A tool for designing digital test objects for module performance evaluation in medical digital imaging

Currently, medical digital imaging systems are characterized by the introdu ction of additional modules such as digital display, image compression and image processing, as well as film printing and digitization. These addition al modules require performance evaluation to ensure high image quality. A t ool for designing computer-generated test objects applicable to performance evaluation of these modules is presented. The test objects can be directly used as digital images in the case of film printing, display, compression and image processing, or indirectly as images on film in the case of digiti zation. The performance evaluation approach is quality control protocol bas ed. Digital test object design is user-driven according to specifications r elated to the requirements of the modules being tested. The available quali ty control parameters include input/output response curve, high contrast re solution, low contrast discrimination, noise, geometric distortion and fiel d uniformity. The tool has been designed and implemented according to an ob ject oriented approach in Visual C++ 5.0, and its user interface is based o n the Microsoft Foundation Class Library version 4.2, which provides interf ace items such as windows, dialog boxes, lists, buttons, etc. The compatibi lity with DICOM 3.0 part 10 image formats specifications allows the integra tion of the tool in the existing software framework for medical digital ima ging systems. The capability of the tool is demonstrated by direct use of t he test objects in case of image processing, and indirect use of the test o bjects in case of film digitization.