article - Philips Research

Double-layer LCD technology
brings clarity to radiology images
Scientists at Philips Research have developed an
advanced double-layer LCD technology that
drastically enhances the clarity and detail visible in
radiology images. This technology offers patients
the prospect of earlier, faster and more reliable
diagnosis, improved treatment and a better
prognosis. The benefi ts are expected to be
particularly signifi cant in the diagnosis of diseases
such as cancer (particularly breast cancer)
and arteriosclerosis.
Based on two LCD screens sandwiched together
with intermediate polarizers and an enhanced
backlighting system, Philips high-contrast dual-layer
More information: www.research.philips.com/newscenter/archive/2005/051129-lcd.html
LCD technology dramatically increases the
displayable grey-scale range, and allows almost
100% blocking of the backlight to achieve a much
better black level. Coupled with the high-intensity
backlighting already fi tted to FIMI Philips
medical-grade LCD displays, the result is a
high-brightness, high-contrast display that maintains
a high contrast ratio even when viewed at
a very wide viewing angle. Philips Research’s
demonstrator for the technology is a
1.3-megapixel (1280 x 1024) 18.1-inch DICOM
compatible grey-scale display with 750-cd/m2 peak
brightness, 0.005-cd/m2 black level and a contrast
ratio in excess of 100,000:1.
New techniques for faster
molecular-imaging applications
Philips is currently developing fast quantitative
Magnetic Resonance (MR) acquisition and
data-analysis techniques for molecular-imaging
applications. Evaluation of the new techniques in
collaboration with luminary clinical sites, such as
the University Hospital Münster, Germany, the
National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda,
More information: www.research.philips.com/newscenter/archive/2005/051129-mri.html
What’s new What’s new
USA, and the Washington University in St. Louis,
USA, has shown that quantitative MRI is indeed a
powerful tool for the early assessment of diseases
and for monitoring the effects of therapy in
follow-up studies. Moreover, by non-invasive
measurements of drug effects, quantitative MRI can
speed up the development and approval of drugs.
Examination of an X-ray image on a
high-brightness, high-contrast LCD prototype
Quantitative measurement of contrast agent
concentration in Magnetic Resonance Imaging
(MRI)
Heart modeling system speeds up
cardiac care
New powerful image analysis and modeling
software from Philips Research to reveal detailed
heart function will save cardiologists a great deal
of time and effort in extracting the information
they need for the accurate diagnosis of heart
disorders. As a result, patients will benefi t from
faster and more reliable test results, more effective
and personalized therapies and speedier recovery.
Using advanced image analysis techniques
combined with detailed clinical knowledge about
the structure and function of the human heart,
scientists at Philips Research have developed an
innovative cardiac modeling system that extracts
a large number of morphological and physiological
measurements from multi-slice CT (computed
tomography) images. In more than 90% of the
cases it does so entirely automatically, saving
cardiologists a great deal of costly time and effort.
Although Philips has used cardiac CT as an initial
application and proof of concept, Philips believes
that this new modeling technology will be
applicable in other areas of radiology and other
imaging modalities as well.
More information: www.research.philips.com/newscenter/archive/2005/051129-heartmod.html
Philips introduces new Blu-ray Disc
products and media at CES 2006
On January 4th , 2006, Philips Electronics
announced the introduction of a Blu-ray Disc
consumer electronic player (BDP 9000), an all-inone
PC Writer (TripleWriter) and new Blu-ray
media (BD-R and B-RE, single-layer 25 GB and
dual-layer BD-R and BD-RE 50 GB) at the 2006
Consumer Electronics Show (CES).
Both the BDP9000 consumer player and the
TripleWriter (SPD7000) will be available in the
second half of 2006.
More information: www.ces.philips.com/downloads/Blu-ray_Release.doc
Philips’ new Blu-ray solutions offer consumers the
ultimate storage platform for high-defi nition (HD)
entertainment and digital archiving, providing consumers
the ability to store massive amounts of content
on a single disc. Additionally, Blu-ray Disc is the
next-generation platform for HD playback of video
content and is supported by more than 160 of the
world’s largest gaming manufacturers, movie studios,
consumer electronics and PC manufacturers.
Philips researchers working with Philips’ new
cardiac modeling software that automatically
matches its heart model to the patient’s
multi-slice CT scan, and then creates a highly
detailed patient-specifi c 3D model from
which a wide range of morphological and
physiological measurements can be extracted.
4 Philips Research Password 26 l February 2006 Philips Research Password 26 5
l February 2006