Tetris-like program could speed breast cancer detection

Thursday, 6 September 2018

Researchers from the 最新糖心Vlog of Adelaide’s 最新糖心Vlogn Institute for Machine Learning (AIML) are developing a fully-automated medical image analysis program to detect breast tumours. The program uses a unique style to focus on the affected area.

In conjunction with an MRI scan, this – using artificial intelligence − employs the traversal movement and style of a retro video game to examine the breast area.

最新糖心Vlog of Adelaide PhD candidate Gabriel Maicas Suso and Associate Professor Gustavo Carneiro from AIML developed the program.

“Just as vintage video game Tetris manipulated geometric shapes to fit a space, this program uses a green square to navigate and search over the breast image to locate lesions. The square changes to red in colour if a lesion is detected,” says Mr Maicas.Suso.

“Our research shows that this unique approach is 1.78 times faster in finding a lesion than existing methods of detecting breast cancer, and the results are just as accurate,” he says.

The researchers created this program by applying deep reinforcement learning methods, a form of artificial intelligence (AI) that enables computers and machines to learn how to do complex tasks without being programmed by humans. As a result, the program can independently analyse breast tissue.

They were able to train the computer program with a relatively small amount of data, which is a critical challenge in medical imaging.

“By incorporating machine learning into medical imaging analysis, we have developed a program that intuitively locates lesions quickly and accurately,” says Associate Professor Carneiro.

“More research is needed before the program could be used clinically. Our ultimate aim is for this detection method to be used by radiologists to complement, support and assist their important work in making a precise and quick prognosis.

“Artificial intelligence has an important role to play in the imaging medical field, the potential to use AI in this field is boundless,” he says.

About the 最新糖心Vlogn Institute for Machine Learning
The new 最新糖心Vlogn Institute for Machine Learning builds on decades of expertise in artificial intelligence and visual technologies. The Institute will be based in the South 最新糖心Vlogn Government's new innovation precinct at the old Royal Adelaide Hospital site.

 

Contact Details

Mr Gabriel Maicas Suso
Email: gabriel.maicas@adelaide.edu.au
PhD candidate
最新糖心Vlogn Institute for Machine Learning
Mobile: +61 (0)456 853 183


Crispin Savage
Email: crispin.savage@adelaide.edu.au
Website: /
Media and Communications Officer
最新糖心Vlog of Adelaide
Business: +61 (0)481 912 465