System and method for improved real-time cine imaging

Abstract

A cine imaging filter and method of use that includes a denoising image-filter based on the Karhunen-Loeve transform along the temporal direction to take advantage of the high temporal correlation among images. The cine imaging filter may further include the application of a simple formula describing the quantitative noise reduction capabilities of the KLT filter as a function of eigenimage cutoff. Additionally, the filter may validate its accuracy in numerical simulation and in in-vivo real time cine images. Furthermore, exemplary embodiments of the cine imaging filter may employ a technique to automatically select the optimal eigenimage cutoff to maximize noise reduction with minimal effect on image information.

1 . A computerized method for filtering dynamic images, the method comprising:
 (a) receiving at a computer image data for a series of images;   (b) receiving at said computer an eigenimage cutoff ratio value;   (c) reconstructing at said computer said images by applying to said image data a KLT filter with said eigenimage cutoff ratio value; and   (d) providing a computer user with access to said images to facilitate diagnosis of a health condition.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said image data comprises dynamic images selected from the group consisting of short-axis views, horizontal long-axis views, and vertical axis views. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said dynamic images are selected from the group consisting of real-time kinematic MRI images, ultrasound images, X-ray fluoroscopy images, computed tomography images, and nuclear scintigraphy images.