DE2244087B2 - METHOD AND DEVICE FOR CONVERTING A BLACK AND WHITE IMAGE INTO A COLOR IMAGE, IN PARTICULAR IN THE EXAMINATION OF RADIOSCOPHIES, RADIOGRAPHIES AND DEFECTOSCOPIES - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a method and a device for converting a black and white image into a color image, in particular when examining radioscopies and radiographs and defectoscopies.

The purpose of the present invention is.

to exploit the possibilities of the human eye to

for example in the medical radiological

Diagnosis or during defectoscopic examinations

of 'bodies, e.g. B. made of metals, an incomparable one

or greater amount of information by seeing

ίο perceive colors of different tones,

a ° s this is possible with black-and-white vision.

DT-OS 20 35 497 has made known a process for the production of colored images which are derived from X-ray images - that is, SchwarMVeiß-Bil- «dem. These x-ray images are made in color in order to increase the accuracy of the diagnosis, i.e. to read out more information from the images. This is based on two different images is made namely, the image of the positive of the manufactured after taking the Röntgenkontrastmmels Rönteenaufnahme the negative of the image -.. the manufacturers to ingesting Röntgenkontrastmmels * ^D oestellt is about reading this results emc subfraction the superimposition can then reach that The copying of the first X-ray image, on which the spinal column appears transparent in a urography, for example, in one color on color photographic paper, that of the subtraction image, in which only the urinary tracts appear transparent in the case of said urography, in a different color and there - a Ncative of the subtraction image on which the weic When parts appear transparent and the urinary tracts are opaque in a third color.

These investigations also include color subtraction systems used to ericheine an opaque organ in one color on a gray background allow. .

Ahren this V "..- ^f and \ 'orrichtungen you had the disadvantage. that they do not make full use of the possibilities of colored vision, since tissues of similar opacity appear in one and the same color. The invention avoids these disadvantages. It is the object of the present invention to convert a simple rome image into a colored image of the most varied of shades in order to convert the information content of a few shades of gray in the original image into a multitude of colored shades.

The invention consists in that of a Bile an additional negative image is produced so that: of each of the two images, the negative and the ' positive, several pictures of different light intensity can be produced and each of them on photograph) -schem. converted electronically or otherwise to monochromatic images of different colors and that by superimposing all of these monochrome images on one. ^ r photo plate or a multicolored sum image is produced on the screen of a color television, onto which the different intensities of the original! Black and white x-ray images in different colors ben'appear.

With this procedure it is possible to make a Black and white image with thirty to eighty shades of gray a color image with ten thousand to twelve to produce a thousand different shades of color

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These different shades of color make the information content of the original image much better step forward.

"" A Vüirrichtung in which the recording camera different, assigned to the different colors of the receiver and provided with adjustable attenuation Circuits in parallel in two rows of positive and negative images are connected in pairs, with the circuits of one row are preceded by a reversing circuit, and in which the outputs of these circuits are connected separately according to color to one each laser laser circuit that corresponds to the Receivers are connected upstream.

To achieve a three-dimensional impression, the negative image can also be compared to the positive image can be shifted a suitable distance in one direction. But it can also multiple negative images versus multiple positive images of different colors by appropriate spacing be moved. This allows the information content of the original image in some Bring cases to light even better.

Serves to carry out this process step a circuit for shifting the images in one row with respect to the images in the other row or Circuits for image shifting that each circuit associated with a positive or negative image are.

In some cases it can be advantageous if the positive and negative image are in different Contrast curves are run and then on electronic, photochemical, magnetic or other known ways are superimposed.

The essence of the invention is adjusted using one shown schematically in the drawing Completion example. explained in more detail. It shows

F i and i a block diagram of the device for producing color dioscopes, color radiographs and color detectoscopies.

F i ü. 2 is a block diagram of a device for Production of parbradioscopes. Color radiographs and color defectoscopies combined with a device with which organs opacified by contrast subsiances can be seen in different colors can be made.

Fig.? a table explaining the procedure to achieve a color x-ray image with a large number of shades by superimposing several einferbicer Images of different light intensities and colors.

F i g. 4 Diagram to explain the color subtraction technique.

The device consists of an X-ray screen 1 of a new conventional X-ray diagnosis or Defective copy device. on which an image intensifier 2 with a recording camera is mounted. That on the X-ray screen 1 resulting positive X-ray image the examined location is amplified by the image intensifier 2 and converted into electrical Yideofrequency signals in converted to the recording camera. This signal is sent via an adjustable attenuator 3 to the Input circuit of the blue color of a color television monitor 4 and via another adjustable attenuator 5 to the input circuit of red color of the same color monitor 4 applied. The same electrical signal from the output of the image intensifier 2 is also applied to an electronic reversing circuit 6. That from this reverse circuit 6 received signal is sent via an adjustable attenuator 7, ~ 8 and 9 to the input circuit its blue, green, and red color Color problem monitor 4 applied. The attenuators 3 and 5 are adjusted so that the The blue picture has a low light intensity (the signal attenuation is strong) and the red picture a medium one Strength (medium signal attenuation). The damping elements 7. 8 and 9 are set so that the blue image has a low light intensity, the red image a medium and the green image a high light intensity receives.

When performing the color radiological examination the film can also be placed on a negatoscope in front of the recording camera resulting video frequency signal in the manner described above to the input circuit ^ of the blue, red and green color of the color television monitor.

The creation of the colored image on the television monitor 4 during a radioscopic or radiographic examination of any area of the human organism will be explained in more detail with reference to FIG monochrome pictures in different colors in different horizontal lines see:. u. w u- shown. The picture resulting from summing is shown in the last row (line) ζ . The vertical rows represent different types of tissue, depending on their radio opacities: The (vertical) row I corresponds to the bone tissue, row II to the muscle tissue, row III to the subcutaneous tissue, row IV to the fatty tissue and row V to the area in which the X-ray film is not covered by the human body.

In the case of an X-ray examination of a limb that contains all types of tissue, bone tissue I., muscle tissue II. Subcutaneous tissue III, fatty tissue IV and the area V. not covered by the examined organ, the weak electrical signal transmitted via the Attenuator 3 controls the input circuit of the blue color, only the very transparent area not covered by the examined organ, ie the area shown in Fig. 3, line see row V, is colored blue. The signal controlling the input circuit of the red color via the adjustable amplifier S has a greater amplitude, so that the area not covered by the examined organ. Row V. Row 1. as well as the fatty tissue, Row IV. Row f. Will turn red. The electrical signal controlling the input circuit of the blue color via the electronic reversing circuit 6 and the damper 7 has a small amplitude and consequently only causes the bone tissue to appear in blue color. Row I. Row 11. The electrical signal controlling the input circuit of the red color via the electronic reversing circuit 6 and the damper 8 has a medium amplitude and thus causes both the bone tissue to appear in red color. Row I. Row v. as well as the muscle tissue. Row II. Row v. The electric signal controlling the input circuit of green color via the electronic inverter 6 and the attenuator circuit 9 has

has a large amplitude and consequently causes the bone tissue to appear on the screen of the color television monitor. Row I, row u ·. the muscle tissue, row II. row w, and the subcutaneous tissue. Row III, row ir, appear in green. By superimposing these in the lines s. R, ι /. \ ·. μ · symbolically represented five monochrome images, a multicolored sum image is obtained, which is represented in line ζ . In this picture the bone tissue appears white. Row I, row z, as a result of the summation of the blue, red and green colors, the muscle tissue turns yellow. Row II, row z, as a result of the summation of the red and green colors, the subcutaneous tissue green, row III, row z, the adipose tissue red, row IV, row z, and the area not covered by the examined body part purple. Row V, row z, as a result of the summation of the blue and red colors.

The final image obtained in this way is composed of a number of colors and tones, and the Tissues with intermediate opacities appear in intermediate colors and light intensities. This creates the possibility of displaying and perceiving a few ten on the X-ray images Black and white tones now have thousands of different tones, saturations, and luminosities the color visibility on the color images.

This device for the production of color radio copies. Color radiographs and color defectoscopies, which forms the subject of the present invention, can also bring an increase in information through the achievement of »minus radiographs«.

4 shows diagrams which illustrate the formation of "minus radiographs" according to the invention. In the diagram α , the curve I represents the contrast gradation of a conventional x-ray image, which is obtained on the monitor of a remote control system in a closed black-and-white image cycle. with a practically linear reproduction of the contrast graduation.

Zone 1 represents the radio opacity of the bone tissue. It is generally known that at an x-ray diagnosis makes the bones appear dark; Zone 2 represents the radio opacity of the soft Tissue with an indirect light intensity, while zone 3 shows the light intensities of the examined Represent body part uncovered areas. To create a minus image, the first phase by means of an electronic reversing circuit (phase inverter) 6 in FIG. 1, which the Switches the polarity of the video frequency signals of the original image, creates a negative image, that by the F i g. 4, a, I. is shown. The summation of the positive and negative images caused by the Curves I are shown, leads to the blurring of any structure, whereby a homogeneous light intensity is obtained will, without information content. To avoid this and to obtain additional information, a delinearization of curve II is carried out. The means of delinearization are im Scheme not shown as they are well known in the television art.

The superposition of the output curve, Fig. 4, a, I, and the inverse, delinearized curve, Fig. 4, b. III. with the help of a mixing device (mixer) to a "minus picture", shown in Fig. 4. c, IV, an unexpected increase in information by increasing the contrast curve and rendering de has a whole range of radio opacities of the original image. This technique doubles in practice the contrast of a conventional image. On a well-executed conventional image, there appears! Bone tissue white, the soft tissue gray and the uncovered area black, which is the maximum Representing contrast on an X-ray. Aul a minus radiography. Fig. 4. c. III. appear

ίο the soft tissue white, surrounded by both sides (towards the bone and towards the uncovered area too) from a black image, the 2 contrast curves form, both with a high degree of contrast. whereby a so-called black and white contrast addition is carried out and the maximum contrast on a conventional X-ray image is greatly exceeded will.

In the minus technique, the contrast and the light intensity can be further controlled by known electronic means can be changed, a larger slope of the contrast curve being obtained. It will be one of those narrower zone of opacities is selected, in which a new information gain is obtained. In Fig. 4. d. VI, the exclusive study of the opacity of bone tissue is shown, which is carried out by means of well-known electronic means by changing the contrast curve and the light intensity of the positive and negative images is carried out. In diagram 3, curve VI represents the exclusive investigation of the soft tissue. while in the diagram. " curve VII examining the boundary between represents the soft tissues and the uncovered area.

The shift in the steepness of the contrast curve along the contrast scale through corresponding delinearization and control of the light intensity, separately for each positive and negative circuit, enabled it. to examine separately each zone limited by the radiopacity.

The MinuMechnik can also be used in the Farlwntediagnose can be applied, with an increase in information being obtained. Be for this purpose the video frequency signals that form one or more minus curves to the various color blocks a color television monitor. For example, the minus curve is the bone tissue analyzed, control the input circuit of blue "color, the minus curve of soft tissues d: e Input circuit of red color and the minus

curve of the uncovered area the one connection of green color. The minus curves, which will represent mean opacities, are precisely defined Control ratio, two or three channels. By a scheme that works well in TV technology

is known, it is possible to set the brightness of each color separately, i. H. the opacities different intensities.

The device for making color radio copies. Color radiographs and color defectoscopies.

which forms the subject of the invention, the Perform a union of a color contrast addition study with a color subtraction, d. H.. it can, for example, be internal organs opacified by a contrasting substance or in a state of motion.

Make organs visible in a different "color. Examination of the tissues around the Organs opacified by contrasting substances will always benefit from the color contrast.

enjoy examination and color subtraction examination.

For this purpose, a recording camera 10 can also be used, opposite a display case (light box) 11 is set up, which contains an X-ray image previously produced without input of contrast X-ray film 12 illuminated. The X-ray film 12 can be through any recording system X-ray image to be replaced. Then the contrast substance is injected and a radioscopy of it is made Area, for example, of the urinary tract, with the parts of the system described only the circuit is used through which the output signal of the image intensifier 2 via the attenuator 3 is applied to the blue color block of the color television monitor. The image signal from the output of the recording camera 10 is applied to the input circuit of the red color of the color television monitor 4. On the other hand, the signal from the output of the recording camera 10 is matched with the output of the image intensifier 2 summed, both signals have the same level. That by adding up The resulting signal is sent via another electronic inverter circuit 13 to the input circuit of the green color of the color television monitor 4 applied. By adding up the negative image without any contrast substance and two image signals corresponding to the positive image with contrast substance become one signal obtained according to a subtraction image in which only the opaque urine passages appear black, while the surrounding areas remain white, light. After passing this through Signal through the inverting circuit 13, the corresponding image is inverted, so that the urinary tract white and the surrounding tissues are black. By superimposing the three monochrome images that by applying the output signal from the recording camera 10 to the input circuit of the red one Color obtained by applying the output signal from inverter 13 to the input circuit of the green Color and by applying the output signal of the image intensifier 2 to the input circuit of the blue color of the color television monitor 4 are obtained, is displayed on the screen of the color television monitor Get a multicolored image of the examined area, in which the urinary tract is green, the vertebral bodies bright red and the surrounding tissues are blue.

Even better evaluation results are achieved when the urinary tract is red and the vertebral body is green and the surrounding tissues appear light blue.

The superimposition of the two images, namely that of the X-ray film 12 originating and that obtained on the radioscopic screen 1 is carried out by Movement of the X-ray film 12 on the negatoscope (showcase) 11 by means of a rack two directions, until uniform outlines of the bone tissue are obtained. Given the opportunity is to control the luminous intensity of each color separately, offers what is achieved in this way Image maximum diagnostic options.

The technique described can also be based on two previously performed X-ray images or on two images recorded on any X-ray imaging system (magnetic imaging, etc.) have been made.

The plant can with a possibility of shifting the positive image compared to the negative using electronic methods to create the impression of a color relief will. The technique of electronic displacement is known per se.

The device for the production of color radioscopies, color radiographs and color defectoscopies according to the present invention has the following advantages:

It enables a considerable improvement in the quality of the radioscopic and radiographic Investigation;

the possibilities of colored vision are used to the greatest possible extent, with certain Conditions a number of 10,000 to 12,000 different tints, blackenings and brightnesses can be perceived, compared to the 30 to 80 tones that are perceived when seeing in black and white;

minus color radiographs can be achieved;

it sets the organism to a lower level of radiation compared to the known X-ray technology the end;

the device has a simple, robust construction;

it can be mounted on the classic X-ray diagnostic equipment;
it enables aesthetic effects to be achieved, making the apparatus suitable for scientific teaching purposes and in publishing houses.

For this purpose 2 sheets of drawings

Claims (7)

Patent claims: 1. Process for converting a black and white image into a color image, especially in the examination of radioscopes, radiographs and defectoscopies, thereby marked draws that an additional negative image is produced from an image, that of each of the two pictures, the negative and the positive, several pictures of different light intensities and any of them on photographic, electronic or otherwise Ways can be converted into monochromatic images of different color and that by Overlay of all these monochrome images on a photoplaite or on the screen of a Color television a multicolored sum image is produced on which the different intensities of the original black and white X-ray image appear in different colors. 2. The method according to claim i, characterized in that the negative image opposite the positive image is shifted a suitable distance in one direction. 3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that several negative images opposite multiple positive images of different colors can be shifted by appropriate distances. 4. The method according spoke 1. characterized in that that the positive and the negative image are carried out in different contrast curves and then on electronic, photochemical. magnetic or other known Paths are overlaid. 5. Device for converting a black and white image in a colored image, especially when examining radioscopes. Radiographs and defectoscopies with a television camera and a television receiver, thereby characterized in that the camera (2) different, the different colors of the receiver (4) assigned circuits with adjustable attenuation \ seen (3. 5: 7. 8. 9) parallel in two rows of positive and negative images are connected in pairs after the circuits (7, 8, 9) of which one row is preceded by a reverse circuit (6). and that the outputs of this Circuits (3. 5; 7. 8. 9) separated according to color, each connected to an overlay circuit are upstream of the receiver (4). 6. Apparatus according to claim 5, characterized by a circuit -rur displacement of the Images in one row versus images in the other row. 7. Apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that that every circuit of a positive or negative image has a circuit for image shifting assigned isi.