Optimization of an adaptive neural network to predict breathing

Purpose: To determine the optimal configuration and performance of an adaptive feed forward neural network filter to predict breathing in respiratory motion compensation systems for external beam radiation therapy. Method and Materials: A two-layer feed forward neural network was trained to predict future breathing amplitudes for 27 recorded breathing histories. The prediction intervals ranged from 100 to 500 ms. The optimal sampling frequency, number of input samples, training rate, and number of training epochs were determined for each breathing history and prediction interval. The overall optimal filter configuration was determined from this parameter survey, and its accuracy for each breathing example was compared to the individually optimal filter setups. Prediction accuracy was also compared to breathing stability as measured by the autocorrelation of the breathing signal. Results: The survey of filter configurations converged on a standard setup for all examples of breathing. For 24 of the 27 breathing histories the accuracy of the standard filter for a 300 ms prediction interval was within a few percent of the individually optimized filter setups; for the remaining three histories the standard filter was 5%-15% less accurate. Conclusions: A standard adaptive neural network filter setup can provide approximately optimal breathing prediction for a wide range of breathing patterns. The filter accuracy has a clear correlation with the stability of breathing. (C) 2009 American Association of Physicists in Medicine. [DOI: 10.1118/1.3026608]