This study briefly introduces the tongue diagnostic equipment of traditional Chinese medicine. It analyzes and discusses the key points of technical evaluation of tongue diagnostic equipment from the aspects of product name, performance parameters, image processing functions, product use methods, clinical evaluation, etc. It analyzes the safety risks and effectiveness indicators of tongue diagnostic equipment, hoping to bring some help to the gradual standardization of tongue diagnostic equipment and the registration of enterprises.
Medicine, Chinese Traditional/methods* ; Tongue ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Diagnostic Equipment ; Reference Standards

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of the adaptive iterative dose reduction (AIDR) three-dimensional (3D) algorithm in CT on noise reduction and the image quality compared to the filtered back projection (FBP) algorithm and to compare the effectiveness of AIDR 3D on noise reduction according to the body habitus using phantoms with different sizes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three different-sized phantoms with diameters of 24 cm, 30 cm, and 40 cm were built up using the American College of Radiology CT accreditation phantom and layers of pork belly fat. Each phantom was scanned eight times using different mAs. Images were reconstructed using the FBP and three different strengths of the AIDR 3D. The image noise, the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) and the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the phantom were assessed. Two radiologists assessed the image quality of the 4 image sets in consensus. The effectiveness of AIDR 3D on noise reduction compared with FBP were also compared according to the phantom sizes. RESULTS: Adaptive iterative dose reduction 3D significantly reduced the image noise compared with FBP and enhanced the SNR and CNR (p < 0.05) with improved image quality (p < 0.05). When a stronger reconstruction algorithm was used, greater increase of SNR and CNR as well as noise reduction was achieved (p < 0.05). The noise reduction effect of AIDR 3D was significantly greater in the 40-cm phantom than in the 24-cm or 30-cm phantoms (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The AIDR 3D algorithm is effective to reduce the image noise as well as to improve the image-quality parameters compared by FBP algorithm, and its effectiveness may increase as the phantom size increases.
*Algorithms ; Animals ; Body Size ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted/*methods ; *Phantoms, Imaging/standards ; Radiation Dosage ; Signal-To-Noise Ratio ; Subcutaneous Fat, Abdominal/*radiography ; Swine ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed/*methods

This paper is aimed to fulfill a prototype system used to classify and retrieve retinal image automatically. With the content-based image retrieval (CBIR) technology, a method to represent the retinal characteristics mixing the fundus image color (gray) histogram with bright, dark region features and other local comprehensive information was proposed. The method uses kernel principal component analysis (KPCA) to further extract nonlinear features and dimensionality reduced. It also puts forward a measurement method using support vector machine (SVM) on KPCA weighted distance in similarity measure aspect. Testing 300 samples with this prototype system randomly, we obtained the total image number of wrong retrieved 32, and the retrieval rate 89.33%. It showed that the identification rate of the system for retinal image was high.
Algorithms ; Fundus Oculi ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; methods ; Information Storage and Retrieval ; methods ; Numerical Analysis, Computer-Assisted ; Ophthalmoscopy ; standards ; Pattern Recognition, Automated ; methods ; Retina ; pathology ; Retinal Vessels ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo establish the optimal image post-processing parameters for digital chest radiography as preliminary research for introducing digital radiography (DR) to pneumoconiosis diagnosis in China.

METHODSA total of 204 pneumoconiosis patients and 31 dust-exposed workers were enrolled as the subjects in this research. Film-screen radiography (FSR) and DR images were taken for all subjects. DR films were printed after raw images were processed and parameters were altered using DR workstation (GE Healthcare, U.S.A.). Image gradations, lung textures, and the imaging of thoracic vertebra were evaluated by pneumoconiosis experts, and the optimal post-processing parameters were selected. Optical density was measured for both DR films and FSR films.

RESULTSFor the DR machine used in this research, the contrast adjustment (CA) and brightness adjustment (BA) were the main parameters that determine the brightness and gray levels of images. The optimal ranges for CA and BA were 115%∼120% and 160%∼165%, respectively. The quality of DR chest films would be optimized when tissue contrast was adjusted to a maximum of 0.15, edge to a minimum of 1, and both noise reduction and tissue equalization to0.The failure rate of chest DR (0.4%) was significantly lower than that of chest FSR (17%) (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAfter appropriate image post-processing on DR machine purchased from GE Healthcare, the DR chest films can meet all requirements for the quality of chest X-ray films in the Chinese diagnostic criteria for pneumoconiosis.

Placido disk is widely used in corneal topography. In order to solve the problem that the convex of the corneal can not be precisely located in the Placido corneal topography system, an algorithm of corneal reconstruction based on the Placido disk was introduced. The key of this method is the calculation of radius of corneal convex by using the innermost ring data. Based on image analysis result, we precisely calculated the radius of corneal convex iteratively by connecting the convex and the first ring using a circle, and then calculated the location of all the reflect point and its power. At last we created the pseudo color map of the human corneal. The corneal was simulated by using standard steel sphere, and the calculating errors of the result were all below 0.25D. It showed that the algorithm used in this work could get relatively accurate powers and would have fair stability.
Algorithms ; Cornea ; pathology ; Corneal Topography ; methods ; standards ; Corneal Wavefront Aberration ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted

This paper presents a medical image acquisition and analysis method-TRM (Topology Resolve-Map) Model-under natural light condition indoors. Firstly, in accordance to medical image color characteristics, a colorful and grayscale color control patch was made for use as supervised color. "Topology Resolve-Map-Restoration" was carried on in LAB color space of the one-dimensional L* space and the two-dimensional a* b* space. Then, L* value was regulated by subsection regulation and a* b* value was regulated by triangulation topological cutting--close in on center of gravity method. After correction of the 198 color blocks in 22 pictures, the results showed that, by comparison with the standard value, the deltaL*, deltaC* and deltaE decreased significantly (P < 0.01) after correction by TRM. After correction, the difference in image's color is reduced, the color saturation is improved and the value is closer to true value. TRM model can significantly reduce the color difference of the medical image under natural light condition; it has a good effect on color correction.
Artificial Intelligence ; Calibration ; Color ; standards ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; methods ; Pattern Recognition, Automated ; methods ; Photography ; instrumentation ; methods

Our purpose is to introduce and analyze the data quality assurance (DQA) protocol of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). A water phantom was scanned to get DQA indexes. An fMRI sequence was used to get signal noise ratio (SNR) and Drift, which was calculated from maximum difference ratio of the average signal intensity in the region of interest (ROI) of image serials. The long period application of this method demonstrated that this DQA protocol can reflect imaging performance and the state of stability of the MRI scanner. Some application experience and discussion involved in DQA were also presented here.
Algorithms ; Artifacts ; Artificial Intelligence ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; methods ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Phantoms, Imaging ; standards ; Quality Control

OBJECTIVETo find a way to view ECG from different manufacturers in electrocardiogram information system.

METHODSDifferent format ECG data were transmitted to ECG center by different ways. Corresponding analysis software was used to make the diagnosis reports in the center. Then we use PDF convert to change all ECG reports into PDF format. The electrocardiogram information system manage these PDF format ECG data for clinic user.

RESULTSThe ECG reports form several major ECG manufacturers were transformed to PDF format successfully. In the electrocardiogram information system it is freely to view the ECG figure.

CONCLUSIONSPDF format ECG report is a practicable way to solve the compatibility problem in electrocardiogram information system.

Accurate pre-operative localization and removal of disc material are important for minimizing morbidity in dogs with thoracolumbar disc extrusions. Computed tomography (CT) is an established technique for localizing disc extrusions in dogs, however the effect of multi-planar reformatting (MPR) on surgeon diagnostic performance has not been previously described. The purpose of this study was to test the effect of MPR CT on surgeon diagnostic accuracy, certainty and agreement for localizing thoracolumbar disc extrusions in dogs. Two veterinary surgeons and one veterinary neurologist who were unaware of surgical findings independently reviewed randomized sets of two-dimensional (2D) and MPR CT images from 111 dogs with confirmed thoracolumbar disc extrusions. For each set of images, readers recorded their localizations for extruded disc material and their diagnostic certainty. For MPR images, readers also recorded views they considered most helpful. Diagnostic accuracy estimates, mean diagnostic certainty scores and inter-observer agreement were compared using surgery as the gold standard. Frequencies were compared for MPR views rated most helpful. Diagnostic accuracy estimates were significantly greater for MPR vs. 2D CT images in one reader. Mean diagnostic certainty scores were significantly greater for MPR images in two readers. The change in agreement between 2D and MPR images differed from zero for all analyses (site, side, number affected) among all three readers. Multi-planar views rated most helpful with the highest frequency were oblique transverse and curved dorsal planar MPR views. Findings from this study indicate that multi-planar CT can improve surgeon diagnostic performance for localizing canine thoracolumbar disc extrusions.
Animals ; Decision Making ; Dog Diseases/*radiography ; Dogs ; Female ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted/*methods/standards ; Intervertebral Disk Displacement/radiography/*veterinary ; Male ; Observer Variation ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

INTRODUCTIONDigital storage of echocardiographic data offers logistical advantages over videotape archival. However, limited information is available on the accuracy of clinically compressed digitised examinations, an important consideration for patient safety.

MATERIALS AND METHODSTransthoracic echocardiograms of 520 consecutive patients were prospectively acquired digitally and on videotape. Two echocardiologists, in consensus, reported studies in both formats sequentially. Using the videotape as a reference, the significance of any reported differences was graded from both imaging and clinical standpoints, and the reasons for these differences identified.

RESULTSFrom an imaging perspective, differences between digital and videotaped studies were absent or minor in 459 cases (88%), fairly significant in 55 (11%) and very significant in 6 (1%). The main reasons for the observed differences were inadequate acquisition of optimal views (59%), an insufficient number of acquired cardiac cycles (25%) and suboptimal image quality (9%). These differences were considered to be of possible or definite clinical importance in 21 (4%) and 8 (2%) cases, respectively. In multinominal logistic regression models, the only independent predictor of significant difference between digitised and videotaped images was study complexity. Regardless of case complexity, most diagnostic errors arising from digital review were attributable to technical failure rather than observer error.

CONCLUSIONSThe potential for important errors arising from exclusive reporting of clinically compressed digital echocardiograms is small. Digital echocardiography, as practiced in a routine clinical setting, offers a patient-safe alternative to videotape review.