Segmentation-free Radon transform algorithm to detect orientation and size of tissue structures in multiphoton microscopy images

Abstract

Significance

Understanding the structural organization of biological tissues is critical for studying their function and response to physiological and pathological conditions. In vivo imaging techniques, such as multiphoton microscopy, enable high-resolution visualization of tissue architecture. However, automated orientation analysis remains challenging due to imaging noise, complexity, and reliance on manual annotations, which are time-consuming and subjective.

Aim

We present a Radon transform–based algorithm for robust, annotation-free structural orientation analysis across multimodal imaging datasets, aiming to improve objectivity and efficiency without introducing preprocessing artifacts.

Approach

The algorithm employs a patch-based Radon transform approach to detect oriented structures in noisy images. By analyzing projection peaks in Radon space, it enhances small structures’ visibility while minimizing noise and artifact influence. The method was evaluated using synthetic and in vivo datasets, comparing its performance with human annotations.

Results

The algorithm achieved strong agreement with human annotations, with detection accuracy exceeding 88% across different imaging modalities. Variability among trained raters emphasized the benefits of an objective, mathematically driven approach.

Conclusions

The proposed method provides a robust and adaptable solution for structural orientation analysis in biological images. Its ability to quantify tissue component orientation without preprocessing artifacts makes it valuable for high-resolution, dynamic studies in tissue architecture and biomechanics.