Medical image analysis
and processing

In our research in the field of medical image analysis and processing, we strive to develop new methods, algorithms and software systems for computerised processing, analysis and visualisation of medical images and sequenced images for medical diagnostics and therapies. In recent years, this field has also taken a foothold as a key technology in the area of image-based, computer-assisted surgery and radiation therapy.

The field of medical image analysis and processing is highly demanding and innovative. We bundle the activities of the various institutes involved at our University of Lübeck to utilise the synergies in this research. These partner institutes cover the palette of methodologies ranging from image registration to segmentation, analysis, modelling, visualisation and virtual reality simulation – at the highest levels of science marked by a depth and breadth that is unique across Germany. This research, the resulting excellent publications and third-party financed projects have enabled our University of Lübeck to serve as a beacon in the field of medical image processing, in both national and international arenas.

The unique strength of this interdisciplinary research lies in the close-knit cooperation of our four research institutes with the University Medical Center of Schleswig-Holstein and neighbouring medical technology companies. We also offer high-quality, future-oriented education to students and involve them early on in current research projects through our university degree programmes in medical computer science, medical engineering science, computational life science and through the graduate school of computing in medicine and life sciences.

Focus of research in informatics at Lübeck

Medical image analysis and processing

In our research in the field of medical image analysis and processing, we strive to develop new methods, algorithms and software systems for computerised processing, analysis and visualisation of medical images and sequenced images for medical diagnostics and therapies. In recent years, this field has also taken a foothold as a key technology in the area of image-based, computer-assisted surgery and radiation therapy.

The field of medical image analysis and processing is highly demanding and innovative. We bundle the activities of the various institutes involved at our Universität zu Lübeck to utilise the synergies in this research. These partner institutes cover the palette of methodologies ranging from image registration to segmentation, analysis, modelling, visualisation and virtual reality simulation. This is performed to the highest scientific standards, with a degree of depth and breadth that is unique across Germany. This research and the resulting excellent publications and third-party financed projects have enabled our Universität zu Lübeck to serve as a beacon in the field of medical image processing, in both national and international arenas.
The unique strength of this interdisciplinary research lies in the close-knit cooperation of our four research institutes with the University Medical Centre of Schleswig-Holstein and neighbouring medical technology companies. We also offer high-quality, future-oriented education to students and involve them early on in current research projects through our university degree programmes in Medical Informatics, Medical Engineering, Computational Life Science, and through the graduate school of Computing in Medicine and Life Sciences.

Partner institutes

Institute for Computational Image Processing

Prof. Dr. Jan Modersitzki

Institute for Medical Informatics

Prof. Dr. Heinz Handels

Institute for Medical Engineering

Prof. Dr. Thorsten Buzug

Institute for Signal Processing

Prof. Dr. Alfred Mertins

Additional references

S. Becker, A. Mang, A. Toma, T. M. Buzug:
In-Silico Oncology: An Approximate Model of Brain Tumor Mass Effect based on Directly Manipulated Free Form Deformation
, International Journal of Computer Assisted Radiology and Surgery, 2010, 5, 6, pp. 607-622

L. Chen, G. Seidel and A. Mertins:
Multiple Feature Extraction for Early Parkinson Risk Assessment Based on Transcranial Sonography Image
, In Proc. 17th International Conference on Image Processing (ICIP), pp. 2277-2280, Hong Kong, Sept. 26-29, 2010

M. Doneva, P. Börnert, H. Eggers, C. Stehning, J. Sénégas and A. Mertins:
Compressed Sensing Reconstruction for Magnetic Resonance Parameter Mapping
, Magnetic Resonance in Medicine, vol. 64, no. 4, pp. 1114-1120, Oct. 2010

J. Ehrhardt, Werner, R., Schmidt-Richberg, A., Handels H.,
Statistical Modelling of 4D Respiratory Lung Motion Using Diffeomorphic Image Registration
, IEEE Transactions on Medical Imaging, 30, 2, 251-265, 2011

M. Färber, Hummel F., Gerloff C., Handels H.,
Virtual Reality Simulator for the Training of Lumbar Punctures
, Methods of Information in Medicine, 48, 5, 493-501, 2009

B. Fischer, J. Modersitzki,
Ill-posed Medicine – An Introduction to Image Registration
, Inverse Problems, 24(3):034008 (16pp), 2008

F. Gigengack, L. Ruthotto, M. Burger, X. Jiang, C. H. Wolters, K.P. Schäfers,
Motion Correction in Dual Gated Cardiac PET using Mass-Preserving Image Registration
, IEEE Transactions on Medical Imaging, 31, 698-712, 2012

E. Haber, R. Horesh, J. Modersitzki,
Numerical Methods for Constrained Image Registration
, Numerical Linear Algebra with Applications, 17, 2-3, 343-359, 2010.

H. Handels, Ehrhardt, J.,
Medical Image Computing for Computer Supported Diagnostics and Therapy – Advances and Perspectives
, Methods of Information in Medicine, 48, 1, 11-17, 2009

M. Kirschner, S. T. Gollmer, S. Wesarg, T. M. Buzug:
Optimal Initialization for 3D Correspondence Optimization: An Evaluation Study
, Proc. Information Processing in Medical Imaging, IPMI 2011, 2011, Irsee, Germany, 308-319, 2011

A. Mang, J. A Schnabel, W. R. Crum, M. Modat, O. Camara-Rey, C. Palm, G. B. Caseiras, H R. Jäger, S. Ourselin, T. M. Buzug, D. J Hawkes:
Consistency of Parametric Registration in Serial MRI Studies of Brain Tumor Progression
, International Journal of Computer Assisted Radiology and Surgery, 3, 3-4, 201-211, 2008

A. Schmidt-Richberg, Werner R., Handels H., Ehrhardt J.,
Direction-Dependent Regularization for Improved Estimation of Slipping Organ Motion in 4D Image Data
, Medical Image Analysis, 16, 150-159, 2012

M. Schwenke, A. Hennemuth, B. Fischer, O. Friman,
Blood Flow Computation in Phase-Contrast MRI by Minimal Paths in Anisotropic Media
, 14th International Conference on Medical Image Computing and Computer-Assisted Intervention, MICCAI 2011, 436 – 443, 2011.

Science prizes and awards

Scientists from partner institutes have won a host of national and international awards for their research. These prizes honour not only their outstanding scientific papers, posters and theses, but also their services in technology transfer.

The online pages of the
Institute for Medical Informatics
and the
Institute for Medical Engineering
are virtual showcases of the big range of awards received.

Lübeck conferences on Medical Image Processing

International Workshop on Magnetic Particle Imaging 2012, Lübeck

Proceedings: Buzug T. M., Borgert J.,
Magnetic Particle Imaging: A Novel SPIO Nanoparticle Imaging Technique, Springer Verlag
, 2012
 

Image Processing in Medicine 2011, BVM 2011, Lübeck

 
Proceedings: Heinz Handels, Jan Ehrhardt, Thomas M. Deserno, Heinz-Peter Meinzer, Thomas Tolxdorff,
Image Processing in Medicine 2011
, Springer Verlag, 2011.

4th International Workshop on Biomedical Image Registration 2010, WBIR 2010, Lübeck

Proceedings: Fischer B., Dawant B., Lorenz, C.,
 

Our programmes that focus on medical image processing.