A simple variant of the edge method to determine the presampled modulation transfer function (MTF) of digital imaging detectors has been developed that produces sufficiently accurate MTF values for frequencies up to the Nyquist frequency limit of the detector with only a small amount of effort for alignment and computing. An oversampled edge spread function (ESF) is generated from the image of a slanted edge by rearranging the pixel data of N consecutive lines that correspond to a lateral shift of the edge of one pixel. The original data are used for the computational analysis without further data preprocessing. Since the number of lines leading to an edge shift of one pixel is generally a fractional number rather than an integer, a systematic error may be introduced in the MTF obtained. Simulations and theoretical investigations show that for all frequencies up to the Nyquist limit the relative error ΔMTF/MTF is below 1/(2N) and can thus be kept below a given threshold by a suitable choice of N. The method is especially useful for applications where the MTF is needed for frequencies up to the Nyquist frequency limit, like the determination of the detective quantum efficiency (DQE).
A processing method is described which allows to present images with equalized detail contrast, i.e., contrast that is the same in all parts of the image, independent of the chosen look-up table (LUT) or the local signal level. Basically, a multiresolution algorithm is used which splits the image in a number of bandpass images. Only the lowest band (low-pass image) is transmitted through the intensity LUT, while all higher frequency subimages are nonlinearly enhanced and added to the LUT-transformed low-pass image. Nonlinear enhancement is used in order to improve the visibility of weakly contrasting details while minimizing artifacts at high contrast edges. Unfavorable noise enhancement can be avoided by limiting the enhancement in the low-dose areas of the highest frequency subimages. The resulting images show good detail visibility in all parts. Detail rendition in images with equalized contrast is independent of image latitude and of slight variations in overall image brightness or density. Preliminary experience with clinical images show that the display does not need individual parameter tuning for different images, yet allows producing artifact-free, naturally looking images with improved detail visibility for a wide variety of input images. Improvements compared to standard (intensity) equalization processing are evident especially for the mediastinum and subdiaphragmal regions of chest images and in lateral spine examinations that have an inherently large dynamic range.
Five different X-ray imaging systems were evaluated comparatively with respect to low-contrast detail deductibility. The systems included in this study were two screen-film systems (speed classes 200 and 400), a computed radiography system, a digital selenium-based system with electrometer scanning and an indirect-type flat-panel detector system. Images of a contrast-detail phantom were acquired with all systems at a set of exactly matched exposures. The digital images were processed in a way to approximate the density and contrast appearance of the conventional film images when printed on laser film. Six observers evaluated a total number of 46 films. With respect to the threshold contrast for each detail size. Correct observation ratios and threshold contrasts were determined for all sizes and conditions. The overall results show that the low-contrast deductibility with all digital imaging systems is equal to or better than that with the conventional film-screen systems. The advantage is more evident for the newer digital systems (selenium detector and flat-panel detector) whereas the CR images are more on a par with the conventional films. The results can be understood assuming that low-contrast detection is limited mainly by quantum noise in the images and taking into account the different levels of detective quantum efficiency of these imaging systems.
Today's digital radiography systems mostly use unsharp masking-like image enhancement techniques based on splitting input images into two or three frequency channels. This method allows to enhance very small structures (edge enhancement) as well as enhancement of global contrast (harmonization). However, structures of medium size are not accessible by such enhancement. We develop and test a nonlinear enhancement algorithm based on hierarchically repeated unsharp masking, resulting in a multiscale architecture allowing consistent access to structures of all sizes. The algorithm is noise- resistant in the sense that it prevents unacceptable noise amplification. Clinical tests performed in the radiology departments of two major German hospitals so far strongly indicate the superior performance and high acceptance of the new processing.
This study was performed to investigate the effect of an additional antiscatter grid on the detail signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and the visual detail detectability with a digital chest radiography system. An anthropomorphic chest phantom with different types of superimposed lesions was used to obtain four series of images simulating slim and thick patients, both with and without an additional grid. The exposure to the phantom was identical for the grid and non- grid situations. Difference images were then produced by subtracting an 'empty' thorax image (without superimposed lesions) from each image of the series. The difference images were used to measure detail contrast and detail SNR in different areas of the chest. Although the grid generally improved the lesion contrast, an improvement in lesion SNR was only obtained for some lesions in the obscured regions. In the lung area the lesion SNR was lower with the grid. ROC analysis showed only minor differences between grid and non-grid images in the visual detectability of the lesions; detectability was significantly higher, however, in the difference images compared to the original chest images. The results indicate that the use of the additional antiscatter grid is not necessary if the image contrast is restored by suitable image processing. Methods which reduce or eliminate the overlying anatomical structures in chest images lead to a significantly higher lesion detectability.
Access to the requested content is limited to institutions that have purchased or subscribe to SPIE eBooks.
You are receiving this notice because your organization may not have SPIE eBooks access.*
*Shibboleth/Open Athens users─please
sign in
to access your institution's subscriptions.
To obtain this item, you may purchase the complete book in print or electronic format on
SPIE.org.
INSTITUTIONAL Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.
PERSONAL Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.