Summary of Research Studies

Our research facilities include x-ray imaging laboratories, digital image processing computer laboratory, film digitization laboratory and image quality evaluation laboratory.  In the x-ray imaging laboratories, we have five x-ray generators with nine x-ray tubes together with a single-plane stereo digital subtraction angiography (DSA) system. An x-ray slit apparatus, intensity scale x-ray sensitometer, mono-energetic x-ray source and x-ray spectrometer system are available for experimental studies related to x-ray image generation.  Our digital image processing laboratory includes eight Sun workstations, twenty SGI workstations, twenty-four Linux workstations, two IBM Power Servers, and one IBM Power Workstation, as well as a Sun SPARC Server displaying on four high-resolution monitors.  Additionally, we have an SGI ONYX server that interfaces to an Immersadesk virtual reality system.  The film digitization laboratory includes a high-quality drum scanner with a Nova 4X computer system, five Konica laser scanners, a Kodak laser scanner, a Lumisys laser scanner, an Abe-sekkei laser scanner, and three Konica laser printers. In our image quality evaluation laboratory, we have a micro-densitometer and Wiener spectrum analyzer as well as facilities for psychophysical observer performance experiments. We also have developed two prototype clinical “intelligent” workstations: one for mammography and one for chest radiography. The total research space is approximately 4,000 square feet.  All of these facilities are located in the University of Chicago Medical Center.

Currently, our major research efforts have been focused on the development of computer-aided diagnostic schemes in various areas of radiographic examinations and development of new imaging techniques in digital radiography.   Recent progress in various research projects is summarized in the following: