Method, system, apparatus, and computer program products for removing marker artifacts from a tomosynthesis dataset. In the method, a first plurality of projection images are acquired by tomosynthesis x-ray imaging, the first plurality of projection images containing at least one imaged representation of at least one alignment marker. In one aspect, the imaged representation of the at least one alignment marker on the first plurality of projection images is minimized to generate a second plurality of projection images. In another aspect, a plurality of tomographic images are reconstructed from the second plurality of projection images.

A double focal spot X-ray tube is used to acquire a set of two images PI, PI for a given gantry position from slightly different view positions. The stereo or binocular disparity (BD) of imaged structures is used to estimate the object depth in view direction, which in turn is used to discriminate between objects inside IO and outside EO the body. Respective structures are virtually removed from the images PI, PI.

A three-dimensional subtraction angiography image data set including a target region of the patient is acquired. A region of interest is selected. An imaging geometry is defined for monitoring the intervention using an X-ray device. The image-obscuring blood vessels that superimpose the region of interest in the imaging geometry and imaging zones that show fractions of the image-obscuring blood vessels in the imaging geometry are determined. Path information relating to the image-obscuring blood vessels is defined. The information relating to the path is input into a two-dimensional forward projection data set. A fluoroscopic image is acquired in the imaging geometry. Pixels showing the image-obscuring blood vessels in the fluoroscopic image are determined using the path information and image intensity information from the fluoroscopic image. A masked image of the image-obscuring blood vessels is subtracted. The fluoroscopic image that has been modified is displayed.

A radiological image processing apparatus of this invention includes a separating device, an adjusting device and a removing device. Since a corrected image is generated using the radiological image taken through an object under examination, each image can be acquired by one radiographic operation without acquiring data for grid correction beforehand. The radiological image taken through the object is separated into a grid image and a non-grid image, and a corrected image is generated by adjusting intensity of the grid image on real space based on the non-grid image. Thus a high-precision correcting process is realized by one radiographic operation.

A method, including, receiving three-dimensional tomographic data with respect to a body of a living subject, and using the data to generate a representation of an external surface of the body and displaying the representation on a screen. The method further includes inserting an invasive instrument into a region of the body and identifying a position of the instrument in the body. The method also includes rendering an area of the external surface surrounding the identified position of the instrument locally transparent in the displayed representation, so as to make visible on the screen an internal structure of the body in a vicinity of the identified position.

An image processing apparatus comprises a data receiving unit for receiving a medical image data set, the medical image data set being representative of at least part of a patient, and a processing unit for processing the medical image data set to restrict visualization of at least part of the patient's skin surface.

A system and method are provided for obtaining an improved visualization of bone objects comprised in a projection X-ray image. The projection X-ray image comprises bone objects which at least in part overlap. According to the system and method, a number of the bone objects are delineated by a contour, thereby obtaining a number of delineated bone objects. For each of the number of delineated bone object, a bone suppression technique is applied to the image to obtain respective bone image data individually showing the respective delineated bone object while suppressing shadows of obstructing objects. The bone image data generated for each of the number of delineated bone objects is used to generate an output image in which the bone objects do not overlap. An advantage of the system and method is that a non-overlapping, shadow-suppressed, presentation of the bone objects may be created from an X-ray image which was obtained by projectional radiography.

The present invention relates to a device (1) for modifying an imaging of a TEE probe in X-ray data, a medical imaging system (100) for modifying an imaging of a TEE probe in X-ray data, a method for modifying an imaging of a TEE probe in X-ray data, a computer program element for controlling such device (1) and a computer readable medium having stored such computer program element. The device (1) comprises an X-ray data provision unit (11), a model provision unit (12), a position locating unit (13), and a processing unit (14). The X-ray data provision unit (11) is configured to provide X-ray data comprising image data of a TEE probe. The model provision unit (12) is configured to provide model data of the TEE probe. The position locating unit (13) is configured to locate a position of the TEE probe in the X-ray data based on the model data of the TEE probe. The processing unit (14) is configured to define a region in a predetermined range adjacent to the TEE probe as reference area. The processing unit (14) is configured to process the X-ray data of the reference area into estimated X-ray data of a region occupied by the TEE probe. The processing unit (14) is configured to modify the X-ray data in the region occupied by the TEE probe based on the estimated X-ray data.

The background projection data of a background region CT image in the X-ray emission path is calculated. Using measurement projection data and background projection data, the measurement projection data of local regions is calculated. Local region CT images are calculated on the basis of local measurement projection data, and the projection data of a local region CT image in the X-ray emission path is calculated. On the basis of local calculation projection data and local measurement projection data, local CT images are iteratively corrected. When creating background region CT images or calculating background projection data, the cause of calculation accuracy deterioration is eliminated by the use of processing such as smoothing, and without deterioration of CT value accuracy in regions other than the target region, a high-quality CT image is obtained.

A method of imaging a breast compressed with a foam paddle includes emitting an x-ray energy from an x-ray source towards the breast and the foam paddle having a plurality of upper markers and a plurality of lower markers, wherein the plurality of lower markers are movable relative to the upper markers. The x-ray energy is detected at a detector disposed opposite the breast from the x-ray source. An image of the compressed breast is generated based on the detected x-ray energy. At least one of the plurality of upper markers and at least one of the plurality of lower markers is identified in the image. A thickness of the compressed breast at a plurality of thickness locations is determined, wherein each of the plurality of thickness locations corresponds to at least one of the plurality of lower markers.