Abstract: Disclosed is an image acquisition workstation including a multiple examination mode. In the multiple examination mode, a user selects an anatomical view or procedure prior to acquiring data. When the image data is acquired, the acquired data is stored in a data structure related to the selected procedure or anatomical view. As the user selects a procedure or anatomical view prior to each data acquisition, the image acquisitions can be acquired in any order.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for reconciling mismatches in data in a hospital computer system by selectively preventing editing of data entered at a first location at a second location, and providing for remapping of data acquired in an incorrect data structure to a corrected data structure.

Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus for automated detection of small structures in images. One specific use is to detect malignant microcalcification clusters in mammograms. A digitized and filtered mammogram image is stored in a computer. Seed pixels, which are pixels that are brighter than their immediate neighbors, are identified to indicate candidate structures and used to construct two regions. Various features are then measured using the two regions around each seed point. The features characterize each candidate structure and are input to a classifier, such as a neural network. The classifier then distinguishes between structures of interest and background. The structures detected by the classifier are then presented to a clustering algorithm. A detected structure that is less than a threshold distance away from the nearest structure and a cluster is included in that cluster. Finally, the results are displayed, either on a monitor or on hard copy, with a frame around the detected cluster.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image acquisition workstation including a multiple examination mode. In the multiple examination mode, a user selects an anatomical view or procedure prior to acquiring data. When the image data is acquired, the acquired data is stored in a data structure related to the selected procedure or anatomical view. As the user selects a procedure or anatomical view prior to each data acquisition, the image acquisitions can be acquired in any order.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for reconciling mismatches in data in a hospital computer system by selectively preventing editing of data entered at a first location at a second location, and providing for re-mapping of data acquired in an incorrect data structure to a corrected data structure.

Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus for automated detection of small structures in images. One specific use is to detect malignant microcalcification clusters in mammograms. A digitized and filtered mammogram image is stored in a computer. Seed pixels, which are pixels that are brighter than their immediate neighbors, are identified to indicate candidate structures and used to construct two regions. Various features are then measured using the two regions around each seed point. The features characterize each candidate structure and are input to a classifier, such as a neural network. The classifier then distinguishes between structures of interest and background. The structures detected by the classifier are then presented to a clustering algorithm. A detected structure that is less than a threshold distance away from the nearest structure and a cluster is included in that cluster. Finally, the results are displayed, either on a monitor or on hard copy, with a frame around the detected cluster.

Abstract: In an X-ray imaging system comprising an X-ray source, a digital X-ray detector and a display device, an arrangement is provided for setting or establishing the dynamic range of the image at the display device. The detector is operated to provide a set of count values representing X-ray image data acquired by the detector from an object of imaging, and a set of standardized values, such as optical density values, is derived from the count values. The optical density values collectively define a range of optical density values, and the dynamic range of the display device is mapped thereto. The display device is enabled to present an image of the object which appears similar to or substantially the same as an image of the object presented by, for example, a specified analog X-ray film.

Abstract: In an X-ray imaging system comprising an X-ray source, a digital X-ray detector and a display device, an arrangement is provided for setting or establishing the dynamic range of the image at the display device. The detector is operated to provide a set of count values representing X-ray image data acquired by the detector from an object of imaging, and a set of standardized values, such as optical density values, is derived from the count values. The optical density values collectively define a range of optical density values, and the dynamic range of the display device is mapped thereto. The display device is enabled to present an image of the object which appears similar to or substantially the same as an image of the object presented by, for example, a specified analog X-ray film.

Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus for automated detection of small structures in images. One specific use is to detect malignant microcalcification clusters in mammograms. A digitized and filtered mammogram image is stored in a computer. Seed pixels, which are pixels that are brighter than their immediate neighbors, are identified to indicate candidate structures and used to construct two regions. Various features are then measured using the two regions around each seed point. The features characterize each candidate structure and are input to a classifier, such as a neural network. The classifier then distinguishes between structures of interest and background. The structures detected by the classifier are then presented to a clustering algorithm. A detected structure that is less than a threshold distance away from the nearest structure and a cluster is included in that cluster. Finally, the results are displayed, either on a monitor or on hard copy, with a frame around the detected cluster.