Artificial convolution neural network techniques and applications for lung nodule detection

We have developed a double-matching method and an artificial visual neural network technique for lung nodule detection. This neural network technique is generally applicable to the recognition of medical image pattern in gray scale imaging. The structure of the artificial neural net is a simplified network structure of human vision. The fundamental operation of the artificial neural network is local two-dimensional convolution rather than full connection with weighted multiplication. Weighting coefficients of the convolution kernels are formed by the neural network through backpropagated training. In addition, we modeled radiologists' reading procedures in order to instruct the artificial neural network to recognize the image patterns predefined and those of interest to experts in radiology. We have tested this method for lung nodule detection. The performance studies have shown the potential use of this technique in a clinical setting. This program first performed an initial nodule search with high sensitivity in detecting round objects using a sphere template double-matching technique. The artificial convolution neural network acted as a final classifier to determine whether the suspected image block contains a lung nodule. The total processing time for the automatic detection of lung nodules using both prescan and convolution neural network evaluation was about 15 seconds in a DEC Alpha workstation.