Compression of Biomedical Images and Signals

Preface

Although we might not be aware of this, compression methods are used on a daily basis to store or transmit data. We can find examples of this by looking at our computers (which compress large folders with a simple click of the mouse), our mobile phones (which integrate Codecs), our digital and video cameras (including post-compression recording on flash memory or others), our CD and MP3 players (which are capable of storing hundreds or thousands of songs), our High Definition digital televisions (using the MPEG-2/MPEG-4 compression standards) and our DVD players (which allow us to visualize data in various formats, such as the MPEG-4 format).

Consideration of these can lead us to ask the following question: how does this apply to the medical field?

Although some of the thousands of observations made by physicians are still recorded on paper using radiological film, much of the data acquired (signals, images) are now digital. In order to properly manage the huge amount of medical information, it is essential to exploit all of this digital data efficiently.

It is obvious that most doctors, wherever they are located, would appreciate efficient and fast access to the medical information pertaining to their patient. For instance, suppose that the doctor uses some type of mobile imaging system (for instance, an ultrasound system) for the purpose of analysis. As a consequence, the main clinical observations can be transmitted to a medical center for a preliminary check-up. Of ...