Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a method for x-ray imaging including: exposing a volume of interest to a first technique level to obtain a first set of image data; exposing the volume of interest to a second technique level to obtain a second set of image data; and estimating whether the volume of interest includes a foreign object based at least in part on a comparison of at least an aspect of the first set of image data and at least an aspect of the second set of image data. According to an embodiment, one of the first and second technique levels is selected to generate x-rays having a higher average energy than the other of the first and second technique levels. According to an embodiment, at least one of the first and second technique levels is selectable to cause an overexposure. According to an embodiment, at least one of the first and second technique levels corresponds to a clinical technique level.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing noise and motion artifacts in pixels of a processed or displayed video image by filtering pixel values of the video image based on a first frame having currently stored (filtered) pixel values and a second frame having recently captured but not yet filtered pixel values. The apparatus includes a spatial filter for computing a motion value of a pixel of interest by averaging difference values of selected pixels surrounding the pixel of interest. Also included is a filter function means for producing an output difference value of the pixel of interest based on the motion value and an adder for adding the output difference value to the first frame filtered pixel value of the pixel of interest. Thus, each pixel of the video image is filtered according to the amount of motion in the video image.

Abstract: An x-ray system that uses an x-ray source to irradiate a subject with x-rays is provided. A collimator is located proximate to the x-ray source and blocks a portion of the x-rays. A detector receives the x-rays and creates subject data indicative of a subject and collimator data indicative of a collimator. A position detector identifies a position of the collimator with respect to a field of view of the x-ray source. A gating module receives the subject and collimator data and passes at least a portion of the subject data. The gating module blocks at least a portion of the collimator data based on the position of the collimator. A display displays an x-ray image based on the portion of the subject data passed by the gating module.

Abstract: An x-ray system is provided utilizing an x-ray source and a detector to create x-ray data in a region of interest. The x-ray data comprises anatomic data, from the anatomy of a patient, and non-anatomic data, from a structure foreign to the patient. The anatomic and non-anatomic data may have non-overlapping grayscale distribution. A reject level is identified along the grayscale distribution. A processor module selects a minimum value for a transfer function based on the reject level and automatically calculates the transfer function to convert the x-ray data to display values. An x-ray image is then displayed based on the display values.

Abstract: An x-ray system is provided utilizing an x-ray source and a detector to create x-ray data in a region of interest. The x-ray data comprises anatomic data, from the anatomy of a patient, and non-anatomic data, from a structure foreign to the patient. The anatomic and non-anatomic data may have non-overlapping grayscale distribution. A reject level is identified along the grayscale distribution. A processor module selects a minimum value for a transfer function based on the reject level and automatically calculates the transfer function to convert the x-ray data to display values. An x-ray image is then displayed based on the display values.

Abstract: An x-ray system that uses an x-ray source to irradiate a subject with x-rays is provided. A collimator is located proximate to the x-ray source and blocks a portion of the x-rays. A detector receives the x-rays and creates subject data indicative of a subject and collimator data indicative of a collimator. A position detector identifies a position of the collimator with respect to a field of view of the x-ray source. A gating module receives the subject and collimator data and passes at least a portion of the subject data. The gating module blocks at least a portion of the collimator data based on the position of the collimator. A display displays an x-ray image based on the portion of the subject data passed by the gating module.

Abstract: An electronic video camera apparatus is provided for focusing light rays from object plane proximate image intensifier of a medical x-ray imaging system onto an image plane proximate a light sensor. The electronic video camera includes a lens system located between the object and image planes to focus light rays from the object plane onto the image plane. The light rays at the object plane are representative of a patient image. An optical filter is located between the object and image planes and partially blocks light rays passing there through. The optical filter includes at least first and second filter regions having different opacity. The first and second filter regions are alignable with the lens system at different times to block differing first and second amounts of light rays, respectively, associated with differing first and second x-ray amounts transmitted at different times.

Abstract: An electronic video camera apparatus is provided for focusing light rays from object plane proximate image intensifier of a medical x-ray imaging system onto an image plane proximate a light sensor. The electronic video camera includes a lens system located between the object and image planes to focus light rays from the object plane onto the image plane. The light rays at the object plane are representative of a patient image. An optical filter is located between the object and image planes and partially blocks light rays passing there through. The optical filter includes at least first and second filter regions having different opacity. The first and second filter regions are alignable with the lens system at different times to block differing first and second amounts of light rays, respectively, associated with differing first and second x-ray amounts transmitted at different times.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing noise and motion artifacts in pixels of a processed or displayed video image by filtering pixel values of the video image based on a first frame having currently stored (filtered) pixel values and a second frame having recently captured but not yet filtered pixel values. The apparatus includes a spatial filter for computing a motion value of a pixel of interest by averaging difference values of selected pixels surrounding the pixel of interest. Also included is a filter function means for producing an output difference value of the pixel of interest based on the motion value and an adder for adding the output difference value to the first frame filtered pixel value of the pixel of interest. Thus, each pixel of the video image is filtered according to the amount of motion in the video image.

Abstract: A method for providing automatic brightness control in a closed loop x-ray imaging system which utilizes an automatic brightness system (ABS) sampling window. The location, size and shape of the ABS sampling window is adjusted in accordance with statistical information including spatial gray scale distribution data derived from the data related to the x-ray system and image being processed, thereby enabling the automatic brightness control to make brightness and power adjustments in accordance with statistical data from the modified ABS sampling window.

Abstract: A miniaturized C-arm and imaging apparatus for use with X-ray diagnostic equipment and the like. An X-ray imaging system is coupled to a C-arm, including an X-ray source and an image receptor mounted upon opposing locations, respectively on the C-arm. The image receptor includes a vacuum bottle type image intensifier. The image receptor is characterized by an absence of fiber optic device, and the image intensifier is characterized by an absence of micro channels therein. The C-arm is mass balanced about an axis of orbital rotation and is pivotally coupled to an articulating arm assembly supported upon a wheeled support base. The mass balance enables repositioning of the X-ray imaging system between an anterior-posterior view and an orthogonal lateral view with a single, orbital movement of the C-arm which also causes the views to define an imaging isocenter.

Abstract: A pixel artifact/blemish filter for use in a CCD video camera which produces a video signal composed of a series of pulses, each representing a pixel, for developing a video image. The filter includes a delay line for receiving the video signal produced by the camera, and for delaying the video signal pulses by a time of approximately one pulse width duration. The filter also includes first and second signal transfer elements for receiving respectively each video signal pulse directly from the camera and each most recently delayed video signal, and for passing either the directly received pulse or the delayed pulse, depending upon the relative magnitude of the two pulses. Since pixel artifact pulses are typically more positive than non-artifacts pulses, the signal transfer elements generally pass the more negative video signal pulses so that the pixel artifact pulses are suppressed when they arrive at the transfer elements.