Method and device for generating a low-dose X-ray image preview, imaging system and computer program product

1. A method of generating a preview of a low-dose x-ray image, the method comprising the following steps:

obtaining an initial volumetric representation of a patient by an x-ray device;

creating one or more x-ray image projections from the initial volumetric representation;

injecting correlated noise into at least one of the x-ray image projections to form one or more noise-injected x-ray image projections;

processing the noise-injected x-ray image projections to generate at least one preview of a patient-specific low-dose x-ray image for display to a user according to a task specific to the patient.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the initial volumetric representation is a preoperative computed tomography scan.

3. The method according to claim 1 , which comprises causing a low-dose x-ray image preview to simulate an intraoperative cone-beam computed tomography image.

4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the step of creating at least one x-ray image projection based on the initial volumetric representation comprises one of more of the following: simulating tube voltage and filtration, beam hardening, detector energy response of a cone-beam computer tomograph.

5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the step of creating an x-ray image projection based on the initial volumetric representation comprises adding scatter to the x-ray image projection.

6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the step of creating an x-ray image projection based on the initial volumetric representation comprises introducing system blur into the x-ray image projection.

7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the step of creating an x-ray image projection based on the initial volumetric representation comprises virtually inserting an additional object into the x-ray image projection.

8. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the step of creating an x-ray image projection based on the initial volumetric representation comprises virtually removing material from the x-ray image projection.

9. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the correlated noise injected into an x-ray image projection represents a reduced x-ray exposure.

10. The method according to claim 1 , which comprises presenting previews at various, differing dose levels to a user for selection of a protocol for an imaging task.

11. The method according to claim 10 , wherein the protocol comprises a cone-beam computer tomograph protocol including system geometry, orbit, and technique acquisition parameters; reconstruction parameters; and post-processing algorithms.

12. A device for generating at least one preview of a low-dose x-ray image, the device comprising:

a data processor and a display device in communication with said data processor, said data processor being configured to:

obtain an initial volumetric representation of a patient by way of an x-ray device;

create at least one x-ray image projection from the initial volumetric representation;

inject correlated noise into at least one of the x-ray image projections to form at least one noise-injected x-ray image projection;

process the at least one noise-injected x-ray image projection to generate at least one preview of a patient-specific low-dose x-ray image for display to a user on said display device.

13. An imaging system for generating a preview of at least one low-dose x-ray image, the imaging system comprising:

a data processor;

a display device in communication with said data processor; and

an x-ray device in communication with the data processor;

wherein said data processor is configured to:

obtain an initial volumetric representation of a patient;

create at least one x-ray image projection from the initial volumetric representation;

inject correlated noise into at least one of the x-ray image projections;

process the noise-injected x-ray image projections to create at least one preview of a patient-specific low-dose x-ray image;

show the at least one low-dose x-ray image preview on the display device to a user for selection of a protocol for an imaging task using said x-ray device.

14. The imaging system according to claim 13 , wherein said x-ray device is a cone-beam computer tomograph, and the initial volumetric representation of the patient is obtained from a computer tomograph.

15. A non-transitory computer-readable medium, comprising a computer program product for carrying out the steps of the method according to claim 1 when the computer program product is loaded into a memory and executed by a data processor of the device according to claim 12 .