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 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 are provided for contrast-enhanced diagnostic imaging. In one aspect, a system comprises an x-ray source that emits a beam of x-rays towards a subject to be imaged; a detector that receives the x-rays attenuated by the subject; a data acquisition system (DAS) operably connected to the detector; and a computing device operably connected to the DAS and configured with executable instructions in non-transitory memory that when executed cause the computing device to generate a first estimated time to perform a diagnostic scan of the subject based on demographic information and clinical information of the patient; and control the x-ray source and the detector to perform the diagnostic scan of the subject at the first estimated time responsive to a first confidence level of the first estimated time above a threshold.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for profile-based selection of imaging parameters for a clinical context. In one embodiment, a method comprises selecting a profile based on an indication of clinical context for a scan of a patient, selecting one or more sub-profiles based on the profile, selecting imaging settings for the scan based on the profile and the one or more sub-profiles, and performing the scan according to the selected imaging settings. In this way, a scan prescription may be defined more efficiently and personally for a patient while improving quality assurance and managing an x-ray radiation dose of the patient.

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 adaptive scan control. In one embodiment, a method comprises: while performing a scan of a scan subject, processing acquired projection data to measure a contrast level; responsive to the contrast level increasing above a first threshold, automatically switching the scan from a first scan protocol to a second scan protocol; responsive to the contrast level decreasing below a second threshold, automatically switching the scan from the second scan protocol to the first scan protocol; and responsive to the contrast level decreasing below a third threshold, automatically ending the scan. In this way, multiple scan protocols, such as angiography and perfusion scan protocols, can be interleaved within a single scan without the use of a separate timing bolus scan.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for profile-based selection of imaging parameters for a clinical context. In one embodiment, a method comprises selecting a profile based on an indication of clinical context for a scan of a patient, selecting one or more sub-profiles based on the profile, selecting imaging settings for the scan based on the profile and the one or more sub-profiles, and performing the scan according to the selected imaging settings. In this way, a scan prescription may be defined more efficiently and personally for a patient while improving quality assurance and managing an x-ray radiation dose of the patient.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for contrast-enhanced diagnostic imaging. In one embodiment, a method comprises estimating a time to perform a diagnostic scan of a patient based on demographics of the patient, and performing the diagnostic scan of the patient at the estimated time responsive to a confidence level of the estimated time above a threshold. In this way, a contrast-enhanced diagnostic scan may be performed without directly monitoring the contrast flow, thereby reducing radiation dose and contrast load while maintaining or improving image quality.

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: 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.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adaptive scan control. In one embodiment, a method comprises: while performing a scan of a scan subject, processing acquired projection data to measure a contrast level; responsive to the contrast level increasing above a first threshold, automatically switching the scan from a first scan protocol to a second scan protocol; responsive to the contrast level decreasing below a second threshold, automatically switching the scan from the second scan protocol to the first scan protocol; and responsive to the contrast level decreasing below a third threshold, automatically ending the scan. In this way, multiple scan protocols, such as angiography and perfusion scan protocols, can be interleaved within a single scan without the use of a separate timing bolus 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.