Patent ID: 6829323
Filing Date: 2004-12-07
Classification: A61B,G06T,Y10S

Abstract:
A method for generating a simulated patient image, the method comprising:obtaining image data from an actual patient image; generating simulated noise data through a random number generator in accordance with a Poisson distribution; combining scan data from said actual patient image with said generated simulated noise data to create pre-image data; reconstructing said pre-image data to create simulated image data; and combining said simulated image data with said simulated noise data to create the simulated patient image; wherein individual scan data samples from said scan data are each combined with a random noise value generated from said Poisson distribution random number generator, said random noise value first being multiplied by a weighting factor to produce a weighted random noise value; said weighting factor determined in accordance with the equation: a=Î²&it;D&af;(1Î±-1);â€ƒwherein a is said weighting factor, &bgr; is a scale factor whose value depends on a data acquisition system (DAS) gain and the image processing characteristics, &agr; is a tube current reduction factor relative to a tube current at which said actual patient image was taken, and D is a DAS signal level for a corresponding individual scan data sample.