Three-dimensional (3D) image data generated by modalities such as CT and MRI can provide a physician with insight. Analysis of such data has traditionally been done using time- consuming, error-prone manual techniques. Automating this analysis can improve the consistency of the results and reduce the amount of user interactive time required. Automated analysis, however, carries with it a tremendous computational burden. To address this problem, we have designed a distributed processing environment for the rapid processing of 3D radiological images. Our system enables sequences of image processing operations (filtering, morphology, segmentation, etc.) to be linked together. These sequences are then rapidly carried out by distributing the computational load across a network of workstations and a massively parallel computer, using the PVM protocol. A graphical user interface facilitates system operation, making the low-level parallel processing issues transparent to the user.

Date Published: 16 April 1996
PDF: 11 pages
Proc. SPIE 2710, Medical Imaging 1996: Image Processing, (16 April 1996); doi: 10.1117/12.237994

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 2710:
Medical Imaging 1996: Image Processing
Murray H. Loew; Kenneth M. Hanson, Editor(s)