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Biomedical subjects

M F Insana

Publications and source records attributed to M F Insana.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1995

Contrast-detail analysis of image degradation due to lossy compression.

A contrast-detail (CD) experiment was performed to study the effect of lossy compression on computed radiographic (CR) images. Digital CR images of a phantom were compressed by quantizing the full-frame discrete cosine transform and Huffman encoding the result. Since low-contrast detectability is directly linked to an important radiological task, namely, the detection of noncalcified pulmonary nodules in adult chest radiographs, the goal of the study was to quantify any loss in low-contrast detectability due to compression. Compression ratios varied significantly among compressed images, despite the use of fixed compression parameters; detectability could be specified by a single parameter of a CD curve; there was no significant reduction in detectability for an average compression ratio of 11:1; and, there was a statistically significant degradation in detectability for an average compression ratio of 125:1.

Humans↗
PubMed1995

Ultrasound contrast-detail analysis: a comparison of low-contrast detectability among scanhead designs.

Contrast-detail (CD) analysis was used to compare the low-contrast detection capabilities of expert observers using different array-type scanhead technologies. Five expert observers viewed five different contrast targets to obtain CD curves for each scanhead. Differences in CD curves are interpreted in terms of the image contrast, resolution, and noise. It was found that differences in low-contrast detectability were due to differences in beam properties. Clinical images obtained during patient examinations are used to show how some clinically relevant tasks are distributed in their contrast and size.

Biometry↗
PubMed1995

Modeling acoustic backscatter from kidney microstructure using an anisotropic correlation function.

Techniques for investigating acoustic backscatter from anisotropic biological tissues are examined. This empirical study combines single-scatter theory with the known elastic properties and histology of the renal cortex to predict the backscatter coefficient from kidney parenchyma. A transverse isotropic correlation model is developed to explain how backscattered energy, which varies with the incident sound wave direction, is related to the anisotropic structure of the tissue. From the results we conclude that renal morphology scatters sound incoherently, and that complex mixtures of scattering structures of different sizes, number densities, and scattering strengths can be distinguished by analyzing backscatter in specific frequency channels--a spectroscopic approach. A K-space description of backscatter measurements from kidney cortex, including the effects of anisotopy, provides further support of our hypothesis regarding sources of acoustic scattering.

Acoustics↗
PubMed1995

Detection performance of the ideal decision function and its McLaurin expansion: signal position unknown.

Although optimal decision functions for many simple detection/discrimination tasks can be cast in a form linear in the signal data, more complicated tasks require the addition of higher-order terms. This is typically the case when parameter uncertainty is allowed, in imaging for example, for the detection of a target of known size and shape but unknown position in a noise field. The simple task of detecting signals known exactly except for position, specifically detection of a "boxcar" shaped signal on a uniform data trace, has been studied in order to elucidate the relative importance of the first-, second-, or higher-order terms of the likelihood ratio decision rule. Analytical expressions have been developed to describe signal-to-noise ratios relevant for performance evaluation at low signal contrast levels, and computer simulations have been used to evaluate performance at higher contrast. It was found that for this task the first-order term (which corresponds to measuring the mean value of the data) dominates for low contrast signals but is superseded by higher-order terms (which is jth order correspond to the jth-order correlation of the data match filtered with the jth-order correlation of the signal) as contrast is increased. The quadratic term is found to be inferior to the linear term for small contrast and to the cubic for all values of signal contrast if the background is held constant. When the background level is allowed to vary, the performance of the odd-order terms decreases relative to that of the quadratic (and other even-order ones). Various measures of decision function efficiency are compared, demonstrating the severe limitations of using the simple signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) formalism for processes with non-Gaussian-distributed probability density functions. These results are valuable for guiding approaches to computational observers of signal data by showing the range of validity of suboptimal decision functions that are much easier to compute than the exact likelihood ratio solution.

Computer Simulation↗
PubMed1992

Computers in ultrasonic imaging.

This article describes the role of computers and digital electronics in state-of-the-art diagnostic ultrasound scanners. An overview of the computational requirements is provided, and limits on color flow image frame rates are discussed. The new scanner architectures emerging may be used to extend current limitations of ultrasonography, making features such as automatic phase aberration correction, speckle reduction, and tissue characterization available.

Humans↗
PubMed1992

Identifying acoustic scattering sources in normal renal parenchyma in vivo by varying arterial and ureteral pressures.

Ultrasonic backscatter properties of normal dog kidney parenchyma are examined in vivo to determine sources of acoustic scattering. We systematically varied the renal perfusion and ureteral pressures to obtain detailed information about scattering sources that could not be seen under in vitro conditions. These data suggest that in normal parenchyma the principal sources of backscatter are Bowman's capsule at low frequencies (2.5-5.0 MHz) and glomerular arterioles at high frequencies (5.0-15.0 MHz). We found that the integrated backscatter coefficient (IBC) in normally perfused kidney cortex is approximately half that measured in the ischemic organ at all frequencies. Ischemia was found to reduce scatterer size estimates (D) by 10% at low frequencies and increase D54% at high frequencies. Acute obstruction of the kidney, under diuresis, produced an 11% increase in D at low frequencies, and no significant change in D at high frequencies. These variations in backscatter measurements are explained in terms of changes in the microscopic anatomy of the kidney.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Identifying acoustic scattering sources in normal renal parenchyma from the anisotropy in acoustic properties.

Acoustical and histological properties of dog kidney parenchyma are examined in vitro to determine sources of acoustic scattering in the normal kidney. The speed of sound, attenuation, backscatter, effective scatterer size and scattering strength were measured within the frequency range 1-15 MHz and at eight angles of incidence with respect to the predominant nephron orientation. Significant angular dependence, or anisotropy, was observed in backscatter coefficient and scattering strength estimates; attenuation was found to be weakly anisotropic. All three parameters, each measured at 19 degrees C, exhibited values that were maximum for perpendicular incidence and minimum for parallel incidence. Speed of sound and scatterer size estimates were observed to be independent of scanning angle. Comparisons between these data for renal cortex and histological observations suggest that the glomerulus is the principal scatterer at low frequencies, and renal tubules and blood vessels at high frequencies.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Information retrieval for teaching files: a preliminary study.

A computer algorithm for information retrieval from an electronic teaching file has been developed. This index enables the user to retrieve cases from a teaching file, based on the input of a combination of features. The algorithm is based on nearest neighbor analysis, and is programmed in the "C" language. A teaching file with this index is very easy to use as a reference resource for diagnosing unknown cases. A model was developed for a preliminary test of how likely a user would be to review a teaching file case that is the same diagnosis as an unknown case, thereby reducing uncertainty of diagnosis. The model used 110 cases of arthritis radiographs of hands scored by a skeletal radiologist. The result of the model suggests that the correct diagnosis would be reviewed 83% of the time. A standard method of reducing uncertainty of diagnosis (the maximum likelihood discriminant function) would have picked the correct diagnosis 78% of the time. The results indicate that a teaching file with the computer index is a practical tool for dealing with the uncertainty in diagnosis of unknown cases. The computer index could be included with videodisc-based teaching files (such as the American College of Radiology files). Using teaching files as a reference for interpreting unknown cases may reduce interobserver variability.

Algorithms↗
PubMed1990

Characterising the microstructure of random media using ultrasound.

This paper describes a technique of forming images of the average size and scattering strength of scatterers in a random medium using ultrasound. Quantitative ultrasound images provide a more direct interpretation of the underlying structure of the medium, e.g. size, shape, number and elastic properties of scatterers, and increased detectability for regions of varying structure. A signal-to-noise analysis was used to show quantitatively how properties of the imaging system influence low-contrast detectability in quantitative ultrasound images. In one experiment, signal-to-noise measurements using phantoms were compared with B-mode imaging for several transducer bandwidths to observe variations in image contrast and speckle noise. The findings are being used to optimise the design of quantitative imaging systems for specific diagnostic tasks.

Agar↗
PubMed1990

Describing small-scale structure in random media using pulse-echo ultrasound.

A method for estimating structural properties of random media is described. The size, number density, and scattering strength of particles are estimated from an analysis of the radio frequency (rf) echo signal power spectrum. Simple correlation functions and the accurate scattering theory of Faran [J.J. Faran, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 23, 405-418 (1951)], which includes the effects of shear waves, were used separately to model backscatter from spherical particles and thereby describe the structures of the medium. These methods were tested using both glass sphere-in-agar and polystyrene sphere-in-agar scattering media. With the appropriate correlation function, it was possible to measure glass sphere diameters with an accuracy of 20%. It was not possible to accurately estimate the size of polystyrene spheres with the simple spherical and Gaussian correlation models examined because of a significant shear wave contribution. Using the Faran scattering theory for spheres, however, the accuracy for estimating diameters was improved to 10% for both glass and polystyrene scattering media. It was possible to estimate the product of the average scattering particle number density and the average scattering strength per particle, but with lower accuracy than the size estimates. The dependence of the measurement accuracy on the inclusion of shear waves, the wavelength of sound, and medium attenuation are considered, and the implications for describing the structure of biological soft tissues are discussed.

Models, Theoretical↗
PubMed1990

Parametric ultrasound imaging from backscatter coefficient measurements: image formation and interpretation.

A broadband method for measuring backscatter coefficients sigma b and other acoustic parameters is described. From the sigma b measurements, using a commercially-available imaging system, four high-resolution parametric ultrasound images are formed in a C-scan image plane. Scatterer size images are computed from the frequency dependence of sigma b and a correlation model function that describes the structure and elastic properties of the medium. Scattering strength images are computed from the absolute magnitude of sigma b. Chi-square images are generated to display how well the correlation model represents the interrogated medium. Integrated backscatter coefficient images are formed over the transducer bandwidth. All four images are generated simultaneously and compared with the corresponding B-mode image. Test samples with known physical properties were used to demonstrate experimentally that accurate parametric images are possible if an accurate correlation model is used. Local variations in attenuation, the center frequency and bandwidth of the transducer, and the distribution of scatterer sizes greatly influence the accuracy of estimates and the appearance of the image, thus demonstrating the importance of these factors in parametric image interpretation.

Agar↗
PubMed1989

New contrast-detail phantoms for improved precision in lesion detection measurements.

The previous design of our ultrasound contrast-detail (C-D) phantom is limited in its ability to evaluate the quality of diagnostic ultrasound imaging systems. There is uncertainty in the contrast-detail measurements due to the single available viewing angle for each target and the resulting single realization of the ultrasound speckle pattern. Two new contrast-detail phantom designs are described which enable many independent realizations of the speckle noise for observer C-D experiments of improved precision. In the first design, a single tissue-mimicking cone is located on the axis of a tissue-mimicking cylinder. Cross-sectional images of the cone which simulate focal lesions can be obtained from any orientation by rotating the cylinder under the transducer. In the second new design, a tissue-mimicking cone is positioned in a tissue-mimicking slurry of agar/graphite spheres. Gentle stirring of the slurry and rotation of the cone produce many independent realizations of the speckle. In both new phantoms, the lesion contrast can be specified and is frequency/transducer independent.

Equipment Design↗
PubMed1989

Quantitative ultrasonic detection and classification of diffuse liver disease. Comparison with human observer performance.

A multiparameter ultrasonic tissue characterization system has been developed and tested on several types of diffuse liver disease. The four tissue characterization parameters used are based on the first and second order statistics of the B-scan image. Performance of the system was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis and was compared with the performance of experienced human observers viewing B-scan images. The machine-based multiparameter system achieved an area under the ROC curve (Az) of 0.88 for detection of chronic hepatitis in more than 100 proven cases of the disease. This was dramatically better than the performance of human observers (Az = .64, P less than .05) and compares favorably to the performance of other accepted diagnostic tests such as head CT and the PAP smear. For detection of Gaucher's disease, the Az for the system was .92, whereas for separating hepatitis from Gaucher's disease Az was .84. Human observers also did well at these tasks (P greater than .8) using organomegaly as their major criterion for diagnosing Gaucher's disease. For primary biliary cirrhosis the system Az was .80, for glycogen storage disease Az was .94. These results suggest that use of multiparameter tissue characterization can significantly increase the usefulness of ultrasound for evaluation of diffuse liver disease.

Gaucher Disease↗
PubMed1989

Quantitative ultrasonography.

A perspective on quantitative techniques in diagnostic ultrasound is presented. The method involves the use of multiple tissue characterization features, pattern recognition methods, and imaging techniques to extract diagnostic information beyond that available with conventional imaging techniques. The information that each acoustic property and characterization feature reveals about physical properties of the tissues is discussed, and examples of clinical and laboratory data are summarized. The emphasis is on features that describe the composition, microscopic structure, and flow characteristics of normal and diseased soft tissues.

Discriminant Analysis↗
PubMed1988

A modified color display for computed tomography.

An algorithm for color assignment of computed tomography (CT) scans is presented. The intention is to produce color images similar to illustrations in anatomy atlases. There are three major advantages to the use of this color assignment algorithm. A single color image may replace the multiple monochrome density range pictures now used for portraying CT information. Perception of low spatial frequencies is improved, which may improve detection of soft tissue tumors. Finally, there are economic advantages for using color displays and printed color copies.

Algorithms↗
PubMed1987

Quantitative estimation of liver attenuation and echogenicity: normal state versus diffuse liver disease.

A method based on broad-band amplitude for obtaining attenuation and echogenicity estimates from homogeneous phantoms and tissues is described. Although a number of assumptions about the beam and scattering properties must be made, the attenuation results are as accurate as those obtained by the spectral-difference method and show less variability. The method was applied to the livers of 18 healthy volunteers and 76 patients with liver disease, including 29 patients with chronic hepatitis and 30 patients with Gaucher disease. Patients with chronic hepatitis formed a bimodal distribution, with one group having lower than normal attenuation and echogenicity values and another having elevated values. Six patients with type I glycogen storage disease and fatty infiltration of the liver had highly attenuating, echogenic livers as did patients with fatty livers from other causes. This finding confirms the subjective impressions already reported in the literature. In contrast to previous literature reports, patients with cirrhosis had normal attenuation and echogenicity values. Reasons for this discrepancy are discussed.

Gaucher Disease↗