Bridging the gap between technology and clinic

Professor Boudewijn Lelieveldt is holder of the Medical Delta Chair in Biomedical Imaging, shared between the LUMC and TU Delft. In his inaugural lecture on 19 October he shed light on the different possibilities for creating images of the human body.

Imaging the human body

There are many technical applications for imaging the human body

There are many technical applications for imaging the human body

Lelieveldt sketched the developments and challenges in his field of expertise. Since the invention of the microscope, many techniques have become available for creating images of the human body: X-rays, electron microscopes, ultra-sound and MRI scans, to give just a few examples. All these applications produce enormous amounts of complex and diverse visual data. How are we to analyse it all?


Making connections

Together with fellow researchers from the LUMC and TU Delft, Lelieveldt is looking for ways of analysing and combining the images that are created using these different imaging techniques. In doing so he takes a broad perspective and is continuously trying to make connections, not only between research groups, but also between solutions: what works for one imaging technique may also turn out to be useful in other situations.

Medical Delta

Within this collaboration, Leiden University, TU Delft, Erasmus University, the LUMC and Erasmus MC have for a number of years been working together on solutions for the health issues of today and tomorrow.

Bridging role

Lelieveldt believes that his job as a researcher is to fulfil a bridging role. What he and his fellow researchers develop is intended to provide an answer to the wishes originating in clinical practice. The practice acts as an indicator of quality: if software is not working properly, doctors will not use it. Investing in a good relationship with the commercial sector and with medical practice is therefore very important.

Study

Lelieveldt considers it important that medical training should place greater emphasis on integrating technology and medicine. He is for this reason keen to contribute to the study programme in Clinical Technology that is soon to be developed at Medical Delta.

(22 October 2012)

See also

Research profile area

Health, Life and Bioscience is one of the key areas for research at Leiden University.


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Last Modified: 22-10-2012