Improved X-ray edge detection based on background extraction algorithm

Abstract

Digital X-ray imaging is a source of generous information about health of patient bones. One of major obstacles in computer analysis of digital X-ray images is the presence of bone tissue and soft-tissue areas. It has a negative impact on the quality of bone edge detection or detection of bones area on X-ray images. The main goal is to create an efficient method of edge detection which performs efficiently on properly prepared digital X-ray images. This paper describes a new method of background removal from X-ray images where the background is in the form of soft-tissue. The aim of this is to prepare the image to the next step of processing. We also present a new approach to edge detection of bones on X-ray images. Performance of the proposed method is achieved by eliminating unnecessary areas of the image which are not bone tissue and which are not the main region of interest. Additionally, the presented method of edge detection is partly based on known algorithm named Integral Image and specific edge detection filter, what allow to achieve the desired objectives. © 2013 Springer-Verlag.