A color coding method for radiographic images

A color scale was designed with an approach that combined both human visual response to color and physical properties of color. The design was initiated with a subjective evaluation of a 16 step color scale running from dark;blue via magenta, orange to light yellow. The CIELUV chromaticity diagram was employed to verify the subjectively generated scale, and to ensure that the differences in hue between the 16 steps was as equal as possible. The brightness of each step was adjusted to fit the function of the so-called L*, which represents the response of the human visual system to luminance. Preliminary results using a computer generated radiograph indicate improved perception in color-coded than in black-and-white radiographs. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.