Deep learning methods for medical image fusion: A review.

Journal: Computers in biology and medicine
Published Date:

Abstract

The image fusion methods based on deep learning has become a research hotspot in the field of computer vision in recent years. This paper reviews these methods from five aspects: Firstly, the principle and advantages of image fusion methods based on deep learning are expounded; Secondly, the image fusion methods are summarized in two aspects: End-to-End and Non-End-to-End, according to the different tasks of deep learning in the feature processing stage, the non-end-to-end image fusion methods are divided into two categories: deep learning for decision mapping and deep learning for feature extraction. According to the different types of the networks, the end-to-end image fusion methods are divided into three categories: image fusion methods based on Convolutional Neural Network, Generative Adversarial Network, and Encoder-Decoder Network; Thirdly, the application of the image fusion methods based on deep learning in medical image field is summarized from two aspects: method and data set; Fourthly, evaluation metrics commonly used in the field of medical image fusion are sorted out from 14 aspects; Fifthly, the main challenges faced by the medical image fusion are discussed from two aspects: data sets and fusion methods. And the future development direction is prospected. This paper systematically summarizes the image fusion methods based on the deep learning, which has a positive guiding significance for the in-depth study of multi modal medical images.

Authors

  • Tao Zhou
    Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
  • QianRu Cheng
    School of Computer Science and Engineering, North Minzu University, Yinchuan, 750021, China; Key Laboratory of Image and Graphics Intelligent Processing of State Ethnic Affairs Commission, North Minzu University, Yinchuan, 750021, China. Electronic address: chengqianru5@163.com.
  • Huiling Lu
    School of Science, Ningxia Medical University, Ningxia, Yinchuan 750004, China.
  • Qi Li
    The First Affiliated Hospital of Yangtze University, Jingzhou, Hubei, China.
  • XiangXiang Zhang
    School of Computer Science and Engineering, North Minzu University, Yinchuan, 750021, China; Key Laboratory of Image and Graphics Intelligent Processing of State Ethnic Affairs Commission, North Minzu University, Yinchuan, 750021, China.
  • Shi Qiu
    Key Laboratory of Spectral Imaging Technology CAS, Xi'an Institute of Optics and Precision Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xi'an 710119, China.