Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an x-ray examination unit for analyzing and representing x-ray projection images with an x-ray examination unit, where the function relation bU=ƒU?1(J˜/J0) is established between the attenuation value and a material-equivalent value as a function of the energy spectrum used, and for the purposes of projection representation, the magnitude of the material-equivalent value bU of a specific material is represented as an image value.

Abstract: Disclosed is a radiation image recording device comprising a source of radiation and a radiation receiver which are movable in a vertical direction in order to be positioned relative to a standing patient, and an image processing device for creating an output image based on the recorded image data. The source of radiation and the radiation receiver are movable in a controlled manner into successive image recording positions via a control device so as to record an area of analysis which exceeds the height of the active area of the digital radiation receiver, one radiation image being recorded in each image recording position. The positions are defined in such a way that the recorded radiation images cover the area of analysis while the image processing device is embodied so as to create a full image representing the entire area of analysis based on the image data of the individual radiation images.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an x-ray examination unit for analyzing and representing x-ray projection images with an x-ray examination unit, where the function relation bU=ƒU?1(J˜/J0) is established between the attenuation value and a material-equivalent value as a function of the energy spectrum used, and for the purposes of projection representation, the magnitude of the material-equivalent value bU of a specific material is represented as an image value.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for detecting endplates of vertebra, comprising the steps of providing a filtered curvature map derived from filtering an intensity curvature map of a spine image in a direction relative to a spine axis, computing minimum and maximum curvature projections for each point along said spine axis, at a plurality of points on said spine axis, computing a score from said curvature projections, said score indicating the likelihood that the point is located on an endplate, and subjecting said score calculation to at least one of the following constraints (1) that the angle between neighboring endplates not exceed a certain value, and (2) that the variation in height of vertebra of said spine image should satisfy a global model.

Abstract: Disclosed is a radiation image recording device comprising a source of radiation and a radiation receiver which are movable in a vertical direction in order to be positioned relative to a standing patient, and an image processing device for creating an output image based on the recorded image data. The source of radiation and the radiation receiver are movable in a controlled manner into successive image recording positions via a control device so as to record an area of analysis which exceeds the height of the active area of the digital radiation receiver, one radiation image being recorded in each image recording position. The positions are defined in such a way that the recorded radiation images cover the area of analysis while the image processing device is embodied so as to create a full image representing the entire area of analysis based on the image data of the individual radiation images.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for detecting endplates of vertebra, comprising the steps of providing a filtered curvature map derived from filtering an intensity curvature map of a spine image in a direction relative to a spine axis, computing minimum and maximum curvature projections for each point along said spine axis, at a plurality of points on said spine axis, computing a score from said curvature projections, said score indicating the likelihood that the point is located on an endplate, and subjecting said score calculation to at least one of the following constraints (1) that the angle between neighboring endplates not exceed a certain value, and (2) that the variation in height of vertebra of said spine image should satisfy a global model.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for determining and documenting, from current x-ray image data, x-ray exposure values employed for producing an x-ray exposure or a sequence of x-ray exposures by irradiation of a radiation detector with x-rays form an x-ray diagnostic source, an exposed image region of the radiation detector is determined, and a region of interest within the exposed image region also is determined. An x-ray image exposure value is determined from the grey scale values of the pixels in the region of interest. The x-ray image exposure value is normalized with respect to a signal value. Measurement values employed for producing the exposed image region are independently measured, and, using these measurement values, the normalized value is converted into a physical unit. The physical unit is stored, associated with the measurement values, for documentation.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting pedicle positions in an image, in accordance with the present invention, includes providing a set of feature prototypes for a plurality of pedicle positions and orientations, providing an input image to be analyzed for pedicle positions and orientations, and determining intensity curvatures for a pedicle in the input image. The intensity curvatures are transformed to determine a feature vector for the pedicle in the input image. The feature vector is correlated to the feature prototypes to determine most likely positions and orientations of the pedicle.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically detecting anatomical landmarks in a radiographic image, preferably for total hip replacement applications, in accordance with the present invention, provides a region of interest of the image, and determines a first landmark in the region of interest by computing an intensity ridge map. A second landmark is determined in the region of interest based on a position and orientation of the first landmark, and measurements are performed on the image based on positions of the first and second landmarks.

Abstract: Systems and methods for correcting the image intensity of under-exposed regions of CR (computed radiography) images for mosaic composition. In one aspect, a method for generating a mosaic CR image comprises acquiring a set of CR images and processing each CR image to detect an under-exposed region in the CR image. If an under-exposed region is detected, the CR image is separated into an under-exposed region and normal exposure region. The image intensity of the under-exposed region is then adjusted to be substantially similar to, or as close as possible to, the image intensity of the normal exposure region of the CR image using nonlinear enhancement and/or linear transformation techniques. The intensity corrected CR images are then combined in a mosaic image.

Abstract: Systems and methods for correcting the image intensity of under-exposed regions of CR (computed radiography) images for mosaic composition. In one aspect, a method for generating a mosaic CR image comprises acquiring a set of CR images and processing each CR image to detect an under-exposed region in the CR image. If an under-exposed region is detected, the CR image is separated into an under-exposed region and normal exposure region. The image intensity of the under-exposed region is then adjusted to be substantially similar to, or as close as possible to, the image intensity of the normal exposure region of the CR image using nonlinear enhancement and/or linear transformation techniques. The intensity corrected CR images are then combined in a mosaic image.

Abstract: An X-ray diagnostic installation includes an X-ray source and a radiation receiver and a digital imaging processing system, the digital imaging processing system including a computer which evaluates an X-ray image of a phantom by identifying visible details in the X-ray image of the phantom. The computer employs these identified visible details to automatically construct a contrast-detail graph of the phantom. The computer thus undertakes an automatic judgment of the imaging quality, without the need for a trained observer.

Abstract: A contexture dependent dynamic range remapping system utilizes background estimation, mask generation, parameter estimation and dynamic range remapping of an original image to provide an optimum output image. The dynamic range remapping includes an additive algorithm or a multiplicative algorithm or a combination of both algorithms. The output from the algorithms could be filtered by an edge-preserving filter to provide a filtered output image. The system adaptively compresses the dynamic range of the DC and slow-varying signals in the original image significantly while preserving and enhancing fine structures.