Method And Apparatus That Automates Tube Current And Voltage Selection For CT Scans

摘要

A CT scanner and method of operating the CT scanner enables customized automated selection of tube current and peak tube voltage for a CT scan. The CT scanner receives data, each datum of which corresponds to a reference image quality (noise level at a certain tube voltage) for patient water equivalent diameter (“WED”) body size. The CT scanner then stores the noise level and patient WED, and a processor in the CT scanner generates a curve corresponding to acceptable noise levels as a function of water equivalent diameter. The CT scanner stores the curve in a memory associated with the scanner and the CT scanner is subsequently operated with reference to the curve stored in the memory. The tube voltage that can generate the reference CT scan quality (signal-to-noise ratio) with the lowest radiation dose to the patient is selected.

主权项

1. A method of operating a CT scanner comprising:
receiving with a controller associated with the CT scanner data associated with the CT scanner, each datum of the data including a noise level and a water equivalent diameter for a patient imaged in a CT scan generated by the CT scanner that has an image quality above a predetermined image quality threshold; storing with the controller the data in a memory associated with the CT scanner; generating with the controller associated with the CT scanner a curve identifying acceptable noise levels with reference to the water equivalent diameters in the data; storing with the controller the curve in the memory; and operating with the controller the CT scanner to perform a subject scan with a current level and a voltage level for an X-ray tube in the CT scanner being selected with reference to the curve stored in the memory and a water equivalent diameter for a patient to be imaged.