Abstract: A method of mapping geometrical objects to a digital image. At least one anchor point in a model is selected and mapped to the digital image. A geometric transformation is computed on the basis of at least one correspondence between an anchor object and a corresponding mapped object, and the calculated geometric transformation is applied to at least one geometric object thereby mapping it from the model image to a corresponding mapped position in the digital image.

Abstract: A digital image representation of a radiological image is acquired and applied to a display device connected to a computer and displayed. A measurement scheme is retrieved from the computer and activated. Measurements are performed on the displayed image under guidance of the activated measurement scheme.

Abstract: The orientation of an image such as a radiographic image is deduced from the digital representation of the image.

Abstract: A method of detecting the orientation of a radiographic image represented by a digital signal representation wherein mathematical moments of the digital signal representation are calculated relative to different reference entities and wherein a decision on the orientation of the radiographic image, for example the position of the thorax edge in a mammographic image, is obtained on the basis of an extreme value (minimum, maximum) of the calculated moments.

Abstract: Results of a bone mineral density (BMD) measurement and a total score obtained by combining score values pertaining to the applicability of pre-defined risk factors are combined into a value indicating whether a person is at risk of osteoporosis.

Abstract: A digital image representation of a radiological image is acquired and applied to a display device connected to a computer and displayed. A measurement scheme is retrieved from the computer and activated. Measurements are performed on the displayed image under guidance of the activated measurement scheme.

Abstract: In a method for radiographic scoring of a radiographic image at least one region of interest is determined. Each of the determined regions of interest is displayed in close proximity to a number of reference stages each having an associated score. For each region of interest a reference stage image best matching the displayed region of interest is selected and the score number associated with the selected reference stage image is associated with the region of interest. Score numbers retained for each of the regions of interest are combined to form the score number of the radiographic image.

Abstract: Several methods for retrospective correction of intensity inhomogeneites in digital diagnostic radiation images are presented. The methods are based on the correction of a digital image representation by means of a bias field. The bias field is deduced from the digital image representation of the diagnostic radiation image.

Abstract: A digital representation of a radiation image of an at least partially tubular object is obtained. An attenuation profile over a tangentially imaged wall of the object is taken from the digital image on a straight line. The attenuation profile is reflected in the direction of the center of the object and the attenuation profile is reconstructed to form a relative density distribution by means of a transmission tomography-projection reconstruction method in which the measured reflected attenuation profile is used for all record annular positions.

Abstract: In a method of segmenting an image represented by a digital signal representation into direct exposure area and diagnostically relevant area, the local centroids of the histogram of the image are calculated. A set of archetype histograms with associated threshold value is generated. An archetype histogram is selected on the basis of correspondence of location and strength of its local centroids with that of the calculated local centroids. The threshold value associated with the selected archetype histogram is applied to the image so as to form a bitmap image comprising a different label for pixels of direct exposure area and for pixels of diagnostically relevant area.

Abstract: An assembly for recording a radiation image of an elongate body comprises a plurality of cassettes each conveying a recording member and each having a length that is smaller than the length of the elongate body. Supporting devices are arranged for holding the plurality of cassettes in a staggered arrangement so that the length of the staggered arrangement is at least equal to the length of the elongate body. This assembly is exposed to the radiation image of an elongate body. By use of partial images which are read from each of the recording members, the entire image of the elongate body is reconstructed.

Abstract: Data identifying a radiographic image are entered manually into an identification station. Then, the radiographic image is transferred by radio frequency transmission from the identification station to a radio frequency tag provided on a cassette conveying a photo stimulable phosphor screen in which a radiographic image has been stored.

Abstract: A radiation image of a body is reconstructed from original partial radiation images, each comprising part of the radiation image of said body, and part of a radiation image of a geometrical calibration grid the radiation image of which was superimposed on the radiation image of the body. The original partial radiation images are geometrically corrected before being stitched.

Abstract: Method of determining (a) symmetry line(s) in a radiation image. A method of determining (a) symmetry line(s) in horizontal (vertical) direction in an image that is represented by a matrix of digital pixel values by (i) calculating a symmetry point for each column (row) of the image, and (ii) interconnecting calculated symmetry points.

Abstract: An identification station into which data identifying a medical image are input and by means of which the identification data are associated with the medical image, is provided with a speech recognition subassembly and a microphone to allow data input through speech recognition.

Abstract: A radiation image is recorded on a plurality of photostimulable phosphor screens of a size that is smaller than the size of the elongate body. The screens are exposed to a radiation image of a grid of threads of attenuating material and a radiation image of the elongate body so that each of the screens stores part of the image of the body and superimposed thereon, part of the image of the grid. The screens are read out individually. Reconstruction of the image of the elongate body is performed on the basis of the reconstructed image of the grid.

Abstract: Method of correcting a radiation image for defects in the recording member. Defects in a member for recording a radiation image are corrected by generating a calibration matrix comprising for each pixel a correction value and by applying corresponding elements of the calibration matrix to the pixels of a recorded image. The values of the calibration matrix represent in each pixel the deviation of the value that is effectively obtained in a pixel when the recording member is subjected to a flat field exposure and the value that would be expected in the pixel. Different methods are described for determining the expected value in a pixel. Further, an overlay image is generated wherein local defects are visualised.

Abstract: By means of a read/write terminal patient identification data stored in a touch memory, an EEPROM, a bar code label or an RF tag are read or identification data are retrieved from a hospital identifictaion system (HIS). On the read/write terminal an examination type is selected from a displayed list of examination types. The patient identification data and the identifier of the selected examination type are associated, stored and transferred onto an RF tag provided on a cassette conveying a photostimulable phosphor screen or onto an RF tag that is attachable to the cassette. After exposure of the screen to X-rays, the RF tag and the photostimulable phosphor screen are read out and the radiation image read out of the screen is processed in accordance with processing parameters associated with the selected examination type.

Abstract: Radiologists may protect their subjects against unnecessary exposure to X-rays by use of X-ray opaque material. They may also use X-ray opaque material to permit multiple exposures on a single image. The resulting image contains relatively unexposed regions resulting from the shadow cast by the X-ray opaque material. This invention discloses a method for the automatic determination of the location of the boundary between multiple exposures and the boundary between signal and shadow regions within each exposure. Many hypotheses as to the location of such boundaries are generated and the final decision as to the correct hypothesis is contingent on the results of a rule-based reasoning network.

Abstract: A system and method for reading and processing a radiation image that has been stored in a photostimulable phosphor screen. An identification station, a read out and processing station and an off-line workstation are provided. A customized and configurated parameter set is generated that links with an examination type a set of parameters. This parameter set is used when controlling operation of each individual station of the system.