IP Library Granted Patent US 7,474,731
Granted Patent B2
US 7,474,731 · App. 11/546,742 · Granted Jan 6, 2009

Systems and methods for adaptive image processing using acquisition data and calibration/model data

Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,474,731
App. No.
11/546,742
Granted
Jan 6, 2009
Kind
B2
Abstract

A system and method in which image processing parameters that are used globally or which change locally within the image are adapted to improve image quality by using the acquisition parameters, image analysis data, and calibration/model data. Image processing parameters are established as a function of the acquisition parameters. The acquisition parameters include one or more of an x-ray tube voltage, a pre-filtration, a focal spot size, an x-ray source to detector distance (SID), and a detector readout mode. Image processing parameters may also be established as a function of local or global image analysis, such as signal-to-noise ratio, as well as a function of predicted signal-to-noise ratio determined from the calibration data and a predetermined model.

Claims (119)

1. A method for establishing image processing parameters, comprising:

accessing acquisition parameters for image data;

identifying one or more regions of the image data;

determining a signal level of each region;

determining a noise level of each region;

determining global image processing parameters as a function of the acquisition parameters; and

establishing image processing parameters as a function of the acquisition parameters,

wherein the acquisition parameters comprise one or more of an x-ray tube voltage, a pre-filtration, a focal spot size, an x-ray source to detector distance (SID), and a detector readout mode.

2. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:

determining a signal level of the image data;

determining a noise level of the image data; and

establishing image processing parameters as a function of the acquisition parameters and the signal level and the noise level of the image data.

3. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:

determining local image processing parameters for an individual region as a function of the signal level and the noise level of said individual region.

4. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:

accessing calibration data; and

identifying an expected signal level of the image data as a function of a predetermined model of the acquisition parameters and the calibration data;

identifying an expected noise level of the image data as a function of a predetermined model of the acquisition parameters and the calibration data,

wherein the expected signal level and the expected noise level are utilized in the step of establishing image processing parameters.

5. A method for identifying image processing parameters, comprising:

accessing image data;

accessing acquisition parameters for the image data;

determining an average signal level and an average noise level of the image data;

determining an average noise level of the image data;

identifying one or more of regions of the image data;

determining a signal level and a noise level of each region;

identifying one or more global image processing parameters as a function of the acquisition parameters and the average signal level and the average noise level of the image data; and

identifying one or more local image processing parameters for each region as a function of the signal level and the noise level of each region.

6. The method according to claim 5 , wherein the acquisition parameters comprise one or more of an x-ray tube voltage and a detector readout mode.

7. The method according to claim 6 , wherein the detector readout mode comprises one or more of a zoom size and a binning size.

8. The method according to claim 5 , wherein the global image processing parameters comprise one or more of a kernel size and a gain of a dynamic range compression algorithm.

9. The method according to claim 5 , wherein the local image processing parameters comprise one or more of a kernel size and a gain of an edge enhancement algorithm.

10. The method according to claim 5 , further comprising:

accessing calibration data; and

identifying an expected signal level and an expected noise level of the image data as a function of a predetermined model of the acquisition parameters and the calibration data,

wherein the expected signal level and the expected noise level are utilized in the step of identifying global image processing parameters.

11. A method for selecting image processing parameters, comprising:

receiving image data;

measuring an average signal level and an average noise level of the image data;

dividing the image data into a plurality of regions of interest;

measuring a signal level and a noise level of each region of interest;

selecting global image processing parameters as a function of the average signal level and the average noise level of the image data; and

selecting local image processing parameters for each region of interest as a function of the signal level and the noise level of each region.

12. An apparatus for establishing image processing parameters, comprising:

means for accessing acquisition parameters for image data;

means for identifying one or more regions of the image data;

means for determining a signal level and a noise level of each region;

means for determining local image processing parameters for an individual region as a function of the signal level and the noise level of said individual region; and

means for establishing image processing parameters as a function of the acquisition parameters,

wherein the acquisition parameters comprise one or more of an x-ray tube voltage, a pre-filtration, a focal spot size, an x-ray source to detector distance (SID), and a detector readout mode.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12 , further comprising:

means for determining a signal level and a noise level of the image data; and

means for establishing image processing parameters as a function of the acquisition parameters and the signal level and the noise level of the image data.

14. The apparatus according to claim 12 , further comprising:

means for determining global image processing parameters as a function of the acquisition parameters.

15. The apparatus according to claim 12 , further comprising:

means for accessing calibration data; and

means for identifying an expected signal level and an expected noise level of the image data as a function of a predetermined model of the acquisition parameters and the calibration data.

16. An apparatus for identifying image processing parameters, comprising:

means for accessing image data;

means for accessing acquisition parameters for the image data;

means for determining an average signal level and an average noise level of the image data;

means for identifying one or more of regions of the image data;

means for determining a signal level and a noise level of each region;

means for identifying one or more global image processing parameters as a function of the acquisition parameters and the average signal level and the average noise level of the image data; and

means for identifying one or more local image processing parameters for each region as a function of the signal level and the noise level of each region.

17. The apparatus according to claim 16 , wherein the acquisition parameters comprise one or more of an x-ray tube voltage and a detector readout mode.

18. The apparatus according to claim 17 , wherein the detector readout mode comprises one or more of a zoom size and a binning size.

19. The apparatus according to claim 16 , wherein said global image processing parameters comprise one or more of a kernel size and a gain of a dynamic range compression algorithm.

20. The apparatus according to claim 16 , wherein said local image processing parameters comprise one or more of a kernel size and a gain of an edge enhancement algorithm.

21. The apparatus according to claim 16 , further comprising:

means for accessing calibration data; and

means for identifying an expected signal level and an expected noise level of the image data as a function of a predetermined model of the acquisition parameters and the calibration data.

22. An apparatus for selecting image processing parameters, comprising:

means for receiving image data;

means for measuring an average signal level and an average noise level of the image data;

means for dividing the image data into a plurality of regions of interest;

means for measuring a signal level and a noise level of each region of interest;

means for selecting global image processing parameters as a function of the average signal level and the average noise level of the image data; and

means for selecting local image processing parameters for each region of interest as a function of the signal level and the noise level of each region.

23. A system for establishing image processing parameters, comprising:

at least one memory;

at least one processor, coupled to the at least one memory, the at least one processor adapted to execute code that performs the steps of:

accessing acquisition parameters for image data; and

establishing image processing parameters as a function of the acquisition parameters,

wherein said acquisition parameters comprise one or more of an x-ray tube voltage, a pre-filtration, a focal spot size, an x-ray source to detector distance (SID), and a detector readout mode; and

program code for:

identifying one or more regions of the image data;

determining a signal level and a noise level of each region;

determining global image processing parameters as a function of the acquisition parameters; and

determining local image processing parameters for individual regions as a function of the signal level and the noise level of corresponding individual regions.

24. The system according to claim 23 , further comprising program code for:

determining a signal level and a noise level of the image data; and

establishing image processing parameters as a function of the acquisition parameters and the signal level and the noise level of the image data.

25. The system according to claim 23 , further comprising program code for:

accessing calibration data; and

identifying an expected signal level and an expected noise level of the image data as a function of a predetermined model of the acquisition parameters and the calibration data.

26. A system for identifying image processing parameters, comprising:

at least one memory;

at least one processor, coupled to the at least one memory, the at least one processor adapted to execute code that performs the steps of:

accessing image data;

accessing acquisition parameters for the image data;

determining an average signal level and an average noise level of the image data;

identifying one or more of regions of the image data;

determining a signal level and a noise level of each region;

identifying one or more global image processing parameters as a function of the acquisition parameters and the average signal level and the average noise level of the image data; and

identifying one or more local image processing parameters for each region as a function of the signal level and the noise level of each region.

27. The system according to claim 26 , further comprising program code for:

accessing calibration data; and

identifying an expected signal level and an expected noise level of the image data as a function of a predetermined model of the acquisition parameters and the calibration data.

28. A system for selecting image processing parameters, comprising:

at least one memory;

at least one processor, coupled to the at least one memory, the at least one processor adapted to execute code that performs the steps of:

receiving image data;

measuring an average signal level and an average noise level of the image data;

dividing the image data into a plurality of regions of interest;

measuring a signal level and a noise level of each region of interest;

selecting global image processing parameters as a function of the average signal level and the average noise level of the image data; and

selecting local image processing parameters for each region of interest as a function of the signal level and the noise level of each region.

Assignments (5)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ASSIGNEE PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 066088 FRAME: 0256. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Jan 17, 2024
From: SIEMENS HEALTHCARE GMBH
To: SIEMENS HEALTHINEERS AG
Reel/Frame 071178/0246 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 20, 2023
From: SIEMENS HEALTHCARE GMBH
To: SIEMENS HEALTHINEERS AG
Reel/Frame 066088/0256 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE EXECUTION DATE OF ASSIGNMENT 3, ASSIGNOR SIEMENS MEDICAL SOLUTIONS USA, INC. TO SIEMENS HEALTHCARE GMBH PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 043379 FRAME 0673. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT OF INVENTOR RIGHTS.. Recorded Dec 2, 2020
From: SIEMENS MEDICAL SOLUTIONS USA, INC.
To: SIEMENS HEALTHCARE GMBH
Reel/Frame 056112/0540 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 31, 2017
From: SIEMENS MEDICAL SOLUTIONS USA, INC.
To: SIEMENS HEALTHCARE GMBH
Reel/Frame 043379/0673 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 16, 2006
From: SPAHN, MARTIN
To: SIEMENS MEDICAL SOLUTIONS USA, INC.
Reel/Frame 018526/0145 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 6084077100 · Aug 29, 2006
Related Publication 20080056445A1 · Mar 6, 2008