress of disease. The goal of this study was to investigate spectral and spatial characteristics of hypercholesterolemia in facial skin. Optical techniques like hyperspectral imaging (HSI) might be a suitable tool for such characterization as it simultaneously provides high resolution spatial and spectral information. In this study a 3D Monte Carlo model of lipid inclusions in human skin was developed to create hyperspectral images in the spectral range 400-1090 nm. Four lesions with diameters 0.12–1.0 mm were simulated for three different skin types. The simulations were analyzed using three algorithms: the Tissue Indices (TI), the two layer Diffusion Approximation (DA), and the Minimum Noise Fraction transform (MNF). The simulated lesions were detected by all methods, but the best performance was obtained by the MNF algorithm. The results were verified using data from 11 volunteers with known cholesterol levels. The face of the volunteers was imaged by a LCTF system (400- 720 nm), and the images were analyzed using the previously mentioned algorithms. The identified features were then compared to the known cholesterol levels of the subjects. Significant correlation was obtained for the MNF algorithm only. This study demonstrates that HSI can be a promising, rapid modality for detection of hypercholesterolemia.
Hyperspectral imaging provides non-contact, high resolution spectral images which has a substantial diagnostic potential. This can be used for e.g. diagnosis and early detection of arthritis in finger joints. Processing speed is currently a limitation for clinical use of the technique. A real-time system for analysis and visualization using GPU processing and threaded CPU processing is presented. Images showing blood oxygenation, blood volume fraction and vessel enhanced images are among the data calculated in real-time. This study shows the potential of real-time processing in this context. A combination of the processing modules will be used in detection of arthritic finger joints from hyperspectral reflectance and transmittance data.
KEYWORDS: Skin, Blood, Hyperspectral imaging, Monte Carlo methods, Tissues, Absorption, Reflectivity, Signal to noise ratio, RGB color model, Tissue optics
Hypercholesterolemia is characterized by high levels of cholesterol in the blood and is associated with an increased risk of atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease. Early detection of hypercholesterolemia is necessary to prevent onset and progress of cardiovascular disease. Optical imaging techniques might have a potential for early diagnosis and monitoring of hypercholesterolemia. In this study, hyperspectral imaging was investigated for this application. The main aim of the study was to identify spectral and spatial characteristics that can aid identification of hypercholesterolemia in facial skin. The first part of the study involved a numerical simulation of human skin affected by hypercholesterolemia. A literature survey was performed to identify characteristic morphological and physiological parameters. Realistic models were prepared and Monte Carlo simulations were performed to obtain hyperspectral images. Based on the simulations optimal wavelength regions for differentiation between normal and cholesterol rich skin were identified. Minimum Noise Fraction transformation (MNF) was used for analysis. In the second part of the study, the simulations were verified by a clinical study involving volunteers with elevated and normal levels of cholesterol. The faces of the volunteers were scanned by a hyperspectral camera covering the spectral range between 400 nm and 720 nm, and characteristic spectral features of the affected skin were identified. Processing of the images was done after conversion to reflectance and masking of the images. The identified features were compared to the known cholesterol levels of the subjects. The results of this study demonstrate that hyperspectral imaging of facial skin can be a promising, rapid modality for detection of hypercholesterolemia.
Imaging of vessel structures can be useful for investigation of endothelial function, angiogenesis and hyper-vascularization. This can be challenging for hyperspectral tissue imaging due to photon scattering and absorption in other parts of the tissue. Real-time processing techniques for enhancement of vessel contrast in hyperspectral tissue images were investigated. Wavelet processing and an inverse diffusion model were employed, and compared to band ratio metrics and statistical methods. A multiscale vesselness filter was applied for further enhancement. The results show that vessel structures in hyperspectral images can be enhanced and characterized using a combination of statistical, numerical and more physics informed models.
Hyperspectral imaging combines high spectral and spatial resolution in one modality. This imaging technique is a promising tool for objective medical diagnostics. However, to be attractive in a clinical setting, the technique needs to be fast and accurate. Hyperspectral imaging can be used to analyze tissue properties using spectroscopic methods, and is thus useful as a general purpose diagnostic tool. We combine an analytic diffusion model for photon transport with real-time analysis of the hyperspectral images. This is achieved by parallelizing the inverse photon transport model on a graphics processing unit to yield optical parameters from diffuse reflectance spectra. The validity of this approach was verified by Monte Carlo simulations. Hyperspectral images of human skin in the wavelength range 400–1000 nm, with a spectral resolution of 3.6 nm and 1600 pixels across the field of view (Hyspex VNIR-1600), were used to develop the presented approach. The implemented algorithm was found to output optical properties at a speed of 3.5 ms per line of image data. The presented method is thus capable of meeting the defined real-time requirement, which was 30 ms per line of data.The algorithm is a proof of principle, which will be further developed.
Inflammatory arthritic diseases have prevalence between 2 and 3% and may lead to joint destruction and deformation resulting in a loss of function. Patient’s quality of life is often severely affected as the disease attacks hands and finger joints. Pathology involved in arthritis includes angiogenesis, hyper-vascularization, hyper-metabolism and relative hypoxia. We have employed hyperspectral imaging to study the hemodynamics of affected- and non-affected joints and tissue. Two hyperspectral, push-broom cameras were used (VNIR-1600, SWIR-320i, Norsk Elektro Optikk AS, Norway). Optical spectra (400nm – 1700nm) of high spectral resolution were collected from 15 patients with visible symptoms of arthritic rheumatic diseases in at least one joint. The control group consisted of 10 healthy individuals. Concentrations of dominant chromophores were calculated based on analytical calculations of light transport in tissue. Image processing was used to analyze hyperspectral data and retrieve information, e.g. blood concentration and tissue oxygenation maps. The obtained results indicate that hyperspectral imaging can be used to quantify changes within affected joints and surrounding tissue. Further improvement of this method will have positive impact on diagnosis of arthritic joints at an early stage. Moreover it will enable development of fast, noninvasive and noncontact diagnostic tool of arthritic joints
Hyperspectral imaging combines high spectral and spatial resolution in one modality. This imaging technique is a promising tool for objective medical diagnostics. However, to be attractive in a clinical setting the technique needs to be fast and accurate. Hyperspectral imaging can be used to analyze the chemical composition of tissue using spectroscopic methods, and is thus useful as a general purpose diagnostic tool. In this study, we combine an analytic diffusion model for photon transport with real-time analysis of hyperspectral images. This is achieved by inverting and parallelizing the photon transport model on a GPU to yield optical parameters from diffuse reflectance spectra. The resulting inversion chain was found to output the results in real-time. The inverse approach was found to characterize the relative differences in the optical properties. The presented approach is a proof of principle, necessary for developing a future real-time diagnostic system using hyperspectral imaging.
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