Understanding physiological and degenerative natural vision mechanisms to define contrast and contour operators.
BACKGROUND
Dynamical systems like neural networks based on lateral inhibition have a large field of applications in image processing, robotics and morphogenesis modeling. In this paper, we will propose some examples of dynamical flows used in image contrasting and contouring.


METHODS
First we present the physiological basis of the retina function by showing the role of the lateral inhibition in the optical illusions and pathologic processes generation. Then, based on these biological considerations about the real vision mechanisms, we study an enhancement method for contrasting medical images, using either a discrete neural network approach, or its continuous version, i.e. a non-isotropic diffusion reaction partial differential system. Following this, we introduce other continuous operators based on similar biomimetic approaches: a chemotactic contrasting method, a viability contouring algorithm and an attentional focus operator. Then, we introduce the new notion of mixed potential Hamiltonian flows; we compare it with the watershed method and we use it for contouring.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude by showing the utility of these biomimetic methods with some examples of application in medical imaging and computed assisted surgery.
Demongeot
Jacques
J
TIMC-IMAG, UMR UJF/CNRS 5525, University J Fourier of Grenoble, La Tronche, France. Jacques.Demongeot@imag.fr
Fouquet
Yannick
Y
Tayyab
Muhammad
M
Vuillerme
Nicolas
N
D000465:Algorithms; D001185:Artificial Intelligence; D032701:Biomimetics; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003201:Computers; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D016247:Information Storage and Retrieval; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D016571:Neural Networks, Computer; D010363:Pattern Recognition, Automated / Q000379:methods; D012160:Retina / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014785:Vision, Ocular