基于RCSCT变换的DR图像去噪及加速

目的 数字化X线摄影（digital radiography,DR）图像中的高斯噪声对图像质量影响大,消除此类噪声有利于提高图像质量以辅助医生做出正确的诊断.方法 为抑制DR图像的高斯噪声,首先采用递归循环平移与Contourlet变换结合的（recursive cycle spinning Contourlet transform,RCSCT）方法变换分解DR图像,接着采用连续的二元软阈值函数处理变换系数防止系数被过度扼杀,然后基于CUDA（compute unified device architecture,计算统一设备架构）平台对去噪方法加速.结果 该方法提高了去噪后的图像峰值信噪比,有效抑制了伪吉布斯现象,保留了更多的图像细节信息,并且加速处理后运算耗时较短.结论 本文方法比小波变换和Contourlet变换在保留视觉细节信息方面效果更优,算法耗时少,实用性好.     

基于Contourlet阈值法的锥形束CT图像去噪研究

目的：将多尺度分析工具之一的Contourlet变换运用到锥形束CT（CBCT）图像去噪领域,并对Contourlet不同阈值去噪方法进行探讨。提出基于Contourlet变换结合半软阈值方法对锥形束CT去噪,并论证去噪效果。方法：利用Contourlet变换的多尺度多方向性以及平移不变性,对低分辨率锥形束CT图像进行拉普拉斯塔形滤波和方向滤波多层分解后得到变换系数,随后对变换系数采用不同阈值方法进行处理,最后逆序反变换得到去噪后图像。通过软阈值和硬阈值方法在Contourlet变换中的应用,提出半软阈值结合Contourlet变换方法对锥形束CT图像去噪。通过对头,胸,盆腔各10例临床锥形束CT图像的去噪,比较三种阈值去噪效果。结果：半软阈值法在胸部和盆腔部锥形束CT图像去噪中比Contourlet硬阈值去噪在PSNR上平均高出1.40 d B和3.11 d B,但在头部锥形束CT图像处理中无优势,而Contourlet软阈值去噪后的锥形束CT图像在消除噪声的同时,信号自身的能量被消弱最多。结论：本文半软阈值法在一定程度上修正了硬,软阈值函数的缺陷,结合Contourlet变换在处理图像几何结构方面的优势,为锥形束CT图像去噪提供了一个新思路。     

A Novel Algorithm for Microcirculation Image Enhancement

Microcirculation images often have low quality in acquisition process,which affect the following steps of process.This paper introduces enhancement algorithm based on nonsubsampled Contourlet transform (NSCT).It analyzes the characteristics of the microcirculation images generated,and separates microcirculation images to light weight and the reflection weight.It also analyzes the construction method on NSCT and proves that this method can be applied on microcirculation image enhancement algorithm.To correct light weight of microcirculation image and obtain enhancement image the enhancement microcirculation image was not only superior to the original image visually,but also improved objective data obviously.The algorithms provide a new method to microcirculation image pre-processing and guide the latter steps of the image processing.     

A wavelet-based spatially adaptive method for mammographic contrast enhancement

A method aimed at minimizing image noise while optimizing contrast of image features is presented. The method is generic and it is based on local modification of multiscale gradient magnitude values provided by the redundant dyadic wavelet transform. Denoising is accomplished by a spatially adaptive thresholding strategy, taking into account local signal and noise standard deviation. Noise standard deviation is estimated from the background of the mammogram. Contrast enhancement is accomplished by applying a local linear mapping operator on denoised wavelet magnitude values. The operator normalizes local gradient magnitude maxima to the global maximum of the first scale magnitude subimage. Coefficient mapping is controlled by a local gain limit parameter. The processed image is derived by reconstruction from the modified wavelet coefficients. The method is demonstrated with a simulated image with added Gaussian noise, while an initial quantitative performance evaluation using 22 images from the DDSM database was performed. Enhancement was applied globally to each mammogram, using the same local gain limit value. Quantitative contrast and noise metrics were used to evaluate the quality of processed image regions containing verified lesions. Results suggest that the method offers significantly improved performance over conventional and previously reported global wavelet contrast enhancement methods. The average contrast improvement, noise amplification and contrast-to-noise ratio improvement indices were measured as 9.04, 4.86 and 3.04, respectively. In addition, in a pilot preference study, the proposed method demonstrated the highest ranking, among the methods compared. The method was implemented in C++ and integrated into a medical image visualization tool.     

应用连续小波变换检测和增强DSA血管影像的研究

数字血管减影的影像中的血管像具有对比度低的特点。本文用一种全新的思想实现DSA影像中血管像的增强,即先应用小波变换技术检测血管边缘,使其从背景中分离出来,再应用对比度拉伸的方法进一步增强血管同背景的对比度,由于本文使用的连续小波变换可从不同方向上检测影像灰度变化情况,所以检测到的影像边缘更准确全面,而且由于噪声的小波变换的模较小,较好地抑制了减影像中的背景噪音,处理后的血管影像具有三维实体的视觉效果。     

超声医学图像滤波和对比度增强新方法

较低的对比度和独有的speckle噪声是影响超声医学图像质量的主要原因,本研究利用各向异性扩散滤波,在去除图像中大量噪声的同时,计算滤波过程中图像信息的丢失,从而得到对比度增强模型中的对比度函数,并利用对比度增强模型达到图像对比度增强的目的。实验结果表明,与滤波后的直方图均衡化后结果相比,不仅能够有效地去除图像中的噪声,也能明显提高图像对比度。因此,本文方法是提高超声医学图像质量的一种有效途径。     

Retinal image restoration by means of blind deconvolution

Retinal imaging plays a key role in the diagnosis and management of ophthalmologic disorders, such as diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration. Because of the acquisition process, retinal images often suffer from blurring and uneven illumination. This problem may seriously affect disease diagnosis and progression assessment. Here we present a method for color retinal image restoration by means of multichannel blind deconvolution. The method is applied to a pair of retinal images acquired within a lapse of time, ranging from several minutes to months. It consists of a series of preprocessing steps to adjust the images so they comply with the considered degradation model, followed by the estimation of the point-spread function and, ultimately, image deconvolution. The preprocessing is mainly composed of image registration, uneven illumination compensation, and segmentation of areas with structural changes. In addition, we have developed a procedure for the detection and visualization of structural changes. This enables the identification of subtle developments in the retina not caused by variation in illumination or blur. The method was tested on synthetic and real images. Encouraging experimental results show that the method is capable of significant restoration of degraded retinal images.     

基于模糊最大熵的医学X增强方射线图像边缘法研究

目的：由于医学X射线图像在数字化成像过程中容易受到成像设备中射线散射、电器噪声以及人体组织结构的复杂性等因素的影响,导致数字医学x射线图像的质量不高。因此,针对数字医学X射线图像对比度较差,目标细节信息不明显的特点,研究了一种基于模糊最大熵的图像边缘增强算法。方法：首先将医学X射线图像从灰阶域变换到模糊域。然后通过最大熵准则确定模糊阈值将医学X射线图像分为目标和背景两部分．并分别对其进行图像增强处理．最后再映射回到灰阶域。结果：本文以主动脉造影X射线图像为例,对其分别进行经典模糊边缘增强、反锐化边缘增强和模糊最大熵边缘增强处理,并对处理后图像的相关参数进行定量分析。结论：结果表明基于模糊最大熵算法处理后的图像质量高．边缘细节信息明显增强,且该算法相比其它两种算法具有更好的抗噪性。     

基于Retinex理论的眼底彩色图像增强算法

眼底彩色图像存在亮度低、对比度差、局部细节丢失等问题,分析已有Retinex图像增强方法存在的问题,在此基础上提出一种改进的基于Retinex理论的眼底彩色图像增强方法。首先提取亮度分量,对亮度通道进行多尺度Retinex增强,改进将图像映射到显示器上的gain/offset 算法以及颜色恢复方法,最后对具有亮度信息的红色通道进行恢复。为验证方法的有效性,以DIARETDB0眼底图像数据库为研究对象,并与多尺度Retinex(MSR)、带色彩恢复的多尺度Retinex(MSRCR)、直方图均衡化(HE)、对比度受限自适应直方图均衡化(CLAHE) 4种经典增强算法进行比较。结果表明,所处理的图像在色彩保护、血管对比度的提升以及图像细节的增强方面比其他图像增强方法有更好的效果,信息熵提高5%～7%,峰值信噪比(PSNR)比传统方法提高1～2倍,客观评价指标明显优于当前常用的眼底图像增强方法,对进一步眼底图像的识别具有重要的意义。     

基于Contourlet变换的CT和锥形束CT图像配准算法

目的提出一种基于Contourlet变换,用于放射治疗定位的CT与锥形束CT（cone beam CT,CBCT）图像配准的方法。方法利用Contourlet变换多尺度多方向的分辨特性,将待配准图像进行Contourlet变换分解,分解后的高频方向子带合成梯度图像,采用归一化互信息作为相似性测度,把梯度图像与低频方向子带以加权函数结合,进行临床医学图像的刚性配准,有效弥补了互信息配准中缺少空间信息的不足。结果通过已知空间变换参数图像的配准结果验证了算法的准确性。配准后lO幅图像变换参数的误差极小,且均方根误差接近于0。结论该图像配准算法精确度高,并具有很好的鲁棒性,有助于提高图像引导放射治疗（image guid edradiation therapy,IGRT）中解剖组织结构和靶区的定位精度。     

Application of the EM algorithm to radiographic images.

The expectation maximization (EM) algorithm has received considerable attention in the area of positron emitted tomography (PET) as a restoration and reconstruction technique. In this paper, the restoration capabilities of the EM algorithm when applied to radiographic images is investigated. This application does not involve reconstruction. The performance of the EM algorithm is quantitatively evaluated using a "perceived" signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) as the image quality metric. This perceived SNR is based on statistical decision theory and includes both the observer's visual response function and a noise component internal to the eye-brain system. For a variety of processing parameters, the relative SNR (ratio of the processed SNR to the original SNR) is calculated and used as a metric to compare quantitatively the effects of the EM algorithm with two other image enhancement techniques: global contrast enhancement (windowing) and unsharp mask filtering. The results suggest that the EM algorithm's performance is superior when compared to unsharp mask filtering and global contrast enhancement for radiographic images which contain objects smaller than 4 mm.     

Optimization of image process parameters through factorial experiments using a flat panel detector

In the optimization process of lumbar spine examinations, factorial experiments were performed addressing the question of whether the effective dose can be reduced and the image quality maintained by adjusting the image processing parameters. A 2k-factorial design was used which is a systematic and effective method of investigating the influence of many parameters on a result variable. Radiographic images of a Contrast Detail phantom were exposed using the default settings of the process parameters for lumbar spine examinations. The image was processed using different settings of the process parameters. The parameters studied were ROI density, gamma, detail contrast enhancement (DCE), noise compensation, unsharp masking and unsharp masking kernel (UMK). The images were computer analysed and an image quality figure (IQF) was calculated and used as a measurement of the image quality. The parameters with the largest influence on image quality were noise compensation, unsharp masking, unsharp masking kernel and detail contrast enhancement. There was an interaction between unsharp masking and kernel indicating that increasing the unsharp masking improved the image quality when combined with a large kernel size. Combined with a small kernel size however the unsharp masking had a deteriorating effect. Performing a factorial experiment gave an overview of how the image quality was influenced by image processing. By adjusting the level of noise compensation, unsharp masking and kernel, the IQF was improved to a 30% lower effective dose.     

基于3D体素增强和3D alpha背景分离的多发性硬化症病灶分割方法

目的:提出一种用于T1加权像、T2加权像和流体衰减反演恢复（Flair）磁共振图像的多发性硬化症（MS）病变分割方法。方法:首先基于3D图像增强技术,将高强度MS病变区域与其他组织区域区分开来。然后利用假阳性降低方法,去除一些强度和密度不均匀的假阳性目标区域（VOI）,并利用颜色分割法去除白质之外的VOI。最后利用彩色MR技术生成3个区域,以便细化分割MS病变。结果:在CHB数据集上进行测试,得到真阳率均值为0.48,Dice相似系数均值为0.52。结论:该方法能够有效去除噪声及其他无关非病变组织,并能准确识别并分割MS病变,该方法的有效性、准确性能为后续的MS分割技术分析提供依据。同时为MS病变的预防治疗、病情跟踪提供客观、方便的诊疗方法。 【关键词】多发性硬化症;病灶分割;3D体素增强;3D alpha背景分离;颜色分割技术     

Adaptive local contrast enhancement method for medical images displayed on a video monitor

It is known that light-box luminance is an important factor in the detection of objects on radiographs. Existing methods for image contrast enhancement do not consider the luminance effect so that the enhancement may be inappropriate for the processed image displayed on a video monitor. Based on the properties of human visual system (HVS), an adaptive local contrast enhancement (ALCE) method was developed to enhance the medical image displayed on the video monitor by investigating the influence on human eyes of display luminance difference between a conventional light-box and a video monitor. The HVS model indicated parts of a radiograph unclear to human eyes at a given display luminance. By calculating the contrast of the image pixel by pixel, we found the parts of an image that are needed to be amplified at low display luminance and provided these parts with adequate enhancement. The processed image displayed on a video monitor was visually equivalent to the raw radiograph displayed on a light-box. A quantitative evaluation method of image quality assessment was used to compare the ALCE-processed image with others.     

CT and MR Image Fusion Scheme in Nonsubsampled Contourlet Transform Domain

Fusion of CT and MR images allows simultaneous visualization of details of bony anatomy provided by CT image and details of soft tissue anatomy provided by MR image. This helps the radiologist for the precise diagnosis of disease and for more effective interventional treatment procedures. This paper aims at designing an effective CT and MR image fusion method. In the proposed method, first source images are decomposed by using nonsubsampled contourlet transform (NSCT) which is a shift-invariant, multiresolution and multidirection image decomposition transform. Maximum entropy of square of the coefficients with in a local window is used for low-frequency sub-band coefficient selection. Maximum weighted sum-modified Laplacian is used for high-frequency sub-bands coefficient selection. Finally fused image is obtained through inverse NSCT. CT and MR images of different cases have been used to test the proposed method and results are compared with those of the other conventional image fusion methods. Both visual analysis and quantitative evaluation of experimental results shows the superiority of proposed method as compared to other methods.     

Ensemble empirical mode decomposition based feature enhancement of cardio signals

This paper presents an application of ensemble empirical mode decomposition method for enhancement of specific biological signal features. The application for two types of cardiological signals is presented in this article. Detection of fiducial points is a routine task for analyzing these signals. In a clinical situation, cardiological signals are usually corrupted by artifacts and finding exact time instances of various fiducial points is a challenge. Filtering approach for signal to noise ratio enhancing is traditionally and widely used in clinical practice. Methods, based on filtering, however, have serious limitations when it is necessary to find compromise between noise suppression and preservation of signal features. The proposed method uses ensemble empirical mode decomposition in order to suppress noise or enhance specific waves in the signal. Performance of the method was estimated by using clinical electrocardiogram and impedance cardiogram signals with synthetic baseline-wander, power-line and added Gaussian noise. In electrocardiogram application, an average estimation error of QRS complex length was 2.06–4.47%, the smallest in comparison to the reference methods. In impedance cardiogram application, the proposed method provided the highest cross-correlation coefficient between original and de-noised signal in comparison to reference methods. When the signal to noise ratio of the input signal was ?12 dB, the method provided signal to error ratio of 33 dB in this case. The proposed method is adaptive to template and signal itself and thus could be applied to other non-stationary biological signals.     

Noise reduction and convergence of Bayesian algorithms with blobs based on the Huber function and median root prior

Iterative image reconstruction algorithms have the potential to produce low noise images. Early stopping of the iteration process is problematic because some features of the image may converge slowly. On the other hand, there may be noise build-up with increased number of iterations. Therefore, we examined the stabilizing effect of using two different prior functions as well as image representation by blobs so that the number of iterations could be increased without noise build-up. Reconstruction was performed of simulated phantoms and of real data acquired by positron emission tomography. Image quality measures were calculated for images reconstructed with or without priors. Both priors stabilized the iteration process. The first prior based on the Huber function reduced the noise without significant loss of contrast recovery of small spots, but the drawback of the method was the difficulty in finding optimal values of two free parameters. The second method based on a median root prior has only one Bayesian parameter which was easy to set, but it should be taken into account that the image resolution while using that prior has to be chosen sufficiently high not to cause the complete removal of small spots. In conclusion, the Huber penalty function gives accurate and low noise images, but it may be difficult to determine the parameters. The median root prior method is not quite as accurate but may be used if image resolution is increased.     

Resolution enhancement in digital x-ray imaging

We have developed a restoration method for radiographs that enhances image sharpness and reveals bone microstructures that were initially hidden in the soft-tissue glare. The method is two fold: the image is first deconvolved using the Richardson-Lucy algorithm and is then divided with a signal modelling the soft-tissue distribution to increase the overall contrast. Each step has its own merits but the power of the restoration method lies in their combination. The originality of the method is its reliance on a priori information at each step in the processing. We have measured and modelled analytically the point-spread function of a low-dose gas microstrip x-ray detector at several beam energies. We measured the relationship between the local image intensity and the noise variance for these images. The soft-tissue signal was also modelled using a minimum-curvature filtering technique. These results were then combined into an image deconvolution procedure that uses wavelet filtering to reduce restoration noise while keeping the enhanced small-scale features. The method was applied successfully to images of a human-torso phantom and improved the contrast of small details on the bones and in the soft tissues. We measured a mean 54% increase in signal to noise ratio and a mean 105% increase in contrast to noise ratio in the 70 and 140 kVp images we analysed. The method was designed to facilitate the analysis of radiographs by relying on two levels of visual inspection. The contrast of the full image is first enhanced by division with the signal modelling the soft-tissue distribution. Based on the result, a radiologist might decide to zoom in on a given image section. The full restoration method is then applied to that region of interest. Indeed, full image deconvolution is often unnecessary since enhanced small-scale details are not visible at large scale; only the section of interest is processed which is more efficient.     

Automatic noise robust registration of radiographs for subtraction using strategic local correlation: an application to radiographs of dental implants

Most of digital subtraction methods in dental radiography are based on registration using manual landmarks. We have developed an automatic registration method without using the manual selection of landmarks. By restricting a geometrical matching of images to a region of interest (ROI), we compare the cross-correlation coefficient only between the ROIs. The affine or perspective transform parameters satisfying maximum of cross-correlation between the local regions are searched iteratively by a fast searching strategy. The parameters are searched on the 14 scale image coarsely and then, the fine registration is performed on the original scale image. The developed method can match the images corrupted by Gaussian noise with the same accuracy for the images without any transform simulation. The registration accuracy of the perspective method shows a 17% improvement over the manual method. The application of the developed method to radiographs of dental implants provides an automatic noise robust registration with high accuracy in almost real time.     

基于复小波域非线性扩散的超声图像去噪

超声图像易受斑点噪声的干扰,限制了其在医学诊断中的进一步应用。提出了一种将双树复小波变换(DT-CWT)与非线性扩散相结合的超声图像去噪方法。首先,对图像进行双树复小波分解;然后,高频部分和低频部分分别采用自适应对比度扩散和全变差扩散,最后重构图像。给出了实验结果,并与小波阈值收缩和全变差扩散结合的方法、基于小波和基于多小波的非线性扩散方法的图像去噪效果进行了比较。结果表明,本文提出的方法去噪效果更为优越:不但抑制噪声的能力更强,而且能够更好地保留超声图像原有的边缘和纹理特征。