Abstract: An image processing method provides a step of detecting the pedicle region of vertebral arch detects the region having the higher pixel value compared to the periphery thereof is detected by classifying three classes ABC (detection of the pedicle of vertebral arch) of the step S2. Then, in the case of a failure to detect the intervertebral region. e.g., when the intervertebral region is crushed, the boundary, contacting to the cervical vertebra side of the pedicle of vertebral arch detected by the step of classifying three classes ABC (detecting the pedicle of vertebral arch) described above is drawn by classifying ABC three classes (drawing the boundary) of the step S2. Accordingly. even when the intervertebral region is crushed or when the intervertebral region is undetectable, the boundary between the vertebral bodies can be detected accurately.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus and a radiation tomography apparatus capable of acquiring a tomographic image of high visibility are provided. The image processing apparatus initially generates a map m showing an extending direction of a linear structural object seen in an original image P0. Then, the apparatus generates an extrapolated image P1 by adding the area positioned at the side section of the original image P0 to the side section so as to extend the linear structural object seen in the side section by referring to the map m. By adding the side section to the original image P0 while shifting the pattern of the side section so as to extend the linear structural object seen in the side section of the image, the subject image can be naturally compensated. After this operation, by generating the tomographic image D, a tomographic image D having improved visibility can be generated.

Abstract: This invention identifies a metal area of actual measurement projection data from the actual measurement projection data and an actual measurement reconstruction image obtained by image reconstruction of the actual measurement projection data, to acquire metal area identification data. In the actual measurement projection data, a resulting image has pixel values in the metal area such as of wire or screws, for example, not so different from pixel values of other areas, which makes it difficult to identify the metal area accurately. However, the metal area can be identified with increased accuracy. Based on the metal area identification data, data replacement of the metal area of the actual measurement projection data p1 is carried out with data obtained from pixels adjacent the metal area, thereby to acquire replacement projection data, which is put to image reconstruction to generate a replacement reconstruction image without the metal area.

Abstract: An area of an extraneous substance (e.g. area of metal or the like) in images (pre-interpolation projection data in the embodiment) of the extraneous substance (e.g. high-density substance such as metal) extracted and separated by extraction separation in step S1 is interpolated by area interpolation in step S2. Therefore, artifacts can be reduced, while maintaining high spatial resolution, if tomographic images (first tomographic images in the embodiment) are generated by first tomographic image generation in step S3 from the interpolation images interpolated and generated (post-interpolating projection data in the embodiment).

Abstract: One object of this invention is to provide a radiation tomography apparatus for acquiring a tomographic image from a plurality of fluoroscopic images. The radiation tomography apparatus can acquire the tomographic image having superior visibility without being influenced by a shadow of a collimator appearing in the fluoroscopic image when radiation is applied only to a portion of an FPD through control of the collimator. In this invention, a boundary between a shadow area where the shadow of the collimator appears in the fluoroscopic image and a non-shadow area is identified, and the shadow area in the fluoroscopic image is complemented by the non-shadow area, etc., whereby a complement image is generated. Then the complement image is used for generating the tomographic image. According to this invention, an extremely dark area where the shadow of the collimator appears is removed and thereafter the tomographic image is generated.

Abstract: An area of an extraneous substance (e.g. area of metal or the like) in images (pre-interpolation projection data in the embodiment) of the extraneous substance (e.g. high-density substance such as metal) extracted and separated by extraction separation in step S1 is interpolated by area interpolation in step S2. Therefore, artifacts can be reduced, while maintaining high spatial resolution, if tomographic images (first tomographic images in the embodiment) are generated by first tomographic image generation in step S3 from the interpolation images interpolated and generated (post-interpolating projection data in the embodiment).

Abstract: A body section radiographic apparatus for serially acquiring a series of fluoroscopic images while synchronously moving a radiation source and a radiation detecting device, and obtaining a sectional image of a subject from the series of fluoroscopic images. The apparatus includes, besides the radiation source which emits a beam of radiation and the radiation detecting device which is opposed to the radiation source and has a plurality of radiation detecting elements, a synchronous moving device for moving the radiation source and the radiation detecting device synchronously with each other, and a radiation grid disposed to cover a radiation detecting plane of the radiation detecting device for removing scattered radiation. The fluoroscopic images are serially acquired while moving the radiation grid relative to the radiation detecting device to change positions where radiation transmission unevenness of the radiation grid is projected on the radiation detecting device.

Abstract: One object of this invention is to provide a radiation tomography apparatus for acquiring a tomographic image from a plurality of fluoroscopic images. The radiation tomography apparatus can acquire the tomographic image having superior visibility without being influenced by a shadow of a collimator appearing in the fluoroscopic image when radiation is applied only to a portion of an FPD through control a the collimator. In this invention, a boundary between a shadow area where the shadow of the collimator appears in the fluoroscopic image and a non-shadow area is identified, and the shadow area in the fluoroscopic image is complemented by the non-shadow area, etc., whereby a complement image is generated. Then the complement image is used for generating the tomographic image. According to this invention, an extremely dark area where the shadow of the collimator appears is removed and thereafter the tomographic image is generated.

Abstract: A body section radiographic apparatus for serially acquiring a series of fluoroscopic images while synchronously moving a radiation source and a radiation detecting device, and obtaining a sectional image of a subject from the series of fluoroscopic images. The apparatus includes, besides the radiation source which emits a beam of radiation and the radiation detecting device which is opposed to the radiation source and has a plurality of radiation detecting elements, a synchronous moving device for moving the radiation source and the radiation detecting device synchronously with each other, and a radiation grid disposed to cover a radiation detecting plane of the radiation detecting device for removing scattered radiation. The fluoroscopic images are serially acquired while moving the radiation grid relative to the radiation detecting device to change positions where radiation transmission unevenness of the radiation grid is projected on the radiation detecting device.