2010
Other
Metadata Only Access
Tecnologie della comunicazione e dell'informazione per il monitoraggio del mare
Colantonio S, D'Acunto M, Martinelli M, Moroni D, Pieri G, Salvetti O, Tampucci M, Cocco M
Esposizione delle attività dell'ISTI (laboratorio "Segnali e immagini") nel campo del monitoraggio del mare. Presentazione di prototipi ad uso di personale volontario per la segnalazione di sversamenti di petrolio. Evento ospitato dalla Lega Navale, sezione di Pisa.
Colantonio S, D'Acunto M, Martinelli M, Moroni D, Pieri G, Salvetti O, Tampucci M, Cocco M
Esposizione delle attività dell'ISTI (laboratorio "Segnali e immagini") nel campo del monitoraggio del mare. Presentazione di prototipi ad uso di personale volontario per la segnalazione di sversamenti di petrolio. Evento ospitato dalla Lega Navale, sezione di Pisa.
See at:
CNR IRIS 
2010
Other
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Analysis, functional requirements and architecture of the MIS
Colantonio S, D'Acunto M, Martinelli M, Moroni D, Pieri G, Salvetti O, Tampucci M
.The Analysis, functional requirements and architecture of the MIS aims to define the overall architecture of the MIS by identifying the services provided and required by each subsystem and defining the interfaces to be used for inter-subsystem communicationProject(s): ARGOMARINE
, NETMAR
Colantonio S, D'Acunto M, Martinelli M, Moroni D, Pieri G, Salvetti O, Tampucci M
.The Analysis, functional requirements and architecture of the MIS aims to define the overall architecture of the MIS by identifying the services provided and required by each subsystem and defining the interfaces to be used for inter-subsystem communicationProject(s): ARGOMARINE
, NETMAR
2010
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IPERMOB - Requisiti e specifi che funzionali del sistema di acquisizione
Dal Seno B, Magrini M, Moroni D, Nastasi C, Pagano P, Petracca M, Pieri G, Salvetti O
This document characterizes the IPERMOB acquisition system. After describing the content of the document and presenting the state of the art on visual sensor networks, functional requisites are discussed and a reference architecture is proposed.
Dal Seno B, Magrini M, Moroni D, Nastasi C, Pagano P, Petracca M, Pieri G, Salvetti O
This document characterizes the IPERMOB acquisition system. After describing the content of the document and presenting the state of the art on visual sensor networks, functional requisites are discussed and a reference architecture is proposed.
2010
Other
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IPERMOB - Dispositivo prototipale
Alessandrelli D, Azzarà A, Dal Seno B, Ghibaudi M, Magrini M, Martelli F, Moroni D, Nastasi C, Pagano P, Petracca M, Renda E, Salvadori C, Pieri G, Salvetti O, Santi P
This document describes the architecture for the sensor nodes of the WSN and the equipments both for the vehicular and road-side units of the VANET used in IPERMOB project. Image processing algorithms are also described along with the communication protocols used for acquiring and distributing traffic related information.
Alessandrelli D, Azzarà A, Dal Seno B, Ghibaudi M, Magrini M, Martelli F, Moroni D, Nastasi C, Pagano P, Petracca M, Renda E, Salvadori C, Pieri G, Salvetti O, Santi P
This document describes the architecture for the sensor nodes of the WSN and the equipments both for the vehicular and road-side units of the VANET used in IPERMOB project. Image processing algorithms are also described along with the communication protocols used for acquiring and distributing traffic related information.
See at:
CNR IRIS | CNR IRIS | www.ipermob.org
2010
Journal article
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Shape analysis, semantic annotation and context modelling for the retrieval of 3D anatomical structures
Moroni D, Salvetti M, Salvetti O
This paper is devoted to the presentation of a framework for the description of anatomical structures, based both on topological and geometrical features and on semantic annotation. We argue that a 3D model-representing an anatomical structure-may be enhanced with other non-geometrical pieces of information relevant to the particular problem-context. Hybrid methods for similarity searches are then introduced and shown to be able to support effective case-based reasoning procedures. The approach is illustrated with examples from several medical application fields in order to discuss its potential impact.Source: PATTERN RECOGNITION AND IMAGE ANALYSIS, vol. 20, pp. 86-93
DOI: 10.1134/s1054661810010098
Metrics:
Moroni D, Salvetti M, Salvetti O
This paper is devoted to the presentation of a framework for the description of anatomical structures, based both on topological and geometrical features and on semantic annotation. We argue that a 3D model-representing an anatomical structure-may be enhanced with other non-geometrical pieces of information relevant to the particular problem-context. Hybrid methods for similarity searches are then introduced and shown to be able to support effective case-based reasoning procedures. The approach is illustrated with examples from several medical application fields in order to discuss its potential impact.Source: PATTERN RECOGNITION AND IMAGE ANALYSIS, vol. 20, pp. 86-93
DOI: 10.1134/s1054661810010098
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Pattern Recognition and Image Analysis | CNR IRIS | CNR IRIS | link.springer.com
2010
Other
Metadata Only Access
FP7- SST.2008.1.2.1-234096 Argomarine: Automatic Oil-Spill Recognition and Geopositioning integrated in a Marine Monitoring Network
Colantonio S, D'Acunto M, Martinelli M, Moroni D, Pieri G, Salvetti O, Tampucci M
ARGOMARINE is R&D EC-funded project aiming at developing and testing an integrated and distributed system for monitoring the marine traffic and pollution events due to carriers/commercial ships as well as recreational boats through environmental-sensitive sea areas for effective interventions in case of maritime accidents. CNR is leader in the WPs devoted to the design of environmental decision support services and to the implementation of a Marine Information System.
Colantonio S, D'Acunto M, Martinelli M, Moroni D, Pieri G, Salvetti O, Tampucci M
ARGOMARINE is R&D EC-funded project aiming at developing and testing an integrated and distributed system for monitoring the marine traffic and pollution events due to carriers/commercial ships as well as recreational boats through environmental-sensitive sea areas for effective interventions in case of maritime accidents. CNR is leader in the WPs devoted to the design of environmental decision support services and to the implementation of a Marine Information System.
See at:
CNR IRIS
2010
Journal article
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Detection limit of biomarkers using the near-infrared band-gap fluorescence of single-walled carbon nanotubes
D' Acunto M, Colantonio S, Moroni D, Salvetti O
Progress is being made in the development of microanalytical systems for biosensing. Because the sensor signal-to-noise ratio increases with decreasing size for many devices, considerable effort to fabricate small sensors is going to be addressed. Due to their hollow cylindrical structure, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are considered very promising for many potential nano-device applications. Fluorescence microscopy in the near-infrared (NIR) between 950 and 1600nm has been developed as a novel method to image and study single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) in a variety of environments. Recently, hybridisation of DNA using NIR band-gap fluorescence has been experimentally demonstrated. We describe a numerical simulation, where the fluorescence shift energy is connected to exciton density variation when the molecular recognition is located on the SWNT immersed in a physiological solution.Source: JOURNAL OF MODERN OPTICS (PRINT), vol. 57 (issue 18), pp. 1695-1699
DOI: 10.1080/09500341003658170
Metrics:
D' Acunto M, Colantonio S, Moroni D, Salvetti O
Progress is being made in the development of microanalytical systems for biosensing. Because the sensor signal-to-noise ratio increases with decreasing size for many devices, considerable effort to fabricate small sensors is going to be addressed. Due to their hollow cylindrical structure, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are considered very promising for many potential nano-device applications. Fluorescence microscopy in the near-infrared (NIR) between 950 and 1600nm has been developed as a novel method to image and study single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) in a variety of environments. Recently, hybridisation of DNA using NIR band-gap fluorescence has been experimentally demonstrated. We describe a numerical simulation, where the fluorescence shift energy is connected to exciton density variation when the molecular recognition is located on the SWNT immersed in a physiological solution.Source: JOURNAL OF MODERN OPTICS (PRINT), vol. 57 (issue 18), pp. 1695-1699
DOI: 10.1080/09500341003658170
Metrics:
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Journal of Modern Optics | CNR IRIS | CNR IRIS | www.informaworld.com
2010
Journal article
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The K(pi, 1) problem for the affine Artin group of type (B)over-tilde(n) and its cohomology
Callegaro F, Moroni D, Salvetti M
We prove that the complement to the affine complex arrangement of type (B) over tilde (n) is a K(pi, 1) space. We also compute the cohomology of the affine Artin group G (B) over tilde (n) ( of type (B) over tilde (n)) with coefficients in interesting local systems. In particular, we consider the module Q [q+/-1; t+/-1]; where the first n standard generators of G (B) over tilde (n) act by (-q)-multiplication while the last generator acts by (-t)-multiplication. Such a representation generalizes the analogous 1-parameter representation related to the bundle structure over the complement to the discriminant hypersurface, endowed with the monodromy action of the associated Milnor fibre. The cohomology of G (B) over tilde (n) with trivial coefficients is derived from the previous one.Source: JOURNAL OF THE EUROPEAN MATHEMATICAL SOCIETY, vol. 12, pp. 1-22
DOI: 10.471/jems/187
Metrics:
Callegaro F, Moroni D, Salvetti M
We prove that the complement to the affine complex arrangement of type (B) over tilde (n) is a K(pi, 1) space. We also compute the cohomology of the affine Artin group G (B) over tilde (n) ( of type (B) over tilde (n)) with coefficients in interesting local systems. In particular, we consider the module Q [q+/-1; t+/-1]; where the first n standard generators of G (B) over tilde (n) act by (-q)-multiplication while the last generator acts by (-t)-multiplication. Such a representation generalizes the analogous 1-parameter representation related to the bundle structure over the complement to the discriminant hypersurface, endowed with the monodromy action of the associated Milnor fibre. The cohomology of G (B) over tilde (n) with trivial coefficients is derived from the previous one.Source: JOURNAL OF THE EUROPEAN MATHEMATICAL SOCIETY, vol. 12, pp. 1-22
DOI: 10.471/jems/187
Metrics:
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CNR IRIS | CNR IRIS | www.ems-ph.org
2010
Journal article
Open Access
Quantification of epicardial fat by cardiac CT imaging
Coppini G, Favilla R, Marraccini P, Moroni D, Pieri G
The aim of this work is to introduce and design image processing methods for the quantitative analysis of epicardial fat by using cardiac CT imaging. Indeed, epicardial fat has recently been shown to correlate with cardiovascular disease, cardiovascular risk factors and metabolic syndrome. However, many concerns still remain about the methods for measuring epicardial fat, its regional distribution on the myocardium and the accuracy and reproducibility of the measurements. In this paper, a method is proposed for the analysis of single-frame 3D images obtained by the standard acquisition protocol used for coronary calcium scoring. In the design of the method, much attention has been payed to the minimization of user intervention and to reproducibility issues. In particular, the proposed method features a two step segmentation algorithm suitable for the analysis of epicardial fat. In the first step of the algorithm, an analysis of epicardial fat intensity distribution is carried out in order to define suitable thresholds for a first rough segmentation. In the second step, a variational formulation of level set methods - including a specially-designed region homogeneity energy based on Gaussian mixture models- is used to recover spatial coherence and smoothness of fat depots. Experimental results show that the introduced method may be efficiently used for the quantification of epicardial fat.Source: THE OPEN MEDICAL INFORMATICS JOURNAL, vol. 4, pp. 126-135
DOI: 10.2174/1874431101004010126
Metrics:
Coppini G, Favilla R, Marraccini P, Moroni D, Pieri G
The aim of this work is to introduce and design image processing methods for the quantitative analysis of epicardial fat by using cardiac CT imaging. Indeed, epicardial fat has recently been shown to correlate with cardiovascular disease, cardiovascular risk factors and metabolic syndrome. However, many concerns still remain about the methods for measuring epicardial fat, its regional distribution on the myocardium and the accuracy and reproducibility of the measurements. In this paper, a method is proposed for the analysis of single-frame 3D images obtained by the standard acquisition protocol used for coronary calcium scoring. In the design of the method, much attention has been payed to the minimization of user intervention and to reproducibility issues. In particular, the proposed method features a two step segmentation algorithm suitable for the analysis of epicardial fat. In the first step of the algorithm, an analysis of epicardial fat intensity distribution is carried out in order to define suitable thresholds for a first rough segmentation. In the second step, a variational formulation of level set methods - including a specially-designed region homogeneity energy based on Gaussian mixture models- is used to recover spatial coherence and smoothness of fat depots. Experimental results show that the introduced method may be efficiently used for the quantification of epicardial fat.Source: THE OPEN MEDICAL INFORMATICS JOURNAL, vol. 4, pp. 126-135
DOI: 10.2174/1874431101004010126
Metrics:
See at:
Open Medical Informatics Journal 
| Open Medical Informatics Journal | Open Medical Informatics Journal | CNR IRIS | CNR IRIS | www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
2010
Other
Metadata Only Access
POR Toscana IPERMOB: A Pervasive and Heterogeneous Infrastructure to control Urban Mobility in Real-Time
Magrini M, Moroni D, Pieri G, Salvetti O
Within the domain of Intelligent Transport Systems IPERMOB proposes a multi-tier approach for developing an Information System for urban mobility. IPERMOB proposes a new generation of integrated systems based on the optimization and inter-operability of the chain formed by: i) data collection systems; ii) aggregation, management, and on-line control systems; off-line systems aiming at infrastructure planning; iii) information systems targeted to citizen and municipality to handle and rule the vehicle mobility. Specifically IPERMOB proposes low-cost wireless technology (WSN) and image processing techniques to estimate traffic-related information. In IPERMOB vehicular networks (IEEE 802.11a/p) will be interoperated with WSN (IEEE 802.15.4) and connected to a centralized database through wide band 5 GHz link (IEEE 802.11h). As tested, IPERMOB will provide real-time information about parking availability and vehicle flows on the landside of the International Airport of Tuscany (Pisa).
Magrini M, Moroni D, Pieri G, Salvetti O
Within the domain of Intelligent Transport Systems IPERMOB proposes a multi-tier approach for developing an Information System for urban mobility. IPERMOB proposes a new generation of integrated systems based on the optimization and inter-operability of the chain formed by: i) data collection systems; ii) aggregation, management, and on-line control systems; off-line systems aiming at infrastructure planning; iii) information systems targeted to citizen and municipality to handle and rule the vehicle mobility. Specifically IPERMOB proposes low-cost wireless technology (WSN) and image processing techniques to estimate traffic-related information. In IPERMOB vehicular networks (IEEE 802.11a/p) will be interoperated with WSN (IEEE 802.15.4) and connected to a centralized database through wide band 5 GHz link (IEEE 802.11h). As tested, IPERMOB will provide real-time information about parking availability and vehicle flows on the landside of the International Airport of Tuscany (Pisa).
See at:
CNR IRIS
2010
Conference article
Restricted
Image mining for infomobility
Magrini M, Moroni D, Nastasi C, Pagano P, Petracca M, Pieri G, Salvadori C, Salvetti O
The wide availability of embedded sensor platforms and low-cost camera sensors - together with the developments in wireless communication - make it now possible the conception of pervasive intelligent systems based on vision. Such systems may be understood as distributed and collaborative sensor networks, able to produce, aggregate and process images in order to mine the observed scene and communicate the relevant information found about it. In this paper, we investigate the peculiarities of visual sensor networks with respect to standard vision systems and we identify possible strategies to tackle the image mining problem. We argue that multi-node processing methods may be envisaged to decompose a complex task into a hierarchy of computationally simpler problems to be solved over the nodes of the network. We illustrate these ideas by describing an application of visual sensor network to infomobility.
Magrini M, Moroni D, Nastasi C, Pagano P, Petracca M, Pieri G, Salvadori C, Salvetti O
The wide availability of embedded sensor platforms and low-cost camera sensors - together with the developments in wireless communication - make it now possible the conception of pervasive intelligent systems based on vision. Such systems may be understood as distributed and collaborative sensor networks, able to produce, aggregate and process images in order to mine the observed scene and communicate the relevant information found about it. In this paper, we investigate the peculiarities of visual sensor networks with respect to standard vision systems and we identify possible strategies to tackle the image mining problem. We argue that multi-node processing methods may be envisaged to decompose a complex task into a hierarchy of computationally simpler problems to be solved over the nodes of the network. We illustrate these ideas by describing an application of visual sensor network to infomobility.
2010
Journal article
Restricted
A knowledge-based infrastructure for the management of diagnostic imaging procedures in the heart failure domain
Martinelli M, Moroni D, Salvetti O, Tampucci M
Within the European HEARTFAID Project, an integrated platform of services has been developed to assist chronic heart failure stakeholders in their routine workflow and to provide an optimal management of heart failure patients, by exploiting the most advanced technologies, innovative methods for diagnostic data processing, and significant and up-to-date knowledge, suitably formalized. Since signal and imaging investigations are currently a basic step of the diagnostic, prognostic and follow-up processes of heart diseases, the platform has been designed so as to include an advanced system for the management, storage and deployment of the related heterogeneous information, ranging from the raw data - consisting in 1D signals, 2D/3D images and image sequences - to the extracted quantitative parameters and, finally, to their interpretation. The purpose of this paper is to describe an effective way to obtain an integrated management of all the data and transactions across the distributed repositories necessary to deal with such workflows. Intelligent knowledge-based services are also provided for assisting - in a holistic approach - all the decision making processes related to those data. In particular, among the several functionalities provided by HEARTFAID platform, the paper focuses on the integration of echocardiography workflows. To this end, a suitably developed standard-compliant IT infrastructure called EchoCardio Lab is introduced and architectural details of its components are given.Source: TRANSACTIONS ON MASS-DATA ANALYSIS OF IMAGES AND SIGNALS, vol. 2, pp. 3-18
Martinelli M, Moroni D, Salvetti O, Tampucci M
Within the European HEARTFAID Project, an integrated platform of services has been developed to assist chronic heart failure stakeholders in their routine workflow and to provide an optimal management of heart failure patients, by exploiting the most advanced technologies, innovative methods for diagnostic data processing, and significant and up-to-date knowledge, suitably formalized. Since signal and imaging investigations are currently a basic step of the diagnostic, prognostic and follow-up processes of heart diseases, the platform has been designed so as to include an advanced system for the management, storage and deployment of the related heterogeneous information, ranging from the raw data - consisting in 1D signals, 2D/3D images and image sequences - to the extracted quantitative parameters and, finally, to their interpretation. The purpose of this paper is to describe an effective way to obtain an integrated management of all the data and transactions across the distributed repositories necessary to deal with such workflows. Intelligent knowledge-based services are also provided for assisting - in a holistic approach - all the decision making processes related to those data. In particular, among the several functionalities provided by HEARTFAID platform, the paper focuses on the integration of echocardiography workflows. To this end, a suitably developed standard-compliant IT infrastructure called EchoCardio Lab is introduced and architectural details of its components are given.Source: TRANSACTIONS ON MASS-DATA ANALYSIS OF IMAGES AND SIGNALS, vol. 2, pp. 3-18
2010
Contribution to journal
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Computer technology for the quantification of pericardial fat assessed through cardiac CT
Coppini G, Favilla R, Moroni D, Pieri G, Schlueter M, Bianchi M, Coceani M, Mazzarisi A, Salvetti O, Marraccini P
Pericardial fat is associated with the extent of coronary artery disease (CAD) and with cardiovascular mortality. The aim of the study was to develop a computer software for the detection and measurement of pericardial fat in patients with suspected CAD. Methods: A dedicated software was developed to quantify pericardial fat from standard calcium score scans (acquisition triggered at 70% of the R-R interval, image reconstruction with a slice thickness of 2.5 mm without overlap). The procedure is based on the following phases: 1) A trace of the pericardial boundary in two orthogonal long-axis slices of the heart is performed by the operator. 2) An initial and approximate representation of the pericardial surface is generated. 3) The pericardial fat is then segmented by applying a Level Set method; 4) The ventricular region is defined by recognizing the atrioventricular groove and split in two by the interventricular groove. 5) If necessary, further manual editing of the pericardial boundary can be carried out. The method output provides the total volume of pericardial fat, as well as the regional distribution of fat in the right and left ventricles. Results: To test the performance of the software, we used scans from a set of 22 patients (63±8 years, 64% male, body mass index [BMI] 27.4±5.2 kg/m2) referred to our Institute for suspected CAD and undergoing cardiac CT. The average time needed to complete the analysis of pericardial fat was less than five minutes. In our patient sample, we observed a total pericardial volume of 95.7±32.1 mm3, which was divided unevenly between the right (59.4±28.3 mm3) and left (38.9±12.6 mm3) ventricles. Conclusions: Pericardial fat volume may be assessed non-invasively through cardiac CT, without leading to increased radiological exposure and post-processing times. The use of a computer software, such as the one tested in the present study, permits a systematic evaluation of epicardial fat that may prove useful for the risk sSource: EUROPEAN HEART JOURNAL, vol. 31 (issue 41), p. 436
Coppini G, Favilla R, Moroni D, Pieri G, Schlueter M, Bianchi M, Coceani M, Mazzarisi A, Salvetti O, Marraccini P
Pericardial fat is associated with the extent of coronary artery disease (CAD) and with cardiovascular mortality. The aim of the study was to develop a computer software for the detection and measurement of pericardial fat in patients with suspected CAD. Methods: A dedicated software was developed to quantify pericardial fat from standard calcium score scans (acquisition triggered at 70% of the R-R interval, image reconstruction with a slice thickness of 2.5 mm without overlap). The procedure is based on the following phases: 1) A trace of the pericardial boundary in two orthogonal long-axis slices of the heart is performed by the operator. 2) An initial and approximate representation of the pericardial surface is generated. 3) The pericardial fat is then segmented by applying a Level Set method; 4) The ventricular region is defined by recognizing the atrioventricular groove and split in two by the interventricular groove. 5) If necessary, further manual editing of the pericardial boundary can be carried out. The method output provides the total volume of pericardial fat, as well as the regional distribution of fat in the right and left ventricles. Results: To test the performance of the software, we used scans from a set of 22 patients (63±8 years, 64% male, body mass index [BMI] 27.4±5.2 kg/m2) referred to our Institute for suspected CAD and undergoing cardiac CT. The average time needed to complete the analysis of pericardial fat was less than five minutes. In our patient sample, we observed a total pericardial volume of 95.7±32.1 mm3, which was divided unevenly between the right (59.4±28.3 mm3) and left (38.9±12.6 mm3) ventricles. Conclusions: Pericardial fat volume may be assessed non-invasively through cardiac CT, without leading to increased radiological exposure and post-processing times. The use of a computer software, such as the one tested in the present study, permits a systematic evaluation of epicardial fat that may prove useful for the risk sSource: EUROPEAN HEART JOURNAL, vol. 31 (issue 41), p. 436
2010
Journal article
Restricted
Decision support in heart failure through processing of electro- and echocardiograms
Chiarugi F, Colantonio S, Emmanouilidou D, Martinelli M, Moroni D, Salvetti O
Objective: Signal and imaging investigations are currently key components in the diagnosis, prognosis and follow up of heart diseases. Nowadays, the need for more efficient, cost-effective and personalised care has led to a renaissance of clinical decision support systems (CDSSs). The purpose of this paper is to present an effective way of achieving a high-level integration of signal and image processing methods in the general process of care, by means of a clinical decision support system, and to discuss the advantages of such an approach. From the wide range of heart diseases, heart failure, whose complexity best highlights the benefits of this integration, has been selected. Methods: After an analysis of users' needs and expectations, significant and suitably designed image and signal processing algorithms are introduced to objectively and reliably evaluate important features involved in decisional problems in the heart failure domain. Then, a CDSS is conceived so as to combine the domain knowledge with advanced analytical tools for data processing. In particular, the relevant and significant medical knowledge and experts' knowhow are formalised according to an ontological formalism, suitably augmented with a base of rules for inferential reasoning. Results: The proposed methods were tested and evaluated in the daily practice of the physicians operating at the Department of Cardiology, University Magna Graecia, Catanzaro, Italy, on a population of 79 patients. Different scenarios, involving decisional problems based on the analysis of biomedical signals and images, were considered. In these scenarios, after some training and 3 months of use, the CDSS was able to provide important and useful suggestions in routine workflows, by integrating the clinical parameters computed through the developed methods for echocardiographic image segmentation and the algorithms for electrocardiography processing. Conclusions: The CDSS allows the integration of signal and image procSource: ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN MEDICINE, vol. 50, pp. 95-104
DOI: 10.1016/j.artmed.2010.05.001
Metrics:
Chiarugi F, Colantonio S, Emmanouilidou D, Martinelli M, Moroni D, Salvetti O
Objective: Signal and imaging investigations are currently key components in the diagnosis, prognosis and follow up of heart diseases. Nowadays, the need for more efficient, cost-effective and personalised care has led to a renaissance of clinical decision support systems (CDSSs). The purpose of this paper is to present an effective way of achieving a high-level integration of signal and image processing methods in the general process of care, by means of a clinical decision support system, and to discuss the advantages of such an approach. From the wide range of heart diseases, heart failure, whose complexity best highlights the benefits of this integration, has been selected. Methods: After an analysis of users' needs and expectations, significant and suitably designed image and signal processing algorithms are introduced to objectively and reliably evaluate important features involved in decisional problems in the heart failure domain. Then, a CDSS is conceived so as to combine the domain knowledge with advanced analytical tools for data processing. In particular, the relevant and significant medical knowledge and experts' knowhow are formalised according to an ontological formalism, suitably augmented with a base of rules for inferential reasoning. Results: The proposed methods were tested and evaluated in the daily practice of the physicians operating at the Department of Cardiology, University Magna Graecia, Catanzaro, Italy, on a population of 79 patients. Different scenarios, involving decisional problems based on the analysis of biomedical signals and images, were considered. In these scenarios, after some training and 3 months of use, the CDSS was able to provide important and useful suggestions in routine workflows, by integrating the clinical parameters computed through the developed methods for echocardiographic image segmentation and the algorithms for electrocardiography processing. Conclusions: The CDSS allows the integration of signal and image procSource: ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN MEDICINE, vol. 50, pp. 95-104
DOI: 10.1016/j.artmed.2010.05.001
Metrics:
See at:
Artificial Intelligence in Medicine | CNR IRIS | CNR IRIS | www.sciencedirect.com