Methods and apparatus for predicting contrast agent uptake in a computed tomography system
US6236706A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 12, 1996 |
| Grant date | May 22, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 12, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S378/901
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The present invention, in one form, is a system which predicts contrast agent uptake in an organ of interest. In accordance with one embodiment, and after the contrast agent has been administered to a patient, a prep scan is performed to determine a base contrast agent uptake measurement. A predictive algorithm is then applied to the base measurement to predict a subsequent contrast agent uptake measurement. The predicted subsequent measurement is then compared to a scanning parameter. Particularly, if the predicted subsequent measurement satisfies the scanning parameter, then an image scan is initiated. If the predicted subsequent measurement does not satisfy the scanning parameter, however, then an additional prep scan is performed to determine a new base contrast agent uptake measurement. The predictive algorithm is then applied to the new base measurement to predict a subsequent contrast agent uptake measurement. The prep scans and predictions are repeated until the predicted subsequent contrast agent uptake measurement satisfies the scanning parameter.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.