The JPEG2000 standard for medical image applications

A new standard of still image compression is characterised in the context of medical applications. Wide spectrum of JPEG2000 features is analysed with respect to its application potential to improve the performance of modern medical services (i.e. telemedicine, PACS, radiology information systems, wireless personal/home health care systems). Image data security techniques, error resilience technologies, client-side interactive Region of Interest (ROI) transmission and decoding (e.g. for teleconsultation with very large radiography exams), and storage of multiple image data sets are considered in detail. Selected tests of coders realized according to parts I and II of JPEG2000 for different modality test images are presented to evaluate the compression efficacy of this standard. Exemplary results of encoding process optimisation by wavelet transform and subband decomposition selection and screen-shots of software interfaces designed for these tests are also presented