Medical Image Feature Identification Using Bayesian and GAN Networks

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional medical image analysis methods fail to provide adequate explanations for model decisions, lacking information on the types of image features and uncertainties associated with them, which hinders medical practitioners' understanding and verification of analysis results.

Innovation Solution

The use of Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) and Bayesian Deep Learning (BDL) networks to identify and classify image features, providing uncertainty measures and visual overlays with textual descriptions, enabling improved understanding and classification accuracy by capturing different types of uncertainties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If conventional heat map approaches are used to provide visual explanations, then model verification is facilitated, but no additional information about image feature types or uncertainties is provided

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation about image features and uncertaintiesVSAvoidcomplexity of analysis system
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple analysis components (heat map generation, feature type classification, uncertainty quantification) into a unified visual explanation system. This merging allows the system to provide comprehensive information about image features and uncertainties while maintaining a single integrated approach rather than separate independent systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The visual explanation system is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: generating heat maps for localization, classifying feature types, and quantifying uncertainties. This multi-functionality allows a single system to address multiple information needs of medical practitioners without requiring separate specialized systems for each function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If multiple types of uncertainty information are provided, then understanding and classification accuracy are improved, but the complexity of the analysis system increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclassification accuracyVSAvoidcomplexity of analysis system
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments uncertainty into distinct types (aleatoric uncertainty from Bayesian Deep Learning and epistemic uncertainty from Generative Adversarial Networks). This segmentation allows each type to be addressed by specialized techniques while maintaining overall system coherence, improving classification accuracy through targeted uncertainty handling

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces visual overlays as an intermediary mechanism that translates complex uncertainty information from multiple sources into an intuitive visual format. This intermediary layer mediates between the complex multi-source uncertainty data and the user's understanding, improving classification accuracy without directly increasing operational complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If visual overlays with textual descriptions are provided, then medical practitioners can quickly assess results, but the processing and presentation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassessment speedVSAvoidcomplexity of presentation system
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary processing of uncertainty information and generates appropriate visual overlays and textual descriptions before presentation to the medical practitioner. This preliminary action prepares the information in an easily consumable format, enabling quick assessment without requiring complex real-time processing during user interaction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3660741B1Feature identification in medical imaging
Publication Date: 2022.05.04 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV
  • EP3660741B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3660741B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3660741B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Presented are concepts for feature identification in medical imaging of a subject. One such concept processes a medical image with a Bayesian deep learning network to determine a first image feature of interest and an associated uncertainty value, the first image feature being located in a first sub-region of the image. It also processes the medical image with a generative adversarial network to determine a second image feature of interest within the first sub-region of the image and an associated uncertainty value. Based on the first and second image features and their associated uncertainty values, the first sub-region of the image is classified.