This book explains the mathematical and physical principles of medical imaging and image processing. Beginning with an introduction to digital image processing, it goes on to cover the most important imaging modalities in use today: radiography, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasonic imaging and nuclear medicine imaging. Each chapter includes a short history of the imaging modality, physics of the signal and its interaction with tissue, image formation or reconstruction process, image quality, different types of equipment, examples of clinical applications, biological effects, safety issues, and future expectations. The remainder of the book deals with image analysis and visualization for diagnosis, therapy, and surgery after images are available. A CD packaged with the book includes the text, all the images in color, and some animated images. Both students and beginning biomedical engineers will welcome this well-balanced, copiously illustrated treatment of medical imaging.