Paradigm for achieving color‐reproduction accuracy in LCDs for medical imaging

Abstract

Abstract— A methodology and associated software modules for calibration, characterization, and profiling of color LCDs for color‐critical applications in medical imaging is described. Supporting analyses reveal very high color‐reproduction accuracy as determined by CIE DE2000 color differences for 21 0 test colors uniformly distributed in CIE Lab color space. The impact of the LCD tone‐reproduction curve on color‐reproduction accuracy is compared for two tone‐reproduction curves of special interest in medical imaging: the DICOM gray‐scale standard display function and the CIE L* standard lightness function. The initial results from a psychophysical investigation of the diagnostic performance of trained pathologists viewing “virtual” breast biopsy slides are reported and the diagnostic performance achieved with calibrated, color‐managed LCDs with uncalibrated LCDs without the benefits of color management is compared.