Summary
Starting from raw data files coding eight bits of gray values per image pixel and
identified with no more than eight characters to refer to the patient, the study,
and technical parameters of the imaging modality, biomedical imaging has undergone
manifold and rapid developments. Today, rather complex protocols such as Digital Imaging
and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) are used to handle medical images. Most restrictions
to image formation, visualization, storage and transfer have basically been solved
and image interpretation now sets the focus of research. Currently, a method-driven
modeling approach dominates the field of biomedical image processing, as algorithms
for registration, segmentation, classification and measurements are developed on a
methodological level. However, a further metamorphosis of paradigms has already started.
The future of medical image processing is seen in task-oriented solutions integrated
into diagnosis, intervention planning, therapy and followup studies. This alteration
of paradigms is also reflected in the literature. As German activities are strongly
tied to the international research, this change of paradigm is demonstrated by selected
papers from the German annual workshop on medical image processing collected in this
special issue.
Keywords
Computer-assisted image processing - computer-assisted image interpretation - automatic
data processing - medical informatics applications - pattern recognition - three-dimensional
imaging
