Root Cause of Converted Image Quality Issues
When an imaging data conversion from a 3rd party imaging software to Apteryx is performed, the raw images contained in the 3rd party software are converted.
Some imaging softwares use filtering that displays as an “overlay” over the raw image, so in some cases, a new client will find the image quality of their converted images is different from the image quality shown in their previous software, as they’re now viewing the raw image within Apteryx instead of the filtered image in their previous software.
This can be resolved by creating an enhancement in Apteryx that is set up to only apply to converted images, so the raw images can be filtered and appear similar to how they looked in their previous software.
Creating an Enhancement in Apteryx that only applies to Converted Images
When creating an enhancement in Apteryx for the purpose of filtering converted images, it is imperative to make sure the enhancement is only capable of applying to converted images. This is necessary to prevent the new enhancement from also applying to non-converted images and other image types, especially when the site has Always Show Enhanced enabled and/or is shared by a multi-location organization.
Recommended Enhancement Settings for Specific Softwares
XDR Converted Image Enhancement
Dexis Converted Image Enhancement - PlanetDDS - Internal Knowledge Base - Confluence
To create an enhancement that can only apply to converted images:
Make sure you’re logged into Apteryx as an admin privileged user
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View a converted image in Apteryx, then click the image and select Info from the right-hand toolbar. Scroll down to locate Device Model under the Image subsection, which will display what program the image was converted from. Take note of this field for later:
Close the Info panel, then select Enhance Series > Custom
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In the Enhancements pane, select Create Enhancement
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Create the enhancement as normal, but set the Manufacturer & Model drop-down to match the Device model displayed in the first step. This is what tells the enhancement to only apply to that specific “Device model.”
NOTE: Serial number, Pixel Format, and Image Size should be left blank. Name can be whatever you or the client wants, and Modality should be set to IO unless the converted images are a different modality (HC, CR, etc.)
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The Effects to apply are dependent on what is needed by the client/how the image appears in their previous software vs. Apteryx. Determine what effects to use by reviewing the same image in the previous software and communicating with the client on their needs. Effects/filters apply in real-time every time you click Save, so these can be adjusted on the fly as many times as necessary.
Typically, using the IOFilter2 Effect and adjusting its Applied Effects is a good starting point.
If the client only wants an improvement to sharpening, only add the Sharpen Effect and adjust Radius (same as Mask Size) and Amount as needed. Radius of 15 and amount of 20 is a good starting point.
If the client only needs the converted images to all be darker or lighter, only add the GammaCorrection Effect and increase/decrease the Applied Effect in increments of 0.1.
Multiple Effects can be selected and used in combination - ex. if the client states converted images are all too light and blurry, try adding GammaCorrection and reducing its Applied Effect, as well as add Sharpen and adjust Radius and Amount as needed to correct both issues with the image.
Once the enhancement has been created, click Save and Apply, then refresh the page. To apply the enhancement, click Enhance Series > Auto. If Always Show Enhanced is enabled in their Site Settings, the filter should automatically apply.
Incorrect Enhancement applying to Converted Images
If after a converted image enhancement is created the incorrect enhancement applies to converted images when selecting Enhance Series > Auto, this indicates a different enhancement is taking precedence over the newly created enhancement. This can occur due to two reasons:
Other enhancements are set as “Preferred Enhancements,” and the converted image enhancement is not
Other enhancements have no Manufacturer & Model and Modality specified in their settings, while the converted image enhancement does
To resolve, Edit the converted image enhancement and check Add to Preferred Enhancements. In some cases, you may also need to uncheck “Add to Preferred Enhancements” on the other existing filters as well.
If the issue persists, try deleting the Gamma Reduction, High Sharpen, and Reduce Grain default enhancements.