# IMPROVED TECHNIQUES FOR CHEST RADIOGRAPHY

> **NIH NIH R01** · UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH · 1987 · $196,826

## Abstract

The objective of this research is to develop methods for improving contrast
in chest radiography and to evaluate the effectiveness of these
improvements for the diagnosis and staging of cancer involving the lung.
The methods for improving contrast will include highly efficient scatter
rejection by improved antiscatter grids and scanning-slit techniques, and
digital or optical image processing.  Evaluation will be based on ROC
nodule detection studies and statistically valid comparisons of the
visibility of anatomic structures on clinical radiographs by experienced
radiologist observers.  Specific aims include:

1. Chest radiographs of 400-500 cancer patients will be recorded on
very-wide-latitude film (DuPont WDR), using conventional and improved
antiscatter grids.  These films will be carefully documented for presence
of nodules and other cancer-related disease and will provide a database of
images for objective evaluation of techniques for improving contrast in
clinical chest radiography.

2. Documented WDR-film chest radiographs will be used to evaluate the
effects of a new optical image-processing technique and of highly efficient
scatter rejection on nodule detection and visibility of anatomic structures.

3. Documented WDR-film chest radiographs will be use to evaluate the
effects of digital image processing and image pixelation effects.
Different image-processing algorithms combining unsharp masking and
contrast enhancement, and different sampling aperture sizes and intervals
will be evaluated for their effects on nodule detection and visibility of
anatomic structure.

4. An optical image processor modeled after the principles of LogEtronics
printers but with improved control of optical flare and more flexible
adjustment of image-processing parameters will be designed, constructed,
and evaluated for application to chest radiography.

5. Development and evaluation an electronic scanning-slit technique
providing highly efficient rejection of scattered x-rays and veiling glare
with large-field image intensifiers used for chest radiography will be
continued.  Advanced image-processing techniques, e.g., spatial filtration
for contrast enhancement and dual-KV subtraction for separating bone vs.
soft-tissue structures will be implemented with this device.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3170713
- **Project number:** 5R01CA032854-11
- **Recipient organization:** UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH
- **SAM.gov UEI:** LL8GLEVH6MG3
- **Principal Investigator:** ROBERT A KRUGER
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1987
- **Award amount:** $196,826
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1977-07-01 → 1990-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3170713

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3170713, IMPROVED TECHNIQUES FOR CHEST RADIOGRAPHY (5R01CA032854-11). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3170713. Licensed CC0.

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