IP Library Granted Patent US 9,730,668
Granted Patent B2
US 9,730,668 · App. 14/734,162 · Granted Aug 15, 2017

Method for operating a computed tomograph and a computed tomograph

Inventor: Philipp Bernhardt (Forchheim, DE)
Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
A61B6/542A61B6/032A61B6/5258
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,730,668
App. No.
14/734,162
Granted
Aug 15, 2017
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method for operating a computed tomograph is provided, wherein an X-ray penetrates an object from different positions, a deposition of an individual dose is effected in at least one part of the object, and an image signal is generated in the detector by way of a transmitted intensity of the X-ray, wherein exposure-related parameters for the respective different positions are individually set such that with respect to a specific position, the share of the associated individual dose is raised if a raising of the individual dose in the specific position brings about a greater improvement in the image quality than in another position, or the share of the associated individual dose is lowered if a lowering of the individual dose in the specific position brings about a smaller deterioration in the image quality than in another position, in order to lower stochastic risks for mutations and uncontrolled cell growth.

Claims (17)

1. A method for operating a computed tomograph, the method comprising:

penetrating an object with an X-ray from a plurality of positions;

effecting, at each position of the plurality of positions, a deposition of an individual dose of radiation in at least one part of the object, wherein the individual doses add up to a total dose of radiation; and

generating an image signal, via a detector, at each position of the plurality of positions, by way of a transmitted intensity of the X-ray,

wherein a plurality of exposure parameters, which influence an image quality of the image signal, are set individually for each position of the plurality of positions, wherein the exposure parameters for each position of the plurality of positions are selected such that a respective product of the individual dose and a measure for the image quality is identical for each position of the plurality of positions,

wherein individual doses for respective positions of the plurality of positions are configured to be: (1) raised when a raising provides a greater improvement in the image quality than in another position, or (2) lowered when a lowering provides a smaller deterioration in the image quality than in another position, and

wherein the total dose of radiation does not exceed a predetermined value such than when an individual dose is raised in a specific position, at least one additional individual dose is lowered in at least one separate position.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the individual doses are raised or lowered starting from a predetermined default setting at which identical values are selected for the exposure parameters for each position of the plurality of positions.

3. The method as claimed in claim 2 , wherein a signal-to-noise ratio is selected as a measure for the image quality.

4. The method as claimed in claim 2 , wherein one exposure parameter of the plurality of exposure parameters is a tube voltage, a tube current, an exposure time, or a combination thereof.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the individual doses to be deposited are set with account being taken of weighting factors for specific tissues.

6. The method as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the individual doses to be deposited are set with account being taken of an anatomy of a patient.

7. The method as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the specific tissues comprise organs.

8. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein a signal-to-noise ratio is selected as a measure for the image quality.

9. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein a square of a signal-to-noise ratio is selected as a measure for the image quality.

10. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein one exposure parameter of the plurality of exposure parameters is a tube voltage, a tube current, an exposure time, or a combination thereof.

11. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the individual doses to be deposited are set with account being taken of an anatomy of a patient.

Assignments (4)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ASSIGNEE PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 066088 FRAME: 0256. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Jan 17, 2024
From: SIEMENS HEALTHCARE GMBH
To: SIEMENS HEALTHINEERS AG
Reel/Frame 071178/0246 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 20, 2023
From: SIEMENS HEALTHCARE GMBH
To: SIEMENS HEALTHINEERS AG
Reel/Frame 066088/0256 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 26, 2017
From: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
To: SIEMENS HEALTHCARE GMBH
Reel/Frame 043706/0009 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 13, 2015
From: BERNHARDT, PHILIPP
To: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
Reel/Frame 036777/0461 →
Priority Claims (1)
DE 10 2014 211 150 · Jun 11, 2014 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20150359503A1 · Dec 17, 2015