Using detectability index to determine X-ray tube current

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9848847-B2
Application number	US-201514680867-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 7, 2015
Priority date	Apr 7, 2015
Publication date	Dec 26, 2017
Grant date	Dec 26, 2017

Abstract

A computed tomography (CT) image apparatus includes an X-ray source to emit X-rays; and processing circuitry configured to receive a desired detectability index set by a user, the desired detectability index determining for a desired image quality of a CT scan of an object; determine an X-ray tube current that will result in the desired detectability index set by the user; and cause the X-ray source to perform a scan of the object using the determined tube current.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A computed tomography (CT) apparatus, comprising:
an X-ray source to emit X-rays; and
processing circuitry configured to
receive a desired detectability index set by a user, the desired detectability index determining a desired image quality of a CT scan of an object;
determine an X-ray tube current that will result in the desired detectability index set by the user; and
cause the X-ray source to perform a scan of the object using the determined tube current,

wherein the desired detectability index is proportional to a module transfer function and an object function, and is inversely proportional to a noise power spectrum, and wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to calculate the module transfer function based on dimensions of the object, an input tube current, a contrast value, and scanning and reconstruction parameters.

2. A computed tomography (CT) imaging method for a CT apparatus that includes an X-ray source configured to emit X-rays, comprising:
receiving a desired detectability index set by a user for a desired image quality of a CT scan of an object;
determining an X-ray tube current that will result in the desired detectability index set by the user; and
causing the X-ray source to perform a scan of the object using the determined tube current,
wherein the desired detectability index is proportional to a module transfer function and an object function, and is inversely proportional to a noise power spectrum, and wherein determining the X-ray tube current further comprises calculating the module transfer function based on dimensions of the object, an input tube current, a contrast value, and scanning and reconstruction parameters.

3. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing executable instructions, which, when executed by processing circuitry of a CT apparatus that includes an X-ray source configured to emit X-rays, cause the processing circuitry to execute a method comprising:
receiving a desired detectability index set by a user for a desired image quality of a CT scan of an object;
determining an X-ray tube current that will result in the desired detectability index set by the user; and
causing the X-ray source to perform a scan of the object using the determined tube current,
wherein the desired detectability index is proportional to a module transfer function and an object function, and is inversely proportional to a noise power spectrum, and wherein determining the X-ray tube current further comprises calculating the module transfer function based on dimensions of the object, an input tube current, a contrast value, and scanning and reconstruction parameters.

4. A computed tomography (CT) apparatus, comprising:
an X-ray source to emit X-rays; and
processing circuitry configured to
receive a desired detectability index set by a user, the desired detectability index determining a desired image quality of a CT scan of an object;
determine an X-ray tube current that will result in the desired detectability index set by the user; and
cause the X-ray source to perform a scan of the object using the determined tube current,

wherein the desired detectability index is proportional to a module transfer function and an object function, and is inversely proportional to a noise power spectrum, and wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to calculate the object function by determining a diameter and a contrast value from an image of the object.

5. A computed tomography (CT) imaging method for a CT apparatus that includes an X-ray source configured to emit X-rays, comprising:
receiving a desired detectability index set by a user for a desired image quality of a CT scan of an object;
determining an X-ray tube current that will result in the desired detectability index set by the user; and
causing the X-ray source to perform a scan of the object using the determined tube current,
wherein the desired detectability index is proportional to a module transfer function and an object function, and is inversely proportional to a noise power spectrum, and wherein determining the X-ray tube current further comprises calculating the object function by determining a diameter and a contrast value from an image of the object.

6. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing executable instructions, which, when executed by processing circuitry of a CT apparatus that includes an X-ray source configured to emit X-rays, cause the processing circuitry to execute a method comprising:
receiving a desired detectability index set by a user for a desired image quality of a CT scan of an object;
determining an X-ray tube current that will result in the desired detectability index set by the user; and
causing the X-ray source to perform a scan of the object using the determined tube current,
wherein the desired detectability index is proportional to a module transfer function and an object function, and is inversely proportional to a noise power spectrum, and wherein determining the X-ray tube current further comprises calculating the object function by determining a diameter and a contrast value from an image of the object.

Assignees

• Toshiba Medical Sys Corp

Inventors

• Boedeker Kirsten
• Nakanishi Satoru

Classifications

• A61B6/544 Primary

  dependent on patient size · CPC title

• A61B6/582

  Calibration · CPC title

• A61B6/5205

  involving processing of raw data to produce diagnostic data · CPC title

• A61B6/545

  involving automatic set-up of acquisition parameters · CPC title

• A61B6/032

  Transmission computed tomography [CT] · CPC title