Abstract: For each of a number of landmarks in an image an initial position of the landmark is defined. Next a neighborhood around the initial position, comprising a number of candidate locations of the landmark is sampled and a cost is associated with each of the candidate locations. A cost function expressing a weighted sum of overall gray level cost and overall shape cost for all candidate locations is optimized. A segmented anatomic entity is defined as a path through a selected combination of candidate locations for which combination the cost function is optimized.

Abstract: Disclosed is a smart information carrier containing a security element laminated with a transparent polymer foil having a melting point higher than 150° C. and the security element is surrounded by an edge at least 1 mm wide in which the transparent polymer foil on each side of the security element are laminated to one another, the security element including an IC-module and a fibre-containing continuous support, wherein the support is security printed on at least the side of the support nearer to the IC-module and the IC-module is encapsulated with a transparent polymer or polymer mixture with a melting point up to 150° C. wherein the transparent polymer or polymer mixtures also coats the side of the support nearer to the IC-module. Also disclosed is a method of preparing the smart information carrier.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically handling data objects within groupings in a PACS network. Where a data object belonging to one grouping is moved to or copied into another grouping, certain associated data objects will automatically be moved or copied to the other grouping. Similarly, where some data objects are deleted from a grouping, data objects associated with objects which will not be deleted are automatically protected from deletion.

Abstract: A method for canceling the impact of the physical property variability on the image quality performance of a digital imaging system, obtained during quality control (QC) analysis using a serial numbered quality control (QC) target by applying physical property deviation controlled behaviour model corrections to the raw image quality performance. The serial numbered QC-target used for the QC analysis comprises target-specific, measured physical property data encoded in- or outside of QC-target.

Abstract: For each of a number of landmarks in an image an initial position of the landmark is defined. Next a neighborhood around the initial position, comprising a number of candidate locations of the landmark is sampled and a cost is associated with each of the candidate locations. A cost function expressing a weighted sum of overall gray level cost and overall shape cost for all candidate locations is optimized. A segmented anatomic entity is defined as a path through a selected combination of candidate locations for which combination the cost function is optimized.

Abstract: A method for canceling the impact of the physical property variability on the image quality performance of a digital imaging system, obtained during quality control (QC) analysis using a serial numbered quality control (QC) target by applying physical property deviation controlled behavior model corrections to the raw image quality performance. The serial numbered QC-target used for the QC analysis comprises target-specific, measured physical property data encoded in- or outside of QC-target.

Abstract: A process, and to a corresponding apparatus for reading out and erasing X-ray information stored in storage phosphor layers, comprising the following: irradiating the storage phosphor layer (1) with stimulation light (3) by means of which the storage phosphor layer (1) is stimulated to emit emission light, collecting the emission light emitted at different locations (x, y) of the storage phosphor layer (1) with a detector (7), detector signal values (D(x, y)) being obtained for different locations (x, y) of the storage phosphor layer (1), and irradiating the storage phosphor layer (1) with erasing light (21), the quantity of erasing light (21) being determined by means of the detector signal values (D(x, y)).

Abstract: For each of a number of landmarks in an image an initial position of the landmark is defined. Next a neighborhood around the initial position, comprising a number of candidate locations of the landmark is sampled and a cost is associated with each of the candidate locations. A cost function expressing a weighted sum of overall gray level cost and overall shape cost for all candidate locations is optimized. A segmented anatomic entity is defined as a path through a selected combination of candidate locations for which combination the cost function is optimized.

Abstract: A method of generating a multiscale contrast enhanced image is described wherein the shape of edge transitions is preserved. Detail images are subjected to a conversion, the conversion function of at least one scale being adjusted for each detail pixel value according to the ratio between the combination of the enhanced center differences and the combination of the unenhanced center differences. Several adaptive enhancement measures are described.

Abstract: A method of determining disturbing signal frequencies in a signal representation of radiation image originating from the presence of an anti-scatter grid during image acquisition, the signal representation being generated by an image read out and digitizing process, whereby the digitizing of an image of a simulated anti-scatter grid is simulated and the signal resulting from this simulation is evaluated to determine the disturbing frequencies.

Abstract: A method of detecting the orientation of a radiographic image represented by a digital signal representation wherein mathematical moments of the digital signal representation are calculated relative to different reference entities and wherein a decision on the orientation of the radiographic image, for example the position of the thorax edge in a mammographic image, is obtained on the basis of an extreme value (minimum, maximum) of the calculated moments.

Abstract: At least one approximation image is created of the image at one or multiple scales. Translation difference images are created by pixel-wise subtracting the values of an approximation image at scale s and the values of a translated version of the approximation image. A non-linear modification is applied to the values of the translation difference image (s) and at least one enhanced center difference image at a specific scale is computed by combining the modified translation difference images at that scale or a smaller scale with weights wi,j. An enhanced image is computed by applying a reconstruction algorithm to the enhanced center difference images. The non-linear modification of the values of the translation difference images is steered by (a) characteristic (s) computed out of the approximation image (s) at least one scale.

Abstract: For each of a number of landmarks in an image an initial position of the landmark is defined. Next a neighborhood around the initial position comprising a number of candidate locations of the landmark, is sampled and a cost is associated with each of the candidate locations. A cost function expressing a weighted sum of overall gray level cost and overall shape cost for all candidate locations is optimized. A segmented anatomic entity is defined as a path through a selected combination of candidate locations for which combination the cost function is optimized. During optimization towards the optimal segmented surface/volume graph traversal methods are exploited.

Abstract: A method and to a corresponding system for optical coherence tomography, light, with which a specimen (1) is irradiated, being emitted by an interferometer (10), the interferometer (10) comprising a beam splitter (13) and a reflector (12), light reflected by the specimen (1) being collected by a detector (11), and the reflector (12) being brought into a number of different positions different optical distances away from the beam splitter (13). In order to be able record images of a specimen (1) easily and quickly, with the highest possible quality, provision is made such that light reflected by the specimen (1) is collected a number of times by the detector (11) and converted into corresponding detector images, while the reflector (12) in the respective position is in the rest position. The detector images obtained for the respective position of the reflector (12) are then averaged, for each position an averaged detector image being obtained.

Abstract: A method and a corresponding apparatus for determining a position in an image, in particular a medical image enables a reliable determination of positions of interest in images of a variety of structures by displaying a volume rendering of image data acquired from an object, in particular a patient, pointing at a structure of interest displayed in the volume rendering of the image data, generating a viewing ray profile comprising information characterizing a ray running through said structure of interest, selecting a contextual profile from various contextual profiles, each of said contextual profiles comprising a representative ray profile representing a viewing ray profile of a structure, in particular an anatomical structure, and comprising profile information, and determining a position within said structure of interest based on said profile information of said selected contextual profile in the case that the representative ray profile of said selected contextual profile is matching with at least a part o

Abstract: Method of associating meta-data relating to a radiation image of an object with the radiation image wherein the meta-data are broadcast and are detected and associated with an activated radiation image recording device.

Abstract: A method and to a corresponding apparatus for processing information carriers, in particular for reading out storage phosphor plates (2) for storing X-ray information, an information carrier (2) and/or a container (1) in which the information carrier (2) is located being processed, in particular being moved and/or fixed, by at least one mechanical processor (13), the processor (7) being driven by at least one stepper motor (10), and information from the information carrier (2) being read out and/or written in the information carrier.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for erasing a storage phosphor layer (2) with a holding plane (7) in which the storage phosphor layer (2) lies or can be moved, a radiation source (8, 9, 10) for irradiating the storage phosphor layer (2) with erasing radiation which is suitable for erasing the storage phosphor layer (2), and a reflector (11; 29, 30) for reflecting erasing radiation in the direction of the holding plane (7). In order to increase the erasing efficiency, provision is made such that the reflector (11; 29, 30) is arranged and/or designed such that it reflects erasing radiation, which is reflected by the storage phosphor layer (2), in the direction of the storage phosphor layer (2), and the radiation source (8, 9, 10) is disposed on a base (33; 48, 49), the base (33; 48, 49) being disposed closer to the holding plane (7) than at least part of the reflector (11; 29, 30).

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for erasing a storage phosphor layer (2) includes a radiation source (8) for producing and emitting erasing radiation, a drive (5) for producing a relative movement between the storage phosphor layer (2) and the radiation source (8), the storage phosphor layer (2) lying or being moved in a holding plane (7), and a reflector (11) for reflecting radiation. The reflector (11) is arranged and designed to reflect erasing radiation reflected by the storage phosphor layer (2) in the direction of the storage phosphor layer (2). A further reflecting surface (31) is provided for reflecting erasing radiation which is positioned opposite the reflector (11), as considered in a direction at right angles to the direction (6) of the relative movement.

Abstract: An apparatus for reading out storage phosphor plates (2) for storing X-ray information with one or more rotating conveyance rolls (11 to 14) for conveying the storage phosphor plate (2), an alignment edge (19, 22) to which the storage phosphor plate (2) can be aligned, and a read-out device for reading out the X-ray information stored in the storage phosphor plate (2).