Method for displaying digital X-ray image data at high resolution
View Patent ↗A method for providing X-ray image data signals corresponding to a selected portion of a two-dimensional image at an enhanced image resolution. During selective exposure of an X-ray receptor to X-ray radiation corresponding to the subject image, image pixel data corresponding to the region of interest (used pixels) are read out with normal pixel data pixel discharge times and at the normal pixel data rate, while image pixel data corresponding to the region not of interest (unused pixels) are read out also with normal pixel data pixel discharge times and at either the normal pixel data rate or an increased pixel data rate. During such pixel data readout intervals, the X-ray radiation exposure can be continuous or selectively pulsed.
1. A method for providing X-ray image data signals corresponding to a selected portion of a two-dimensional image at an enhanced image resolution, comprising:
exposing at least a portion of an X-ray receptor to an amount of X-ray radiation corresponding to said two-dimensional image during at least a first portion of a second time interval but not during at least a first portion of a first time interval;
reading out, from said X-ray receptor at a first data rate during at least a second portion of said first time interval, a first plurality of pixel data signals corresponding to at least a first portion of said two-dimensional image and having a first pixel discharge time associated therewith; and
reading out, from said X-ray receptor at a second data rate during at least a second portion of said second time interval, a second plurality of pixel data signals corresponding to at least a second portion of said two-dimensional image and having a second pixel discharge time associated therewith, wherein said first and second pixel discharge times are substantially equal, and said first and second portions of said two-dimensional image are substantially mutually exclusive.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said reading out, from said X-ray receptor at a first data rate during at least a second portion of said first time interval, a first plurality of pixel data signals corresponding to at least a first portion of said two-dimensional image and having a first pixel discharge time associated therewith comprises simultaneously reading out first and second portions of said first plurality of pixel data signals corresponding to first and second substantially contiguous subordinate portions of said first portion of said two-dimensional image.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein said reading out, from said X-ray receptor at a second data rate during at least a second portion of said second time interval, a second plurality of pixel data signals corresponding to at least a second portion of said two-dimensional image and having a second pixel discharge time associated therewith comprises simultaneously reading out first and second portions of said second plurality of pixel data signals.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein said first plurality of pixel data signals corresponds to a matrix of image pixels including a plurality of rows of image pixels, and further comprising converting said first plurality of pixel data signals to a plurality of video image signals suitable for displaying via an image display device said at least a subordinate portion of said first portion of said two-dimensional image by converting a portion of said first plurality of pixel data signals corresponding to a selected portion of selected ones of said plurality of rows of image pixels.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein:
said first and second pluralities of pixel data signals correspond to a matrix of image pixels including first, second and third successive pluralities of rows of image pixels;
said reading out, from said X-ray receptor at a first data rate during at least a second portion of said first time interval, a first plurality of pixel data signals corresponding to at least a first portion of said two-dimensional image and having a first pixel discharge time associated therewith comprises reading out a plurality of pixel data signals corresponding to said second plurality of rows of image pixels; and
said reading out, from said X-ray receptor at a second data rate during at least a second portion of said second time interval, a second plurality of pixel data signals corresponding to at least a second portion of said two-dimensional image and having a second pixel discharge time associated therewith comprises reading out a plurality of pixel data signals corresponding to said first and third pluralities of rows of image pixels.
6. The method of claim 5 , further comprising converting said first plurality of pixel data signals to a plurality of video image signals suitable for displaying via an image display device said at least a subordinate portion of said first portion of said two-dimensional image by converting a portion of said first plurality of pixel data signals corresponding to a selected portion of selected ones of said second plurality of rows of image pixels.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein:
said first and second pluralities of pixel data signals correspond to a matrix of image pixels including first, second, third and fourth successive pluralities of rows of image pixels;
said reading out, from said X-ray receptor at a first data rate during at least a second portion of said first time interval, a first plurality of pixel data signals corresponding to at least a first portion of said two-dimensional image and having a first pixel discharge time associated therewith comprises simultaneously reading out a plurality of pixel data signals corresponding to said second and third pluralities of rows of image pixels; and
said reading out, from said X-ray receptor at a second data rate during at least a second portion of said second time interval, a second plurality of pixel data signals corresponding to at least a second portion of said two-dimensional image and having a second pixel discharge time associated therewith comprises simultaneously reading out a plurality of pixel data signals corresponding to said first and fourth pluralities of rows of image pixels.
8. The method of claim 7 , further comprising converting said first plurality of pixel data signals to a plurality of video image signals suitable for displaying via an image display device said at least a subordinate portion of said first portion of said two-dimensional image by converting a portion of said first plurality of pixel data signals corresponding to a selected portion of selected ones of said second and third pluralities of rows of image pixels.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein said first and second data rates are substantially equal.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein said second data rate is greater than said first data rate.