US4456926A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Enhancement of fluroscopically generated images
Assignee: Thomson CSF Broadcast Inc
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Filing: 1982-06-21
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Granted: 1984-06-26
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Expires: 2002-06-21
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and method is disclosed for generating a processed video signal representative of an x-ray image. A filter function is employed that is retrospectively matched to the temporal response of a bolus of contrast material passing through a body region of interest.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert A. Kruger
- 👤 Stanley N. Baron
- 👤 Ping Y. Liu
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 23:22
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06T; G06T5/00; G06T5/50; H; H04; H04N; H04N23/00; H04N23/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 65
Claim 1
Independent Claim
166 words
Apparatus for generating a processed video signal representative of an image of a body, comprising: a source of radiation directable at the body; means for detecting radiation received from the body; means for converting the detected radiation into an electronic video signal; means for storing a series of frames of said video signal as pixel values at respective pixel positions; means for determining, for each frame, i, of the series, an average pixel value, S i , for the frame; means for determining, for each frame, of the series, an enhancement value, k i , as a function of the average pixel value, S i , for the frame; means for combining the pixel values of the pixels of each of the stored frames, i, with the enhancement value k i for the frame to obtain enhanced pixel values; and means for combining the enhanced pixel values of corresponding pixels of the frames of the sequence to obtain a processed pixel value at each pixel position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
166 words
Apparatus for generating a processed video signal representative of an image of a body, comprising: a source of radiation directable at the body; means for detecting radiation received from the body; means for converting the detected radiation into an electronic video signal; means for storing a series of frames of said video signal as pixel values at respective pixel positions; means for determining, for each frame, i, of the series, an average pixel value, S i , for the frame; means for determining, for each frame, of the series, an enhancement value, k i , as a function of the average pixel value, S i , for the frame; means for combining the pixel values of the pixels of each of the stored frames, i, with the enhancement value k i for the frame to obtain enhanced pixel values; and means for combining the enhanced pixel values of corresponding pixels of the frames of the sequence to obtain a processed pixel value at each pixel position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 1, wherein each enhancement value, k i , is obtained from the difference Si i -S, where S is the average of the S i values
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 1, wherein said means for determining S i for each frame i is operative to sum the pixel values of the frame i.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 2, wherein said means for determining S i for each frame i is operative to sum the pixel values of the frame i.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 1, wherein said means for determining S i for each frame i is operative to sum the pixel values of the frame i within a preselected non-unity fractional area of the frame.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 2, wherein said means for determining S i for each frame i is operative to sum the pixel values of the frame i within a preselected non-unity fractional area of the frame.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 1, wherein each pixel value is representative of the absorption of x-rays of the elemental portion of the body at the position of the pixel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 2, wherein each pixel value is representative of the absorption of x-rays of the elemental portion of the body at the position of the pixel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 4, wherein each pixel value is representative of the absorption of x-rays of the elemental portion of the body at the position of the pixel.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 6, wherein each pixel value is representative of the absorption of x-rays of the elemental portion of the body at the position of the pixel.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 1, wherein said means for combining the enhanced pixel values of corresponding pixels of the frames is operative to add said pixel values of corresponding pixels.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 2, wherein said means for combining the enhanced pixel values of corresponding pixels of the frames is operative to add said pixel values of corresponding pixels.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 4, wherein said means for combining the enhanced pixel values of corresponding pixels of the frames is operative to add said pixel values of corresponding pixels.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 6, wherein said means for combining the enhanced pixel values of corresponding pixels of the frames is operative to add said pixel values of corresponding pixels.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
47 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 1, wherein said means for combining the pixel values of each of the stored frames, i, with the enhancement value k i for the frame is operative to multiply each of said pixel values of the frame i by k i .
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
47 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 2, wherein said means for combining the pixel values of each of the stored frames, i, with the enhancement value k i for the frame is operative to multiply each of said pixel values of the frame i by k i .
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
47 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 6, wherein said means for combining the pixel values of each of the stored frames, i, with the enhancement value k i for the frame is operative to multiply each of said pixel values of the frame i by k i .
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
47 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 13, wherein said means for combining the pixel values of each of the stored frames, i, with the enhancement value k i for the frame is operative to multiply each of said pixel values of the frame i by k i .
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 1, further comprising means for converting said processed pixel values from digital to analog form.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 2, further comprising means for converting said processed pixel values from digital to analog form.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 6, further comprising means for converting said processed pixel values to analog form.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 13, further comprising means for converting said processed pixel values to analog form.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
179 words
For use in conjunction with an x-ray system that includes a source of radiation directable at a body, means for detecting radiation received from the body, and means for converting the detected radiation into an electronic video signal; an apparatus for generating a processed video signal representative of an image of the body, comprising: means for storing a series of frames of said video signal as pixel values at respective pixel positions; means for determining, for each frame, i, of the series, an average pixel value, S i , for the frame; means for determining, for each frame, i, of the series, an enhancement value, k i , as a function of the average pixel value, S i , for the frame; means for combining the pixel values of the pixels of each of the stored frames, i, with the enhancement value k i for the frame to obtain enhanced pixel values; and means for combining the enhanced pixel values of corresponding pixels of the frames of the sequence to obtain a processed pixel value at each pixel position.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
179 words
For use in conjunction with an x-ray system that includes a source of radiation directable at a body, means for detecting radiation received from the body, and means for converting the detected radiation into an electronic video signal; an apparatus for generating a processed video signal representative of an image of the body, comprising: means for storing a series of frames of said video signal as pixel values at respective pixel positions; means for determining, for each frame, i, of the series, an average pixel value, S i , for the frame; means for determining, for each frame, i, of the series, an enhancement value, k i , as a function of the average pixel value, S i , for the frame; means for combining the pixel values of the pixels of each of the stored frames, i, with the enhancement value k i for the frame to obtain enhanced pixel values; and means for combining the enhanced pixel values of corresponding pixels of the frames of the sequence to obtain a processed pixel value at each pixel position.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 23, wherein each enhancement value, k i , is obtained from the difference S i-S , where S is the average of the S i values.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 23, wherein said means for determining S i for each frame i is operative to sum the pixel values of the frame i.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 24, wherein said means for determining S i for each frame i is operative to sum the pixel values of the frame i.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 23, wherein said means for determining S i for each frame i is operative to sum the pixel values of the frame i within a preselected nonunity fractional area of the frame.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 24, wherein said means for determining S i for each frame i is operative to sum the pixel values of the frame i within a preselected nonunity fractional area of the frame.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 23, wherein each pixel value is representative of the absorption of x-rays of the elemental portion of the body at the position of the pixel.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 24, wherein each pixel value is representative of the absorption of x-rays of the elemental portion of the body at the position of the pixel.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 26, wherein each pixel value is representative of the absorption of x-rays of the elemental portion of the body at the position of the pixel.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 28, wherein each pixel value is representative of the absorption of x-rays of the elemental portion of the body at the position of the pixel.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 23, wherein said means for combining the enhanced pixel values of corresponding pixels of the frames is operative to add said pixel values of corresponding pixels.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 24, wherein said means for combining the enhanced pixel values of corresponding pixels of the frames is operative to add said pixel values of corresponding pixels.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 26, wherein said means for combining the enhanced pixel values of corresponding pixels of the frames is operative to add said pixel values of corresponding pixels.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 28, wherein said means for combining the enhanced pixel values of corresponding pixels of the frames is operative to add said pixel values of corresponding pixels.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
47 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 23, wherein said means for combining the pixel values of each of the stored frames, i, with the enhancement value k i for the frame is operative to multiply each of said pixel values of the frame i by k i .
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
47 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 24, wherein said means for combining the pixel values of each of the stored frames, i, with the enhancement value k i for the frame is operative to multiply each of said pixel values of the frame i by k i .
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
47 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 28, wherein said means for combining the pixel values of each of the stored frames, i, with the enhancement value k i for the frame is operative to multiply each of said pixel values of the frame i by k i .
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
47 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 35, wherein said means for combining the pixel values of each of the stored frames, i, with the enhancement value k i for the frame is operative to multiply each of said pixel values of the frame i by k i .
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 23, further comprising means for converting said processed pixel values from digital to analog form.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 24, further comprising means for converting said processed pixel values from digital to analog form.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 28, further comprising means for converting said processed pixel values from digital to analog form.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 35, further comprising means for converting said processed pixel values from digital to analog form.
Claim 47
Independent Claim
141 words
A method for generating a processed video signal representative of an image of a body, comprising the steps of: directing radiation at the body; detecting radiation received from the body; converting the detected radiation into an electronic video signal; storing a series of frames of said video signal as pixel values at respective pixel positions; determining, for each frame of the series, an average pixel value for the frame; determining, for each frame of the series, an enhancement value as a function of the average pixel value for the frame; combining the pixel values of the pixels of each of the stored frames with the respective enhancement value for the frame to obtain enhanced pixel values; and combining the enhanced pixel values of corresponding pixels of the frames of the sequence to obtain a processed pixel value at each pixel position.
Claim 48
Independent Claim
141 words
A method for generating a processed video signal representative of an image of a body, comprising the steps of: directing radiation at the body; detecting radiation received from the body; converting the detected radiation into an electronic video signal; storing a series of frames of said video signal as pixel values at respective pixel positions; determining, for each frame of the series, an average pixel value for the frame; determining, for each frame of the series, an enhancement value as a function of the average pixel value for the frame; combining the pixel values of the pixels of each of the stored frames with the respective enhancement value for the frame to obtain enhanced pixel values; and combining the enhanced pixel values of corresponding pixels of the frames of the sequence to obtain a processed pixel value at each pixel position.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method as defined by claim 1, wherein each enhancement value is obtained from the difference between the average pixel value for the frame and the overall average pixel value for all frames of the sequence.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method as defined by claim 45, wherein said step of determining the average pixel value for each frame comprises summing the pixel values of the frame.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method as defined by claim 46, wherein said step of determining the average pixel value for each frame comprises summing the pixel values of the frame.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method as defined by claim 45, wherein said step of determining the average pixel value for each frame comprises summing the pixel values of the frame within a preselected non-unity fractional area of the frame.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method as defined by claim 46, wherein said step of determining the average pixel value for each frame comprises summing the pixel values of the frame within a preselected non-unity fractional area of the frame.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method as defined by claim 45, wherein each pixel value is representative of the absorption of x-rays of the elemental portion of the body at the position of the pixel.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method as defined by claim 46, wherein each pixel value is representative of the absorption of x-rays of the elemental portion of the body at the position of the pixel.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method as defined by claim 48, wherein each pixel value is representative of the absorption of x-rays of the elemental portion of the body at the position of the pixel.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method as defined by claim 50, wherein each pixel value is representative of the absorption of x-rays of the elemental portion of the body at the position of the pixel.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method as defined by claim 45, wherein said step of combining the enhanced pixel values of corresponding pixels of the frames comprises adding said pixel values of corresponding pixels.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method as defined by claim 46, wherein said step of combining the enhanced pixel values of corresponding pixels of the frames comprises adding said pixel values of corresponding pixels.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method as defined by claim 48, wherein said step of combining the enhanced pixel values of corresponding pixels of the frames comprises adding said pixel values of corresponding pixels.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method as defined by claim 50, wherein said step of combining the enhanced pixel values of corresponding pixels of the frames comprises adding said pixel values of corresponding pixels.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method as defined by claim 45, wherein said step of combining the pixel values of each of the stored frames with the enhancement value for the frame comprises multiplying each of said pixel values of the frame by the enhancement value for the frame.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method as defined by claim 46, wherein said step of combining the pixel values of each of the stored frames with the enhancement value for the frame comprises multiplying each of said pixel values of the frame by the enhancement value for the frame.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method as defined by claim 50, wherein said step of combining the pixel values of each of the stored frames with the enhancement value for the frame comprises multiplying each of said pixel values of the frame by the enhancement value for the frame.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method as defined by claim 57, wherein said step of combining the pixel values of each of the stored frames with the enhancement value for the frame comprises multiplying each of said pixel values of the frame by the enhancement value for the frame.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-06-26 | 1987-12-26 | 1988-06-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-06-26 | 1991-12-26 | 1992-06-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-06-26 | 1995-12-26 | 1996-06-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |