Abstract: A method of obtaining recommendations for lowered radiation dose for a type of radiological image, executed at least in part by a computer system, obtains at least one clinical image of at least one patient, taken under a baseline set of exposure conditions, as a basis image. Processing instructions related to image simulation under one or more reduced exposure conditions are obtained. The basis image is processed according to the processing instructions to generate a set of one or more simulation images, each simulation image representative of corresponding reduced exposure conditions. One or more simulation images are displayed to one or more diagnostic practitioners and an evaluation obtained from the one or more practitioners related to at least the quality of the one or more simulation images. At least one recommended reduced exposure condition is generated and electronically stored according to the practitioner evaluation.

Abstract: A method of obtaining recommendations for lowered radiation dose for a type of radiological image, executed at least in part by a computer system, obtains at least one clinical image of at least one patient, taken under a baseline set of exposure conditions, as a basis image. Processing instructions related to image simulation under one or more reduced exposure conditions are obtained. The basis image is processed according to the processing instructions to generate a set of one or more simulation images, each simulation image representative of corresponding reduced exposure conditions. One or more simulation images are displayed to one or more diagnostic practitioners and an evaluation obtained from the one or more practitioners related to at least the quality of the one or more simulation images. At least one recommended reduced exposure condition is generated and electronically stored according to the practitioner evaluation.

Abstract: A method of automatically compressing and decompressing a digital image that is comprised of the following steps: acquiring a digital image through an image acquisition system; generating a look-up-table (companding function) based upon noise characteristics of the image acquisition system; applying the companding function to the image; processing the image using a lossless compression algorithm; reconstructing the image using the associated decompression algorithm; and applying the inverse of the companding function to the image.

Abstract: A computed radiography patient identification system which matches a patient with an X-ray image of the patient stored in a stimulable storage phosphor. The system includes a patient identifying bar code uniquely identifying a patient; a stimulable storage phosphor identifying bar code uniquely identifying a stimulable storage phosphor and a portable bar code scanner. The bar code scanner is used to scan the patient bar code and the storage phosphor bar code when a patient is exposed to an X-ray which is stored on the stimulable storage phosphor. Preferably, a mobile X-ray source has an associated set of bar codes identifying X-ray examination types (chest, head, limb, etc.) and/or X-ray exposure conditions. The bar code scanner scans the examination type bar code at the time the X-ray of the patient is taken. The system includes a storage phosphor reader for converting an X-ray image stored in a storage phosphor into an X-ray image signal.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for using a light beam to scan media, particularly radiographic film media, for digitization wherein the scanning beam and the media transport path are optimized to minimize interference of the incident directly transmitted scanning beam with light internally reflected back by the light exit surface of the media, which gives rise to significant modulation of the transmitted intensity and forms contour or fringe patterns which follow small variations in the media thickness. An optical light beam shaping system is employed to generate a generally elliptical or elongated cross-section light beam having a major and minor axis. A scanner deflects the light beam through a predetermined, flat scanning angle in a scan direction forming a scanning line on the incident surface of the film media. The film media is transported past the scanning light beam such that successive lines of the media are scanned.

Abstract: A light collector for collecting and detecting light emitted by, reflected from, or transmitted through a scanned information medium. The collector includes a planar mirror and side by side pyramidal mirrors which collect light and direct it to a photodetector located at a centrally located aperture in the planar mirror. The collector preferably collects light emitted by a storage phosphor which has been stimulated by stimulating light passed through aligned slots in the collector.

Abstract: A light collector for collecting and detecting light emitted by, reflected from, or transmitted through a scanned information medium. The collector includes a planar mirror and a facing pyramidal mirror which collect light and direct it to a photodetector located at a centrally located aperture in the apex region of the pyramidal mirror. The collector preferably collects light emitted by a storage phosphor which has been stimulated by stimulating light passed through aligned slots in the collector.

Abstract: In a stimulable phosphor powder diffraction apparatus, a circularly symmetric diffraction pattern is recorded in the stimulable phosphor. The 2-D diffraction pattern is read out, and the resulting signal is processed to produce a 1-D signal representing the average of the 2-D diffraction pattern at points equidistant from the center of the diffraction pattern.

Abstract: To minimize the adverse effects of "flare" in reading-out stimulable phosphor recording elements, the light-collecting face of a photodetector is provided with a multiplicity of sharp, light-transparent, optical projections. By a combination of reflections and refractions, such optical projections serve to absorb substantially all incident photons thereby preventing phosphor-stimulating photons from being reflected by the photodetector's light-collecting face and exciting non-addressed regions of the recording element. Preferably, the optical projections take the form of a sawtooth array of optical wedges; however, pyramid-shaped and cone-shaped projections are also disclosed.

Abstract: A linear light source for a film scanner includes means for generating an intense beam of light and an elongated cylindrical integrating cavity having diffusely reflective walls, and defining an input port through which the intense beam is introduced into the cavity and an output slit parallel to the long axis of the cylindrical integrating cavity to emit a uniform line of light.

Abstract: A wide dynamic range read-out method for a storage phosphor sheet includes the steps of reading out the storage phosphor sheet once to produce a high exposure image detail signal, and a second time to produce a low exposure image detail signal. The image signals are combined to produce a wide dynamic range signal.