Abstract: An image processing method for automatically analyzing the spine in a radiograph. The methods includes the steps of acquiring the radiographic image in digital form; detecting the spine midline in the radiograph, locating vertebra and pedicle along the spine midline, and calculating geometrical data of the spine in the radiograph.

Abstract: A method for automatically segmenting lung regions in a chest radiographic image comprising; providing an input digital chest radiograph image; preprocessing the input digital radiographic image; extracting the chest body midline and lung centerlines from the preprocessed image. Locating one-by-one, the chest body model, the spine model and the two lung models in the image based on the extracted chest body midline and two lung centerlines; and detecting the lung contours by deforming the lung shape models to converge to the true lung boundaries as a function of the extracting and locating image processing.

Abstract: A method for automatic construction of 2D statistical shape models for the lung regions in chest radiographic images. The method includes: extracting the anatomical structure contours from a chest radiograph image; generating a polygonal shape approximation for each contour; aligning a plurality of polygonal shape approximations by minimizing their distance; assigning a plurality of landmarks on each shape contour; and determining a statistical shape model using aligned shape contours.

Abstract: A method for transforming visual preference terminology into a set of fundamental image-quality attributes, and using these attributes to produce a display ready radiographic image that meets the desired appearance. The visual preference terminology can be specified in a hierarchical structure providing a flexible and configurable interface to a radiographic system.

Abstract: Apparatus for acquiring an elongated radiographic image. The apparatus includes a flat panel electronic detector of radiographic images, the detector having a known length; and a transport mechanism for mounting the detector for movement in a direction parallel to the known length so that the detector can be positioned in sequential contiguous partially-overlapping positions to acquire a radiation image greater in length than the detector length. At least one marker is disposed in a region corresponding with each partially-overlapping position of the detector.