BioThreads: a novel VLIW-based chip multiprocessor for accelerating biomedical image processing applications

Frame-based Programming, Stream-Based Processing for Medical Image Processing Applications

This paper presents and evaluates an approach to deploy image and video processing pipelines that are developed frame-oriented on a hardware platform that is stream-oriented, such as an FPGA. First, this calls for a specialized streaming memory hierarchy and accompanying software framework that transparently moves image segments between stages in the image processing pipeline. Second, we use softcore VLIW processors, that are targetable by a C compiler and have hardware debugging capabilities, to evaluate and debug the software before moving to a High-Level Synthesis flow. The algorithm development phase, including debugging and optimizing on the target platform, is often a very time consuming step in the development of a new product. Our proposed platform allows both software developers and hardware designers to test iterations in a matter of seconds (compilation time) instead of hours (synthesis or circuit simulation time).

Opto-physiological modeling applied to photoplethysmographic cardiovascular assessment

This paper presents opto-physiological (OP) modeling and its application in cardiovascular assessment techniques based on photoplethysmography (PPG). Existing contact point measurement techniques, i.e., pulse oximetry probes, are compared with the next generation non-contact and imaging implementations, i.e., non-contact reflection and camera-based PPG. The further development of effective physiological monitoring techniques relies on novel approaches to OP modeling that can better inform the design and development of sensing hardware and applicable signal processing procedures. With the help of finite-element optical simulation, fundamental research into OP modeling of photoplethysmography is being exploited towards the development of engineering solutions for practical biomedical systems. This paper reviews a body of research comprising two OP models that have led to significant progress in the design of transmission mode pulse oximetry probes, and approaches to 3D blood perfusion mapping for the interpretation of cardiovascular performance.