NASA Technology May Aid Interpretation Of Medical Imagery

GREENBELT, Md. NASA software used to enhance Earth science imagery could help interpret medical imagery. The new MED-SEG system, developed by Bartron Medical Imaging Inc. of Largo, Md., relies on an innovative software program developed at NASA to help doctors analyze mammograms, ultrasounds, digital X-rays and other medical imaging tests. "The use of this computer-based technology could minimize human error that occurs when evaluating radiologic films and might allow for earlier detection of abnormalities within the tissues being imaged," said Dr. Thomas Rutherford, director of Gynecologic Oncology at Yale University in New Haven, Conn. The Food and Drug Administration recently cleared the system for trained professionals to process images. These images can be used in radiologists' reports and communications, but the processed images should not be used for primary diagnosis.