Koninklijke Philips Corporation N.v.

Norbert Jung

Kai Eck

Johannes Albert Luijendijk

Hendrik Jan Meulenbrugge

The invention relates to a method of and a device for forming an image which is composed of a plurality of sub-areas, a read-out unit being associated with each sub-area and image data of adjoining image areas of neighboring sub-areas being evaluated in order to mitigate differences in amplification, which device includes a detector with a plurality of sensor elements for forming image data, read-out units which are associated with the sub-areas of the image, an analysis unit which is arranged to evaluate image data from adjoining image areas of neighboring sub-areas and to generate correction data, a correction unit which is arranged to correct incorrect image data by means of correction data, thus enabling a regular and accurate recalibration or correction of non-linear amplifier behavior to be performed without necessitating an additional X-ray dose or interventions by the user.

Device and method for forming an image composed of a plurality of sub-areas

A method for reading out image points of a two-dimensional electronic image sensor includes subdivided the image into at least two different regions where the region of greater interest ROI is read at a scanning rate which is higher than that used for other regions. Consequently, the region of interest can be reproduced with a higher temporal resolution. The sensitivity of the reading unit is adapted in conformity with the scanning rate of a relevant image point so as to take into account the fact that image points that are read out less frequently collect a light intensity over a prolonged period of time and hence may reach high signal strengths. Regions that are less frequently read out can also be irradiated with a lower radiation intensity by applying appropriate masking. The method is very suitable for the imaging of time-critical processes in medical X-ray applications.

Device and method for reading out an electronic image sensor that is subdivided into image points

The invention relates to an X-ray examination apparatus and a method for forming an X-ray image by means of a processing unit () for the correction of image data. In order to achieve automatic correction of imaging defects that are caused by imperfections in the imaging and processing chain, the processing unit () is succeeded by a defect detection unit () for the detection of image defects that can be detected on the basis of image parameters that can be extracted from image data acquired during clinical examinations, and is suitable for adapting processing parameters () that are used in the processing unit () in dependence on the detected image defects. For the detection of image defects that are caused notably by defective sensor elements or pixels of the X-ray detector there is provided a filter unit () which forms a defect table for defective sensor elements in dependence on a threshold value; on the basis of such a defect table a correction table () is formed in the processing unit () in order to be applied to the image data.

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Wuerselen, Germany

Norbert Jung