A Novel Physics-based Data Augmentation Approach for Improved Robust Deep Learning in Medical Imaging: Lung Nodule CAD False Positive Reduction in Low-Dose CT Environments

摘要

A novel physics-based data augmentation (PBDA) is introduced, to provide a representative approach to introducing variance during training of a deep-learning model. Compared to traditional geometric-based data augmentation (GBDA), we hypothesize that PBDA will provide more realistic variation representative of potential imaging conditions that may be seen beyond the initial training data, and thereby train a more robust model (particularly in the scope of medical imaging). PBDA is tested in the context of false-positive reduction in nodule detection in low-dose lung CT and is shown to exhibit superior performance and robustness across a wide range of imaging conditions.