A hardware-software system for analysis of video images

Summary: The purpose of this paper is to describe a software/hardware system for the analysis of digitized video images and a number of applications for which it may be used. The system described includes a Macintosh computer, a frame-grabber board, and Image, a public domain software program available at no cost from the U.S. National Institutes of Health. In our clinic and laboratory, this system is routinely used to make quantitative measurements from videofluoroscopic x-ray images of dynamic swallow studies and studies performed to assess velopharyngeal dysfunction in speech. It can also be used to examine various laryngeal parameters obtained from videotaped endoscopic and stroboscopic examinations. With a videocamera attached to a microscope, the system permits quantitative analysis of tissue characteristics, e.g., thickness of epithelial or connective tissue layers of the vocal folds. The relatively low cost and ease of use of the image analysis system make it a particularly attractive option when quantitative assessment of clinical or research materials in video format is desirable.