基于梯度的自适应椒盐噪声滤波算法

针对传统中值滤波方法不能有效保持图像细节信息和对图像适应能力差的问题,提出一种改进的椒盐噪声滤除算法。算法基于先检测、后滤波的思想,根据图像的极小梯度矩阵自适应计算噪声阈值,提高了噪声检测的准确性;为了更好地保持图像细节,对检测出的噪声像素进行多窗口中值滤波。多组去噪实验表明：所提算法对污染程度不同的图像具有良好的适应性,在滤除噪声的同时还可以有效还原图像边缘等细节信息。     

闪光CCD图像的中值-非线性扩散滤波

根据闪光CCD图像的特点,提出了一种中值-非线性扩散滤波(Median-NonlinearDiffusionFiltering,简称MNDF)方法。该方法采用中值预滤波来估计图像的真实边缘,通过求解偏微分方程(PartialDifferentialEquation,简称PDE)来进行非线性扩散滤波,充分发挥了中值滤波和非线性扩散滤波的优势,能更好地消除噪声、保护边缘。实验结果表明,在高斯噪声和脉冲噪声同时存在的情况下,MNDF方法取得的滤波效果较P-M方案和Catte方案要好,信噪比改善因子提高3~5倍,均方误差减小1.3~2.7倍。对闪光照相CCD图像取得了很好的消噪声结果,保护了边缘信息。     

去除脉冲噪声的自适应开关中值滤波

为消除图像中的脉冲噪声,提出了自适应开关中值(ASM)滤波算法。该算法采用一种新的噪声检测方法将图像中的像素分为信号点和噪声点两类。对检测出的噪声点统计其个数并由此估算图像中的噪声密度,根据估计的噪声密度自适应确定滤波窗口尺寸,采用改进的中值滤波对检测出的噪声点进行处理;而信号点则保留其灰度值不予处理。对ASM滤波进行仿真实验,结果表明,它能在有效去除噪声的同时很好地保护图像细节,较传统中值滤波及其它改进中值滤波算法有更优的滤波性能。     

A framework for optimising the radiographic technique in digital X-ray imaging

The transition to digital radiology has provided new opportunities for improved image quality, made possible by the superior detective quantum efficiency and post-processing capabilities of new imaging systems, and advanced imaging applications, made possible by rapid digital image acquisition. However, this transition has taken place largely without optimising the radiographic technique used to acquire the images. This paper proposes a framework for optimising the acquisition of digital X-ray images. The proposed approach is based on the signal and noise characteristics of the digital images and the applied exposure. Signal is defined, based on the clinical task involved in an imaging application, as the difference between the detector signal with and without a target present against a representative background. Noise is determined from the noise properties of uniformly acquired images of the background, taking into consideration the absorption properties of the detector. Incident exposure is estimated or otherwise measured free in air, and converted to dose. The main figure of merit (FOM) for optimisation is defined as the signal-difference-to-noise ratio (SdNR) squared per unit exposure or (more preferably) dose. This paper highlights three specific technique optimisation studies that used this approach to optimise the radiographic technique for digital chest and breast applications. In the first study, which was focused on chest radiography with a CsI flat-panel detector, a range of kV(p) (50-150) and filtration (Z = 13-82) were examined in terms of their associated FOM as well as soft tissue to bone contrast, a factor of importance in digital chest radiography. The results indicated that additive Cu filtration can improve image quality. A second study in digital mammography using a selenium direct flat-panel detector indicated improved SdNR per unit exposure with the use of a tungsten target and a rhodium filter than conventional molybdenum target/molybdenum filter techniques. Finally, a third study focusing on cone-beam computed tomography of the breast using a CsI flat-panel detector indicated that high Z filtration of a tungsten target X-ray beam can notably improve the signal and noise characteristics of the image. The general findings highlight the fact that the techniques that are conventionally assumed to be optimum may need to be revisited for digital radiography.     

基于自适应均值的图像滤波算法

目的为了提高激光三维成像系统中的图像质量,有效滤除图像中噪声,提出一种自适应均值漂移的图像滤波算法。方法在传统算法基础上对均值漂移滤波算法进行改进,选取领域内像素的均方差为控制参量对带宽矩阵h大小进行自适应调控。根据宽带矩阵h的大小,选择合适的像元值参与到计算均值过程中,以提高结果的计算精度。结果实验结果表明改进后的算法能够有效滤除图像中的噪声,提高图像清晰度。结论该算法具有良好的保边去噪特性。     

Filter for biomedical imaging and image processing

Image filtering techniques have numerous potential applications in biomedical imaging and image processing. The design of filters largely depends on the a priori, knowledge about the type of noise corrupting the image. This makes the standard filters application specific. Widely used filters such as average, Gaussian, and Wiener reduce noisy artifacts by smoothing. However, this operation normally results in smoothing of the edges as well. On the other hand, sharpening filters enhance the high-frequency details, making the image nonsmooth. An integrated general approach to design a finite impulse response filter based on Hebbian learning is proposed for optimal image filtering. This algorithm exploits the interpixel correlation by updating the filter coefficients using Hebbian learning. The algorithm is made iterative for achieving efficient learning from the neighborhood pixels. This algorithm performs optimal smoothing of the noisy image by preserving high-frequency as well as low-frequency features. Evaluation results show that the proposed finite impulse response filter is robust under various noise distributions such as Gaussian noise, salt-and-pepper noise, and speckle noise. Furthermore, the proposed approach does not require any a priori knowledge about the type of noise. The number of unknown parameters is few, and most of these parameters are adaptively obtained from the processed image. The proposed filter is successfully applied for image reconstruction in a positron emission tomography imaging modality. The images reconstructed by the proposed algorithm are found to be superior in quality compared with those reconstructed by existing PET image reconstruction methodologies.     

Increasing film-focus distance (FFD) reduces radiation dose for x-ray examinations

Increasing film-focus distance (FFD) from the traditional 100 cm has been shown to be an effective method of reducing dose whilst maintaining image quality. In particular, previous work increasing the FFD from 100 to 130 cm for lumbar spine examinations demonstrated an effective dose reduction of 44%. Objective. The current study continues on from this work by investigating the dose-reducing efficacy of this FFD change for pelvis X-ray examinations. Materials and methods. Dose measurements at 100 and 130 cm using thermoluminescent dosemeters were undertaken using an anthropomorphic phantom and patients. Image quality was assessed using CEC anatomical criteria and psychophysical tests. Results. The results showed that increasing the FFD results in a reduction in effective dose of 33%, with no change in image quality. The data provided in this and previous studies demonstrate the need for rapid implementation of this simple cost-effective procedure across imaging departments, leading to an important reduction in collective dose. Conclusion. The CEC recommendation of using 115 cm FFD for a number of procedures, although useful compared with 100 cm, undervalues by a factor between 2 and 3 the potential of this dose-reducing tool.     

基于像素同龄组的航拍图像去噪方法

由于受到光照、机身震动等拍摄环境的影响,航拍图像中常常混有高斯噪声和脉冲噪声。针对这一现象,提出一种结合改进的中值滤波和维纳滤波的像素同龄组去噪算法。首先将图像根据像素值的不同,分为若干像素同龄组;然后根据每个同龄组的特点,有针对性地进行中值滤波或维纳滤波;最后,借助航拍绝缘子图像,完成仿真实验,并与单独中值滤波、维纳滤波的去噪效果进行对比。实验结果表明,该方法在处理混有高斯噪声和脉冲噪声的航拍图像方面,具有良好的去噪效果。     

Sigma-delta receive beamformer based on cascaded reconstruction for ultrasound imaging application

A pre-delay reconstruction sigma-delta beamformer (SDBF) was recently proposed to achieve a higher level of integration in ultrasound imaging systems. Nevertheless, the high-order reconstruction filter used in each channel of SDBF makes the beamformer highly complex. The beamformer can be simplified by reconstructing the signal after the delay-andsum process with only one filter. However, this post-delay reconstruction-based design degrades image quality when dynamic focusing is performed. This paper shows that employing a simple pre-delay filter is sufficient to achieve similar performance as conventional pre-delay reconstruction SDBF, as long as the pre-delay filter provides the required pre-delay signalto- quantization noise ratio (SQNR). Based on this finding, we proposed a cascaded reconstruction beamformer that uses a boxcar filter as the pre-delay filter in each channel. Simulations using real phantom data demonstrate that the proposed beamforming method can achieve a contrast resolution comparable to that of the pre-delay reconstruction beamforming method. In addition, the hardware can be greatly simplified compared with the pre-delay reconstruction beamformers.     

图像去椒盐噪声滤波器的研究

在图像平滑过程中,如何滤除噪声同时保护图像的细节是一个研究热点.本文提出并设计一种将十字窗和叉形窗有机结合的多窗口自适应中值滤波器(MWMF滤波器),可根据窗口内图像自身的形状,自适应地选择十字窗和叉形窗.在比较多窗口自适应中值滤波和形态滤波这两种滤波器的优缺点之后,还提出并设计了非线性组合滤波器.实验表明该滤波器滤除椒盐噪声的效果优于单独使用中值滤波或形态学滤噪,在椒盐噪声概率超过0.2时优势尤为明显.     

Modeling and analysis of soft-test/repair for CCD-based digital X-ray systems

Modern X-ray imaging systems evolve toward digitization for reduced cost, faster time-to-diagnosis, and improved diagnostic confidence. For the digital X-ray systems, charge coupled device (CCD) technology is commonly used to detect and digitize optical X-ray image. This paper presents a novel soft-test/repair approach to overcome the defective pixel problem in CCD-based digital X-ray systems through theoretical modeling and analysis of the test/repair process. There are two possible solutions to cope with the defective pixel problem in CCDs: one is the hard-repair approach and another is the proposed soft-test/repair approach. Hard-repair approach employs a high-yield, expensive reparable CCD to minimize the impact of hard defects on the CCD, which occur in the form of noise propagated through A/D converter to the frame memory. Therefore, less work is needed to filter and correct the image at the end-user level while it maybe exceedingly expensive to practice. On the other hand, the proposed soft-test/repair approach is to detect and tolerate defective pixels at the digitized image level; thereby, it is inexpensive to practice and on-line repair can be done for noninterrupted service. It tests the images to detect the detective pixels and filter noise at the frame memory level and caches them in a flash memory in the controller for future repair. The controller cache keeps accumulating all the noise coordinates and preprocesses the incoming image data from the A/D converter by repairing them. The proposed soft-test/repair approach is particularly devised to facilitate hardware level implementation ultimately for real-time telediagnosis. Parametric simulation results demonstrate the speed and virtual yield enhancement by using the proposed approach; thereby highly reliable, yet inexpensive, soft-test/repair of CCD-based digital X-ray systems can be ultimately realized.     

An experimental method for ripple minimization in transmission data for industrial X-ray computed tomography imaging system

Industrial Computed Tomographic (ICT) imaging systems based on X-rays require a high stability source. This emanates from the fact that in a computed tomographic imaging system, statistical variation inherent in the penetrating radiation used to probe the specimen, electronic noise generated in the detection system and reconstruction errors play an important role in the overall quality of the image. A conventional industrial X-ray machine used for routine radiography work is not suitable for tomographic imaging applications because of its output dose variations. In this paper, an experiment is described to utilise a general-purpose 160 kV constant potential industrial X-ray machine with significant ripple in its output beam, in an experimental Computed Industrial Tomographic Imaging System (CITIS) developed at Isotope Applications Division of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre. Studies carried out include the analysis of temporal profile of X-ray beam intensity and online averaging of detected signals for the minimization of periodic ripple, which mainly showed up, at the power line frequency. A tomographic image of a typical specimen, reconstructed with the processed projection data is analysed. It was observed that the mean value of reconstructed linear absorption coefficients and standard deviation computed over a window within a constant density region of the object were stable     

基于HSI颜色空间噪声检测的彩色图像去噪算法

目的为了有效去除彩色图像中的椒盐噪声,提高彩色图像质量。方法采用椒盐噪声检测和中值滤波相结合的方法,提出一种基于HSI颜色空间噪声检测的彩色图像去噪算法。将图像转换到HSI颜色空间,根据椒盐噪声在S通道具有极大值或极小值的特点判断出可疑椒盐噪声的位置,在H通道、I通道将可疑椒盐噪声分为噪声点和有用信号,对检测出的噪声像素进行中值滤波去噪。结果采用文中算法去噪后,验证图像主观评价值(Z)为1.30,平均PSNR为37.54,SSIM为0.99,Entropy为7.31,在主客观评价上优于现在常用算法。结论文中提出算法可以为彩色图像椒盐噪声的去噪提供理论基础,具有一定的实际应用价值。     

Rician noise removal in magnitude MRI images using efficient anisotropic diffusion filtering

In this article, a new methodology for denoising of Rician noise in Magnetic Resonance Images (MRI) is presented. MRI imaging creates a distinctive view into the interior of a human body and has become an essential tool of clinical diagnosis. However, Rician noise is a type of artifact inherent to the acquisition process of the magnitude MRI image, making diagnosis difficult. We proposed a moment‐based Rician noise reduction technique in anisotropic diffusion filtering. We extend the work of the classical anisotropic diffusion filter and have customized it to remove Rician noise in the magnitude MRI image in 3D domain space. Our proposed scheme shows better results against various quality measures in terms of noise removal and edge preservation while retaining fine textures.     

基于神经网络的图像混合滤波及融合算法研究

当图像中同时存在高斯噪声和椒盐噪声时,单一的均值滤波或中值滤波很难达到最佳滤波效果。 分析了噪声特点和各种滤波方法的优势,提出了一种基于神经网络的图像混合滤波及融合算法:首先建立概率神经网络,检测椒盐噪声和高斯噪声点,并分别利用中值滤波和均值滤波去除噪声点,然后建立径向基函数神经网络,利用训练好的径向基函数神经网络融合 2 种不同滤波的图像,输出理想的融合图像。 Matlab 仿真实验结果表明,该算法有效去除混合噪声的同时,能很好地保护图像的边缘与细节,是一种有效的方法。     

Real-time adaptive image impulse noise suppression

In this paper, a new intelligent hardware module suitable for the computation of an adaptive median filter is presented for the first time. The function of the proposed circuit is to detect the existence of impulse noise in an image neighborhood and apply the operator of the median filter only when it is necessary. The noise detection procedure can be controlled so that a range of pixel values is considered as impulse noise. In this way, the blurring of the image in process is avoided, and the integrity of edge and detail information is preserved. Experimental results with real images demonstrate the improved performance. The proposed digital hardware structure is capable to process gray-scale images of 8-bit resolution and is fully pipelined, whereas parallel processing is used in order to minimize computational time. In the presented design, a 3/spl times/3 or 5/spl times/5 pixel image neighborhood can be selected for the computation of the filter output. However, the system can be easily expanded to accommodate windows of larger sizes. The proposed digital structure was designed, compiled and simulated using the MAX+PLUS II Programmable Logic Development System by Altera Corporation. For the implementation of the system the EPF10K200SRC240-1 field-programmable gate array device of the FLEX10KE device family is utilized, and it can be used in industrial imaging applications where fast processing is required. The typical clock frequency is 65 MHz.     

针对多重退化因素的印刷图像复原方法

目的对于由多种因素所导致的印刷图像退化问题,文中提出一种针对椒盐噪声、高斯噪声和模糊退化等多重退化因素的图像复原方法。方法首先针对印刷图像椒盐噪声密度不高的特点,设计一种基于灰度范围准则和局部差别准则的椒盐噪声二级检测和滤除方法,并通过评价实验得出合适的阈值参数设置。在去除高斯噪声和图像模糊的过程中,利用边缘保持平滑滤波的原理和特性,将双边滤波器和引导滤波器应用于图像复原中,又在此基础上设计和应用图像细节增强的二次引导滤波器。结果在椒盐噪声去除方面,新方法对大部分图像都能取得较好的复原效果,尤其对细微边缘不多的图像效果最佳,复原后的PSNR值能达到40以上。二次引导滤波器对高斯噪声和图像模糊的复原效果最好。结论通过对不同图像复原方法的效果进行评价和分析,验证了文中方法的性能,为今后图像复原技术的应用提供了指导。     

Reduction of anatomical noise in medical X-ray images

The X-ray pattern of a mass of very fine non-distinguishable anatomical structures alters completely from radiograph to radiograph due to the unavoidable movements of the patient during the exposure. The corresponding image component shows noise-like behaviour and is therefore referred to as the anatomical noise. Reducing this component would enhance the quality of the clinical X-ray image and increase the detectability of radiological signal. We have found that by comparing two X-ray images of the same anatomy acquired under slightly different imaging geometry, it is possible to reduce the anatomical noise in one of the image pair. The proposed method, which allows this, is based on the appropriate attenuation in the wavelet domain. The values of attenuating factors for the wavelet coefficients are proportional to the correlation between the corresponding features of both images. This method was tested for different changes in the imaging geometry. In the case of no geometrical changes, only the quantum and the electronic noise are reduced. An effect of de-noising for the investigated images is obvious.     

基于X射线像增强器成像的相衬滤波模型

对铝、黄铜、不锈钢3种金属材料制作的光栅在不同射线剂量和厚度差异的条件下进行图像采集,结合系统级的联合调制评价模型研究不同材料对X射线的调制作用,结果表明:在相同的射线剂量下,无论哪种材料的光栅,厚度差异越大成像反差越大;在厚度差异相同的情况下,随着射线剂量变化,不同材料对射线的调制能力变化趋势相差甚远。对光学调制传递函数、射线剂量和光栅厚度差异值进行三维曲线拟合,建立物质对X射线的调制模型和采集模型。在像增强器成像模型的基础上提出X射线相衬增强滤波模型,通过对薄膜基准目标源进行图像采集,在噪声环境下对其进行积分滤波处理和相衬增强处理,结果压低了图像噪声的同时也强化了目标轮廓信息,并大幅地增强X射线的成像反差。     

3-Dimensional rotational X-ray imaging, 3D-RX: image quality and patient dose simulation for optimisation studies

We have developed a full-scale simulation model as a tool for X-ray system design, image quality optimisation and patient dose reduction. The model supports the (de-)composition of system level requirements and takes inherent care of the prerequisite mutual coherence between component requirements. Furthermore, the model is equipped with several types of automatic X-ray control loop simulations. All relevant patient dose and image quality items are calculated, such as contrast, sharpness, lag and noise and finally combined in 'IQ figures of merit'. The short calculation times realised enable comprehensive multi-parameter optimisation studies. Initially, the IQ model dealt with the performance of 'flat' projection X-ray systems referred to as two-dimensional (2D). Nowadays, 2D X-ray systems are increasingly used for three-dimensional rotational X-ray imaging (3D-RX). An additional 3D-RX module, dealing with patient dose as well as image quality, will simplify and accelerate specific 3D-RX optimisations concerning, e.g. exposure factors, dose control concepts and image processing algorithms.