<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p> This paper focuses on the comparison of different interest point detectors and their utilization for measurements in ultrasound (US) images. Certain medical examinations are based on speckle tracking which strongly relies on features that can be reliably tracked frame to frame. Only significant features (interest points) resistant to noise and brightness changes within US images are suitable for accurate long-lasting tracking. We compare three interest point detectors - Harris-Laplace, Difference of Gaussian (DoG) and Fast Hessian - and identify the most suitable one for use in US images on the basis of an objective criterion. Repeatability rate is assumed to be an objective quality measure for comparison. We have measured repeatability in images corrupted by different types of noise (speckle noise, Gaussian noise) and for changes in brightness. The Harris-Laplace detector outperformed its competitors and seems to be a sound option when choosing a suitable interest point detector for US images. However, it has to be noted that Fast Hessian and DoG detectors achieved better results in terms of processing speed.</p></abstract>

This paper focuses on the comparison of different interest point detectors and their utilization for measurements in ultrasound (US) images. Certain medical examinations are based on speckle tracking which strongly relies on features that can be reliably tracked frame to frame. Only significant features (interest points) resistant to noise and brightness changes within US images are suitable for accurate long-lasting tracking. We compare three interest point detectors - Harris-Laplace, Difference of Gaussian (DoG) and Fast Hessian - and identify the most suitable one for use in US images on the basis of an objective criterion. Repeatability rate is assumed to be an objective quality measure for comparison. We have measured repeatability in images corrupted by different types of noise (speckle noise, Gaussian noise) and for changes in brightness. The Harris-Laplace detector outperformed its competitors and seems to be a sound option when choosing a suitable interest point detector for US images. However, it has to be noted that Fast Hessian and DoG detectors achieved better results in terms of processing speed.

Towards an Optimal Interest Point Detector for Measurements in Ultrasound Images

Department of Telecommunications, Brno University of Technology, Technická 12, 616 00 Brno, Czech Republic

Measurement Science Review

{"article-title":"Towards an Optimal Interest Point Detector for Measurements in Ultrasound Images"}

This paper focuses on the comparison of different interest point detectors and their utilization for measurements in ultrasound (US) images. Certain medical...

Towards an Optimal Interest Point Detector for Measurements in Ultrasound Images

Published Online: Jan 14, 2014

Page range: 329 - 338

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/msr-2013-0049

Keywords
B-mode ultrasound, Gaussian noise, interest point detector, repeatability rate, speckle noise, speckle tracking

This content is open access.

Towards an Optimal Interest Point Detector for Measurements in Ultrasound Images

Published Online: Jan 14, 2014

Page range: 329 - 338

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/msr-2013-0049

KeywordsB-mode ultrasound, Gaussian noise, interest point detector, repeatability rate, speckle noise, speckle tracking

This content is open access.

Keywords
B-mode ultrasound, Gaussian noise, interest point detector, repeatability rate, speckle noise, speckle tracking