Biomedical Image Processing

Biomedical imaging concentrates on the capture of images for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Snapshots of in vivo physiology and physiological processes can be garnered through advanced sensors and computer technology. Biomedical imaging technologies utilize either x-rays (CT scans) sound (ultrasound) magnetism (MRI) radioactive pharmaceuticals (nuclear medicine: SPECT PET) or light (endoscopy OCT) to assess the current condition of an organ or tissue and can monitor a patient over time over time for diagnostic and treatment evaluation. The science and engineering behind the sensors instrumentation and software used to obtain biomedical imaging has been evolving continuously since the x-ray was first invented in 1895. Modern x-rays using solid-state electronics require just milliseconds of exposure time drastically reducing the x-ray dose originally needed for recording to film cassettes. The image quality has also improved with enhanced resolution and contrast detail providing more reliable and accurate diagnoses.