Of all ways of human communication, images bear the greatest density of natural information, and biomedical images are not any exception to this affirmation.
With the discovery of X-rays in 1895, images have been widely acquired for medical diagnostics. With the increasing utilisation of digital imaging systems, medical image processing & automated image analysis has become predominantly important in the healthcare sector, contributing to the understanding of life and disease processes.
Medical imaging processing, having a strong structural character, mainly manages and processes missing, inconsistent, ambiguous, complementary, contradictory, distorted and redundant data.
Medical image processing enables virologists to produce 3D reconstructions of viruses, radiologists to quantify tumours from CT scans, MRI, and neuroscientists to detect metabolic brain activity from PET.
A detailed look at diagnostic imaging technologies
Popularly known as CT scan or Computed Axial Tomography scan, this technology lets doctors to thoroughly view the cross-sections of the body similar to an MRI. This technology gives a detailed look at soft tissues and subtle parts of the image when compared to an x-ray. The large donut shaped machine help in visualising bones, internal organs and blood vessels and is used to diagnose tumour cells or cancer.
MRI is another option for cross-sectional imaging. Similar to a CT scan, MRIs produces images of soft tissues including, tendons and organs. But unlike a CT scan, this technology does not deploy ionizing radiation, instead, it utilises radio waves with magnetic fields. As a result, MRIs are often considered to be a safer technology. It can produce images of the spinal cord, brain, bones, blood vessels, heart, and different internal organs and is also used to monitor ongoing treatment.
Commonly known as sonography, this technology uses high-frequency sound waves and captures images from within the body. Since it does not use any kind of radiation, it is the best technology used to examine pregnant ladies. It can also be used to detect issues with soft tissues including organs, vessels and guide surgeons during certain procedures.
A Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan is used to develop a 3D image and reveal problems happening at the cellular level. This technology can be combined with MRI and CT scans to produce a clearer image and show how well an organ is functioning. It is commonly used on individuals who have been diagnosed with cancer. This is so because it can show how the patient is responding to treatment or how far a cancer has spread. It can also be used in the planning of surgery of the brain or heart.
While these technologies are being used in the medical domain for decades together, new trends such as Artificial Intelligence, 3D tomosynthesis, etc. have entrenched foot in medical imaging processing domain.
In the recent times, breast cancer imaging technology has made an advancement from traditional 2D mammography to 3D tomosynthesis (3D mammography). This technology enables radiologists to capture images (3D) at different angles and display them at varying depths rather than a single set of images. Tomosynthesis has been proven to be more sensitive, especially in patients at high risk of cancer. It also enhances the care for breast cancer detection and help in differentiating aspects that might be misinterpreted.
3D Computed Tomography Angiography (CTA) enables professionals to visualise arterial and venous vessels through CT technique. When compared to 3D imaging, this technology provides a better view to anatomy, pathology, and potential artifacts. It also allows the professionals to map dissections & vascular anomalies, summarise a small set of 3D images and read them effortlessly & efficiently.
A new technology known as cinematic rendering is used to view/study complex structures such as heart, brain, etc. This technology generates photorealistic images by merging 3D MRI & CT scans with computer-generated imagery and volumetric visualisation technology. Cinematic rendering, in addition to providing clear image to texture of anatomy & tumors, allows doctors to diagnose illnesses, navigate through surgery and plan suitable treatment.
Combination of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and 3D medical imaging is taking the medical domain by storm. AI injects efficiency in the medical imaging, especially in detecting organs and anomalies. AI can be combined with image visualisation and enable cardiologists to measure ejection fraction in a shorter period of time without going through the hassle of sorting huge data sets and examine the anatomy by sight.
With the advancement of mobile & IoT, big data & analytics, etc., we can look forward to the next wave of medical image processing technologies ruling the healthcare sector.