A design of multiagent-based framework for volume image construction and analysis

Biomed Sci Instrum. 2005:41:259-64.

Abstract

This paper describes a design of a multiagent-based system that can be used to manage the acquisition and analysis of ultrasonograph images. The major concept is to design a management framework consisting of multiple intelligent agents to direct the ultrasonograph image acquisition and analysis operations carried out using a high-speed bit-parallel architecture efficiently as well as to allow for the construction of 3D images from 2D ones. Volume image operations need reactivity, autonomy, and intelligence of software. Therefore, agents can play an important role in enhancing the overall operation of medical image analysis. The system suggests a set of image analysis operations including smoothing, noise removal, and enhancing techniques. These operations will be implemented using parallel processing architectures while the management framework will consist of different agent types such as: simple reflex agents, agents that keep track of the world, goal-based agents, and utility-based agents. These agents interact with each other and exchange data among themselves in order to achieve a comprehensive speed in performing the volume image construction operations. Guided with the fact that the agent consists of program and architecture, the system deploys parallel processing architectures to implement the image analysis operations. The system is considered a step towards a complete multiagent-based framework for medical image acquisition and analysis.

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms*
  • Artificial Intelligence*
  • Computer Communication Networks*
  • Computer Graphics
  • Computing Methodologies
  • Image Enhancement / methods
  • Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / methods*
  • Imaging, Three-Dimensional / methods*
  • Information Storage and Retrieval / methods
  • Numerical Analysis, Computer-Assisted
  • Pattern Recognition, Automated / methods*
  • Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted
  • Software
  • Ultrasonography / methods*