Computers, Materials & Continua DOI:10.32604/cmc.2023.030872 | [picture]
Article |

Intelligent Machine Learning Enabled Retinal Blood Vessel Segmentation and Classification

Nora Abdullah Alkhaldi¹,* and Hanan T. Halawani²

1 Department of Computer Science, College of Computer Science and Information Technology, King Faisal University, P.O. Box 400, AlAhsa, 31982, Saudi Arabia
2 College of Computer Science and Information Systems, Najran University, Najran, 61441, Saudi Arabia
Corresponding Author: Nora Abdullah Alkhaldi. Email: nalkhaldi@kfu.edu.sa
Received: 04 April 2022; Accepted: 06 May 2022

Abstract: Automated segmentation of blood vessels in retinal fundus images is essential for medical image analysis. The segmentation of retinal vessels is assumed to be essential to the progress of the decision support system for initial analysis and treatment of retinal disease. This article develops a new Grasshopper Optimization with Fuzzy Edge Detection based Retinal Blood Vessel Segmentation and Classification (GOFED-RBVSC) model. The proposed GOFED-RBVSC model initially employs contrast enhancement process. Besides, GOAFED approach is employed to detect the edges in the retinal fundus images in which the use of GOA adjusts the membership functions. The ORB (Oriented FAST and Rotated BRIEF) feature extractor is exploited to generate feature vectors. Finally, Improved Conditional Variational Auto Encoder (ICAVE) is utilized for retinal image classification, shows the novelty of the work. The performance validation of the GOFED-RBVSC model is tested using benchmark dataset, and the comparative study highlighted the betterment of the GOFED-RBVSC model over the recent approaches.

Keywords: Edge detection; blood vessel segmentation; retinal fundus images; image classification; deep learning

1  Introduction

Recent advancements permit fundus images to be done by using smartphones with a traditional handheld indirect ophthalmoscopy lens. Several medical experts, namely orthoptists, ophthalmologists, and optometrists, check for conditions or healthcare problems through retinal fundus images [1]. Additionally, observing the retina change in fundus images is a means to check a person undergoing anti-malarial therapy [2,3]. Retinal vessel segmentation is an effective method to examine arteries and veins in the retinal area. Medical experts use fundus imaging to find several kinds of healthcare problems, and blood vessel segmentation is very important in the analysis method [4]. In recent times, fundus vessel segmentation method was created because of its significance. The output from a manual segmentation is the correct form of output. Manual segmentation is as easy; however, it is a dull process [5]. It may also be subject to mistakes owing to its tiredness. Moreover, there are variances among segmentation outcomes from different individuals because each person may convert the image differently. Therefore, simpler and quicker segmentation techniques must be designed [6].

The way towards sorting and positioning sharp discontinuities in an image is termed edge detection [7]. The discontinuities are immediate variations in pixel concentration that identify the blood vessels in a retinal image [8,9]. Conventional methods for edge recognition link with convolving the image by an operator, which is enhanced to be sharp to massive gradients in the image though returning value of zero in uniform zones. There is a lot of edge detecting approaches offered; every technique is planned to be perceptive to specific forms of edges [10].

Orujov et al. [11] propose a contour recognition based image processing technique based Mamdani (Type-2) fuzzy rules. The presented technique employs the green channel dataset from retinal fundus image as input, median filter for excluding background, and contrast limited adaptive histogram equalization (CLAHE) is applied for enhancing contrast. The researchers in [12] present the retinal image extraction and segmentation of blood vessels through thresholding, morphological processing, adaptive histogram equalization, and edge recognition. Roy et al. [13] designed a Clifford matched filter as a mask that operates for extracting retinal blood vessels. The edge point is denoted as a scalar unit or Grade-0 vector. Discrete edge point alongside the edge of blood vessel is the edge pixel rather than constant edge.

Ooi et al. [14] developed the operation of semi-automatic image segmentation in retinal images through a user interface based operation that enables distinct edge recognition variables on distinct regions of similar images. Tchinda et al. [15] introduces a novel methodology for segmenting blood vessels. This technique depends on traditional edge recognition filter and artificial neural network (ANN). Initially, edge detection filter is exploited for extracting the feature vector. The resultant feature is utilized for training an ANN system.

This article develops a new Grasshopper Optimization with Fuzzy Edge Detection based Retinal Blood Vessel Segmentation and Classification (GOFED-RBVSC) model. The proposed GOFED-RBVSC model initially employs contrast enhancement process. Besides, GOAFED approach is employed to detect the edges in the retinal fundus images in which the membership functions are adjusted by the use of grasshopper optimization algorithm (GOA). Followed by ORB (Oriented FAST and Rotated BRIEF) feature extractor is exploited to generate feature vectors. Finally, Improved Conditional Variational Auto Encoder (ICAVE) is utilized for retinal image classification. The performance validation of the GOFED-RBVSC model is tested using a benchmark dataset.

2  The Proposed Model

In this study, a new GOFED-RBVSC model has been developed for effectively detecting the blood vessels and classifying retinal fundus images. Primarily, the GOFED-RBVSC model employed contrast enhancement process. In addition, GOAFED technique is exploited to recognize the edges in the retinal fundus images in which the membership functions are adjusted by the use of GOA. Followed by, ORB feature extractor is exploited to generate feature vectors. Finally, ICAVE model can be employed to classify retinal images. Fig. 1 demonstrates the overall block diagram of GOFED-RBVSC technique.

Figure 1: Block diagram of GOFED-RBVSC technique

2.1 Edge Detection Using GOAFED Model

At the preliminary level, the images are pre-processed, and the edges are identified using the GOAFED model. Fuzzy set A denotes the set of collectively arranged pairs composed of the components χ of the universal set X and the membership degree μA(x)μA(x)

A={(x,μA(x))|x∈X}(1)

Now μA(x) indicates a membership function that take value in the linear order subset within [0,1]. The presented technique employs the Gaussian membership operation defined in the following equation:

μ(x)=e−(x−m)22κ2(2)

Now m and κ indicate the center and width of fuzzy subset A. The Mamdani (Type-2) fuzzy rule was utilized. Fuzzy operation is executed as two Type- 1 membership functions: Footprint of Uncertainty (FOU), Upper Membership Function (UMF) and Lower Membership Function (LMF). Amongst this function is the region of ambiguity where the technique selects the suitable variable. Parameter for membership function was carefully chosen for all the images. From the abovementioned, there are two linguistic parameters. Input membership function is Gaussian function [11].

Four characteristics: Vertical Gradient Iy, Horizontal Gradient Iχ, Anti-diagonal Gradient Ik, and Diagonal Gradient IZ are utilized by the crisp input. The Fuzzifier employs Gaussian membership function for Iχ with the linguistic variable. The primary value for the UMF have been experimentally chosen, whereas the primary value for the LMF is chosen for all the images separately, with the statistical model. Multi-threshold Otsu approach has been utilized for finding the thresholding values and later utilized in LMF method for Input Membership Function.

The rest of the features are configured correspondingly with two linguistic parameters. In the fuzzy scheme, the following rule has been determined when the input value from each gradient are black, as well as determine NotEdge. The primary value for the UMF and LMF functions are experimentally chosen.

Fuzzy edge detection can be implemented according to the fuzzy selection of the maximal gradient. The scheme was capable of adapting all the images through the Fuzzy Type-2 operation.

To optimally tune the MFs involved in the FED model, the GOA is utilized. A Grasshopper is an insect and separated into a bug. Generally, the plant harvest fails when it uses all the plant crops. The grasshopper swarm composed of distinctive trademark, in which the adults and swarm nymph [16] are existing. The swarming nymph has significant positioning in a larval phase. It can be expressed in the following equation.

Gi=Soci+Gravityi+Windi(3)

Whereas Windi symbolizes a wind advection, Soci indicates the social transmission, and Gravityi indicates the gravity force on i-th grasshoppers. To solve the grasshopper problem, certain functions are emerged from gravitational force, social transmission and wind advection. Fig. 2 illustrates the flowchart of GOA. With small benefits, it is impossible to generate varied solid energy amongst grasshoppers with wide separations amongst others. This issue could be solved by utilizing grasshoppers’ isolation and mapping [1,4]. Therefore, it can be illustrated as follows

Soci=∑j=1j≠iNS(pij)p^ij(4)

Figure 2: Flowchart of GOA

Thus, p^ij=qj−qipij;pij=|qj−qi| whereas pij indicates the distance from ith and jth grasshopper, Soc indicates the efficacy of social force and p^ij denotes a unit vector from ith to jth grasshoppers. N signifies the amount of grasshoppers. The s function describes the social force as defined in the following:

Soc_force=fe−k/l−e−k(5)

Whereas l denotes the attractive length scale, f illustrates the intensity of attraction, and the capability can be illustrated. The gravitational force (Gravityi) of grasshopper is operated in the below equations. A nymph grasshopper does not have wings, and the deployment exceeds the wind direction.

Gravityi=−gr−cong(6)

Windi=zlgr−drift(7)

Now, g represents the gravitational constant, gr−con denotes a unity vector, l denotes a constant drift and gr−drift characterizes a unit vector toward the wind direction. To resolve the issue, stochastic technique needs to execute exploration and exploitation phases to choose precise estimation of global optimal that is given in the following equation,

Gi=∑{S(|qj−qi|)qj−qipij−gr_cong+zlgr_drift}(8)

The arithmetical approach is effective by limited parameters for exploitation and exploration in optimization phases.

2.2 ORB Feature Extractor

Next to the edge detection process, the ORB feature extractor is exploited to make feature vectors. The pre-processed image was distributed to the ORB-based feature extracted to generate a valuable group of features. Orientation elements were more in FAST, which utilizes robust measured of corner orientations [17]. The patch moment was utilized for detecting centroid as:

mpq=∑x,yxpyqI(x,y)(9)

Whereas mpq signifies the (p+q)th order moment of images their intensity I(x,y) vary as a function of x & y image co-ordinate.

Consider the moment in Eq. (4), the centroid was reached by using the following equation:

C=(m10m00′m01m00)(10)

The vector was developed in the centre of centroid OC→ afterward, the patch direction developed:

θ=atan2(m01,m10)(11)

Whereas atan2 implies the quadrant aware form of arctan. Let the concern of illumination parameters of corners which could not be deliberated due to the angle measured endure similar irrespective of corners. The rotational invariance was improved by promising the moment viz., estimated in terms of x & y, which remained from the circular region of r radius. A better selective for patch size signifies r that assures run of x, y is in –r and r. Generally, utilizing Hessian measure, the |C| value is developed zero, it developed unstable however it could not occur utilizing FAST, promising to the scheme capabilities. Next, ORB has rotation aware modules called r-BRIEF; that is, an introduced procedure of steered BRIEF descriptor combined with compared learning step was defined to detect lesser correlated binary feature. To make sure an effectual Rotation of BRIEF, a bit string depiction of image patches was developed in a gathered binary intensity test [17]. In order to optimal depiction of convention BRIEF, previous an orientation elements were more to ORB whereas there is a smooth image patch p. Next, the binary test τ is formulated as:

τ(p;x,y):={1:p(x)<p(y)0:p(x)≥p(y)(12)

In which p(x) represents the intensity of patch pat and offered points x.

Accordingly, the feature is a patch function assumed as vector of n binary test was offered as:

fn(p):=∑1≤i≤n2i−1τ(p;xi,yi)(13)

During this case, it can be utilize Gaussian distribution nearby the centre of patches and selective vector length n as 256 (exhibited for producing reasonably result). Assumed that the feature subset of n binary test at particular location (xi,yi) A 2×n matrix was defined as:

S=(x1′⋯xny1′⋯yn)(14)

Afterward, utilizing Rθ (equivalent rotation matrix), and θ (patch positioning) a steered versions Sθ of S was obtained as:

Sθ=RθS(15)

Afterward, the BRIEF steering function was provided as:

gn(p,θ):=fn(P)|(xiyi)∈Sθ(16)

2.3 Image Classification

In the final stage, the ICAVE model can be employed to classify retinal images [18]. It is modelled by conditioning the encoder and decoder to class Y. Now, the encoder Q(Z|X,Y) is conditional on two parameters X and Y, as well as the decoder P(X|Z,Y) is conditioned on two parameters Z and Y. Therefore, the variation lower bound objective of CVAE [19] is described in the following:

logP(X|Y)−DKL[Q(Z|X,Y)‖P(Z|X,Y)]=E[logP(X|Z,Y)]−DKL[Q(Z|X,Y)‖P(Z|Y)](17)

The conditional likelihood distribution of CVAE encoder and decoder is associated with class label Y. Hence, it is given in the following:

logP(X|Y)−DKL[Q(Z|X)‖P(Z|X,Y)]=E[logP(X|Z,Y)]−DKL[Q(Z|X)‖P(Z|Y)].(18)

L(θ,φ,X,Y)=E[logP(X|Z,Y)]−DKL[Q(Z|X)‖P(Z|Y)].(19)

Here, L(θ,φ,X,Y) comprises two parts: a KL divergence DKL[Q(Z|X)‖P(Z|Y)] and log reconstruction possibility Elog (X|Z,Y)]. The initial term is to recrate X through the conditional likelihood distribution P(X|Z,Y), and the next term employs the KL divergence metric to describe the, encoder distribution Q(ZX) approximate the previous distribution (Z|Y).

3  Result and Discussion

In this section, the experimental validation of the GOFED-RBVSC model is tested using the benchmark diabetic retinopathy [20] from Kaggle repository, which contains images under five distinct classes.

Fig. 3 shows the sample set of images obtained by the edge detection process. The first row indicates the input fundus images (mild), and the edge detected image is shown in second row. The next row represnets the moderate retinal fundus image, and the respective edge detected version is given in the last row.

Figure 3: a (Mild) and b (Moderate)

Fig. 4 demonstrates the confusion matrices offered by the GOFED-RBVSC model. On 70% of training set (TRS), the GOFED-RBVSC model has recognized 17845 samples as normal, 1645 samples as mild, 3345 samples as moderate, 169 samples as severe, and 301 samples as proliferative. In addition, on 30% of testing set (TSS), the GOFED-RBVSC method has identified 7676 samples as normal, 661 samples as mild, 1414 samples as moderate, 97 samples as severe, and 142 samples as proliferative.

Figure 4: Confusion matrix of GOFED-RBVSC technique

Tab. 1 reports the overall classifier results of the GOFED-RBVSC model on different classes.

Fig. 5 portrays the retinal fundus classification outcomes of the GOFED-RBVSC model on 70% of TRS. The GOFED-RBVSC model has recognized normal images with accuy, precn, sensy, specy, and Fscore of 96.10%, 95.88%, 98.92%, 88.30%, and 97.38% respectively. At the same time, Moreover, the GOFED-RBVSC method has identified Proliferative images with accuy, precn, sensy, specy, and Fscore of 99.02%, 82.69%, 62.97%, 99.74%, and 71.50% correspondingly.

Figure 5: Result analysis of GOFED-RBVSC technique on 70% of TRS

Fig. 6 depicts the retinal fundus classification outcomes of the GOFED-RBVSC method on 30% of TSS. The GOFED-RBVSC model has recognized normal images with accuy, precn, sensy, specy, and Fscore of 96.24%, 96.23%, 98.78%, 89.12%, and 97.49% respectively. At the same time, Furthermore, the GOFED-RBVSC model has detected Proliferative images with accuy, precn, sensy, specy, and Fscore of 98.79%, 78.45%, 61.74%, 99.62%, and 69.10% correspondingly.

Figure 6: Result analysis of GOFED-RBVSC technique on 30% of TSS

The training accuracy (TA) and validation accuracy (VA) attained by the GOFED-RBVSC model on test dataset is demonstrated in Fig. 7. The experimental outcomes implied that the GOFED-RBVSC model had gained maximum values of TA and VA. In specific, the VA is seemed to be higher than TA.

Figure 7: TA and VA graph analysis of GOFED-RBVSC technique

The training loss (TL) and validation loss (VL) achieved by the GOFED-RBVSC model on test dataset are established in Fig. 8. The experimental outcomes inferred that the GOFED-RBVSC model had accomplished least values of TL and VL. In specific, the VL is seemed to be lower than TL.

Figure 8: TL and VL graph analysis of GOFED-RBVSC technique

A brief precision-recall examination of the GOFED-RBVSC model on test dataset is portrayed in Fig. 9. By observing the figure, it is noticed that the GOFED-RBVSC model has accomplished maximum precision-recall performance under all classes.

Figure 9: Precision-recall curve analysis of GOFED-RBVSC technique

A detailed ROC investigation of the GOFED-RBVSC model on test dataset is portrayed in Fig. 10. The results indicated that the GOFED-RBVSC model had exhibited its ability in categorizing five different classes such as normal, mild, moderate, severe, and proliferative on the test datasets.

Figure 10: ROC curve analysis of GOFED-RBVSC technique

Extensive comparative study of the GOFED-RBVSC model with other models is made in Tab. 2 [21–23].

Fig. 11 reports a detailed accuy examination of the GOFED-RBVSC model with existing models. The results indicated that the visual geometry group (VGG)-16 model has reached ineffectual outcome with lower accuy of 49.18%. Followed by the VGG-s model has resulted in slightly enhanced performance with accuy of 74.78%. At the same time, ResNet and VGG-19 models have obtained closer accuy values of 84.10% and 82.55%, respectively. However, the GOFED-RBVSC model has attained higher accuy of 97.92%.

Figure 11: Accy analysis of GOFED-RBVSC technique with existing approaches

Fig. 12 reports a comprehensive sensy inspection of the GOFED-RBVSC model with existing models. The result indicates that the VGG-s model has reached unsuccessful outcome with lower sensy of 33.17%. Followed by the VGG-16 model has resulted in slightly enhanced performance with sensy of 74.89%. Simultaneously, ResNet and VGG-19 models have attained closer sensy values of 67.14% and 55.09% correspondingly. But, the GOFED-RBVSC model has accomplished high sensy of 76.15%.

Figure 12: Sensy analysis of GOFED-RBVSC technique with existing approaches

Fig. 13 reports a comprehensive specy inspection of the GOFED-RBVSC model with existing models. The result indicates that the VGG-16 model has reached ineffectual outcome with lower specy of 30.56%. Followed by the VGG-s model has resulted in slightly enhanced performance with specy of 94.71%. Simultaneously, ResNet and VGG-19 models have obtained closer specy values of 88.93% and 95.33% correspondingly. However, the GOFED-RBVSC model has accomplished high specy of 97.13%. After examining the detailed results and discussion, it is evident that the GOFED-RBVSC model has accomplished improved performance over the other models.

Figure 13: Specy analysis of GOFED-RBVSC technique with existing approaches

4  Conclusion

In this study, a new GOFED-RBVSC model has been developed for effectively segmenting the blood vessels and classifying retinal fundus images. Primarily, the GOFED-RBVSC model employed contrast enhancement process. In addition, GOAFED technique is applied to detect the edges in the retinal fundus images in which the use of GOA adjusts the membership functions. Followed by, ORB feature extractor is exploited to generate feature vectors. Finally, ICAVE model can be employed to classify retinal images. The performance validation of the GOFED-RBVSC model is tested using benchmark dataset, and the comparative study highlighted the betterment of the GOFED-RBVSC model over the recent approaches. In future, deep instance segmentation models can be derived to improve the overall classification performance.

Funding Statement: The authors received no specific funding for this study.

Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest to report regarding the present study.

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