Method and apparatus for reducing x-ray dosage in CT imaging prescription

A CT scanner comprising:

• an updatable database having data of one or more previous imaging scans stored therein;
• and
• a computer programmed to:
• receive a request to initialize an imaging scan from a user;
• receive input from the user identifying a desired imaging scan;
• access the updatable database and compare data stored therein of the one or more previous imaging scans with data of the desired imaging scan;
• convey results of the comparison to the user;
• and
• redefine the desired imaging scan to reduce x-ray exposure during the acquisition of the CT data.

A method of constructing a network for administering imaging sessions, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing at least one database for storing a plurality of scan parameter values;
• configuring an imaging scanner to be communicatable with the database and further configuring the imaging scanner to automatically transmit scan parameter values for a set of scan parameters to the at least one database following execution of an imaging scan;
• and
• providing a user module connected to the imaging scanner and communicatable with the at least one database and configuring the user module to access the database in response to a user input to determine a summary of prior imaging scans, wherein the summary includes an indication of radiation used to acquire imaging data during the prior imaging scans.

An electronic network comprising:

• at least one updatable database configured to store scan parameter values from one or more imaging sessions, the scan parameter values corresponding to scan parameters defining the one or more imaging sessions;
• at least one imager configured to acquire imaging data of a subject according to a set of scan parameters;
• an electronic communications link connected to the at least one updatable database and the at least one imager;
• and
• wherein the at least one imager includes a processor configured to automatically transmit one or more scan parameter values, including an indication of a radiation dosage used to acquire imaging data during the one or more imaging sessions corresponding to the set of scan parameters, to the at least one updatable database following acquisition of imaging data from the subject.

A computer readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon and representing a set of instructions that when executed by one or more computers causes the one or more computers to:

• access a database having scan parameter data stored thereon, the scan parameter data corresponding to scan parameters of one or more executed imaging sessions;
• compare user input identifying scan parameters of an imminent imaging session to at least a portion of the scan parameter data stored on the database;
• determine preferred scan parameters for the imminent imaging session from the scan parameter data stored on the database from the one or more executed imaging sessions executed in accordance with scan parameters similar to those identified by the user input;
• and
• display results of the comparison that include an indication of a radiation dosage used to acquire imaging data during the one or more imaging sessions conducted in accordance with the scan parameters.

A method of prescribing an imaging scan comprising the steps of:

• prescribing a scan to acquire imaging data of a subject;
• accessing at least one database having data stored thereon from executed scans;
• retrieving scan data from the database corresponding to executed scans similar to the prescribed scan;
• executing the prescribed scan with scan parameters defined by the scan data retrieved from the database;
• and
• providing a summary to a user, wherein the summary includes an indication of radiation used to acquire scan data during the scan.