Enhancement of digital gamma activation autoradiography capabilities by means of computer analysis of the time series images

It has been demonstrated that pixel-by pixel processing of series of autoradiography images for revealing the dynamics of decay of the induced radionuclides is an efficient approach for mapping of radionuclides in the sample in activation autoradiography. Concepts of virtual scanner and corresponding software for linearization of dependence of optical density on scanner response (luminosity) have been introduced. The concept provides unification of the subsequent processing of autoradiograms, irrespective of the method as to how the digital image has been obtained. Algorithms and the software for estimation of decay parameters of a radionuclide mixture for each pixel using a series of coaxially positioned images have been developed. The software is able generate a set of the derivative meta-images allowing a conclusion to be made about the presence of the inclusions in question. To increase the reliability of radionuclide mapping it is suggested to use analysis of distribution of half-life values estimated for pixels of image zone(s) pointed by a special mask.