Abstract: A computer-implemented method for a simulated computed tomography (CT) system is disclosed. The method includes receiving, via a user interface, a selected scan protocol and one or more characteristics of a patient or patient group. Using a CT simulator, determining parameter settings for scanning the patient or patient group are determined. The method further includes determining a projected image quality measure and dose using the CT simulator and generating a customized scan protocol for the patient or patient group based on the projected image quality measure and dose.

Abstract: Methods and systems are herein provided for determining operating conditions of a magnetic resonance (MR) scanner based on data of one or more implants of a patient and storing the data of the one or more implants are provided. In one examples, a method comprises obtaining data of one or more implants of a patient from one or more sources; determining one or more configurations of each of the one or more implants; displaying, via a graphical user interface (GUI), the data and the one or more configurations; determining a recommendation configuration based on the one or more configurations; determining a selected configuration via user input to the GUI; and determining operating conditions of an MRI scanner based on the selected configuration for an MRI exam.

Abstract: A system(s), a computer-implemented method(s) and/or computer executable instructions encoded on a computer readable medium(s) obtains, for a scan series for a subject that includes arms of the subject at different positions relative to the subject, a scout image for the subject, removing the arms of the subject from the scout image, designating the scout image with the arms of the subject removed as a reference image for X-ray source current modulation for the scan series, and utilizes the designated scout image for X-ray source current modulation for the scan series.

Abstract: A system(s), a computer-implemented method(s) and/or computer executable instructions encoded on a computer readable medium(s) receives a current position of arms of a subject for a group of a scan series, automatically identifies a scout image from a set of scout images with images of the subject with arms in different positions relative to the subject in which arms of the subject are at a position relative to the subject that corresponds to the current position of the arms of the subject, and utilizes the identified scout image for X-ray source current modulation for the group.

Abstract: Methods and systems are herein provided for determining operating conditions of a magnetic resonance (MR) scanner based on data of one or more implants of a patient and storing the data of the one or more implants are provided. In one examples, a method comprises obtaining data of one or more implants of a patient from one or more sources; determining one or more configurations of each of the one or more implants; displaying, via a graphical user interface (GUI), the data and the one or more configurations; determining a recommendation configuration based on the one or more configurations; determining a selected configuration via user input to the GUI; and determining operating conditions of an MRI scanner based on the selected configuration for an MRI exam.

Abstract: A system(s), a computer-implemented method(s) and/or computer executable instructions encoded on a computer readable medium(s) obtains, for groups of a scan series for a subject, scout images for the subject that were acquired prior to planning the scan series and that include images of arms of the subject in different positions relative to the subject, designates, for each group of the groups, a scout image of the scout images with a position of the arms of the subject that corresponds to a position of the arms of the subject in the group as the reference image for X-ray source current modulation for the group, and utilizes the designated scout images for X-ray source current modulation for the series.

Abstract: A system(s), a computer-implemented method(s) and/or computer executable instructions encoded on a computer readable medium(s) obtains, for groups of a scan series for a subject, scout images for the subject that were acquired prior to planning the scan series and that include images of arms of the subject in different positions relative to the subject, designates, for each group of the groups, a scout image of the scout images with a position of the arms of the subject that corresponds to a position of the arms of the subject in the group as the reference image for X-ray source current modulation for the group, and utilizes the designated scout images for X-ray source current modulation for the series.

Abstract: A system(s), a computer-implemented method(s) and/or computer executable instructions encoded on a computer readable medium(s) receives a current position of arms of a subject for a group of a scan series, automatically identifies a scout image from a set of scout images with images of the subject with arms in different positions relative to the subject in which arms of the subject are at a position relative to the subject that corresponds to the current position of the arms of the subject, and utilizes the identified scout image for X-ray source current modulation for the group.

Abstract: A system(s), a computer-implemented method(s) and/or computer executable instructions encoded on a computer readable medium(s) obtains, for a scan series for a subject that includes arms of the subject at different positions relative to the subject, a scout image for the subject, removing the arms of the subject from the scout image, designating the scout image with the arms of the subject removed as a reference image for X-ray source current modulation for the scan series, and utilizes the designated scout image for X-ray source current modulation for the scan series.

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 for self-positioning patients on a table of an imaging system are described herein. In some examples, the method includes detecting a patient on a table proximate to a system. The method can also include providing a position indicator to the patient using one or more lights of the system, a camera of the system, a removable sheet, a display device of the system, or a combination thereof, and providing a modified position indicator in response to input received by the system.

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: Computed tomography (CT) imaging system has at least one processing unit configured to receive operator inputs that include a modified system feature and a clinical task having a task object and also receive operator inputs for determining a task-based image quality (IQ) metric. The task-based IQ metric represents a desired overall image quality of image data for performing the clinical task. The image data acquired using a reference system feature. The at least one processing unit is also configured to determine an exposure-control parameter based on the task object, the modified system feature, and the task-based IQ metric. The at least one processing unit is also configured to direct the x-ray source to generate the x-ray beam during the CT scan, wherein at least one of the tube current or the tube potential during the CT scan is a function of the exposure-control parameter.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for generating and simulating a computed tomography (CT) protocol is provided. The method includes receiving, via a graphical user interface, at a processor user input including patient population size settings and scan technique settings for modeling the effects of the scan technique settings across a patient population as a function of patient size. The method also includes generating, via the processor, a patient population profile based on at least the patient population size settings and the scan technique settings, wherein the patient population profile includes specific CT scan technique settings to be applied across different size ranges of the patient population as a function of patient size. The method further includes displaying, on the graphical user interface, one or more visualization elements illustrating the effect of these specific CT scan technique settings on specific imaging metrics across the patient population.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for automatic exposure control in computed tomography imaging systems. In one embodiment, a method comprises in response to an object-specific dose metric input by a user via a user interface operably coupled to a scanner, predicting an image quality of a diagnostic scan, calculating an output level of a source of the scanner for the image quality, and performing the diagnostic scan at the output level when the image quality is higher than a threshold. In this way, patient-specific image quality settings may be determined.

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 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: A computer-implemented method for generating and simulating a computed tomography (CT) protocol is provided. The method includes receiving, via a graphical user interface, at a processor user input including patient population size settings and scan technique settings for modeling the effects of the scan technique settings across a patient population as a function of patient size. The method also includes generating, via the processor, a patient population profile based on at least the patient population size settings and the scan technique settings, wherein the patient population profile includes specific CT scan technique settings to be applied across different size ranges of the patient population as a function of patient size. The method further includes displaying, on the graphical user interface, one or more visualization elements illustrating the effect of these specific CT scan technique settings on specific imaging metrics across the patient population.

Abstract: Computed tomography (CT) imaging system has at least one processing unit configured to receive operator inputs that include a modified system feature and a clinical task having a task object and also receive operator inputs for determining a task-based image quality (IQ) metric. The task-based IQ metric represents a desired overall image quality of image data for performing the clinical task. The image data acquired using a reference system feature. The at least one processing unit is also configured to determine an exposure-control parameter based on the task object, the modified system feature, and the task-based IQ metric. The at least one processing unit is also configured to direct the x-ray source to generate the x-ray beam during the CT scan, wherein at least one of the tube current or the tube potential during the CT scan is a function of the exposure-control parameter.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for automatic exposure control in computed tomography imaging systems. In one embodiment, a method comprises in response to an object-specific dose metric input by a user via a user interface operably coupled to a scanner, predicting an image quality of a diagnostic scan, calculating an output level of a source of the scanner for the image quality, and performing the diagnostic scan at the output level when the image quality is higher than a threshold. In this way, patient-specific image quality settings may be determined.