An Ensemble Learning Approach for Multi-Modal Medical Image Fusion using Deep Convolutional Neural Networks

Abstract

Medical image fusion plays a vital role in enhancing the quality and accuracy of diagnostic procedures by integrating complementary information from multiple imaging modalities. In this study, we propose an ensemble learning approach for multi-modal medical image fusion utilizing deep convolutional neural networks (DCNNs) to predict brain tumour. The proposed method aims to exploit the inherent characteristics of different modalities and leverage the power of CNNs for improved fusion results. The Generative Adversarial Network (GAN) strengthens the input images. The ensemble learning framework comprises two main stages. Firstly, a set of DCNN models is trained independently on the respective input modalities, extracting high-level features that capture modalityspecific information. Each DCNN model is fine-tuned to optimize its performance for fusion. Secondly, a fusion module is designed to aggregate the individual modality features and generate a fused image. The fusion module employs a weighted averaging technique to assign appropriate weights to the features based on their relevance and significance. The fused image obtained through this process exhibits enhanced spatial details and improved overall quality compared to the individual modalities. On a diversified dataset made up of multi-modal medical images, thorough tests are carried out to assess the efficacy of the suggested approach. The fusion images exhibit improved visual quality, enhanced feature representation, and better preservation of diagnostic information. The BRATS 2018 dataset, which contains Multi-Modal MRI images and patients' healthcare information were used. The proposed method also demonstrates robustness across different medical imaging modalities, highlighting its versatility and potential for widespread adoption in clinical practice.

Exploring the Application of Deep Learning in Multi-View Image Fusion in Complex Environments

“…Additionally, these methods struggle with high computational complexity when processing large-scale and high-dimensional image data, making it difficult to meet real-time requirements. Finally, existing fusion methods often fail to achieve satisfactory results when dealing with significant changes in perspective and complex lighting conditions [22][23][24].…”