Medical image enhancement method for hardcopy prints

This invention relates in general to a method for the enhancement of medical images for hardcopy prints. More particularly, it relates to such a method which compensates for the losses of image high frequency contents due to the limited capability of the output device and which mimics the image tone scale on the hardcopy prints of the trans-illuminated film on a standard diagnostic lightbox. A method for the enhancement of medical images for hardcopy prints comprising the steps of: obtaining a medical image in digital format; conducting a plurality of operations for Human Visual System (HVS)-based edge enhancement with each operation having a uniquely specified high frequency amplification function and range such that edges are more enhanced in the shadow region than in the highlight region; adjusting image tone scale, for reflection prints increase the contrast in the shadow region and decrease the contrast in the highlight region, and for transparency prints decrease the contrast in the shadow region and increase the contrast in the highlight region; sending the processed image to the output device for hardcopy prints.