Real-time image restoration in diagnostic X-ray imaging, the effects on quantum noise

In digital diagnostic X-ray imaging the lowpass filtering of the image scene by the system MTF often has to be compensated. Edge enhancement techniques are widely applied, however, in fluoroscopy, where the images are quantum limited, the noise is also enhanced Classical edge enhancement techniques introduce correlated noise structures. These dynamic artefacts deteriorate the conspicuity of fine detail. This contribution describes the work-in-progress about MTF restoration with reduced noise enhancement. As the purpose of this type of image processing is to facilitate the observer tasks in manipulating small catheter tips in a noisy image, the final judgement belongs to this specialized group of experienced observers. The technical comparison, however, has to provide measures such as MTF enhancement, correlation between pixels, signal-to-noise ratios.<>