Current Projects:
This page regards the project for the module "DSA - Domain-Specific Aspects of Data Science" from the master's program Data Science.
Please note, that according to to curriculum, you have to be finished with at least 3 of the following lectures before you can start with the project:
- VU Advanced Methods for Regression and Classification
- VU Data-oriented Programming Paradigms
- VU Experiment Design for Data Science
- VU Machine Learning
The DSA module itself consists of three lectures:
- 194.046 Interdisciplinary Lecture Series on Data Science
- 194.047 Interdisciplinary Project in Data Science / 194.147 Interdisciplinary Project in Data Science
- 194.068 Domain-Specific Lectures in Data Science
On this page, you find descriptions of potential projects that you can do at the group for Computational Biomechanics at the ILSB.
The Domain-Specific Lecture in Data Science that fits for these projects is 202.064 Computational Biomaterials and Biomechanics, which is offered at the ILSB in the winter term.
You either have to have finished this lecture before starting with the project but it is also an option to do both at the same time.
AI based masking of bones in clinical CT images
Content
For the creation of finite element (FE) models, the outer boundary of the bones has to be found in clinical CT images. Several tools exists for this task, but typically require some manual cleaning of the data afterwards.
In this project, an automated approach using neural networks should be tested.
Figure: Automated masking of bones in CT images
In a first step, ex vivo scans of femora are used, where the background is mostly air. When a model is established, also in vivo scans can be used, which also contain soft tissue and other bones.
Requirements
- You have basic knowledge on medical image processing, for example by attending the lecture Computational Biomaterials and Biomechanics
- You are interested in AI / machine learning
- You can implement such algorithms, for example using Scipy/Keras/Tensorflow/...
Dataset
- We will offer a dataset of 3D CT images (voxel size ~0.5x0.5x1mm) of proximal femora, which are already masked using an in-house algorithm
- The dataset should be checked manually first to enhance the quality of the segmentation
Objective
- Search the literature for already existing methods
- Write a draft for the project
- Discuss draft with supervisor and co-supervisor
- Implement an AI-based slice-wise labeling tool and train it with the given data
- Present your work (Poster + Report)
- If multiple students are working on the same project: Benchmark your work against the other solutions
Next Steps
- If you interested in doing such a project write an email to: sebastian.bachmann@tuwien.ac.at
- A possible co-supervisor for the project is Prof. Rudolf Mayer
AI based segmentation of trabecular and cortical bone
Content
Bone consists of two major parts: a dense outer layer (cortical bone) and a porous inner layer (trabecular bone). In many applications, it is required to label these two volumes separately, for example to only evaluate trabecular or cortical properties.
Currently, image processing algorithms are used, that try to find the boundary between the two volumes. These algorithms are relatively slow, especially for large bones or very small voxel sizes.
One idea would be to use artificial intelligence to label the two volumes in the bone. Different AI methods can be employed and tuned.
Figure: Segmentation of cortical and trabecular bone from a binary image into a labeled image.
Requirements
- You have basic knowledge on medical image processing, for example by attending the lecture Computational Biomaterials and Biomechanics
- You are interested in AI / machine learning
- You can implement such algorithms, for example using Scipy/Keras/Tensorflow/...
Dataset
- We will offer a dataset of 2D slices of bones, which are already labeled using our image processing algorithm
- The data can be either binary or gray-value
- 3D data can be used as well, if there is a particular interest
Objective
- Search the literature for already existing methods
- Write a draft for the project
- Discuss draft with supervisor and co-supervisor
- Implement an AI based labeling tool and train it with the given data
- Present your work (Poster + Report)
- If multiple students are working on the same project: Benchmark your work against the other solutions
Next Steps
- If you interested in doing such a project write an email to: sebastian.bachmann@tuwien.ac.at
- A possible co-supervisor for the project is Prof. Rudolf Mayer
Visual Data Analysis of Trabecular Bone Morphometry
Content
Bone contains a microstructure, called trabecular bone. Using CT-based morphometric analysis, it is possible to quantify this microstructure for example in terms of density, orientation, spacing, or shape coefficients.
In the past, typically only single region of interest (ROI) were evaluated, however, modern tools such as Holistic Morphometric Analysis (HMA) can be used to visualize the microstructure over the whole volume.
HMA results in several thousand datapoints over the whole bone volume. These datapoints are not only highly autocorrelated but also the morphometric indices itself are correlated to each other.
In this project, visual data science methods should be applied for the explorative analysis of CT-based morphometry, based on HMA.
Requirements
- You have basic knowledge on medical image processing, for example by attending the lecture Computational Biomaterials and Biomechanics
- You are interested in visual data science and have experience on the topic
Dataset
- We will offer a dataset of morphometric indices of bones, evaluated with HMA
- More bones can be evaluated on demand
Objective
- Perform a literature search for appealing methods
- Write a draft for the project
- Discuss the draft with supervisor and co-supervisor
- Apply visual data science techniques to evaluate the dataset in an explorative analysis
- Present your work (Poster + Report)
Next Steps
- If you interested in doing such a project write an email to: sebastian.bachmann@tuwien.ac.at
- A possible co-supervisor for the project is Univ.Lekt. Johanna Schmidt
Visual Data Analysis of Trabecular Bone Cubes
Content
Bone contains a microstructure, called trabecular bone. For previous projects, 5mm cubes of trabecular bone were digitally cut from micro-CT (µCT) images. Morphometric indices, such as density, orientation, spacing, or shape coefficient can be measured on those cubes.
To better understand how these morphometric indices are influenced by the local geometry of the bone, a visual data analysis should be performed to visualize both the 3D-rendering of the cubes as well as the morphometric indices. The indices itself are either scalar, vector, or (2nd and 4th order) tensorial quantities.
Figure: Morphometric indices measured on two different bone cubes
Requirements
- You have basic knowledge on medical image processing, for example by attending the lecture Computational Biomaterials and Biomechanics
- You are interested in visual data science and have experience on the topic
Dataset
- We will offer a dataset of bone cubes and their morphometric indices
- More bone cubes or morphometric indices can be evaluated on demand
Objective
- Perform a literature search for appealing methods
- Write a draft for the project
- Discuss the draft with supervisor and co-supervisor
- Apply visual data science techniques and create an interactive application to explore 3D-renderings and measured morphometric indices
- Present your work (Poster + Report)
Next Steps
- If you interested in doing such a project write an email to: sebastian.bachmann@tuwien.ac.at
- A possible co-supervisor for the project is Univ.Lekt. Johanna Schmidt