Abstract: A method of processing a radiographic image obtained with a slot-scanning radiographic system to compensate for scattering of the illuminating beam in the tissue being imaged. A conventional circularly symmetric scatter mask, for example a point spread function, is adjusted to take account of the shape of the detector and time delay integration used in the slot scanning system, the presence of an air gap between the detector and the bottom of the tissue being imaged, and the collimation of the radiation beam. The result is a sharpened and shortened point spread function.

Abstract: A method of enhancing and normalizing x-ray images, particularly mammograms, by correcting the image for digitizer blur, glare from the intensifying screen and the anode-heel effect. The method also allows the calculation of the compressed thickness of the imaged breast and calculation of the contribution to the mammograms of the extra focal radiation. The correction of the image for glare from the intensifying screen allows the detection of noise, such as film shot noise, in the image, and in particular the differentiation between such noise and microcalcifications.

Abstract: Comparing first and second images taken on different imaging systems and under different exposure conditions is achieved by the steps of: applying a model to the data representing the first image, which model simulates at least one process step in the creation of said first image, to derive a representation of the first image at a level of processing common to the creation of the second image; and applying a further model to said representation, which model simulates at least one process step in the creation of said second image, to derive a further representation of the first image which corresponds to the same level of processing as said second image.

Abstract: A system for improving sensor-based decision making provides for the automatic submission of data obtained locally from instrumentation (such as image data) together with the interpretation of that data, which can be the output of some software which has been checked and possibly corrected by a user according to his/her expertise, to a remote database via an internetwork. The submission to the remote database is preferably automatic so that the remote database grows over time. The local site can access the remote database to retrieve information to assist in interpretation of the locally produced data (for example similar images and their corresponding interpretations), or can retrieve updated or improved software or parameters improving the software used for processing the data. The information on the remote database can also be reprocessed by software agents to provide statistical information based on information from a variety of such local sites.

Abstract: An example system and method for processing image data of a plurality of time-separated images of a non-rigid body to detect movement of the body involves calculating and storing, for each of a plurality of sampling points in each image, a plurality of candidate movements together with the estimated probability of each candidate. For each sampling point, the probability of each of the candidate movements is recalculated based on the stored probability of that candidate movement and the probabilities of the candidate movements at neighboring sampling points. A motion field indicative of the non-rigid body movement is generated from the recalculated probabilities.

Abstract: A method of analysing a sequence of images of a deformable object in non-rigid motion involves modeling the boundary using a non-rigid contour. A representation of movement of the contour through the sequence of images is calculated using a tracking space shape. The calculated movement representation is decomposed using an interpretational space shape that is different than the tracking space shape.

Abstract: A method of registration of a functional emission image to another image, e.g. a structural/anatomical image, is disclosed in which the emission image is first processed to mask out regions of the background and lungs identified in a corresponding transmission image. Only areas which are not masked out in the emission image are matched to areas in the x-ray image. The x-ray image and masked emission image may then be displayed in superposition.

Abstract: A method of displaying two images in registration with each other in which a visually distinguishable overlay is also displayed to represent the degree of “confidence” in the registration process. The degree of confidence may be calculated on the basis of the degree of non-rigid deformation needed to register the two images. The visually distinguishable overlay can be in the form of a transparent color wash whose color and/or intensity indicate the level of confidence, or a symbol, e.g. a circle, whose size represents the degree of confidence.

Abstract: A method of matching data sets, such as different images, by estimating a transformation which relates the two images. Different candidate transformations are scored by using a similarity measure calculated on the basis of probability density functions derived from the two data sets themselves. The probability density functions are based on local likelihood density estimation (LLDE). The technique is applicable to image registration, and also to data fusion.

Abstract: A technique for assessing the progression of multilateral dysfunction, e.g. bilateral diseases is described. The process consists of two stages: firstly, a ‘health measure’ is computed for each of the features of the multi-lateral dysfunction. One example is in terms of the progression of Parkinson's disease by applying it to the uptake of imaging agent in the two striata of the brain, which can be viewed using SPECT imaging. In this example, a characteristic graph for each striatum is matched to a family of such graphs in order to quantify the state of each striatum as a health measure. Then the lower health measure is plotted against the higher health measure. This point is then projected onto a previously computed disease progression trajectory which is used to assign a percentage to the progression of the disease, from 0% normal to 100% extreme progression of the disease. In addition to the disease progression percentage, the technique also provides a confidence measure of the accuracy of this estimation.

Abstract: A method of dynamic medical imaging in which the quality of image registration or motion correction between the frames is assessed by examining the temporal behaviour of a region of interest through the sequence, and in particular how closely the behaviour follows expected behaviour. For a temporal sequence a temporal model of the expected behaviour of the region of interest is available and the quality of fit between the model and the data points from the dynamic imaging sequence can be calculated. In image regions of high patient motion the fit will be poor, whereas if there is no patient motion the fit will be better. The quality of fit can be displayed on the image as an indication of the validity of motion correction, and in areas of poor fit the motion correction can be re-executed using different parameters to try and improve the fit between the behaviour model and the actual data points. The invention is applicable to any contrast-enhanced medical imaging technique.

Abstract: A processing system which comprises a processing apparatus and a processing agent which is administered to a processing subject. The processing agent has a primary behaviour which provides the desired process result in conjunction with the apparatus, but also has a distinctive signature characteristic which is detected by test functionality in the processing system. The behaviour of the processing system can be modified in response to the test result. In an example such as a contrast enhanced medical imaging, the full functionality of the imaging equipment may be available only if a contrast agent having the particular distinctive signature characteristic is used, thus tying use of the apparatus to use of a particular agent.