Synthesized colonoscopy dataset from high-fidelity virtual colon with abnormal simulation.

Journal: Computers in biology and medicine
PMID:

Abstract

With the advent of the deep learning-based colonoscopy system, the need for a vast amount of high-quality colonoscopy image datasets for training is crucial. However, the generalization ability of deep learning models is challenged by the limited availability of colonoscopy images due to regulatory restrictions and privacy concerns. In this paper, we propose a method for rendering high-fidelity 3D colon models and synthesizing diversified colonoscopy images with abnormalities such as polyps, bleeding, and ulcers, which can be used to train deep learning models. The geometric model of the colon is derived from CT images. We employed dedicated surface mesh deformation to mimic the shapes of polyps and ulcers and applied texture mapping techniques to generate realistic, lifelike appearances. The generated polyp models were then attached to the inner surface of the colon model, while the ulcers were created directly on the inner surface of the colon model. To realistically model blood behavior, we developed a simulation of the blood diffusion process on the colon's inner surface and colored vertices in the traversed region to reflect blood flow. Ultimately, we generated a comprehensive dataset comprising high-fidelity rendered colonoscopy images with the abnormalities. To validate the effectiveness of the synthesized colonoscopy dataset, we trained state-of-the-art deep learning models on it and other publicly available datasets and assessed the performance of these models in abnormal classification, detection, and segmentation. Notably, the models trained on the synthesized dataset exhibit an enhanced performance in the aforementioned tasks, as evident from the results.

Authors

  • Dongdong He
    School of Computer Science, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China.
  • Ziteng Liu
    Key Laboratory of Mesoscopic Chemistry of Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, P. R. China.
  • Xunhai Yin
    Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150001, China.
  • Hao Liu
    Key Laboratory of Development and Maternal and Child Diseases of Sichuan Province, Department of Pediatrics, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
  • Wenpeng Gao
    School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, China.
  • Yili Fu
    State Key Laboratory of Robotics and System, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, China.