Abstract: An anatomical image data set and an emission image data set are acquired for a subject. An attenuation map is generated from the anatomical image data set. The emission image data set is reconstructed to generate an emission image. The reconstructing includes correcting for attenuation of emission radiation in the subject using the attenuation map. A value is calculated for a quality assurance (QA) metric quantifying alignment of the attenuation map with the emission image. The emission image is displayed or printed together with the calculated quality assurance metric. In some embodiments, prior to the reconstructing the attenuation map is registered with the emission image data set by performing a global rigid registration followed by a local non-rigid registration of a region of interest.

Abstract: Hybrid dual-modality image processing systems and methods are disclosed. For example, an image processing system includes a computer for processing SPECT tomographic projection data and a CT volume image. The computer derives a SPECT transverse volume image from the projection data and registers the SPECT transverse volume image with the CT volume image to obtain an attenuation map and registration information. The computer uses the attenuation map and the registration information to derive a SPECT transverse volume image with attenuation correction. The computer uses the registration information to derive a SPECT transverse volume image without attenuation correction. The SPECT transverse volume images, with and without attenuation correction, are derived at or near the same time, using the same registration information. The registration information is stored in, carried by, or otherwise communicated through the attenuation map for subsequent processing of the SPECT transverse volume images.

Abstract: An anatomical image data set and an emission image data set are acquired for a subject. An attenuation map is generated from the anatomical image data set. The emission image data set is reconstructed to generate an emission image. The reconstructing includes correcting for attenuation of emission radiation in the subject using the attenuation map. A value is calculated for a quality assurance (QA) metric quantifying alignment of the attenuation map with the emission image. The emission image is displayed or printed together with the calculated quality assurance metric. In some embodiments, prior to the reconstructing the attenuation map is registered with the emission image data set by performing a global rigid registration followed by a local non-rigid registration of a region of interest.

Abstract: Medical images are collected in a plurality of cardiac and respiratory phases. The images are transformed into a series of respiratory compensated images with the plurality of cardiac phases, but all at a common respiration phase. The series of respiratory compensated images are transformed into one image at a selected cardiac phase and the common respiration phase. In some embodiments, a database of gated transform matrices is generated. The database may be based on specific patient information or on information generated from a pool of patients. The database may account for respiratory motion, cardiac contractile motion, other physiological motion, or combinations thereof. For a current image to be motion corrected, the transformation matrices collected in the database are used to estimate a current set of transformation matrices accounting for the motion in the current image, and a motion-compensated image is generated based on the current set of transform matrices.

Abstract: Hybrid dual-modality image processing systems and methods are disclosed. For example, an image processing system includes a computer for processing SPECT tomographic projection data and a CT volume image. The computer derives a SPECT transverse volume image from the projection data and registers the SPECT transverse volume image with the CT volume image to obtain an attenuation map and registration information. The computer uses the attenuation map and the registration information to derive a SPECT transverse volume image with attenuation correction. The computer uses the registration information to derive a SPECT transverse volume image without attenuation correction. The SPECT transverse volume images, with and without attenuation correction, are derived at or near the same time, using the same registration information. The registration information is stored in, carried by, or otherwise communicated through the attenuation map for subsequent processing of the SPECT transverse volume images.

Abstract: Medical images are collected in a plurality of cardiac and respiratory phases. The images are transformed into a series of respiratory compensated images with the plurality of cardiac phases, but all at a common respiration phase. The series of respiratory compensated images are transformed into one image at a selected cardiac phase and the common respiration phase. In some embodiments, a database of gated transform matrices is generated. The database may be based on specific patient information or on information generated from a pool of patients. The database may account for respiratory motion, cardiac contractile motion, other physiological motion, or combinations thereof. For a current image to be motion corrected, the transformation matrices collected in the database are used to estimate a current set of transformation matrices accounting for the motion in the current image, and a motion-compensated image is generated based on the current set of transform matrices.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method in which the information contents of an image of a moving object is enhanced. The invention also relates to a system in which such a method can be carried out and to a computer program enabling a data processing unit to carry out such a method. The method is used notably in the field of medical imaging systems. According to the method first a first image of a moving object is acquired by means of a first imaging method, said image containing artifacts which are caused by the object motion. From two further images, acquired by means of a second imaging respective state of motion of the motion, there is formed a motion model which is implemented in a different manner in image processing or image forming steps, so that the information contents of either the first image or a combination image, formed from the first image and the two further images, is enhanced.