Abstract
This paper presents a rapid and unsupervised three-dimensional (3D) tubular structure tracing algorithm for the detection of safe trajectories in cochlear surgery. The algorithm utilizes a generalized 3D cylinder model which offers low-order parameterization, enabling low-cost recursive directional tubular boundary analysis and derivation of tubular statistics (i.e. centerline coordinates). Unlike previous work, the proposed algorithm circumvents excessive computation per voxel while enhancing angular centerline traversing efficiency which is critical in cochlear implant surgery navigation. To accomplish this, design considerations include: 1) accurate engineering of kernels used for border analysis, 2) modifying decision-making in identifying optimal tracing angle with homogeneity criterion, 3) reducing tubular change exploratory search cost through discrete convolution analysis, and 4) a cross-section calibration engine which suppresses centerline angular deviations as well as recording a history of geometrical changes while tracing. When evaluated on synthetic imagery mimicking cochlea structural complexity and real reconstructed cochlea models, it consistently produced accurate estimates of centerline coordinates and widths-heights in the presence of noise and spatial artefacts. Validation has shown that the centerline error for the proposed algorithm is below 6 pixels and the average traced pixel performance is 92.9% of the true centerline pixels on the examined cochlea models. By restricting the image analysis to the regions of interest, the proposed algorithm performs rapid centerline tracing of the cochlea needed for real-time surgery (0.48 seconds per electrode insertion).
Highlights
In most cases of sensorineural hearing loss, the primary site of functional loss resides within the hair cells of the cochlea, which results in insufficient transduction of acoustic signals into neural impulses at the auditory nerve
The tracing algorithms were applied to a set of three images: one synthetic cochlea (Model 1) and two real cochlea models constructed from micro-CT [38] images (Model 2 and Model 3)
The synthetic 3D cochlea was for a 10 mm × 10 mm × 10 mm volume comprising the cochlea model and the pad arrays to obtain consistent (x, y, z) dimensions for examination of tracing performance
Summary
MAJID ZAMANI 1, (Member, IEEE), ENVER SALKIM 1, (Member, IEEE), SHAKEEL R. SAEED 2, AND ANDREAS DEMOSTHENOUS 1, (Fellow, IEEE).
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
