Medical Imaging

	Lymph Node Detection
	Liver Detection
	Mammography
	Neuroradiology

Transversal 2D display of image data with outline detected Liver

Medical Imaging

	Further Links
	Overview Brochure White Paper Further Readings

Medical imaging provides a fast, non-invasive way to detect disease, examine organs and measure therapeutic response. Screening for example is the first line of defense against breast cancer. CT and MRI scans are vital diagnostic tools. Biopsies help to determine whether lesions are malignant or benign. And, once treatment has begun, medical imaging is one of the most powerful tools for measuring therapeutic response.

Figure: Patient diagnostic and treatment paradigm.

Medical imaging is more than a vital tool in the diagnosis and treatment of patients. It plays a critical role in the clinical and final phase of drug development and validation. In order to develop highly effective treatments, pharmaceutical and biotech companies need to integrate the complete value chain - from research to clinical diagnostics and treatment.

The value of medical imaging depends on two critical factors – the quality of image acquisition and the quality of image interpretation.

Over the last few decades, medical imaging has made huge strides through advances in image detector systems and computer technology. For example, cross-sectional imaging, such as X-ray computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), rely on vast computing power and memory capacity to produce detailed high-quality images. However, as imaging technologies become more sophisticated, image analysis has not kept pace. The wealth of information contained within images is not being extracted quickly or accurately enough.

Computer-aided Detection

Computer-aided Detection (CAD) can improve the quality and accuracy of image analysis. It helps radiologist to e.g. detect tumors that the human eye might miss, make accurate measurements and significantly speeds up the process.

Definiens provides image intelligence from screening to therapy follow-up, helping experts to

detect and measure anomalies accurately, consistently and quickly.
monitor patient response and disease progression accurately based on 3 dimensional volumetric analysis over time (4D analysis).
make better treatment decisions and assess the efficacy of treatment accurately.
reduce the cost of treatment.

Ultimately, patients will benefit from earlier intervention and improved treatment resulting in more effective patient care.