Segmentation and Pore Structure Estimation in SEM Images of Tissue Engineering Scaffolds Using Genetic Algorithm
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Annals of Biomedical Engineering (Ó 2020) https://doi.org/10.1007/s10439-020-02638-2
Original Article
Segmentation and Pore Structure Estimation in SEM Images of Tissue Engineering Scaffolds Using Genetic Algorithm AMIR ROUHOLLAHI,1 OLUSEGUN ILEGBUSI ,1 and HASSAN FOROOSH2 1
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Central Florida, 12760 Pegasus Dr, Orlando, FL 32816, USA; and 2Department of Computer Science, University of Central Florida, Orlando, USA (Received 25 May 2020; accepted 24 September 2020) Associate Editor Debra T. Auguste oversaw the review of this article.
Abstract—A python computer package is developed to segment and analyze scanning electron microscope (SEM) images of scaffolds for bone tissue engineering. The method requires only a portion of an SEM image to be labeled and used for training. The algorithm is then able to detect the pore characteristics for other SEM images acquired at different ambient conditions from different scaffolds with the same material as the labeled image. The quality of SEM images is first enhanced using histogram equalization. Then, a global thresholding method is used to perform the image analysis. The thresholding values for the SEM images are obtained using genetic algorithm (GA). The image analysis results include pore distributions of pore size, pore elongation and pore orientation. The results agree satisfactorily with the experimental data for the chitosan–alginate porous scaffolds considered. Applications of the method developed for image segmentation is not limited to scaffold pore structure analysis. The method can also be used for any SEM image containing multiple objects such as different types of cells and subcellular components. Keywords—Learning optimal thresholds, Genetic algorithm, Boundary detection, Regenerative medicine, Porous scaffold, Tissue engineering, Pore size, Pore elongation, Pore orientation.
INTRODUCTION The integration of computer modeling and biomedicine has advanced significantly in the past few years. This progress has enabled virtualization of many biomedical procedures such as the design of internal and external prosthesis and prediction of loading Address correspondence to Olusegun Ilegbusi, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Central Florida, 12760 Pegasus Dr, Orlando, FL 32816, USA. Electronic mail: [email protected]
conditions and stress distribution in advance.9 Knowledge of the mechanical properties of the bone is a necessity in the mathematical modeling of the structural characteristics including the stress and strain distribution. A primary motivation of the present study is to provide a method to control the scaffold pore structure which largely determines the bone mechanical properties. Scaffold pore structure is a critical factor in tissue engineering applications since cell growth, proliferation, mobility, and nutrient delivery to the cells depend on it. As an example, facial bone augmentation is currently a major challenge for surgeons and clinicians. One
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