Method and apparatus for performing automatic exposure control in CT imaging systems

A method for performing X-ray exposure control in a computed tomography (CT) imaging system including an X-ray source, the method comprising:

• acquiring helical scan data from a scout scan performed on a first imaging object;
• determining a target noise standard deviation (STD) for an imaging scan to be performed on the first imaging object after the scout scan;
• retrieving a pre-stored attenuation-noise-dose relationship relating attenuation of X-rays from the X-ray source that pass through a second imaging object, noise present in reconstructed images of the second imaging object, and tube current values applied to the X-ray source;
• using the acquired helical scan data and the determined target noise STD to generate a tube current modulation curve, based on the retrieved attenuation-noise-dose relationship;
• and
• performing the imaging scan on the first imaging object using the generated tube current modulation curve.

A non-transitory computer readable medium having instructions stored therein that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform a method for performing X-ray exposure control in a computed tomography (CT) imaging system including an X-ray source, the method comprising:

• acquiring helical scan data from a scout scan performed on a first imaging object;
• determining a target noise standard deviation (STD) for an imaging scan to be performed on the first imaging object after the scout scan;
• retrieving a pre-stored attenuation-noise-dose relationship relating attenuation of X-rays from the X-ray source that pass through a second imaging object, noise present in reconstructed images of the second imaging object, and tube current values applied to the X-ray source;
• using the acquired helical scan data and the determined target noise STD to generate a tube current modulation curve, based on the retrieved attenuation-noise-dose relationship;
• and
• performing the imaging scan on the first imaging object using the generated tube current modulation curve.