STTR Phase I:Video Analysis Techniques for Computer-Aided Quality Control for Colonoscopy

这个小企业技术转移第一阶段项目将为结肠镜检查（一种通过带有摄像头的柔性管检查大肠粘膜的程序）的质量控制系统开发算法，该系统已显著降低了结直肠癌相关死亡人数。然而，最近的数据表明，即使是大的息肉和癌症，也有很大的漏检率。本研究的预期结果是：(1)结肠镜检查确定是否到达大肠起点的算法；(2)检测阑尾口外观的算法，因为阑尾位于结肠的开始，其检测确认整个结肠已被穿过；(3)获得质量度量的软件工具。这项研究更广泛的影响是，它将使结肠镜检查在大规模的日常医疗环境中实现自动化、客观的质量控制，这在目前是不可行的。这有可能每年使数百万人的健康受益。如果成功，它将启动其他内窥镜检查（如支气管镜检查、膀胱镜检查和腹腔镜检查）质量控制的新研究和开发。该项目将通过提供包含典型结肠镜检查实践和相应质量测量的所有方面的视频，为医学教育、研究和实践做出贡献，这些视频可用于新内窥镜医师的教学和培训，以及先前已认证的内窥镜医师的重新认证。

This Small Business Technology Transfer Phase I project will develop algorithms for a quality control system for colonoscopy (a procedure where the mucosa of the large bowel is inspected via a flexible tube with a camera on it) that has contributed to a marked decline in the number of colorectal cancer related deaths. However, recent data suggest that there is a significant miss-rate for the detection of even large polyps and cancers. Anticipated results of this research are: (1) algorithms for colonoscopy to determine whether the beginning of the large bowel was reached; (2) algorithms for detecting the appearance of the appendiceal orifice as the appendix is located at the beginning of the colon, its detection confirms that the entire colon has been traversed; and (3) software tools to derive quality measurements. The broader impacts of this research are that it will enable automated, objective quality control for colonoscopy in large-scale, day-to-day medical settings, which is currently not feasible. This has the potential to benefit the health of millions of people each year. If successful it will initiate new research and development in quaity control for other endoscopic procedures such as bronchoscopy, cystoscopy, and laparoscopy. The project will contribute to medical education, research, and practice by providing videos containing all aspects of typical colonoscopy practice and corresponding quality measurements that can be used for teaching and training of new endoscopists and recertification of previously certified endoscopists.