IJISET - International Journal of Innovative Science, Engineering & Technology, Vol. 3 Issue 3, March 2016.

www.ijiset.com
ISSN 2348 – 7968

Medical Application of Digital Image Processing

Based on MATLAB

Li Yang
School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Southwest Petroleum University,
Chengdu, 610500,China

ABSTRACT can be effectively process the medical

Image is the main source of human
images ,also provides a powerful way
access and exchange of information.
for medical image analysis.
The application of digital image
processing in medical engineering is Introduction
very extensive, and the result is very Since the CT appearance, with the
effective. Medical digital image rapid development, it brings a
processing can reduce the effect of revolutionary contribution to brain
noise, enhance the image and improve diseases and heart and lung disease
its quality. Processed images can because of its non-invasive inspection
accurately reflect the focus of disease without breaking the surface[1].
and visually communicate medical and Diagnostic value beyond doubt, it has
pathological information of the image. special value to the discovery of the
This paper introduce the technology of neck, lungs, chest wall, liver, kidney,
digital image processing based on ovarian lesion and other disease, also to
Matlab. Using Matlab can acquire and lesion location and severity. CT scan for
recognize and process the images. As a images will be influenced by external
powerful simulation software, Matlab is light and creep of human organs and its
widely used in scientific research and spatial resolution，causing the medical
solved specific problems. Matlab image noise so that leading to hide
toolbox for medical image processing some information. What’s more, vision

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is the main measure that the doctor can
get the pathological information. Digital
image processing can process medical
images, improve its quality, enhance the
visual effects, hence, the true situation
can be showed clearly.
Digital image processing with the
development of computer technology
has been widely used in various fields,
and the medical field is no exception.
Transform in digital image processing
through various operations, highlights,
enhanced image characteristics can
improve the accuracy of diagnosis.
1 Development of digital
image processing technology
Multi-disciplinary comprehensive
development not only can avoid some
local defects, but also will be applied in
practice to the fullest. In the field of
modern medicine, image processing
technology has become an important
branch. Noise pollution, information
hiding, organizing fuzzy edges and
other issues have potential impact on
the accuracy of pathological diagnosis
ISSN 2348 – 7968
and treatment[2].
With the progress of science and
technology, the existing digital image
processing can meet the demand of the
medical examination, doctor can
intuitively to inform the patient of
illness. Early 60s in the 20th century,
image processing was the initial stage,
image processing cannot be used widely
spread due to the backward technology
and incomplete algorithm, also high
price of image processing equipment
and higher storage cost. In the late 80s,
image processing technology has also
gradually took on the stage and
popularized further, lower cost was the
main reason. The emergence of a large
number of mathematical algorithm and
theory made image processing theory
quicker and better and integrated with
other disciplines, then get the
application in more and deeper field[2].
At present, the digital image
processing is mainly focused on the
improvement of the image quality., the
radiation needs to collect information of
hard and soft tissue at the same time,
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www.ijiset.com
ISSN 2348 – 7968

influenced by the artifact , and all kinds

计算机
of noise during the procedure of image 输出

processing. If the diseased tissue and 数字图像

normal tissue attenuation coefficient 图像处理

vary a little, it cannot be distinguished 处理后图像

lesions. However, digital image
processing can be gained through a 打印

combination of a variety of
mathematical algorithms and high-tech Fig.1 The principle of digital image
processing
equipment to obtain more clear
Digital image processing has the
anatomic structure of information, at the
following advantages: (1) good
same time reduce the intensity of
reproducibility; (2) high precision; (3)
radiation, and thus obtain a better
flexibility, not only can accomplish
diagnostic information.
linear operation, but also complete

2 The Principle and Method nonlinear and mathematical algorithm

expression of image processing
of Digital Image Processing
operations. (4) widely application. these
2.1 Principle advantages of digital processing
Digital image processing is that technology make it widely used in the
getting the results through a series of medical field.
algorithms of image representative 2.2 Medical Basic Method of Digital
[3] Image Processing
numerical computations . For the
image, "processing" is to change its The basic methods of digital image
form, and make it more conform to the processing are image restoration and
requirements or to achieve some image enhancement[4]. Image
predetermined goals. The process is as restoration is to restore the original
follows: image information improve fidelity as

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 IJISET - International Journal of Innovative Science, Engineering & Technology, Vol. 3 Issue 3, March 2016.
www.ijiset.com
ISSN 2348 – 7968

far as possible. A basic feature of digital achieving the goal of image

is its inherent noise. Noise, considered enhancement by using the physiological
as a value around the random characteristics of human visual system
fluctuations of the real value, is the to distinguish image detail[4].
main factor to reduce image quality. The
3 Matlab-based Digital
fundamental problem in image
restoration is to eliminate the noise. Image Processing
Image enhancement is to use the Technology
related digital image processing
3.1 Medical Digital Image Processing
technology. Select or extract the Technology Research Content
important part of the image or a Digital image-processing is a
particular area effectively through strong commonality, information
processing the preprocessed image. storage, transmission and reliable image
And at the same time, filter or processing technology, because it
attenuat the unnecessary image implements the nonlinear processing of
information. Image enhancement digital image processing easily, and the
contribute to the image detail or processing procedures and processing
calibration area identification, and parameters are variable. In the image
improve the interpretation accuracy of processing, the input is the low quality
the image. At present, the most image, and the output is the improved
commonly used method is histogram quality images, hence, the commonly
correction as different space of the used image processing methods are
image enhancement processing. based such as image enhancement, restoration,
on calibration of image gray points coding and compression.
(histogram) information on the gray
level distribution form, adjusting the
image gray scale, so that eventually

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ISSN 2348 – 7968

3.2 Matlab-based in Medical Image tiffwrite etc. These function can be used
Processing
to read the medical image in Matlab, or
Now, computer networking and
convert the image file format.Also it
remote diagnosis of medical image has
can be read directly from the coordinate
become an irreversible trend, and
system using get lager function image
confronted with massive data
data, that is generated by Matlab
processing and image post-processing,
graphics. that can be turned into image
Matlab software will undoubtedly has a
data. Matlab software has the
broad application prospect.
characteristics of that it can generate the
At present, Matlab is highly
image only with the data, and it take the
accepted in medical field ,due to its
convenience for image reconstruction.
powerful functions and easy operation.
Matlab is the matrix lab, that can
What’s more, it can be utilized among
directly obtain the CT or MRI image
ultrasound, CT and X-ray perspective of
data matrix. with the correct selection of
image enhancement, segmentation,
specific tissue reconstruction algorithm
morphological analysis etc processing,
so that it can easily build
which its characteristic image
two-dimensional or three-dimensional
information is consistent with the
image. In addition, Matlab also provides
expected standards and clinical
a large number of FIR (finite impulse
diagnosis requirements, having a better
response) filter function, nonlinear
[5-8]
reference value .
filtering function and the
3.2.1 Matlab-based Image Acquisition
and Image Reconstruction two-dimensional convolution,
image processing software toolkit two-dimensional fast Fourier transform,
of Matlab provides general image file Radon transform, such as
format (e.g., PCX, BMP, GIF, HDF, Tiff, transformation function, there is no
XWD, etc.) to read and write functions, doubt that it provide a great
such as bmpeard, bmpwrite, tiffread, convenience for image reconstruction

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ISSN 2348 – 7968

algorithm and filtering algorithm. recognition work. Providing a powerful

3.2.2Image Post-processing Based on support to some symptoms of computer
Matlab
automatic recognition and remote
General medical imaging
diagnosis technology .
post-processing includes edge
3.2.4 programming processing
enhancement[9], smooth the interested
Everyone has right to get the
region, filtration, calibration, and wide
interested image and processing image,
window adjustment. Matlab provides
different methods of image processing
the corresponding processing function,
and character recognition algorithm will
which can generate the corresponding
be needed. Matlab software provides a
software system. Using Matlab
convenient and easy programmatic
imresize() function will enlarge (narrow)
interface, especially for medical experts
and keep its length unchanged. Also it
who can according to their own interest
provides lots of clip image rotation and
and specialty selected special algorithm.
block processing functions and process
They can achieve their goals through
individual areas separately, and convert
using the matlab programming function.
the image format (true color images
The development of the remote
RGB model will convert to gray scale
diagnosis technology also need simple
image by rgb2gray) and image statistics
and powerful image programming
processing, etc.
software, including sending image,
3.2.3 Feature Recognition
image acquisition and image
Matlab software provides the some
reconstruction, image post-processing,
simple characteristics image recognition
characteristic recognition aspects of
methods can solve the medical image
programming, matlab software
recognition problems. Especially the
programming platform also can do this.
new Matlab using wavelet analysis
Through Matlab for medical image
software will improve the
processing, so as to generate the image
characteristics of medical image
processing system, can improve the

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www.ijiset.com
ISSN 2348 – 7968

image quality of the image, due to its 5 Prospect

simple operation, it is accepted in
Digital image processing not only
medical field.
improves diagnostic value but also has a
4 Medical Application of prominent advantage in terms of

Digital Image Processing visibility. From a medical image

gray-scale enhancement, wavelet
Based on MATLAB
denoising, edge segmentation, image
Digital image occupies an fusion, we also need to introduce some
important position in the field of more precise mathematical algorithms.
medical engineering. Through the Combined with advanced computer
analysis of medical microscopic image equipment to handle this, of course, this
processing and ultrasonic image is an important direction for future
processing, and the enhancement of development, constantly improving the
X-ray lung image and etc, it has been quality of images, can not only expand
widely used in medical diagnosis[10,11]. the scope of its use, but also provide
Grayscale enhancement, wavelet noise possibilities for clinical diagnosis to a
reduction and point feature matching new heights[12].
can improve the CT, ultrasonic image Digital image processing cannot be
and radioactive isotope (RI) image isolated from other methods of image
quality, so that people have a clearly diagnosis, using reasonably in order to
understanding of the lesions make up for the shortcomings of other
environment surrounding. Combined methods. So as to create a huge social
with advanced networking technology value, have made great contributions for
can achieve remote consultation and the country and people. In the future, it
treatment. will provide more in-depth and
comprehensive development.

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ISSN 2348 – 7968

[11] Chen Xin. The application of wavelet

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