Abstract: An imaging system and method acquires non-contrast images of a region of interest in a body and determines an entrance criterion based on the non-contrast images. The entrance criterion dictates conditions in which to begin acquiring contrast imaging exposures of the region of interest. An amount of a contrast agent is measured in one or more locations in the imaged body subsequent to acquiring the non-contrast images. The system and method determine that the one or more conditions of the entrance criterion are met based on the amount of the contrast agent that is measured in the imaged body, and acquire one or more contrast images of the region of interest in the imaged body responsive to determining that the one or more conditions of the entrance criterion are met.

Abstract: Systems and methods describe dwell time recording of digital image review sessions. The system displays, at a user interface (UI), a portion of an image on at least one monitor, where the image is segmented into a multitude of patches. The system then receives UI events involving a change in the currently displayed patches. For each of the UI events, the system records one or more dwell times representing durations for which the current patches of the image were displayed. The system also receives a report associated with the image review session, and processes the text of the report to determine a classification label for the image. Finally, the system trains a machine learning model, using at least the recorded dwell times and the classification label for the image.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for cardiac computed tomography imaging. In one embodiment, a method comprises reconstructing an image from projection data acquired during a scan with a reconstruction time determined based on a model relating a timing of an event to be imaged to a heart rate measured during the scan. In this way, the timing of a reconstruction may be consistently applied for a series of reconstructions, thereby inherently registering the reconstructions.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for cardiac computed tomography imaging. In one embodiment, a method comprises reconstructing an image from projection data acquired during a scan with a reconstruction time determined based on a model relating a timing of an event to be imaged to a heart rate measured during the scan. In this way, the timing of a reconstruction may be consistently applied for a series of reconstructions, thereby inherently registering the reconstructions.

Abstract: A system and method for estimating vascular flow using CT imaging include a computer readable storage medium having stored thereon a computer program comprising instructions, which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to acquire a first set of data comprising anatomical information of an imaging subject, the anatomical information comprises information of at least one vessel. The instructions further cause the computer to process the anatomical information to generate an image volume comprising the at least one vessel, generate hemodynamic information based on the image volume, and acquire a second set of data of the imaging subject. The computer is also caused to generate an image comprising the hemodynamic information in combination with a visualization based on the second set of data.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting medical imaging parameters based on imaging parameters used during a previous imaging session. In one embodiment, a method for a computed tomography (CT) system includes reducing a radiation level of at least one CT scan of one or more successive CT scans performed on a patient based on CT scan information obtained from a previous CT scan performed on the patient, the radiation level reduced relative to a radiation level of the previous CT scan.

Abstract: An imaging system and method acquires non-contrast images of a region of interest in a body and determines an entrance criterion based on the non-contrast images. The entrance criterion dictates conditions in which to begin acquiring contrast imaging exposures of the region of interest. An amount of a contrast agent is measured in one or more locations in the imaged body subsequent to acquiring the non-contrast images. The system and method determine that the one or more conditions of the entrance criterion are met based on the amount of the contrast agent that is measured in the imaged body, and acquire one or more contrast images of the region of interest in the imaged body responsive to determining that the one or more conditions of the entrance criterion are met.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for generating a diagnostic cardiac image using a CT system without ECG gating techniques. In one example, a method for an imaging system includes determining a scanning duration for scanning a heart of a patient with the imaging system based on a heart rate of the patient, scanning the patient with the imaging system for the scanning duration, the scanning commenced independent of a current phase of a cardiac cycle of the heart of the patient, and reconstructing an image from data acquired during the scanning.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for generating a diagnostic cardiac image using a CT system without ECG gating techniques. In one example, a method for an imaging system includes determining a scanning duration for scanning a heart of a patient with the imaging system based on a heart rate of the patient, scanning the patient with the imaging system for the scanning duration, the scanning commenced independent of a current phase of a cardiac cycle of the heart of the patient, and reconstructing an image from data acquired during the scanning.

Abstract: An imaging system and method acquires non-contrast images of a region of interest in a body and determines an entrance criterion based on the non-contrast images. The entrance criterion dictates conditions in which to begin acquiring contrast imaging exposures of the region of interest. An amount of a contrast agent is measured in one or more locations in the imaged body subsequent to acquiring the non-contrast images. The system and method determine that the one or more conditions of the entrance criterion are met based on the amount of the contrast agent that is measured in the imaged body, and acquire one or more contrast images of the region of interest in the imaged body responsive to determining that the one or more conditions of the entrance criterion are met.

Abstract: An imaging system determines a heart rate of a patient, a cardiac disease state, and/or a target cardiac anatomy of the patient. The system calculates an image acquisition time range from a patient population model using the heart rate, the cardiac disease state, and/or the target anatomy. The model represents relationships between cardiac motion of other patients and time or cardiac phases of the other patients. The system also determines imaging settings to acquire image data of the target anatomy during the image acquisition time range that is calculated. Imaging the target anatomy of the patient according to the imaging settings generates image data of the target anatomy having less cardiac motion and/or a reduced image acquisition time range relative to determining the imaging settings without using the patient population model.

Abstract: An imaging system determines a heart rate of a patient, a cardiac disease state, and/or a target cardiac anatomy of the patient. The system calculates an image acquisition time range from a patient population model using the heart rate, the cardiac disease state, and/or the target anatomy. The model represents relationships between cardiac motion of other patients and time or cardiac phases of the other patients. The system also determines imaging settings to acquire image data of the target anatomy during the image acquisition time range that is calculated. Imaging the target anatomy of the patient according to the imaging settings generates image data of the target anatomy having less cardiac motion and/or a reduced image acquisition time range relative to determining the imaging settings without using the patient population model.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting medical imaging parameters based on imaging parameters used during a previous imaging session. In one embodiment, a method for a computed tomography (CT) system includes reducing a radiation level of at least one CT scan of one or more successive CT scans performed on a patient based on CT scan information obtained from a previous CT scan performed on the patient, the radiation level reduced relative to a radiation level of the previous CT scan.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided that acquire image data of a first location of a region of interest (ROI) when located in a field of view of a medical imaging system as a contrast material injected into the ROI passes through the first location. The systems and methods further determine from the image data of the first location when a first contrast metric is reached, and after determining the image data of the first location, position the second location of the ROI in the field of view of the medical imaging system. The systems and methods further acquire image data of the second location as the contrast material passes through the second location, and determine from the image data of the second location when the contrast material reaches a second contrast metric.

Abstract: A system and method for estimating vascular flow using CT imaging include a computer readable storage medium having stored thereon a computer program comprising instructions, which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to acquire a first set of data comprising anatomical information of an imaging subject, the anatomical information comprises information of at least one vessel. The instructions further cause the computer to process the anatomical information to generate an image volume comprising the at least one vessel, generate hemodynamic information based on the image volume, and acquire a second set of data of the imaging subject. The computer is also caused to generate an image comprising the hemodynamic information in combination with a visualization based on the second set of data.

Abstract: A system includes an imaging acquisition unit, a reconstruction unit, and a determination system. The imaging acquisition unit is configured to perform a scan to acquire imaging information of a patient. The reconstruction unit is configured to reconstruct an image using the imaging information. The determination system is communicatively coupled to the imaging acquisition unit and the reconstruction unit. The determination system includes at least one processor configured to: acquire performance information corresponding to the scan; determine a scan quality for the scan based on the performance information; determine an update to a protocol used to at least one of acquire the imaging information or reconstruct the image; and provide control information to at least one of the imaging acquisition unit or the reconstruction unit to implement the determined update for at least one of performing a subsequent scan or reconstructing a subsequent image.

Abstract: A system and method for estimating vascular flow using CT imaging include a computer readable storage medium having stored thereon a computer program comprising instructions, which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to acquire a first set of data comprising anatomical information of an imaging subject, the anatomical information comprises information of at least one vessel. The instructions further cause the computer to process the anatomical information to generate an image volume comprising the at least one vessel, generate hemodynamic information based on the image volume, and acquire a second set of data of the imaging subject. The computer is also caused to generate an image comprising the hemodynamic information in combination with a visualization based on the second set of data.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for cardiac computed tomography imaging. In one embodiment, a method comprises reconstructing an image from projection data acquired during a scan with a reconstruction time determined based on a model relating a timing of an event to be imaged to a heart rate measured during the scan. In this way, the timing of a reconstruction may be consistently applied for a series of reconstructions, thereby inherently registering the reconstructions.

Abstract: A system includes an imaging acquisition unit, a reconstruction unit, and a determination system. The imaging acquisition unit is configured to perform a scan to acquire imaging information of a patient. The reconstruction unit is configured to reconstruct an image using the imaging information. The determination system is communicatively coupled to the imaging acquisition unit and the reconstruction unit. The determination system includes at least one processor configured to: acquire performance information corresponding to the scan; determine a scan quality for the scan based on the performance information; determine an update to a protocol used to at least one of acquire the imaging information or reconstruct the image; and provide control information to at least one of the imaging acquisition unit or the reconstruction unit to implement the determined update for at least one of performing a subsequent scan or reconstructing a subsequent image.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adaptive scan control. In one embodiment, a method comprises, during a scan session, performing a first scan of a heart of a subject using a first scan protocol, performing a second scan of the heart using a second scan protocol, and performing a third scan of the heart using the first scan protocol, and while performing the first scan and the third scan, adjusting a scan rate of the first scan protocol based on a heart rate of the subject. In this way, multiple scan protocols, such as angiography and perfusion scan protocols, can be interleaved within a single scan and the scan protocol may be adapted to a patient.