Analyzing Neural Networks Applied to an Anatomical Simulation of the Breast

Craig K. Abbey, Sourya Sengupta, Weimin Zhou, Andreu Badal, Rongping Zeng, Frank W. Samuelson, Miguel P. Eckstein, Kyle J. Myers, Mark A. Anastasio, Jovan G. Brankov

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

In the last 5 to 10 years, there has been an enormous increase in the interest and use of network models in imaging. These are being considered for numerous imaging applications, including denoising, decision support, learned-feature selection, and many others. Network models "learn" solutions to imaging problems from labelled training data and an elaborate training regime. When a successful model is developed, it represents a computational algorithm for performing some task of interest. But it also encodes a solution to an imaging problem that may be intractable by conventional analytical means. Network models are therefore of interest for how they formulate a solution to a problem of interest. This work focuses on that process. We present two case studies in the analysis of neural networks. The first consists of a denoising network for digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) images developed using a complex anatomical simulation of breast tissues and realistic x-ray transport physics. The second looks at a lesion detection network, also for DBT images, based on the same anatomical simulation model. For the denoising network, we find that it is very well represented by a linear operation that is effectively a Gaussian convolution kernel. The detection filter appears to be locally linear, but the filter profile appears to depend on what stimulus is used to probe the network. There does not appear to be any clear structure in quadratic components from reverse correlation. Overall, this study shows how regression and reverse-correlation techniques can be used to analyze network models. 2022 SPIE.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationMedical Imaging 2022
Subtitle of host publicationImage Perception, Observer Performance, and Technology Assessment
EditorsClaudia R. Mello-Thoms, Claudia R. Mello-Thoms, Sian Taylor-Phillips
PublisherSPIE
ISBN (Electronic)9781510649453
DOIs
StatePublished - 2022
EventMedical Imaging 2022: Image Perception, Observer Performance, and Technology Assessment - Virtual, Online
Duration: Mar 21 2022Mar 27 2022

Publication series

NameProgress in Biomedical Optics and Imaging - Proceedings of SPIE
Volume12035
ISSN (Print)1605-7422

Conference

ConferenceMedical Imaging 2022: Image Perception, Observer Performance, and Technology Assessment
CityVirtual, Online
Period3/21/223/27/22

Keywords

  • Breast Phantoms
  • Neural Networks
  • Reverse Correlation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
  • Biomaterials
  • Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging

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