Abstract: The quality of thoracic X-rays is depends on the inspiration state of an imaged patient. If the lungs of a patient are not significantly inflated during a thoracic X-ray, tissue from surrounding organs can cause the image to become cloudier, and the lung parenchyma is not effectively shown. Thus, there is a reliance on a medical professional to ensure that the patient is in an appropriate posture and inspiration state at the point of image exposure. This can be difficult with patients suffering from chronic conditions, though. Therefore, this application discusses a means to assess the inspiration state using the position of rib bones, and the diaphragm line in the X-ray image. Thus, an accurate estimate of inspiration state can automatically be reported to a medical professional, before a patient leaves the examination room, allowing an X-ray to be retaken, if necessary.

Abstract: The quality of thoracic X-rays is depends on the inspiration state of an imaged patient. If the lungs of a patient are not significantly inflated during a thoracic X-ray, tissue from surrounding organs can cause the image to become cloudier, and the lung parenchyma is not effectively shown. Thus, there is a reliance on a medical professional to ensure that the patient is in an appropriate posture and inspiration state at the point of image exposure. This can be difficult with patients suffering from chronic conditions, though. Therefore, this application discusses a means to assess the inspiration state using the position of rib bones, and the diaphragm line in the X-ray image. Thus, an accurate estimate of inspiration state can automatically be reported to a medical professional, before a patient leaves the examination room, allowing an X-ray to be retaken, if necessary.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system (100) for extracting an object (Ob) from a source image, said object being delineated by a contour (C), the system (100) comprising a gradient unit (110) for computing the source image gradient field, based on the source image, a smoothing unit (120) for smoothing the source image gradient field, and an integration unit (130) for calculating an object image by integrating the smoothed source image gradient field, thereby extracting the object (Ob) from the source image. At each point of the source image, the smoothing is defined by a 2-dimensional convolution kernel which is a product of a first 1-dimensional convolution kernel in the first direction substantially parallel to the contour (C), and a second 1-dimensional convolution kernel in the second direction substantially normal to the contour (C).

Abstract: The invention relates to a system (100) for extracting an object (Ob) from a source image, said object being delineated by a contour (C), the system (100) comprising a gradient unit (110) for computing the source image gradient field, based on the source image, a smoothing unit (120) for smoothing the source image gradient field, and an integration unit (130) for calculating an object image by integrating the smoothed source image gradient field, thereby extracting the object (Ob) from the source image. At each point of the source image, the smoothing is defined by a 2-dimensional convolution kernel which is a product of a first 1-dimensional convolution kernel in the first direction substantially parallel to the contour (C), and a second 1-dimensional convolution kernel in the second direction substantially normal to the contour (C).

Abstract: An X-ray imaging system comprising a motorised X-ray tube located at a fixed focus position (12) relative to an object (14) to be imaged, and a motorised detector (18) for detecting the intensity distribution of radiation transmitted through the object. A control system (22) is provided for calculating two or more angles (Ot1) from which the object (14) should be exposed to radiation in order to cover the entire exposure field (H) occupied by the object (14) and for causing the X-ray tube to be rotated around the fixed focus position (12) so as to expose the object (14) to radiation from each of the respective angles (Ot1). The movement of the detector (18) is also performed automatically so as to correspond with the exposure angles so as to create two or more respective images of respective regions of the object (14) which can be subsequently stitched together to create a complete image thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to an X-ray device in which a set of exposure parameters is fetched from among a number of such sets stored in a first storage arrangement for APR X-ray exposures. The exposure parameters which result therefrom during the subsequent X-ray exposure and have possibly been modified by the user are stored in a second storage arrangement. The X-ray device includes means for evaluating the second sets of exposure parameters which are associated with the same first set of exposure parameters and for deriving therefrom a new set of exposure parameters which is stored in the first storage arrangement instead of the first set of exposure parameters and forms the basis for APR X-ray exposures from then on.

Abstract: The invention relates to an X-ray device in which a set of exposure parameters is fetched from among a number of such sets stored in a first storage arrangement for APR X-ray exposures. The exposure parameters which result therefrom during the subsequent X-ray exposure and have possibly been modified by the user are stored in a second storage arrangement. The X-ray device includes means for evaluating the second sets of exposure parameters which are associated with the same first set of exposure parameters and for deriving therefrom a new set of exposure parameters which is stored in the first storage arrangement instead of the first set of exposure parameters and forms the basis for APR X-ray exposures from then on.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of displaying a spatial distribution of notably an X-ray image whose pixels are associated with digital input image values, a filtering operation being performed on the input image values so as to obtain either low-pass or high-pass image values which are superposed on the input image values, and also relates to a device for carrying out the method. The invention enables the user to preset the contrast and the density of the visible image in conformity with his requirements and independently from one another.

Abstract: Plastic mixtures, in particular those of a similar density such as polyethylene and polypropylene, are separated electrostatically, whereby prior to charging, the mixture is subjected to a surface treatment.

Abstract: Plastic mixtures, in particular those of a smilar density such as polyethylene terephthalate and polyvinyl chloride, are separated electrostatically, whereby the mixture, for triboelectric charging, is subjected to a thermal treatment.

Abstract: Plastic mixtures are split up into the individual components by a process combining density separation with electrostatic separation, and includes a special surface treatment which takes place prior to the electrostatic separation.

Abstract: The dynamic range of density or intensity values of pixels in an X-ray image is compressed in a manner preserving the range which is of primary interest for diagnosis, while still allowing recognition of detailed structure in the further ranges. This is accomplished by forming low-pass picture values (L) from input-picture values (E), determining equalizing values as a function (C) of the low-pass picture values (L) and forming output picture values by superposition of the input-picture values (E) and the equalizing values (C) . The equalizing values are chosen such that the output picture values are greater than the input-picture values (E) at relatively small low-pass picture values (L), below the range of primary interest, and the output picture values are less than the input-picture values at relatively large low-pass picture values (L), above the range of primary interest.

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for producing X-ray images, which arrangement comprises an X-ray source (1) for the generation of an X-ray beam (10), a layer (41) sensitive to X-rays and situated on a cylindrical drum (4), and a read unit (5) for converting the X-ray image detected in the layer into electrical image values. In order to improve the X-ray images which can be produced by the arrangement an image processor (21) includes a module (212) for transforming the X-ray image (I) situated on the layer into an X-ray image (I.sub.v) situated in a virtual plane (12), and a module (211) for improving the uniformity of the modulation transfer function (MTF) over the X-ray image produced.

Abstract: A process of making a granulated MgO-containing potassium salt fertilizer containing potassium sulfate, and having a high abrasion resistance and high compression resistance, includes preparing a langbeinite slurry binder without an evaporation of a magnesium chloride-containing solution with heating at a temperature of from 95.degree. to 110.degree. C. with a density of from 1.6 to 1.7 g/cm.sup.3, mixing the potassium salt and recyclable fines with the langbeinite at a temperature of from 75.degree. to 100.degree. C., granulating in a granulating drum, screening to form the fertilizer and recyclable fines; and recovery and recycle of the fines. The liquid langbeinite binder can be made by mixing a mixture of magnesium sulfate and/or kieserite with potassium sulfate, schoenite and/or leonite the potassium sulfate and the magnesium sulfate being present in a mole ratio of from 1:1.5 through 1:3 and heating the mixture to a temperature of 95.degree. to 110.degree. C. with a turbidity density of 1.6 to 1.7 g/cm.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of determining the Compton profile of an object to be examined which is situated in an examination zone. The examination zone is irradiated by a monochromatic primary beam whose energy is chosen so that the attenuation of the primary radiation is due essentially only to the Compton Scattering. The scattered radiation is measured in an energy resolving manner and therefrom, as well as from the attenuation in the primary beam, the Compton profiles for the individual pixels in the examination zone are determined.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determination of the cross-sections for elastic scattered radiation in which a polychromatic radiation source is used but in which good differentiation between various substances is still possible.

Abstract: The invention relates to an X-ray apparatus which allows for the determination of the elastically scattered X-rays and the evaluation of the information contained therein. Because the scattered radiation exhibits a pronounced maximum value as a function of the scatter angle and because the scatter angle at which this maximum value occurs depends on the material in which the scattered radiation is produced, X-ray images thus formed contain essential information concerning the chemical composition of the body examined.

Abstract: Crude potash salt is conditioned for separation into its components by means of an electrostatic field by grinding the salt to disintegration and contacting the ground salt with a conditioning agent, such as salicylic acid, which has been converted to the gaseous state, such that the conditioning agent draws up onto the surfaces of the salt crystals by absorption. The quantity of the conditioning agent employed is adjusted by varying the evaporation temperature and/or by varying the volume of heated air and/or inert gas, serving as a carrier material.

Abstract: Potassium sulfate is produced from a mixture of carnallite, potassium chloride, kieserite and residual quantities of less than 15% by weight of rock salt by treating the mixture at a temperature of 20.degree.-40.degree. C with potash magnesia liquor to form a slurry with at most 70 mole MgCl.sub.2 /1000 mole H.sub.2 O, whereafter the liquor portion of the slurry comprising a solution saturated with carnallite and rock salt is separated from the solid substance, which solid substance is then converted at temperatures of 75.degree.-110.degree. with a sulfate liquor, which contains 18-45 mole MgCl.sub.2 /1000 mole H.sub.2 O, into a mixture of langbeinite and potassium chloride, which mixture after separation from the liquor is treated at temperatures of 15.degree.-110.degree. C with a sulfate liquor containing 18-50 mole MgCl.sub.2 /1000 mole H.sub.2 O, whereupon the crystallizate is separated from the mother liquor and is converted with water to potassium sulfate.