Preface

*Biomedical Signal and Image Processing* provides full perspectives of methodological developments, comprehensive modeling, and integration of multiple imaging modalities, as well as various disease applications in the medical imaging field. Methodological developments cover advanced biomedical imaging processing techniques such as image segmentation and registration, image reconstruction and feature selection for classification, tissue deformation simulation, and high-level interpretation and statistical analyses. Multi-modality imaging and integration such as MRI and EEG, perfusion and diffusion, tissue-environment characterization with microscopy, and molecular imaging diagnosis can improve disease detection accuracy and make the best use of each imaging modality to achieve greater spatiotemporal resolution and better illustration of underlying pathophysiological processes. The book provides a thorough review of cutting-edge biomedical imaging techniques and quantitative elucidation of applications in diverse areas and challenging diseases such as neuroscience, chemotherapy, ophthalmology, and stroke. It also provides information on radiation safety in medical imaging. The contents of this volume are of great interest and high significance to the development and generalization of novel biomedical technology and advanced medical research.

The first section of this book covers important perspectives of integrated signal and imaging processing and advanced research. Chapter 1 "Mapping and Timing the (Healthy) Emotional Brain: A Review" outlines EEG and fMRI modalities from background to application with a focus on imaging emotional response of the brain in the neuroscience framework. It outlines via illustrations and examples the importance of spatiotemporal mapping of emotion in healthy brains with different stimuli, EEG for temporal information and fMRI for spatial localization, and integration of EEG/fMRI for simultaneous measuring and comparison. For instance, it elaborates on the detection and functional roles of the initial EEG event-related potential P300 as well as the late positive potential (LPP) in response to emotional stimuli, together with several brain circuits and regions such as the amygdala and fronto-mesolimbic network for neuronal correlates of emotion. Chapter 2 "Modeling of the Flexible Needle Insertion into the Human Liver" provides an accurate and insightful description of integrated molecular imaging diagnosis-based intraoperative needle insertion into the liver for tumor chemotherapy delivery. The chapter fully demonstrates surgery simulation, deformation of the needle and interaction with the liver within the framework of Cosserat elasticity theory, and incorporation of the local rotation and liver force stress. The deformation and tissue interaction problems are formed and solved with the cnoidal wave propagation method. Accurate and quantitative formulas with illustrative figures are strong points of this chapter.

The second section of this book covers the topics of microscopy technologies, utilities, and various applications. Chapter 3 "Confocal Scanning Laser Microscopy in Medicine" elaborates the Confocal Scanning Laser Microscopy (CSLM) technique and advances in several fields. CSLM is a non-invasive imaging method that provides morphological details with high resolution and generates enface images

with excellent depth discrimination. The chapter thus describes the principles of CSLM and its application in ophthalmology, including semitransparent tissues and corneal cells as well as nerve and related disease diagnostics such as keratoconus and refractive surgery. It also discusses the method's use in non-ophthalmological areas of medicine such as dentistry. Some ongoing and future developments with relatively novel instrumentation are also introduced in the areas of multi-photon and slit-lamp microscopy technologies as well as optical coherence tomography. Chapter 4 "Cornea Confocal Microscopy: Utilities and Perspectives" summarizes the procedure for performing corneal confocal microscopy, the normal characteristics of the tissue with real images of patients, and potential future applications of the procedure. This technique has extensive applications in corneal dystrophies (keratoconus), refractive surgery, corneal transplantation, infectious keratitis, glaucoma filtration bulla, and diabetes. Microscopy image interpretation with advanced methodologies including intensity normalization, micro-texture quantification, shape characterization, connecting-fiber distribution, the field of view/contrast/resolution, and edge detection are illustrated in various signal processing aspects.

The third section of this book discusses radiation safety issues in imaging processing and stroke applications. Chapter 5 "Occupational Health and Radiation Safety of Radiography Workers" addresses important occupational and radiation safety topics for health workers, especially radiologists. Some critical concerns and diseases such as radiation and nosocomial and occupational infection are covered in detail. The chapter summarizes several techniques for handling contamination including isolation, precautions, and surgery. Radiation protection for preventing the harmful effects of ionizing radiation exposure is critical and could benefit both physicians and patients. Chapter 6 "Characterization of Brain Stroke Using Image and Signal Processing Techniques" reviews characterizations of brain stroke using image and signal processing techniques. It outlines stroke classification, signs and symptoms, and causes. It also examines the diagnosis of stroke with multiple imaging techniques including MRI and CT, together with empirical post-processing methods such as segmentation and morphological transformation. Finally, it compares subtypes of stroke based on distinct imaging features for better interpretation and diagnosis.

> **Yongxia Zhou, Ph.D.** Imaging Scientist, University of Southern California and Columbia University, Los Angeles, California, USA

Section 1
