Large Separable Kernel Attention-Driven Multidimensional Feature Cross-Level Fusion Classification Network of Knee Cartilage Injury: Algorithm Development and Validation

Knee cartilage injury (KCI) poses significant challenges in the early clinical diagnosis process, primarily due to its high incidence, the complexity of healing, and the limited sensitivity of initial imaging modalities.

This study aims to employ magnetic resonance imaging and machine learning methods to enhance the classification accuracy of the classifier for KCI, improve the existing network structure, and demonstrate important clinical application value.

The proposed methodology is a multidimensional feature cross-level fusion classification network driven by the large separable kernel attention, which enables high-precision hierarchical diagnosis of KCI through deep learning. The network first fuses shallow high-resolution features with deep semantic features via the cross-level fusion module. Then, the large separable kernel attention module is embedded in the YOLOv8 network. This network utilizes the combined optimization of depth-separable and point-by-point convolutions to enhance features at multiple scales, thereby dramatically improving the hierarchical characterization of cartilage damage. Finally, five classifications of knee cartilage injuries are performed by classifiers.

To overcome the limitations of network models trained with single-plane images, this study presents the first hospital-based multidimensional magnetic resonance imaging real dataset for KCI, on which the classification accuracy is 99.7%, the Kappa statistic is 99.6%, the F-measure is 99.7%, the sensitivity is 99.7%, and the specificity is 99.9%. The experimental results validate the feasibility of the proposed method.

The experimental outcomes confirm that the proposed methodology not only achieves exceptional performance in classifying knee cartilage injuries but also offers substantial improvements over existing techniques. This underscores its potential for clinical deployment in enhancing diagnostic precision and efficiency.