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Modeling common dynamics in multichannel signals with applications to artifact and background removal in EEG recordings.

Removing artifacts and background electroencephaloraphy (EEG) from multichannel interictal and ictal EEG has become a major research topic in EEG signal processing in recent years. We applied for this purpose a recently developed subspace-based method for modeling the common dynamics in multichannel signals. When the epileptiform activity is common in the majority of channels and the artifacts appear only in a few channels the proposed method can be used to remove the latter. The performance of the method was tested on simulated data for different noise levels. For high noise levels the method was still able to identify the common dynamics. In addition, the method was applied to real life EEG recordings containing interictal and ictal activity contaminated with muscle artifact. The muscle artifacts were removed successfully. For both the synthetic data and the analyzed real life data the results were compared with the results obtained with principal component analysis (PCA). In both cases, the proposed method performed better than PCA.

Action Potentials↗

Motion artifact reduction in photoplethysmography using independent component analysis.

Removing the motion artifacts from measured photoplethysmography (PPG) signals is one of the important issues to be tackled for the accurate measurement of arterial oxygen saturation during movement. In this paper, the motion artifacts were reduced by exploiting the quasi-periodicity of the PPG signal and the independence between the PPG and the motion artifact signals. The combination of independent component analysis and block interleaving with low-pass filtering can reduce the motion artifacts under the condition of general dual-wavelength measurement. Experiments with synthetic and real data were performed to demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed algorithm.

Algorithms↗

Tile-boundary artifact reduction using odd tile size and the low-pass first convention.

It is well known that tile-boundary artifacts occur in wavelet-based lossy image coding. However, until now, their cause has not been understood well. In this paper, we show that boundary artifacts are an inescapable consequence of the usual methods used to choose tile size and the type of symmetric extension employed in a wavelet-based image decomposition system. This paper presents a novel method for reducing these tile-boundary artifacts. The method employs odd tile sizes (2N + 1 samples) rather than the conventional even tile sizes (2N samples). It is shown that, for the same bit rate, an image compressed using an odd tile length low-pass first (OTLPF) convention has significantly less boundary artifacts than an image compressed using even tile sizes. The OTLPF convention can also be incorporated into the JPEG 2000 image compression algorithm using extensions defined in Part 2 of this standard.

Algorithms↗

Artifact analysis and reconstruction improvement in helical cardiac cone beam CT.

With the introduction of cone beam (CB) scanners, cardiac volumetric computed tomography (CT) imaging has the potential to become a noninvasive imaging tool in clinical routine for the diagnosis of various heart diseases. Heart rate adaptive reconstruction schemes enable the reconstruction of high-resolution volumetric data sets of the heart. Artifacts, caused by strong heart rate variations, high heart rates and obesity, decrease the image quality and the diagnostic value of the images. The image quality suffers from streak artifacts if suboptimal scan and reconstruction parameters are chosen, demanding improved gating techniques. In this paper, an artifact analysis is carried out which addresses the artifacts due to the gating when using a three-dimensional CB cardiac reconstruction technique. An automatic and patient specific cardiac weighting technique is presented in order to improve the image quality. Based on the properties of the reconstruction algorithm, several assessment techniques are introduced which enable the quantitative determination of the cycle-to-cycle transition smoothness and phase homogeneity of the image reconstruction. Projection data of four patients were acquired using a 16-slice CBCT system in low pitch helical mode with parallel electrocardiogram recording. For each patient, image results are presented and discussed in combination with the assessment criteria.

Algorithms↗

Reduction of noise-induced streak artifacts in X-ray computed tomography through spline-based penalized-likelihood sinogram smoothing.

We present a statistically principled sinogram smoothing approach for X-ray computed tomography (CT) with the intent of reducing noise-induced streak artifacts. These artifacts arise in CT when some subset of the transmission measurements capture relatively few photons because of high attenuation along the measurement lines. Attempts to reduce these artifacts have focused on the use of adaptive filters that strive to tailor the degree of smoothing to the local noise levels in the measurements. While these approaches involve loose consideration of the measurement statistics to determine smoothing levels, they do not explicitly model the statistical distributions of the measurement data. In this paper, we present an explicitly statistical approach to sinogram smoothing in the presence of photon-starved measurements. It is an extension of a nonparametric sinogram smoothing approach using penalized Poisson-likelihood functions that we have previously developed for emission tomography. Because the approach explicitly models the data statistics, it is naturally adaptive--it will smooth more variable measurements more heavily than it does less variable measurements. We find that it significantly reduces streak artifacts and noise levels without comprising image resolution.

Algorithms↗

Removing eye-movement artifacts from the EEG during the intracarotid amobarbital procedure.

PURPOSE: The EEG is often recorded during the intracarotid amobarbital procedure (IAP) to help in the assessment of the spatial extent and the duration of the effect of the drug. In scalp recordings, the EEG is always heavily contaminated with eye movement artifacts as the patient actively performs visual tasks. METHODS: Independent component analysis (ICA) is a new technique for blind source separation. In this study, we separated the EEG data recorded during the IAP into independent components using ICA. The EEG signal was reconstructed by excluding the components related to eye movement and eye blinks. RESULTS: EEGs from 10 IAP tests were analyzed. The experimental results indicate that ICA is very efficient at subtracting eye-movement artifacts, while retaining the EEG slow waves and making their interpretation easier. CONCLUSIONS: ICA appears to be a generally applicable and effective method for removing ocular artifacts from EEG recordings during IAP, although slow waves and ocular artifacts share similar frequency distributions.

Algorithms↗

Automatic removal of eye movement and blink artifacts from EEG data using blind component separation.

Signals from eye movements and blinks can be orders of magnitude larger than brain-generated electrical potentials and are one of the main sources of artifacts in electroencephalographic (EEG) data. Rejecting contaminated trials causes substantial data loss, and restricting eye movements/blinks limits the experimental designs possible and may impact the cognitive processes under investigation. This article presents a method based on blind source separation (BSS) for automatic removal of electroocular artifacts from EEG data. BBS is a signal-processing methodology that includes independent component analysis (ICA). In contrast to previously explored ICA-based methods for artifact removal, this method is automated. Moreover, the BSS algorithm described herein can isolate correlated electroocular components with a high degree of accuracy. Although the focus is on eliminating ocular artifacts in EEG data, the approach can be extended to other sources of EEG contamination such as cardiac signals, environmental noise, and electrode drift, and adapted for use with magnetoencephalographic (MEG) data, a magnetic correlate of EEG.

Algorithms↗

A method of eliminating streak artifacts from metallic dental restorations in CTs of head and neck cancer patients.

The purpose of this report was to develop a method to reduce streak artifacts derived from dental restorations in CT-imaging of the head and neck region. We selected six patients who were being treated for head and neck cancer and who had metal-derived artifacts on their CT that limited pre- or post-surgical visualization. The metal restorations were removed and replaced with non-metallic composite resin restorations. The CT was repeated as required on completion of the procedures. The streak artifacts were completely eliminated in patients in whom radiolucent composite materials were used. Patients have been followed for 6-26 months with no complications or breakdown of the restorations. The substitution of radiolucent for metallic restorations in special cases should be considered as a solution to CT dental artifact problems.

Adolescent↗

Matched view weighting in tilted-plane-based reconstruction algorithms to suppress helical artifacts and optimize noise characteristics.

In multi-slice helical CT, the single-tilted-plane-based reconstruction algorithm has been proposed to combat helical and cone beam artifacts by tilting a reconstruction plane to fit a helical source trajectory optimally. Furthermore, to improve the noise characteristics or dose efficiency of the single-tilted-plane-based reconstruction algorithm, the multi-tilted-plane-based reconstruction algorithm has been proposed, in which the reconstruction plane deviates from the pose globally optimized due to an extra rotation along the 3rd axis. As a result, the capability of suppressing helical and cone beam artifacts in the multi-tilted-plane-based reconstruction algorithm is compromised. A matched view weighting approach is proposed here to optimize the capability of suppressing helical and cone beam artifacts and noise characteristics. A helical body phantom is employed to quantitatively evaluate the imaging performance of the matched view weighting approach, showing that the matched view weighting improves both the helical artifact suppression and noise characteristics or dose efficiency significantly in comparison to the case in which nonmatched view weighting is applied. The matched view weighting approach is of practical importance in the development of multi-slice helical CT, because it maintains the computational structure of fan beam filtered back-projection and demands no extra computational resources.

Algorithms↗

Automatic detection of linear artifacts in medical images.

Our purpose in this study is to describe an algorithm for the automatic detection of linear artifacts in medical images. Linear artifacts arise as a result of many different forms of tissues and tissue boundaries within the imaging volume. Additionally, linear artifacts can arise for artificial structures such as radioactive seeds and radioactive linear sources. It is the purpose of the described algorithm to automatically detect linear artifacts of a certain length and diameter. The algorithm was written and compiled on a Pentium-4 based computer in the Microsoft Visual C/C++ language. Inert coils supplied by Radiomed Inc. were implanted into a standard prostate ultrasound phantom. Transaxial ultrasound images of the implanted phantom were obtained at 2 mm increments. The coded algorithm was then applied to the ultrasound imaging volume to automatically segment out the implanted coils. Thirteen coils were implanted in the prostate phantom. Thirteen coils were automatically identified in the imaging volume. An algorithm was developed to automatically determine the position and orientation of radioactive coils within an imaging volume. The algorithm successfully identified thirteen coils implanted in an ultrasound prostate phantom.

Algorithms↗

Melody lead in piano performance: expressive device or artifact?

As reported in the recent literature on piano performance, an emphasized voice (the melody) tends to be played not only louder than the other voices, but also about 30 ms earlier (melody lead). It remains unclear whether pianists deliberately apply melody lead to separate different voices, or whether it occurs because the melody is played louder (velocity artifact). The velocity artifact explanation implies that pianists initially strike the keys simultaneously; it is only different velocities that make the hammers arrive at different points in time. The measured note onsets in these studies, mostly derived from computer-monitored pianos, represent the hammer-string impact times. In the present study, the finger-key contact times are calculated and analyzed as well. If the velocity artifact hypothesis is correct, the melody lead phenomenon should disappear at the finger-key level. Chopin's Ballade op. 38 (45 measures) and Etude op. 10/3 (21 measures) were performed on a Bösendorfer computer-monitored grand piano by 22 skilled pianists. The hammer-string asynchronies among voices closely resemble the results reported in the literature. However, the melody lead decreases almost to zero at the finger-key level, which supports the velocity artifact hypothesis. In addition to this, expected onset asynchronies are predicted from differences in hammer velocity, if finger-key asynchronies are assumed to be zero. They correlate highly with the observed melody lead.

Artifacts↗

Artifacts at PET and PET/CT caused by metallic hip prosthetic material.

Hip prosthetic material and a steel rod were scanned in a water bath of fluorine 18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) with positron emission tomographic (PET) and PET/computed tomographic (CT) scanners to evaluate the generation of artifacts adjacent to the metal. The influences of attenuation correction (AC), positioning of the object, and image reconstruction were examined. Use of CT- and germanium 68-based AC resulted in generation of artifacts that mimicked increased FDG uptake. These artifacts were more evident when the object was moved between the emission and transmission scans. When attenuation-weighted iterative reconstruction was used, these artifacts were less evident.

Artifacts↗

Cavernous hemangiomas: dipolar susceptibility artifacts at MR imaging.

A misleading susceptibility artifact was originally encountered at magnetic resonance imaging in a patient with multiple cavernous hemangiomas. By using a gradient-recalled echo sequence, the artifact appeared on axial sections as a single ring of enhanced signal intensity within the expected signal void around many of the individual lesions. It was hypothesized and confirmed through phantom experiments with ferromagnetic samples that hemosiderin deposits within each lesion behaved like a point magnetic dipole, causing the intravoxel signal interference patterns that appeared as a ring of enhanced signal intensity. The artifact was therefore found to be entirely susceptibility-induced. Knowledge of the origin and appearance of this new artifact will aid radiologists in the interpretation of susceptibility images and help them avoid misinterpreting a single lesion as multiple contiguous lesions.

Aged↗

Predictive respiratory gating: a new method to reduce motion artifacts on CT scans.

PURPOSE: To evaluate a gating system, called predictive respiratory gating (PRG), that reduces motion-induced artifacts on computed tomographic (CT) scans of patients who cannot suspend respiration. MATERIALS AND METHODS: PRG uses a respiration monitor and a new algorithm to predict when a motionless period is about to occur. It automatically starts scanning so the scan is temporally centered around the motionless period at end inspiration or end expiration. To demonstrate PRG, CT was performed on a motion phantom and a quietly breathing volunteer with and without gating. RESULTS: Scans of the phantom obtained with PRG contained less motion-induced streaking and blurring than did scans acquired without PRG. Scans of the volunteer gated at end expiration contained significantly less artifact than nongated scans (P < .03). CONCLUSION: PRG reduced motion artifact on scans of a spontaneously breathing volunteer. PRG may be able to reduce motion artifacts on scans of patients unable to suspend respiration.

Adult↗

Spiral CT artifact that simulates aortic dissection: image reconstruction with use of 180 degrees and 360 degrees linear-interpolation algorithms.

PURPOSE: To evaluate a computed tomographic (CT) artifact that simulates aortic dissection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two groups of 65 patients underwent spiral CT of the chest for reasons other than suspected aortic dissection. In each group, two series of images (10-mm sections) were reconstructed with use of a 180 degrees or 360 degrees linear-interpolation algorithm. Series of images were read by two radiologists, and variance between interpretations was statistically measured. RESULTS: Among series of images, artifacts were seen on 21-26 (32%-40%) with use of a 180 degrees algorithm and 41 (63%) and 44 (68%) with use of a 360 degrees algorithm. Concordance between reviewers was fair (kappa = 0.58, 0.59) or good (kappa = 0.65) with use of a 180 degrees algorithm and excellent (kappa = 0.92) with use of a 360 degrees algorithm. In one group, with use of a 180 degrees algorithm, two series of reconstructed images were separated by 5 mm; artifact was observed on seven (11%) CT studies (on both series of images) and was located along the left or left anterior side of the aorta. CONCLUSION: To reduce the frequency of a spiral CT artifact that simulates aortic dissection, two series of segmented images can be reconstructed with a change of image position along the z axis of the aorta and use of a 180 degrees linear-interpolation algorithm.

Adult↗

Gas at abdominal US: appearance, relevance, and analysis of artifacts.

PURPOSE: To describe the spectrum of ultrasonographic (US) appearances of intraluminal gas, including two clinically relevant gas artifacts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Observations were made in patients and reproduced in an animal model, an ex vivo gut preparation, and a tissue-mimicking phantom. Appearances were classified according to a physical model of the interaction between sound and collections of gas. RESULTS: Free bubbles of gas appeared as bright echogenic foci extending artifactually owing to lateral and axial blooming. This causes bubbles that abut the gut wall to enhance the layer one echo, which corresponds to the interface between the mucosa and the luminal contents. Such bubbles can also falsely appear to be within the gut wall itself owing to elevation averaging and thereby cause the artifact pseudo-pneumatosis intestinalis. Isolated groups of small bubbles created a characteristic periodicity and tapering of the distal echo pattern. In the extreme case, in which many such echoes are superimposed, "dirty shadowing" occurs. A contiguous pocket of gas may cause the gut wall to appear artifactually thickened (i.e., pseudo-thickened gut). This was shown to be a form of mirror image artifact. CONCLUSION: Classification of the effects of gas on US images according to their physical characteristics may aid in their interpretation. Appreciating two previously undescribed artifacts, pseudo-pneumatosis intestinalis and pseudo-thickened gut, will improve the usefulness of abdominal US.

Abdomen↗

Virtual CT intravascular endoscopy of the aorta: pierced surface and floating shape thresholding artifacts.

Two types of artifacts may appear in virtual computed tomographic endoscopic views of the aorta rendered at different threshold levels: pierced surface and floating shape artifacts. A positive correlation was found between mean attenuation of the aorta and the threshold levels at which these artifacts appeared. The correlation was statistically significant (0.71 < or = r < or = 0.86) for floating shape. An artifact-free threshold range can be predicted on the basis of aortic enhancement.

Adult↗

In vitro evaluation of platinum Guglielmi detachable coils at 3 T with a porcine model: safety issues and artifacts.

PURPOSE: To evaluate safety-related issues and imaging artifacts of Guglielmi detachable coils in vitro with 3-T magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two aneurysm models were constructed: one from porcine carotid artery and the other from a pharmaceutical capsule. Both were filled with Guglielmi detachable coils. The models were tested with a 3-T MR imager for heating, deflection, and imaging artifact. Testing for heating and deflection was performed (a) at static points both inside and outside the bore, (b) during movement into the imager, and (c) during clinical imaging sequences. RESULTS: No change in temperature was measured during movement into the imager bore or at different points within the bore. No differences in heating from radio-frequency energy were found between aneurysm models and controls. Similarly, no evidence of deflection of the coil mass (capsule model) was found. Minor susceptibility artifacts were found in the readout direction during gradient-echo sequences. Magnetic field mapping showed no induced field inhomogeneity. CONCLUSION: MR imaging at field strengths of 3 T in patients with aneurysms treated with Guglielmi detachable coils is safe. Imaging artifacts are likely to be minimal.

Animals↗