Patent ID: 8654918
Filing Date: 2014-02-18
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A method of selecting a value of a voltage to be set for a scan of a patient using an x-ray tube of a computer tomography apparatus before an acquisition of x-ray projections of a body region of the patient, comprising the steps of: considering at least one item of information obtained from a topogram of the patient using a programmed computer device; considering at least one item of information about the patient obtained from a patient file of the patient using the programmed computer device, wherein the at least one item of information obtained from the patient file of the patient is an item of information selected from the group consisting of: a number of scans that have already been performed on the patient, a frequency of scans that have already been conducted on the patient; an estimation or probability that the patient will develop cancer; an item of information about a prior illness of the patient; an item of information about the health status of the patient; a physical or tissue property of the patient; an item of information about a contrast agent intolerance of the patient; and an item of information about a maximum amount of contrast agent that can be administered to the patient; and selecting a value of a voltage to be applied to an x-ray tube of a computer tomography apparatus during a scan of the patient based on said considering of said at least one item of information learned from said topogram and said at least one item of information learned from the patient file so as to reduce a dose of x-ray radiation to be applied to the patient in a course of the scan, said selecting step being performed using the programmed computer device connected to the computer tomography apparatus.