Automated image evaluation in x-ray imaging

1. A method for automated evaluation of x-ray image data from an examination region of a patient, which comprises the steps of:

receiving the x-ray image data from the examination region;

segmenting the x-ray image data resulting in segmented x-ray image data, the x-ray image data being segmented based on anatomical structures detected in individual segments of the x-ray image data;

determining reference image data coming closest to the segmented x-ray image data on a basis of a comparison of the segmented x-ray image data with the reference image data from a reference database, wherein the reference image data of the reference database having quality information relating to image quality of the reference image data; and

deciding whether the x-ray image data will be retained or rejected, based on the quality information of the reference image data determined.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein a comparison of the segmented x-ray image data with the reference image data is made on a basis of a detected anatomical structure of interest in the segmented x-ray image data.

3. The method according to claim 2 , wherein the comparison is made on the basis of the detected anatomical structure of interest in the segmented x-ray image data with the reference image data on a basis of at least one of the following criteria:

form of the detected anatomical structure;

size of the detected anatomical structure;

absorption distribution in the detected anatomical structure;

existence of implants in the detected anatomical structure and type of the implants;

occurrence of fatalities and fractures;

image context;

distribution of gray levels in an image; and

recording parameters.

4. The method according to claim 2 , wherein the comparison is made on a basis of the detected anatomical structure of interest in the segmented x-ray image data with the reference image data on a basis of clinical patient data.

5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein when determining a closest reference image data, at least one reference image dataset is determined and the x-ray image data will not be rejected, when at least one of the reference image datasets has not been rejected.

6. The method according to claim 5 , wherein the closest reference image data is determined with an aid of an automated comparison method.

7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein a decision as to whether the x-ray image data received will be rejected is made on a basis of whether a system setting has been changed.

8. The method according to claim 1 , wherein, in an event of it having been decided that the x-ray image data received will be rejected, one of the following items of information will be transferred to a user:

information relating to reasons for a decision;

user instructions for changing positioning of the patient and/or of parts of an x-ray imaging device used for recording the x-ray image data; and

statistical data about rejected image data as a warning about a future recording of corresponding x-ray image data.

9. An imaging method, which comprises the steps of:

acquiring x-ray projection data from an examination region of a patient with an aid of an x-ray imaging device;

creating x-ray image data on a basis of the x-ray projection data acquired;

evaluating the x-ray image data using a method according to claim 1 ; and

releasing the x-ray image data for image display in an event a quality of the x-ray image data having been determined as adequate.

10. The method according to claim 9 , wherein, in an event of it having been decided in the evaluating step that the x-ray image data received will be rejected, one of the following instructions will be transferred to a control device of the x-ray imaging device:

instructions for automated image processing of a rejected image; and

instructions for automated correction of a positioning of the patient and/or of parts of the x-ray imaging device.

11. An image data evaluation system, comprising:

an image data acquisition interface unit for receiving x-ray image data from an examination region of a patient;

a segmentation unit for segmentation of the x-ray image data, the x-ray image data being segmented based on detected anatomical structures in individual segments;

a comparator for determining reference image data coming closest to the x-ray image data on a basis of a comparison of a segmented x-ray image data with the reference image data from a reference database, wherein the reference image data of the reference database has quality information relating to an image quality of the reference image data;

an evaluator for deciding whether the x-ray image data received will be rejected, on a basis of the quality information of a determined reference image data.

12. An x-ray imaging device, comprising:

a scanner for acquiring x-ray image data from an examination region of a patient;

a controller for controlling said scanner; and

an image data evaluation system according to claim 11 .

13. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer executable instructions able to be executed by a processing unit, the computer executable instructions performing a method of automated evaluation of x-ray image data from an examination region of a patient, which comprises the steps of:

receiving x-ray image data from the examination region;

segmenting the x-ray image data resulting in segmented x-ray image data, the x-ray image data being segmented based on anatomical structures detected in individual segments of the x-ray image data;

determining reference image data coming closest to the segmented x-ray image data on a basis of a comparison of the segmented x-ray image data with the reference image data from a reference database, wherein the reference image data of the reference database has quality information relating to image quality of the reference image data; and

deciding whether the x-ray image data will be retained or rejected, based on the quality information of the reference image data determined.