Projects / Programmes
Avtomatska analiza CT in MR slik hrbtenice (Slovene)
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 7.00.00 |
Interdisciplinary research |
|
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 2.06 |
Engineering and Technology |
Medical engineering
|
Researchers (11)
| no. |
Code |
Name and surname |
Research area |
Role |
Period |
No. of publicationsNo. of publications |
| 1. |
25608 |
PhD Marko Bukovec |
Computer science and informatics |
Researcher |
2009 - 2010 |
14 |
| 2. |
25528 |
PhD Miran Burmen |
Systems and cybernetics |
Researcher |
2009 - 2012 |
112 |
| 3. |
23597 |
PhD Matevž Gorenšek |
Neurobiology |
Researcher |
2010 - 2012 |
76 |
| 4. |
29559 |
PhD Jaka Katrašnik |
Systems and cybernetics |
Junior researcher |
2009 - 2012 |
16 |
| 5. |
15678 |
PhD Boštjan Likar |
Systems and cybernetics |
Researcher |
2010 - 2012 |
381 |
| 6. |
27519 |
PhD Primož Markelj |
Systems and cybernetics |
Junior researcher |
2009 - 2010 |
20 |
| 7. |
31545 |
David Martinčič |
Medical sciences |
Technical associate |
2010 - 2012 |
60 |
| 8. |
06857 |
PhD Franjo Pernuš |
Systems and cybernetics |
Head |
2009 - 2012 |
520 |
| 9. |
28465 |
PhD Žiga Špiclin |
Systems and cybernetics |
Researcher |
2009 - 2011 |
138 |
| 10. |
17904 |
PhD Rok Vengust |
Medical sciences |
Researcher |
2009 - 2012 |
200 |
| 11. |
23404 |
PhD Tomaž Vrtovec |
Systems and cybernetics |
Researcher |
2009 - 2012 |
202 |
Organisations (2)
Significance for science
Based on the results of this basic research project and past research efforts, the research group has been recognized as one of the leading groups in the field of automatic analysis of vertebrae and spine images. We expect that the research results will receive attention from other researchers and have a strong impact in the field. The most important thing would be for the results to have a beneficial impact on the patients, medical doctors, and society.
The research results of this project are reflected in 12 original scientific papers, and most of them were published in peer-reviewed journals from the top 25% of journals in the corresponding research field, and presented at several internationally established conferences. The quality of the journals, in which the papers were published, is related to the recognition in the scientific area, and it represents a strong starting point for collaboration with scientific institutions home and abroad:
1. T. Vrtovec, B. Likar and F. Pernuš. Manual and computerized measurement of coronal vertebral inclination in MR images: a pilot study. Clinical Radiology, 2013. [IF: 1.952 (2011); 2nd quartile]
2. D. Štern, V. Njagulj, B. Likar, F. Pernuš and T. Vrtovec. Quantitative vertebral morphometry based on parametric modeling of vertebral bodies in 3D. Osteoporosis International, 2013. [doi:10.1007/s00198-012-2089-4] [IF: 4.580 (2011); 1st quartile]
3. T. Vrtovec, M. Janssen, B. Likar, R. Castelein, M. Viergever and Franjo Pernuš. A review of methods for evaluating the quantitative parameters of sagittal pelvic alignment. The Spine Journal, 12(5):433-446, 2012. [doi:10.1016/j.spinee.2012.02.013] [IF: 3.290 (2011); 1st quartile]
4. T. Vrtovec, M. Janssen, F. Pernuš, R. Castelein and M. Viergever. Analysis of pelvic incidence from three-dimensional images of a normal population. Spine, 37(8):E479-E485, 2012. [doi:10.1097/BRS.0b013e31823770af] [IF: 2.078 (2011); 2nd quartile]
5. T. Vrtovec, M. Janssen, F. Pernuš, R. Castelein and M. Viergever. Pelvic incidence: analysis in three dimensions. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, British Volume, 94-B(suppl. XLIV):107, 2012. [IF: 2.832 (2011); 1st quartile]
6. T. Vrtovec, B. Likar and F. Pernuš. Manual and computerized measurement of sagittal vertebral inclination in computed tomography images. Spine, 36(13):E875-E881, 2011. [doi:10.1097/BRS.0b013e3181fe0aab] [IF: 2.078 (2011); 2nd quartile]
7. D. Štern, B. Likar, F. Pernuš and T. Vrtovec. Parametric modelling and segmentation of vertebral bodies in 3D CT and MR spine images. Physics in Medicine and Biology, 56(23):7505-7522, 2011. [doi:10.1088/0031-9155/56/23/011] [IF: 2.829 (2011); 1st quartile]
8. T. Vrtovec, R. Vengust, B. Likar and F. Pernuš. Analysis of four manual and a computerized method for measuring axial vertebral rotation in computed tomography images. Spine, 35(12):E535-E541, 2010. [doi:10.1097/BRS.0b013e3181cb8d2b] [FV: 2.510 (2010); 1st quartile]
9. D. Štern, B. Likar, F. Pernuš and T. Vrtovec. Automated detection of spinal centrelines, vertebral bodies and intervertebral discs in CT and MR images of lumbar spine. Physics in Medicine and Biology, 55(1):247-264, 2010. [doi:10.1088/0031-9155/55/1/015] [IF: 3.056 (2010); 1st quartile]
10. T. Vrtovec, F. Pernuš and B. Likar. Determination of axial vertebral rotation in MR images: comparison of four manual and a computerized method. European Spine Journal, 19(5):774-781, 2010. [doi:10.1007/s00586-010-1340-y] [IF: 1.994 (2010); 2nd quartile]
11. T. Vrtovec, F. Pernuš and B. Likar. A review of methods for quantitative evaluation of axial vertebral rotation. European Spine Journal, 18(8):1079-1090, 2009. [doi:10.1007/s00586-009-0914-z] [IF: 1.956 (2009); 1st quartile]
12. T. Vrtovec, F. Pernuš and B. Likar. A review of methods for quantitative evaluation of spinal curvature. European Spine Journal, 18(5):593-607, 2009. [doi:10.1007/s00586-009-0913-0] [IF: 1.956 (2009); 1st quartile]
Significance for the country
The following specific benefits for Slovenia can be identified:
- Benefits in terms of the results: The results of the research project had a direct impact on the state of science in Slovenia in the fields of biomedical engineering, which is becoming an important research and development field and in the near future also a field of higher education. The large number of publications, in respect to the funding of the project, in top peer reviewed journals and international conferences helped to increase the reputation of Slovenia as the country with high-quality research. The number and quality of publications are directly and immediately reflected in: editorial boards memberships, membership in PC committees of international conferences, invited talks at universities and companies abroad, memberships on PhD evaluation and defense committees at recognized universities, interest of foreign students in PhD studies at our university (during the project we have attracted three such students), invitations to participate at common projects, visits of recognized experts in the field, interest of foreign companies in the field of medical imaging for our work, etc.
- Benefits in terms of clinical applicability: The results of the research project can be potentially applied in a clinical environment. The developed standardized validation methodology and automated methods for quantitative evaluation of vertebral rotation are adequate for implementation as a dedicated computer program, which could ease the work of clinicians evaluating vertebral rotation. By modeling vertebral bodies in 3D with superquadrics, it is possible to better discriminate between normal and deformed vertebral bodies when compared to established methods. By using this method, it is in general possible to detect the signs of osteoporosis and monitor the progression of this disease, as well as predict eventual vertebral fractures. Such an approach could be beneficial to patients, clinicians and, finally, to the society.
- Product marketing: The developed standardized validation methodology, and the automatic techniques for quantitative evaluation of vertebral rotation and modeling the shape of vertebral bodies in 3D can be implemented and marketed as a stand-alone dedicated computer program, as a part of existing medical image analysis program packages, or as a part of CT and MR imaging systems. In this respect we have already established contacts with leading medical imaging software and hardware companies.
- Human resources development: The abilities and skills of the researchers fully or partially connected to the research project have significantly improved. Besides the direct transfer of knowledge from academia to industry, knowledge is also transferred through the well trained and highly motivated young researchers who worked on the project and decided to find a job in industry after obtaining their degree. Because of the highly relevant and interesting research topic and the expertise of the research team, it is expected that future projects will attract new talented researchers.
- Strengthening of the institutional capacities: The research project contributed to the capability of acquiring new and reconditioning, improving and renovating the existing elements of hardware, software, literature, and administrative and management systems.
- Increased and more effective collaboration: Working relationships between different individuals and institutions, whether they were directly related to the research or not, established new (e.g. University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Slovenia) and strengthened old collaborations (e.g. Utrecht University, the Netherlands), which might lead to more effective future collaborations.
- Funding resources: The researchers as well as the organizations involved in the research increased their capabilities of receiving new funding in terms of financial, technical and organizational resources for possible future research projects.
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2009,
2010,
2011,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2009,
2010,
2011,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si
