Biomedical subjects

L Costaridou

Publications and source records attributed to L Costaridou.

25 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMedDate not supplied

Using component technologies for web based wavelet enhanced mammographic image visualization.

The poor contrast detectability of mammography can be dealt with by domain specific software visualization tools. Remote desktop client access and time performance limitations of a previously reported visualization tool are addressed, aiming at more efficient visualization of mammographic image resources existing in web or PACS image servers. This effort is also motivated by the fact that at present, web browsers do not support domain-specific medical image visualization. To deal with desktop client access the tool was redesigned by exploring component technologies, enabling the integration of stand alone domain specific mammographic image functionality in a web browsing environment (web adaptation). The integration method is based on ActiveX Document Server technology. ActiveX Document is a part of Object Linking and Embedding (OLE) extensible systems object technology, offering new services in existing applications. The standard DICOM 3.0 part 10 compatible image-format specification Papyrus 3.0 is supported, in addition to standard digitization formats such as TIFF. The visualization functionality of the tool has been enhanced by including a fast wavelet transform implementation, which allows for real time wavelet based contrast enhancement and denoising operations. Initial use of the tool with mammograms of various breast structures demonstrated its potential in improving visualization of diagnostic mammographic features. Web adaptation and real time wavelet processing enhance the potential of the previously reported tool in remote diagnosis and education in mammography.

Female↗

PubMedDate not supplied

A tool for designing digital test objects for module performance evaluation in medical digital imaging.

Currently, medical digital imaging systems are characterized by the introduction of additional modules such as digital display, image compression and image processing, as well as film printing and digitization. These additional modules require performance evaluation to ensure high image quality. A tool for designing computer-generated test objects applicable to performance evaluation of these modules is presented. The test objects can be directly used as digital images in the case of film printing, display, compression and image processing, or indirectly as images on film in the case of digitization. The performance evaluation approach is quality control protocol based. Digital test object design is user-driven according to specifications related to the requirements of the modules being tested. The available quality control parameters include input/output response curve, high contrast resolution, low contrast discrimination, noise, geometric distortion and field uniformity. The tool has been designed and implemented according to an object oriented approach in Visual C++ 5.0, and its user interface is based on the Microsoft Foundation Class Library version 4.2, which provides interface items such as windows, dialog boxes, lists, buttons, etc. The compatibility with DICOM 3.0 part 10 image formats specifications allows the integration of the tool in the existing software framework for medical digital imaging systems. The capability of the tool is demonstrated by direct use of the test objects in case of image processing, and indirect use of the test objects in case of film digitization.

Algorithms↗

PubMedDate not supplied

An image visualization tool in mammography.

The poor detectability of diagnostic mammographic features, due to their low contrast, is dealt with by a software visualization tool. The tool is domain specific to medical imaging and consequently mammographic imaging, and it is envisaged as part of medical image visualization and manipulation stations. Domain specificity is served by the tool conformance to DICOM 3.0 part 10 image format specifications, specifically PAPYRUS 3.0, window width/level display adjustments of image dynamic range of up to 16 bits, and application of visualization operations to user-defined regions of interest in addition to global operations. The software has been designed and implemented according to an object oriented approach in Visual C++. The tool user interface is friendly, based on a widely used windowing paradigm, the Microsoft Foundation Class library version 4.2, which provides interface items, such as windows, dialogue boxes, lists, slide bars, buttons, etc. The visualization functionality offered by the tool relies on the following three categories of image processing algorithms: dynamic range adjustments by pixel intensity transformations, contrast enhancement and noise suppression by spatial domain direct manipulation of image pixels or by manipulation of wavelet coefficients. The first two categories of algorithms are implemented in real time. Initial use of the tool has demonstrated its potential in improving the detectability of diagnostic mammographic image features.

Algorithms↗

PubMedDate not supplied

An educational hypertext system supporting radiographic image quality.

Understanding the physical and technical factors affecting image characteristics is an essential learning task in the process of optimizing radiographic image quality. The goal of the present effort is the design of a stand-alone software application acting as an educational aid to radiology residents and radiographers. The application is organized in three modules, each one offering a different approach to the learning task. The core of the system is a hypertext database management system composed of text, digitized radiographs, graphics and animations. User orientation, linking, indexing, and annotation are some of the facilities offered in pursuing topics of interest.

Computer Graphics↗

PubMedDate not supplied

A learning tool in medical imaging: using procedure graphs in radiographic process simulation.

Teaching the procedural elements of imaging protocols and understanding the interrelationships and interdependencies of diagnostic X-ray system parameters and their effects on image quality, are among the main objectives of medical imaging training programs. A teaching tool is designed and implemented to support these goals. Tool design is influenced by hybrid learning system architectures and it is based on a graph approach, which is described. Implementation is carried out using a hypermedia development environment (Toolbook) coupled with a database (Paradox). The core of the system is an attributed priority graph, capable of supporting the organization of the domain knowledge, monitoring of user-machine interaction and managing the user-system dialogue. Use of this approach resulted in an interactive simulation tool, which provides computer aided learning support, to radiology related personnel, such as radiologists and radiographers. The potential value of the tool is not restricted only to didactic tasks, but may include trouble-shooting and documentation.

Computer Simulation↗

PubMedDate not supplied

A layered architecture for computer-based simulation supporting skills learning: an X-ray imaging paradigm.

Simulation is characterized by strong learning potential, providing the basis for a new category of systems, the simulation-based learning systems. To strengthen the learning potential of these systems, models are needed not only of the actual system being imitated, but also of the operational expertise required to carry out manipulations of the simulated system, inherently linked to learning. In this paper, an architecture is reported aimed at supporting the organization of multimodal simulation resources to induce skills learning. This architecture is based on distinct layers, allowing independent representation of learning and simulation components. Its applicability has been demonstrated by means of a paradigm, including simulation of X-ray imaging procedure, as well as authoring of learning scenarios pertaining to such procedures.

Algorithms↗

PubMedDate not supplied

A network-based training environment: a medical image processing paradigm.

The capability of interactive multimedia and Internet technologies is investigated with respect to the implementation of a distance learning environment. The system is built according to a client-server architecture, based on the Internet infrastructure, composed of server nodes conceptually modelled as WWW sites. Sites are implemented by customization of available components. The environment integrates network-delivered interactive multimedia courses, network-based tutoring, SIG support, information databases of professional interest, as well as course and tutoring management. This capability has been demonstrated by means of an implemented system, validated with digital image processing content, specifically image enhancement. Image enhancement methods are theoretically described and applied to mammograms. Emphasis is given to the interactive presentation of the effects of algorithm parameters on images. The system end-user access depends on available bandwidth, so high-speed access can be achieved via LAN or local ISDN connections. Network based training offers new means of improved access and sharing of learning resources and expertise, as promising supplements in training.

Computer Communication Networks↗