Automatic classification of urinary sediment images by using a hierarchical modular neural network
Satoshi Mitsuyama, Jun Motoike, Hitoshi Matsuo · Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE · 1999
We have developed an automated image-classification method for the examination of urinary sediment. Urine contains many kinds of particles of various colors and sizes. To classify these particles automatically, we developed a hierarchical modular neural network (HMNN) to enable accurate classification of urinary-sediment images. Simulations results showed that a neural network with a modular structure can classify artificially generated patterns more accurately than a single neural network (SNN). By using a HMNN, any kind of particle contained in urine can be automatically classified. We compared the classification accuracy when using the HMNN to that with a SNN and found that the classification accuracy for some classes of particles when using the HMNN was 25% to 30% higher than when using the SNN. With the HMNN, the examination accuracy was sufficient to allow automation of the examination process.