Enhancing Medical Image Classification with Unified Model Agnostic Computation and Explainable AI

Abstract

Background: Advances in medical image classification have recently benefited from general augmentation techniques. However, these methods often fall short in performance and interpretability. Objective: This paper applies the Unified Model Agnostic Computation (UMAC) framework specifically to the medical domain to demonstrate its utility in this critical area. Methods: UMAC is a model-agnostic methodology designed to develop machine learning approaches that integrate seamlessly with various paradigms, including self-supervised, semi-supervised, and supervised learning. By unifying and standardizing computational models and algorithms, UMAC ensures adaptability across different data types and computational environments while incorporating state-of-the-art methodologies. In this study, we integrate UMAC as a plug-and-play module within convolutional neural networks (CNNs) and Transformer architectures, enabling the generation of high-quality representations even with minimal data. Results: Our experiments across nine diverse 2D medical image datasets show that UMAC consistently outperforms traditional data augmentation methods, achieving a 1.89% improvement in classification accuracy. Conclusions: Additionally, by incorporating explainable AI (XAI) techniques, we enhance model transparency and reliability in decision-making. This study highlights UMAC’s potential as a powerful tool for improving both the performance and interpretability of medical image classification models.