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Enhanced Child Care: Contrast Correction for Pediatric Hip Ultrasound Using Hyperanalytic Wavelets
Beatrice Arvinti1, Emil Radu Iacob2, Alexandru Isar3
1Fundamentals of Physics for Engineers Department, "Politehnica" University Timisoara, Bd. Vasile Pârvan 2, 300223 Timisoara, Romania.
Insights
This study developed an enhanced ultrasound algorithm to improve hip dysplasia diagnosis in neonates. The new method reduces image noise and enhances contrast, aiding faster, more accurate diagnoses, especially during healthcare staff shortages.
Area of Science:
- Medical Imaging
- Neonatal Care
- Diagnostic Technology
Background:
- Hip ultrasound is crucial for preventing neonatal hip dysplasia.
- Healthcare systems face challenges from pandemics, impacting personnel availability.
- Accurate and efficient neonatal diagnostics are essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an algorithm to expedite and improve the accuracy of neonatal hip ultrasound diagnoses.
- To address diagnostic errors caused by infant movement.
- To enhance ultrasound image quality for better clinical interpretation.
Main Methods:
- Implemented Hyperanalytic Wavelet Transform for echographic noise filtering.
- Utilized an adaptive Soft Thresholding Filter for contrast correction.
- Algorithm tailored for infant anatomy and tested on real neonatal ultrasound data.
Main Results:
- Successfully reduced image noise in clinical cases.
- Significantly enhanced image contrast.
- Demonstrated effectiveness in improving ultrasound image quality for neonatal hip assessment.
Conclusions:
- The developed algorithm offers personalized image enhancement without fixed reference values.
- This technology has practical applications in easing clinical procedures for physicians.
- Improved diagnostic tools are vital for efficient neonatal care.
Abstract:
(1) Background: The prevention of critical situations is a key ability in medicine. Hip ultrasound for neonates is a standard procedure to prevent later critical outcomes, such as hip dysplasia. Additionally, the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has put worldwide stress upon healthcare units, resulting often in a lack of sufficient medical personnel. This work aims to develop solutions to ease and speed up the process of coming to a correct diagnosis. (2) Methods: Traditional medical procedures are envisaged, but they are enhanced to reduce diagnosing errors due to the movements of the neonates. Echographic noise filtering and contrast correction methods are implemented the Hyperanalytic Wavelet Transform, combined with an adaptive Soft Thresholding Filter. The algorithm is tailored to infants' structure and is tested on real ultrasounds provided by the "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy. Denoising and contrast correction problems are targeted. (3) Results: In available clinical cases, the noise affecting the image was reduced and the contrast was enhanced. (4) Discussion: We noticed that a significant amount of noise can be added to the image, as the patients are neonates and can hardly avoid movements. (5) Conclusions: The algorithm is personalized with no fixed reference value. Any device easing the clinical procedures of physicians has a practical medical application.
