A Systematic Investigation of Models for Color Image Processing in Wound Size Estimation

In recent years, research in tracking and assessing wound severity using computerized image processing has increased. With the emergence of mobile devices, powerful functionalities and processing capabilities have provided multiple non-invasive wound evaluation opportunities in both clinical and non-clinical settings. With current imaging technologies, objective and reliable techniques provide qualitative information that can be further processed to provide quantitative information on the size, structure, and color characteristics of wounds. These efficient image analysis algorithms help determine the injury features and the progress of healing in a short time. This paper presents a systematic investigation of articles that specifically address the measurement of wounds’ sizes with image processing techniques, promoting the connection between computer science and health. Of the 208 studies identified by searching electronic databases, 20 were included in the review. From the perspective of image processing color models, the most dominant model was the hue, saturation, and value (HSV) color space. We proposed that a method for measuring the wound area must implement different stages, including conversion to grayscale for further implementation of the threshold and a segmentation method to measure the wound area as the number of pixels for further conversion to metric units. Regarding devices, mobile technology is shown to have reached the level of reliable accuracy.

The Exploration of Automated Image Processing Techniques in the Study of Scientific Argumentation

Scientific argumentation is an epistemic practice where scientific theories are proposed, refined, and refuted, and also a language-based practice where evidence is provided in support of claims. This chapter explores how techniques of computerized image processing can help researchers to identify relationships between features of images and the quality of written artifacts used in scientific argumentation. In this chapter, secondary school students worked in an interactive simulation model and made claims about whether rain water was trapped underground. Automated image processing was employed to precisely quantify several image features relevant to the students' claims. Chi-square tests and independent samples t-tests were used to determine the relationships between the extracted features and the argumentation. The results revealed that the presence of a line on a student's snapshot had a significant effect on that student's claim and explanation scores and the starting and endpoints of the students' lines significantly influenced their explanation scores, but not their claim scores.

Evaluation of Spontaneous Spinal Cerebrospinal Fluid Leaks Disease by Computerized Image Processing

SummaryBackground: Spontaneous Spinal Cerebro -spinal Fluid Leaks (SSCFL) is a disease based on tears on the dura mater. Due to widespread symptoms and low frequency of the disease, diagnosis is problematic. Diagnostic lumbar puncture is commonly used for diagnosing SSCFL, though it is invasive and may cause pain, inflammation or new leakages. T2-weighted MR imaging is also used for diagnosis; however, the literature on T2-weighted MRI states that findings for diagnosis of SSCFL could be erroneous when differentiating the diseased and control. One another technique for diagnosis is CT-myelography, but this has been suggested to be less successful than T2-weighted MRI and it needs an initial lumbar puncture.Objectives: This study aimed to develop an objective, computerized numerical analysis method using noninvasive routine Magnetic Resonance Images that can be used in the evaluation and diagnosis of SSCFL disease.Methods: Brain boundaries were automatically detected using methods of mathematical morphology, and a distance transform was employed. According to normalized distances, average densities of certain sites were proportioned and a numerical criterion related to cerebrospinal fluid distribution was calculated.Results: The developed method was able to differentiate between 14 patients and 14 control subjects significantly with p = 0.0088 and d = 0.958. Also, the pre and post-treatment MRI of four patients was obtained and analyzed. The results were differentiated statistically (p = 0.0320, d = 0.853).Conclusions: An original, noninvasive and objective diagnostic test based on computerized image processing has been developed for evaluation of SSCFL. To our knowledge, this is the first computerized image processing method for evaluation of the disease. Discrimination between patients and controls shows the validity of the method. Also, post-treatment changes observed in four patients support this verdict.

Image Segmentation and Analysis of Flexion-Extension Radiographs of Cervical Spines

We present a new analysis tool for cervical flexion-extension radiographs based on machine vision and computerized image processing. The method is based on semiautomatic image segmentation leading to detection of common landmarks such as the spinolaminar (SL) line or contour lines of the implanted anterior cervical plates. The technique allows for visualization of the local curvature of these landmarks during flexion-extension experiments. In addition to changes in the curvature of the SL line, it has been found that the cervical plates also deform during flexion-extension examination. While extension radiographs reveal larger curvature changes in the SL line, flexion radiographs on the other hand tend to generate larger curvature changes in the implanted cervical plates. Furthermore, while some lordosis is always present in the cervical plates by design, it actually decreases during extension and increases during flexion. Possible causes of this unexpected finding are also discussed. The described analysis may lead to a more precise interpretation of flexion-extension radiographs, allowing diagnosis of spinal instability and/or pseudoarthrosis in already seemingly fused spines.

Computerized Image Processing for Evaluation of Microstructure in Metallic Matrix Composites

Fabrication of aluminum matrix composites reinforced with ceramic particles via powder metallurgy techniques present considerable advantages, especially large flexibility of reinforcement volume content. However since metal particles are considerably larger than ceramic reinforcement, ceramic clustering become more and more frequent as the reinforcement proportion increases, and high ratio plastic deformations are mandatory. An experimental program has been developed to determine particle redistribution of ceramic reinforcement by mean of large-ratio extrusion of aluminum composites, containing up to 20% vol. of reinforcement. Evaluation of particle redistribution by extrusion has been determined using a computer-based technique of image analysis for resulting optical micrographies.The image processing has included particle detection, particle measurement and classification.

Computerized Sheet-Metal Inspection Based on the Cross Network Communication

A non-traditional processing cycle for sheet-metal working based on the computerized image processing techniques is proposed. This novel system enables the effective fabrication cycle that realizes automatic inspection, quick delivery, and cost reduction.

The Evaluation of the Fatigue Life in Arc Welded Parts of SAPH45 Steels Using an Acoustic Emission Method

The fatigue life in arc welded parts of the chassis component of SAPH45 steel in automobile is affected by various defects and residual stress due to welding. Moreover, it is hard to measure directly the crack initiation length of the welded part in chassis component due to the complicated geometric shape. Therefore, to assure the safety of vehicles, it is necessary to evaluate the crack initiation life by using a non-destructive technique (NDT). In this study, the acoustic emission measurement was adapted to monitor the crack initiation of the welded part during the fatigue test. The crack initiation length was verified by a computerized image processing system under stroboscopic light illumination. Besides, to consider the variation of fatigue data, the crack initiation life was statistically evaluated.