Blind deblurring of spiral CT images

To discriminate fine anatomical features in the inner ear, it has been desirable that spiral computed tomography (CT) may perform beyond their current resolution limits with the aid of digital image processing techniques. In this paper, we develop a blind deblurring approach to enhance image resolut...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:IEEE transactions on medical imaging 2003-07, Vol.22 (7), p.837-845
Main Authors: Ming Jiang, Ge Wang, Skinner, M.W., Rubinstein, J.T., Vannier, M.W.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Algorithms
Cochlea - diagnostic imaging
Computed tomography
Convolution
Digital images
Ear
Humans
Image quality
Image resolution
Image restoration
Iterative algorithms
Parameter estimation
Phantoms, Imaging
Radiographic Image Enhancement - methods
Reproducibility of Results
Sensitivity and Specificity
Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted
Spirals
Studies
Temporal Bone - diagnostic imaging
Tomography, Spiral Computed - instrumentation
Tomography, Spiral Computed - methods
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Summary:To discriminate fine anatomical features in the inner ear, it has been desirable that spiral computed tomography (CT) may perform beyond their current resolution limits with the aid of digital image processing techniques. In this paper, we develop a blind deblurring approach to enhance image resolution retrospectively without complete knowledge of the underlying point spread function (PSF). An oblique CT image can be approximated as the convolution of an isotropic Gaussian PSF and the actual cross section. Practically, the parameter of the PSF is often unavailable. Hence, estimation of the parameter for the underlying PSF is crucially important for blind image deblurring. Based on the iterative deblurring theory, we formulate an edge-to-noise ratio (ENR) to characterize the image quality change due to deblurring. Our blind deblurring algorithm estimates the parameter of the PSF by maximizing the ENR, and deblurs images. In the phantom studies, the blind deblurring algorithm reduces image blurring by about 24%, according to our blurring residual measure. Also, the blind deblurring algorithm works well in patient studies. After fully automatic blind deblurring, the conspicuity of the submillimeter features of the cochlea is substantially improved.
ISSN:0278-0062
1558-254X
DOI:10.1109/TMI.2003.815075