Switching between neural networks based on scout scan analysis

An imaging system for processing medical images, comprising:

• a memory that stores a plurality of instructions;
• and
• a processor that couples to the memory and is configured to execute the instructions to:
• obtain a first image that corresponds to a scout scan;
• identify a plurality of different anatomical structures in the first image;
• obtain a second image different from the first image, wherein the second image comprises the same subject matter as the first image;
• define a plurality of image segments in the second image utilizing locations of the different anatomical structures identified in the first image, such that a first image segment of the plurality of image segments contains a first anatomical structure of the plurality of different anatomical structures and a second image segment of the plurality of image segments contains a second anatomical structure of the plurality of different anatomical structures, wherein the first anatomical structure is different from the second anatomical structure;
• apply a first processing routine comprising a neural network trained for the first anatomical structure to the first image segment to obtain a processed first image segment;
• apply a second processing routine, different from the first processing routine, comprising a neural network trained for the second anatomical structure to the second image segment to obtain a processed second image segment;
• and
• output a third image in which the processed first image segment and the processed second image segment are recombined to form a single composite image.

A non-transitory computer readable medium for storing a program for processing medical images comprising instructions to:

• obtain a first image that corresponds to a scout scan;
• identify a plurality of different anatomical structures in the first image;
• obtain a second image different from the first image, wherein the second image comprises the same subject matter as the first image;
• define a plurality of image segments in the second image based on locations of the different anatomical structures identified in the first image, such that a first image segment of the plurality of image segments contains a first anatomical structure of the plurality of different anatomical structures and a second image segment of the plurality of image segments contains a second anatomical structure of the plurality of different anatomical structures, wherein the first anatomical structure is different from the second anatomical structure;
• apply a first processing routine comprising a neural network trained for the first anatomical structure to the first image segment to obtain a processed first image segment;
• apply a second processing routine, different from the first processing routine, comprising a neural network trained for the second anatomical structure to the second image segment to obtain a processed second image segment;
• and
• output a third image in which the processed first image segment and the processed second image segment are recombined to form a single composite image.