Signal-adaptive noise reduction in digital radiographic images

A method for signal-adaptive noise reduction in digital radiographic images, comprising the steps of:

• obtaining raw x-ray image data of an imaged object;
• processing the raw x-ray image data to create processed x-ray image data;
• inputting the processed x-ray image data to an image processor;
• developing an intensity modulation image from the processed x-ray image data;
• deriving a structure-dependent noise filtered image using the processed x-ray image data;
• performing signal attenuation-dependent blending, wherein the blending comprises blending together the structure-dependent noised filtered image and the processed x-ray image data;
• and
• creating a noise-reduced digital x-ray image from the output of the signal attenuation-dependent blending.

A method for signal-adaptive noise reduction in digital radiographic images, comprising the steps of:

• obtaining raw x-ray image data of an imaged object;
• processing the raw x-ray image data to create processed x-ray image data;
• inputting the raw x-ray image data and the processed x-ray image data to an image processor;
• developing a first intensity modulation image from the raw x-ray image data;
• developing a second intensity modulation image from the processed x-ray image data;
• deriving a structure-dependent noise filtered image using the processed x-ray image data;
• performing signal attenuation-dependent blending, wherein the blending comprises blending together the structure-dependent noised filtered image and the processed x-ray image data;
• and
• creating a noise-reduced digital x-ray image from the output of the signal attenuation-dependent blending.

A computer-readable medium encoded with programming for facilitating signal-adaptive noise reduction in digital radiographic images, the programming configured to:

• obtain raw x-ray image data of an imaged object;
• process the raw x-ray image data to create processed x-ray image data;
• input at least one of the raw x-ray image data and the processed x-ray image data to an image processor;
• develop at least one of:
• a first intensity modulation image from the raw x-ray image data, and a second intensity modulation image from the processed x-ray image data;
• derive a structure-dependent noise filtered image using the processed x-ray image data;
• performing signal attenuation-dependent blending, wherein the blending comprises blending together the structure-dependent noised filtered image and the processed x-ray image data;
• and
• creating a noise-reduced digital x-ray image from the output of the signal attenuation-dependent blending.

A digital radiographic imaging system comprising:

• an x-ray source;
• an x-ray detector in operative communication with the x-ray source;
• and
• a signal-adaptive noise reduction system in operative communication with the x-ray detector,
• wherein the signal-adaptive noise reduction system comprises programming configured to:
• obtain raw x-ray image data of an imaged object;
• process the raw x-ray image data to create processed x-ray image data;
• input at least one of the raw x-ray image data and the processed x-ray image data to an image processor;
• develop at least one of:
• a first intensity modulation image from the raw x-ray image data, and a second intensity modulation image from the processed x-ray image data;
• derive a structure-dependent noise filtered image using the processed x-ray image data;
• performing signal attenuation-dependent blending, wherein the blending comprises blending together the structure-dependent noised filtered image and the processed x-ray image data;
• and
• creating a noise-reduced digital x-ray image from the output of the signal attenuation-dependent blending.