Patent ID: 6546076
Filing Date: 2003-04-08
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
An x-ray apparatus for capturing an image from an imaging screen, comprising:a source of x-rays disposed for directing x-rays through an object, wherein said object is positioned between said x-ray source and an imaging screen, and wherein said imaging screen is disposed at least partially in the path of said x-rays passing through said object; a digital imaging subsystem for capturing an image from at least a portion of said imaging screen, wherein said imaging subsystem comprises a redirecting element for redirecting visible light from said portion of said imaging screen onto an imaging sensor, wherein said portion of said imaging screen is positioned between said x-ray source and said redirecting element, wherein said imaging sensor comprises a lens assembly to focus said image received from said portion of said imaging screen; and a processor based system, wherein said processor based system is communicatively connected to said digital imaging subsystem, wherein said captured image is provided to said processor based system, wherein said processor based system converts a pixel intensity value of each pixel of said captured image into an improved pixel intensity value, wherein said improved pixel intensity value for each pixel is given by the equation: Iimproved=(Ioriginalâˆ’Idark)/(Iflatâˆ’Idark), whereinIimproved is the improved pixel intensity value; Ioriginal is the original pixel intensity value; Iflat is a flat field pixel intensity value; and Idark is a dark frame pixel intensity value.