Eastman-kodak Company

Other

University of Pittsburgh

Washington University

Bruce R Whiting

John C Boutet

Michael B Brandt

David D Kessler

Andrew Frederick Kurtz

David H Foos

Anthony R Lubinsky

James R Milch

John Gasper

David Gur

Richard Weil

James F Owen

Kyongtae T Bae

Edward J Muka

Susan S Young

David L Modney

Walter F Good

Paul C Ho

A method and apparatus for compressing computed tomography raw image data includes taking image data with a CT scan, stripping away any proprietary frame or reference data, compressing the data using a compression software such as JPEG-LS, and then storing or transmitting the data over a network or the like to another computer or storage/display device. The compression software may be conveniently stored in a computer and ready for processing of the raw CT scan data. The compressed raw CT scan data may then be used to reconstruct images, as desired, at a later date. By compressing the raw data, it is possible to later reconstruct additional or different views than those taken or used at the time of original diagnosis as may be useful for diagnosis of other medical conditions later discovered or to verify a diagnosis previously taken with the exact same data used by the medical professional during the original diagnosis. The original identifying data may also be stored and/or transmitted to allow accurate reconstruction of the original views.

Method and apparatus for compressing computed tomography raw projection data

A method of automatically compressing and decompressing a digital image that is comprised of the following steps: acquiring a digital image through an image acquisition system; generating a look-up-table (companding function) based upon noise characteristics of the image acquisition system; applying the companding function to the image; processing the image using a lossless compression algorithm; reconstructing the image using the associated decompression algorithm; and applying the inverse of the companding function to the image.

Method for statistically lossless compression of digital projection radiographic images

A method of processing a digital image (medical, radiograph) in order to enhance viewing of the image when it is presented for display on a display device (video monitor). An original medical image is digitized and precompensation applied to the digital values to optimize the information content and detail at a CRT, for example. The luminance dynamic range and the spatial frequency content of the original image are reduced to present the most usable image on a display device. The characteristics of the human visual system and the ambient light incident on a calibrated display are factors in the final precompensation of the image.

Method for precompensation of digital images for enhanced presentation

A computed radiography patient identification system which matches a patient with an X-ray image of the patient stored in a stimulable storage phosphor. The system includes a patient identifying bar code uniquely identifying a patient; a stimulable storage phosphor identifying bar code uniquely identifying a stimulable storage phosphor and a portable bar code scanner. The bar code scanner is used to scan the patient bar code and the storage phosphor bar code when a patient is exposed to an X-ray which is stored on the stimulable storage phosphor. Preferably, a mobile X-ray source has an associated set of bar codes identifying X-ray examination types (chest, head, limb, etc.) and/or X-ray exposure conditions. The bar code scanner scans the examination type bar code at the time the X-ray of the patient is taken. The system includes a storage phosphor reader for converting an X-ray image stored in a storage phosphor into an X-ray image signal. The bar code identification of such stimulable phosphor is also read out. The storage phosphor reader receives from the portable bar code reader, information relating to patient identification, storage phosphor identification and examination type and matches the patient identification and examination type with the X-ray image signal.

Computed radiography patient identification system

The method and apparatus for using a light beam to scan media, particularly radiographic film media, for digitization wherein the scanning beam and the media transport path are optimized to minimize interference of the incident directly transmitted scanning beam with light internally reflected back by the light exit surface of the media, which gives rise to significant modulation of the transmitted intensity and forms contour or fringe patterns which follow small variations in the media thickness. An optical light beam shaping system is employed to generate a generally elliptical or elongated cross-section light beam having a major and minor axis. A scanner deflects the light beam through a predetermined, flat scanning angle in a scan direction forming a scanning line on the incident surface of the film media. The film media is transported past the scanning light beam such that successive lines of the media are scanned. Preferably, the transport mechanism orients the film media at a tilted angle to the flat scanning angle of the deflected light beam to minimize the overlap of light reflected back at the light exit surface with incident light at all points of the deflected light beam through the flat scan angle. Preferably, the generally elongated light beam is rotated relative to the cross-scan direction of the film media to allow for the use of a relatively smaller tilt angle than would be necessary with circular or non-rotated generally elongated light beams.

Optical scanner using tilted film media

A light collector for collecting and detecting light emitted by, reflected from, or transmitted through a scanned information medium. The collector includes a planar mirror and side by side pyramidal mirrors which collect light and direct it to a photodetector located at a centrally located aperture in the planar mirror. The collector preferably collects light emitted by a storage phosphor which has been stimulated by stimulating light passed through aligned slots in the collector.

Collector for storage phosphor imaging system

A light collector for collecting and detecting light emitted by, reflected from, or transmitted through a scanned information medium. The collector includes a planar mirror and a facing pyramidal mirror which collect light and direct it to a photodetector located at a centrally located aperture in the apex region of the pyramidal mirror. The collector preferably collects light emitted by a storage phosphor which has been stimulated by stimulating light passed through aligned slots in the collector.

Powder diffraction method and apparatus

To minimize the adverse effects of 'flare' in reading-out stimulable phosphor recording elements, the light-collecting face of a photodetector is provided with a multiplicity of sharp, light-transparent, optical projections. By a combination of reflections and refractions, such optical projections serve to absorb substantially all incident photons thereby preventing phosphor-stimulating photons from being reflected by the photodetector's light-collecting face and exciting non-addressed regions of the recording element. Preferably, the optical projections take the form of a sawtooth array of optical wedges; however, pyramid-shaped and cone-shaped projections are also disclosed.

Apparatus for reading-out stimulable phosphor, radiographic recording

A linear light source for a film scanner includes means for generating an intense beam of light and an elongated cylindrical integrating cavity having diffusely reflective walls, and defining an input port through which the intense beam is introduced into the cavity and an output slit parallel to the long axis of the cylindrical integrating cavity to emit a uniform line of light.

Linear integrating cavity light source used for generating an intense

A wide dynamic range read-out method for a storage phosphor sheet includes the steps of reading out the storage phosphor sheet once to produce a high exposure image detail signal, and a second time to produce a low exposure image detail signal. The image signals are combined to produce a wide dynamic range signal.

Growing community of inventors

Pittsford, NY, United States of America

Bruce R Whiting