Device and method for signal compensation in medical X-ray images

1. A device for processing signals in order to remove artefacts between consecutive X-ray images, the artefacts appearing due to high radiation doses and a short time between X-ray exposures of the consecutive X-ray images, the device comprising:

a processor configured to:

generate an X-ray ghosting image based on an X-ray detector read-out subsequent to a last X-ray exposure of a plurality of X-ray exposures;

scale the X-ray ghosting image to obtain a scaled X-ray ghosting image using a scaling operation that is different for each subsequent X-ray image, wherein the scaling operation is a function of the time-dependent decay of the X-ray ghosting image; and

subtract each of the scaled X-ray ghosting images from each of the corresponding subsequent X-ray images obtained during a respective subsequent X-ray exposure of the plurality of X-ray exposures.

2. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the X-ray ghosting image is generated based on an X-ray detector read-out prior to a first X-ray exposure of the plurality of X-ray exposures.

3. The device according to claim 2 , wherein the X-ray detector read-out prior to the first X-ray exposure is subtracted from a first X-ray image recorded during the first X-ray exposure and/or from any subsequent X-ray image.

4. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the scaling operation is (i) proportional to a time period between the X-ray detector read-out subsequent to the last X-ray exposure and the first X-ray exposure, and/or (ii) inversely proportional to a time period between the first X-ray exposure and any subsequent X-ray exposure.

5. The device according to claim 4 , wherein the scaling operation is based on a time period between (i) the X-ray detector read-out subsequent to the last X-ray exposure and the first X-ray exposure, and/or (ii) the first X-ray exposure and the second X-ray exposure.

6. The device according to claim 5 , wherein the scaling operation is based on minimization of a calculated image variance of at least one subsequent X-ray image.

7. A medical imaging system, comprising:

a flat panel X-ray detector; and

a device for processing signals in order to remove artefacts between consecutive X-ray images, the artefacts appearing due to high radiation doses and a short time between X-ray exposures of the consecutive X-ray images, the device comprising:

a processor configured to:

generate an X-ray ghosting image based on an X-ray detector read-out subsequent to a last X-ray exposure of a plurality of X-ray exposures;

scale the X-ray ghosting image to obtain a scaled X-ray ghosting image using a scaling operation that is different for each subsequent X-ray image, wherein the scaling operation is a function of the time-dependent decay of the X-ray ghosting image; and

subtract each of the scaled X-ray ghosting images from each of the corresponding subsequent X-ray images obtained during a respective subsequent X-ray exposure of the plurality of X-ray exposures.

8. The medical imaging system according to claim 7 , further comprising image stitching by combining a plurality of X-ray images having partially overlapping fields of view to produce a joined X-ray image.

9. A method for processing signals in order to remove artefacts between consecutive X-ray images, the artefacts appearing due to high radiation doses and a short time between X-ray exposures of the consecutive X-ray images, the method comprising:

generating, by a processor, an X-ray ghosting image based on an X-ray detector read-out subsequent to a last X-ray exposure of a plurality of X-ray exposures;

scaling, the X-ray ghosting image to obtain a scaled X-ray ghosting image using a scaling operation that is different for each subsequent X-ray image, wherein the scaling operation is a function of the time-dependent decay of the X-ray ghosting image; and

subtracting each of the scaled X-ray ghosting images from each of the corresponding subsequent X-ray images obtained during a respective subsequent X-ray exposure of the plurality of X-ray exposures.

10. The method according to claim 9 , further comprising generating the X-ray ghosting image based on an X-ray detector read-out prior to a first X-ray exposure of the plurality of X-ray exposures.

11. The method according to claim 9 , further comprising subtracting the X-ray detector read-out prior to the first X-ray exposure from a first X-ray image recorded during the first X-ray exposure and/or from any subsequent X-ray image.

12. The method according to claim 9 , wherein the scaling operation is based on minimization of a calculated image variance of at least one subsequent X-ray image.

13. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having one or more executable instructions stored thereon, which when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform a method for processing signals in order to remove artefacts between consecutive X-ray images, the artefacts appearing due to high radiation doses and a short time between X-ray exposures of the consecutive X-ray images, the method comprising:

generating an X-ray ghosting image based on an X-ray detector read-out subsequent to a last X-ray exposure of a plurality of X-ray exposures;

scaling the X-ray ghosting image to obtain a scaled X-ray ghosting image using a scaling operation that is different for each subsequent X-ray image, wherein the scaling operation is a function of the time-dependent decay of the X-ray ghosting image; and

subtracting each of the scaled X-ray ghosting images from each of the corresponding subsequent X-ray images obtained during a respective subsequent X-ray exposure of the plurality of X-ray exposures.