BOSTON, Mass. and STOCKHOLM, Sweden – May 30, 2012 – Through the rapid growth of multi-slice Computer Tomography (CT) imaging, radiation protection has become a major issue in the radiological community. In response to this problem, ContextVision has collaborated with Dr. Lars Borgen, Drammen and Buskerud University College, Drammen, Norway, to explore technology solutions that will deliver superior image enhancement in cases of reduced patient image doses. Today Dr. Borgen will present his thesis, “Application of Adaptive Non-Linear 2D and 3D Post-Processing Filters for Reduced Dose Abdominal CT”.
Dr. Borgen used ContextVision’s advanced 2D and 3D filters to compare the effects of reduced dose abdominal in CT images. The results show that ContextVision’s 3D filter improves image quality as compared to unfiltered and 2D filtered images. For patients with BMI< 30kg/m2, the 3D filter was able to restore 50 percent dose reduced images to comparable quality of full dose images. All image quality criteria were rated as superior for 3D filtered images compared to reduced dose, baseline and 2D filtered images.
“The study supports that the usage of highly sophisticated three-dimensional image processing algorithms enables up to 50 percent dose reduction from CT exams,” said Dr. Borgen.
“ContextVision recognizes that patient safety concerns are resulting in an increase in reduced dose imaging exams. Our full suite of image enhancement software across multiple modalities including real time 3D-filters for Ultrasound and prototype 3D and 4D-filters for CT and MRI proves that our image enhancement meets the demands of patient safety without compromising on image quality, as shown in Dr. Borgen’s research,” said Martin Hedlund, ContextVision’s chief technology officer. “ContextVision is and will continue to be the technology leader within image enhancement software, and we are continuously involved in research collaborations as a natural part of the development of future solutions.”
Along with ContextVision, collaborators from Buskerud Hospital (BU), Buskerud University College, Norwegian Radiation Protection Authority (NRPA), Center for Medical Image Science and Visualization (CMIV) in Linköping and the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston participated in this research project.
According to Dr. Mannudeep K. Kalra, a co-author of the study, 3D filters can help improve image quality with 3D filters while reducing radiation dose substantially. Unlike iterative reconstruction techniques which are mostly applicable to modern and newer scanners, these filters can be applied to CT images from any CT scanner to enable radiation dose reduction. Furthermore, 3D filters were not associated with any undesirable effect on image texture reported with some of the iterative reconstruction techniques.
For more information about ContextVision’s imaging products, please visit www.contextvision.com. To learn more about Dr. Borgen’s research and to read his thesis abstract, please visit http://ar.rsmjournals.com/content/early/2012/02/22/ar.2011.110563.
About ContextVision
ContextVision is the leading independent developer of medical imaging enhancement, analysis and processing technologies, serving leading OEMs and distributors for almost 30 years. Each day, thousands of global users rely on ContextVision’s embedded imaging software. ContextVision’s GOP technology allows unprecedented image quality by simultaneously enhancing fine structure and reducing noise and/or speckle across Ultrasound, Digital and Interventional Radiology, Mammography, MRI and CT. ContextVision’s continuous development of its proven GOP algorithm and technology ensures that customers can provide superior digital imaging quality to hospitals and clinicians. These images promise more rapid and accurate diagnoses, reduced operator eye fatigue and greater return-on-investment for medical imaging users. ContextVision’s 3D image enhancement processing adds new dimensions to medical imaging, enabling clinicians to see previously unreachable anatomies, with interactive enhancement that does not compromise the overall image.