Next-Generation Image Processing Software for Digital Radiography Offer More Detailed Images and Workflow Improvements

New image processing technology enhancements provide more detail in images and enable confident, comfortable reading.

Agfa HealthCare (Mortsel, Belgium) is launching the next-generation of its gold-standard MUSICA (multiscale image contrast amplification) image processing software with new technology improvements that enhance both image quality and workflow for radiologists and radiographers at the upcoming 2013 Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) meeting, to be held December 1-6, 2013, in Chicago (IL, USA). The new version is expected to be available in March 2014.

The new version window level adjustment is no longer required, for even simpler and quicker image reading, in addition to the consistently high image quality across all Agfa HealthCare’s digital radiography systems and the sturdiness against variations such as tube quality, patient size, and exposure settings.

Furthermore, radiologists get more diagnostic data from their images, with a high level of detail in the mediastinum, sharp trabecular, and cortical bone, a balanced presentation of both soft tissue and overlapping bone structures, visualization of subtle details in the abdomen, and a true representation of implants with clear bone interfaces. The next generation of MUSICA uses a new fractional multiscale processing (FMP) to increase detail.

“The improvements we are introducing with our next generation of MUSICA will get the most out of your images at a lower dose, and the balanced presentation of all tissue structures, from bone to soft tissue; results in images that are very comfortable to read,” explained Louis Kuitenbrouwer, vice president Imaging at Agfa HealthCare.

MUSICA enhances productivity for both radiologists and technologists, providing a streamlined workflow. First launched in the 1990s, the second-generation MUSICA version was the first medical image-processing algorithm requiring no interaction with the user to generate optimized output images. No input is needed regarding which body part has been imaged, radiographic projection, patient position, or the presence of contrast agents. All parameters needed to produce an optimized output image are derived or calculated by MUSICA from the input image itself. By automatically analyzing the characteristics of each image and optimizing the processing parameters, it saves time and effort.

Agfa HealthCare wants to ensure optimal image quality, while protecting people in X-ray environments. This way of thinking, based on the ALARA (as low as reasonably achievable) principle, is an integral part of our of product design. “Our challenge is to take the best and make it even better,” continued Louis Kuitenbrouwer, “One of our key design goals was to let the users obtain consistently high image quality across all exams and all patients at all hospitals, while applying a minimal radiation dose.”

After the recent introduction of high DQE (detective quantum efficiency) DX-D Cesium detectors, NX exposure index to avoid dose creep, and Impax REM for an overall dose radiation exposure management, this new version of MUSICA is the next important step in Agfa’s continuing efforts to further increase image quality while decreasing patient dose.

The version is currently a works-in-progress.

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