Computed tomography simulator for estimating dose and image quality

A simulated computed tomography (CT) system, comprising:

• an operator workstation;
• a CT simulator accessible via the operator workstation, the CT simulator configured to:
• receive, via a user interface displayed on the operator workstation, a selected scan protocol;
• receive, via the user interface, one or more characteristic of a patient or patient group;
• determine parameter settings for scanning the patient or patient group;
• determine a projected image quality measure and dose;
• and
• generate a customized scan protocol for the patient or patient group.

A computer-implemented method for a simulated computed tomography (CT) system, the method comprising:

• receiving a plurality of scout images;
• receiving a protocol to be used during a diagnostic scan;
• generating parameter settings to be used on the diagnostic scan;
• simulating the diagnostic scan for a plurality of patients;
• calculating a dose curve for the plurality of patients as a function of patient size;
• and
• modifying the protocol based on the dose curve.