Abstract: [Problems] A carbon nanotube has a low apparent bulk density and therefore has serious problems in the workability upon use. Particularly when two or more types of carbon nanotubes are used together, the workability becomes more serious, and it is more difficult to exploit the properties of the carbon nanotubes. [Means for Solving the Problems] One or more types of carbon nanotubes are mixed and granulated. In this manner, it becomes possible to increase the apparent bulk density of a carbon nanotube, improve the workability of a carbon nanotube during the production of a resin master batch or a dispersion solution, and exploit the properties of a carbon nanotube satisfactorily.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for carrying out tomographic image processing that enables lung areas and a mediastinum in a chest tomographic image to be reproduced in one image with appropriate contrast is provided. Image data representing a chest tomographic image are obtained by using a tomography apparatus. Normalization means in a tomographic image processing apparatus normalizes the image data and obtains normalized image data. Compression processing means carries out dynamic range compression processing on the normalized image data to compress a high density range thereof. The image data after the compression processing are subjected to frequency enhancing processing, and the image data after the frequency enhancing processing are then subjected to tone conversion processing. The processed image data obtained in the above manner are reproduced by a reproduction apparatus.

Abstract: An measurement processing apparatus for efficiently measuring geometric data of an image is provided. A reference-image outputting means forms a reference-image based on an image that has been previously measured as well as a setting order data which indicates a suggestion as to the order in which the measuring points should be set and which shows the same setting order in which the measuring points were set for a previously performed measurement of a past-measurement image, and outputs the reference-image and the setting order data to an image display means. While consulting the reference-image and the setting order data displayed on the image display means, an operator can set, by use of a measuring point setting means, the measuring points at the correct positions and in the correct order in the subject image displayed on a display screen, and the geometrical data can be measured automatically and efficiently.

Abstract: In a measurement processing apparatus for measuring a geometric feature of an object image: a measurement-reference-element setting unit automatically sets at least one first measurement reference element for use in measurement of the geometric feature of the object image, at at least one first position on the object image based on first image data representing the object image and position information indicating at least one second position of at least one second measurement reference element which is set on a measurement reference image corresponding to the object image; and a geometric-feature measurement unit measures the geometric feature of the object image based on the at least one first position of the at least one first measurement reference element.

Abstract: Storage space for medical image data in medical facilities can be reduced substantially at low cost, and the medical image data can be stored and managed by an easy operation. Medical image data converted from medical images photographed in medical facilities into digital signals are stored in hard discs of client terminals, in addition to accompanying information regarding the image data. Each of the client terminals is connected to an image database server installed in an Internet provider via a telephone line. The image data and the accompanying information stored in the image database server are transmitted, received, and searched for by checking a password.

Abstract: In a measurement processing apparatus for measuring a geometric feature of an object image: a measurement-reference-element setting unit automatically sets at least one first measurement reference element for use in measurement of the geometric feature of the object image, at at least one first position on the object image based on first image data representing the object image and position information indicating at least one second position of at least one second measurement reference element which is set on a measurement reference image corresponding to the object image; and a geometric-feature measurement unit measures the geometric feature of the object image based on the at least one first position of the at least one first measurement reference element.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for carrying out tomographic image processing that enables lung areas and a mediastinum in a chest tomographic image to be reproduced in one image with appropriate contrast is provided. Image data representing a chest tomographic image are obtained by using a tomography apparatus. Normalization means in a tomographic image processing apparatus normalizes the image data and obtains normalized image data. Compression processing means carries out dynamic range compression processing on the normalized image data to compress a high density range thereof. The image data after the compression processing are subjected to frequency enhancing processing, and the image data after the frequency enhancing processing are then subjected to tone conversion processing. The processed image data obtained in the above manner are reproduced by a reproduction apparatus.

Abstract: An measurement processing apparatus for efficiently measuring geometric data of an image is provided. A reference-image outputting means forms a reference-image based on an image that has been previously measured as well as a setting order data which indicates a suggestion as to the order in which the measuring points should be set and which shows the same setting order in which the measuring points were set for a previously performed measurement of a past-measurement image, and outputs the reference-image and the setting order data to an image display means. While consulting the reference-image and the setting order data displayed on the image display means, an operator can set, by use of a measuring point setting means, the measuring points at the correct positions and in the correct order in the subject image displayed on a display screen, and the geometrical data can be measured automatically and efficiently.

Abstract: An image filing apparatus comprises an irreversible signal compression device for carrying out irreversible signal compression processing on an original image signal, which is made up of a series of image signal components representing an original image, and thereby generating an irreversibly compressed image signal. The irreversibly compressed image signal is stored on a first storage device. A difference operation device subtracts the image signal components of the original image signal and the irreversibly compressed image signal from each other which represent corresponding picture elements in the original image and the image represented by the irreversibly compressed image signal. A difference image signal is thereby generated which represents a difference image corresponding to the differences between the original image signal and the irreversibly compressed image signal.

Abstract: A method for adjusting conditions comprises the steps of, when a radiation image of a specific object is recorded and read out, investigating whether recording and read-out operations were or were not carried out in the past for the same object as the specific object. When recording and read-out operations were carried out in the past for the same object as the specific object, image recording conditions for the specific object are adjusted such that they coincide with those under which the recording operation was carried out for the same object as the specific object.

Abstract: In a radiation image processing apparatus, signal processing for determining the shape and location of an irradiation field, adjusting read-out conditions for a final readout from a preliminary read-out image signal, adjusting image processing conditions, and/or detecting an abnormal pattern is carried out on an image signal representing a radiation image by using a neural network. After the neural network, the learning operations of which have been carried out, is incorporated into the radiation image processing apparatus, modifying information is entered from an input device into the neural network. The modifying information is used to modify the signal processing carried out by the neural network and thereby to carry out re-learning operations of the neural network.

Abstract: A radiation image which has been recorded on a recording medium is read out at predetermined sampling intervals in order to obtain an image signal. A method for generating a radiation image signal comprises the steps of, in the course of the radiation image being read out, first applying sampling intervals corresponding to a second spatial frequency fsw higher than a first spatial frequency fss, which is the maximum of a desired spatial frequency range, along at least one direction on the recording medium in order to obtain an original image signal. The original image signal is then subjected to filtering processing in order to transmit spatial frequency components below the first spatial frequency fss, and to reduce or eliminate spatial frequency components above the first spatial frequency fss. Lastly, the original image signal which has been obtained from the filtering processing is sampled at sampling intervals corresponding to the first spatial frequency fss in order to obtain an image signal.