Estimating scatter in X-ray images caused by imaging system components using kernels based on beam hardening

An X-ray imaging system, comprising:

• an X-ray source for generating an imaging beam;
• an X-ray detector;
• and
• one or more processors configured to perform the steps of:
• generating an initial X-ray projection image of an object with the X-ray detector and the imaging beam;
• based on a first transmission indicator for the object and on a second transmission indicator for at least one element of the imaging system, selecting a kernel for convolution of the initial X-ray projection image, wherein the first transmission indicator is determined based on a portion of the object that is in a path of a ray that passes from the X-ray source to a first position in a detector array of the X-ray detector;
• convolving the initial X-ray projection image with the kernel to generate a scatter component of the initial X-ray projection image;
• and
• generating a corrected X-ray projection image by removing the scatter component from the initial X-ray projection image.

A non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the steps of:

• generating an initial X-ray projection image of an object with an imaging beam produced by an imaging system;
• based on a first transmission indicator for the object and on a second transmission indicator for at least one element of the imaging system, selecting a kernel for convolution of the initial X-ray projection image, wherein the first transmission indicator is determined based on a portion of the object that is in a path of a ray that passes from an X-ray source of the imaging system to a first position in a detector array of an X-ray detector of the imaging system;
• convolving the initial X-ray projection image with the kernel to generate a scatter component of the initial X-ray projection image;
• and
• generating a corrected X-ray projection image by removing the scatter component from the initial X-ray projection image.