Historical Photo Of The Month - March 2003

Medical Image Processing
Photograph Number P-20872

In 1978, JPL partnered with the USC School of Medicine to apply digital image processing, developed by JPL in the mid 1960s, to the diagnosis of narrowing blood vessels. It involved computer analysis of x-ray films, in which dye had been injected into an artery. This processing revealed blockage that could not be detected by ordinary visual analysis.

This photograph appeared in the December 21, 1978 issue of Universe. Robert Selzer of the Science Data Analysis Section (384) is shown in front of a terminal, looking at a computer-enhanced x-ray of a femoral artery.

For more information about medical research at JPL, please contact the JPL Archives. The JPL Commercial Technology Success Stories web page regarding Health Care also describes several ways in which JPL has helped to advance medical technology.

Past Photos of the Month
Thumbnail pages 1996-2002 | 2003+

Past Photos of the Month Subject Index