Method and system for performing coronary artery calcification scoring

A medium encoded with a machine-readable computer program code for performing coronary artery calcification scoring, said medium including instructions for causing controller to implement a method comprising:

• obtaining image data;
• examining said image data so as to identify a plurality of discrete pixel elements, wherein each of said pixel elements includes a pixel value;
• dividing said pixel elements into a scorable region so as to create a plurality of scorable pixel elements;
• processing said scorable pixel elements so as to identify a center scorable pixel element and determine a median pixel value;
• and replacing said pixel value for said center scorable pixel element with said median pixel value.

A method for performing coronary artery calcification scoring comprising:

• obtaining an imaging system and an object to be scanned;
• operating said imaging system so as to create image data;
• displaying said image data on an output device;
• examining said image data so as to determine if said image data should be filtered;
• and
• processing said image data using an enhancing filter wherein said enhancing filter,
• divides said pixel elements into a scorable region having scorable pixel elements, wherein each of said scorable pixel elements includes a pixel value;
• processes said scorable pixel elements so as to identify a center scorable pixel element and determine a median pixel value;
• and
• replaces said pixel value for said center scorable pixel element with said median pixel value.

A system for performing coronary artery calcification scoring comprising:

• a gantry having an x-ray source and a radiation detector array, wherein said gantry defines a patient cavity and wherein said x-ray source and said radiation detector array are rotatingly associated with said gantry so as to be separated by said patient cavity;
• a patient support structure movingly associated with said gantry so as to allow communication with said patient cavity;
• and
• a processing device having an enhancing filter, wherein said enhancing filter, obtains image data;
• examines said image data so as to identify a plurality of discrete pixel elements, wherein each of said pixel elements includes a pixel value;
• divides said pixel elements into a scorable region so as to create a plurality of scorable pixel elements;
• processes said scorable pixel elements so as to identify a center scorable pixel element and determine a median pixel value;
• and
• replaces said pixel value for said center scorable pixel element with said median pixel value.

A system for performing coronary artery calcification scoring comprising:

• an imaging system;
• a patient support structure movingly associated with said imaging system so as to allow communication between said imaging system and a patient, wherein
• said imaging system generates image data responsive to said patient;
• and
• a processing device having an enhancing filter, wherein said enhancing filter, obtains said image data;
• examines said image data so as to identify a plurality of discrete pixel elements, wherein each of said pixel elements includes a pixel value;
• divides said pixel elements into a scorable region so as to create a plurality of scorable pixel elements;
• processes said scorable pixel elements so as to identify a center scorable pixel element and determine a median pixel value;
• and
• replaces said pixel value for said center scorable pixel element with said median pixel value.