Abstract: Method of detecting an image of a grid in a digital image by extracting a number of features from the digital image and classifying extracted features in a classification algorithm, preferably implemented with support vector machines, which is trained with the same training features extracted from a number of reference images.

Abstract: A method and a corresponding apparatus for volume rendering of medical data sets comprises a display (11) for displaying at least one slice view (12) of a medical data set (18) of an object, in particular a patient. A user selection unit (13, 14, 15) enables a user to select a position on a structure of interest (SOI) in the at least one displayed slice view (12), a volume rendering unit (16) for determines a volume rendering (17) of the structure of interest (SOI) based on one or more first parameters. The first parameters characterize the view of the displayed volume rendering (17, 31) of the structure of interest (SOI), the volume rendering (17, 31) of the structure of interest (SOI) being displayed on the display (11).

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: A method and to a corresponding apparatus reads out X-ray information stored in a storage phosphor plate (1), the storage phosphor plate (1) being irradiated with stimulation light (3) and so being stimulated into emitting emission light which is collected by a detector (9) during several measuring times and being converted into corresponding emission light signals (S, R). In order to guarantee high reliability when examining sensitivity fluctuations, in particular with different types of detectors, provision is made such that reference measurements are taken by the detector (9) during several reference measuring times and several reference signals are thus produced, the individual reference measuring times falling respectively between the measuring times, and the reference signals being used for examining the sensitivity of the detector (9) to emission light.

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 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).

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for erasing a storage phosphor layer (2) includes 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 width (14) of the reflector (11) in the direction (6) of the relative movement is at least ten times as great as a smallest distance (15) between the reflector (11) and the holding plane (7).

Abstract: A first time stamp T1 indicative of the time of irradiation of an object and a second time stamp T2 indicative of the time of exposure of an image detector by the radiation image of the object, are generated. Meta-data relating to the object are associated with the radiation image of the object if T1 equals T2 or if T1 approximates T2 within a predefined limit.

Abstract: A digital signal representation of an image is normalized by applying a normalization parameter to all pixels of the digital signal representation of the image or to the pixels of a multi-scale representation of the image. The normalization parameter can be derived from the digital signal representation itself or from a multi-scale representation of the image. Different criteria for deriving the normalization parameter are disclosed.

Abstract: A radiographic image is obtained by combining at least two radiographic sub-images acquired by at least an upper and lower 2-dimensional radiation sensor having sensor pixels. The radiation sensitive area of the lower sensor is overlapped by the upper sensor. Overlap is preferably at least two pixel rows, but can also be limited to non-imaging parts of the upper sensor. The radiation sensors may comprise a radiation to light converting layer. Preferably the sensors are built using CMOS technology, exhibiting less radiation absorption outside the radiation sensitive area.