An apparatus for creating a scan protocol using an interactive tool and / or evaluating compliance with a protocol

Abstract

The device has a memory 128, a display 122, and a processor 126. The memory is configured to store a protocol definition module 132. The processor is configured to execute the protocol definition module, which causes the processor to display, via the display, an interactive graphical tool 202 including a digital representation of an anatomical model superimposed with an interactively generated scan field of view, the scan field identifying the anatomical structures of the subject to be scanned for the scan protocol, to generate a standard scan protocol for execution by the imaging system.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention generally relates to an apparatus configured to create a scan protocol using an interactive tool and / or evaluate compliance with a scan protocol for a scan based on the scan protocol, described with respect to a particular application to computed tomography (CT) imaging, but applicable to other imaging modalities such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Background Art

[0002] A computed tomography apparatus has an X-ray tube that emits radiation. The emitted radiation traverses an examination region in which a subject or object is positioned and is detected by a detector array on the side opposite the X-ray tube. The detector array detects radiation traversing the examination region and the subject positioned within the examination region and generates projection data. A reconstructor processes the projection data and reconstructs projection images and / or volumetric image data of the subject or object.

[0003] Generally, first, a prescan is performed to generate a projection image such as a radiograph of a part of a subject or object. The projection image is used with a scan protocol for clinical reasons to generate a scan plan for a volume scan of the subject or object. This includes, for example, defining a field of view (i.e., a scan start position, a scan range, or a scan stop position) for scanning an anatomical structure of interest. Next, a volume scan of the subject or object is performed using the scan plan to generate volumetric image data of the anatomical structure of interest.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Scan protocols are often defined at the facility level, as they are often specific to the radiologist and / or the medical facility. Therefore, the fields for the same clinical reasons may vary between facilities. Furthermore, scan protocols are often entirely descriptive; for example, the radiologist explains to the technician setting up and performing the scan how they want the imaging examination to be performed. Therefore, it can be difficult to ensure compliance of the scan with the scan protocol. **Means for Solving the Problem**

[0005] Aspects described herein address the problems referenced above and other problems.

[0006] In one aspect, the apparatus has a memory, an input device, a display, and a processor. The memory is configured to store a protocol definition module. The processor is configured to execute the protocol definition module, and the protocol definition module causes the processor to display, via the display, an interactive graphical tool having a digital representation of an anatomical model for generating a standard scan protocol to be executed by an imaging system, where the anatomical model has a scan field interactively generated and superposed thereon, and the scan field identifies the anatomical structure of the subject to be scanned with respect to the scan protocol.

[0007] In another aspect, the apparatus has a memory and a processor. The memory is configured to store a protocol compliance module. The processor is configured to execute the protocol compliance module, and the protocol compliance module causes the processor to analyze a plurality of sets of volumetric image data generated by one or more imaging systems programmed with a scan protocol for a plurality of different scans to determine whether the volumetric image data complies with the scan protocol.

[0008] In another aspect, the computer-readable medium is encoded with computer-executable instructions. When executed by a processor, the instructions cause an imaging system that executes a scan plan generated from a scan protocol to analyze volumetric image data generated thereby, to determine whether the volumetric image data complies with the scan protocol, and to visually present on a display information indicating whether the volumetric image data complies with the scan protocol.

[0009] Still other aspects of the present invention will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading and understanding the following detailed description.

[0010] The present invention may take various forms of components and arrangements of components, and various forms of steps and arrangements of steps. The drawings are for purposes of illustrating preferred embodiments only and are not to be construed as limiting the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011]

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Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] In the following, generally, an interactive tool for defining a scan protocol including a scan field of interest, and / or an interactive tool for evaluating a volume scan based on the scan protocol with respect to compliance with the scan protocol will be described. For the sake of brevity and illustration, the following is described with respect to a specific application to CT. However, the following is also applicable to MRI and / or other imaging modalities.

[0013] FIG. 1 schematically shows an exemplary system 1 having an exemplary imaging system 100 such as a computed tomography (CT) system. The imaging system 100 has a stationary gantry 102 and a rotating gantry 104 rotatably supported by the stationary gantry 102. The rotating gantry 104 rotates around an examination region 106 around a longitudinal axis or z-axis 108. The subject support 110 is configured to support a subject or object within the examination region 106 so as to guide the subject or object with respect to the examination region 106 in order to load, scan, and / or unload the subject or object.

[0014] An X-ray radiation source 112 such as an X-ray tube is supported by the rotating gantry 104 and generates and emits X-ray radiation across the examination region 106. The radiation-sensitive detector array 114 includes one or more rows 116 of detector elements, each of the rows 116 extending along a direction transverse to the z-axis 108 and arranged parallel to other rows along the z-axis 108. The radiation-sensitive detector array 114 detects X-ray radiation across the examination region 106 and generates an electrical signal (projection data) indicative thereof. The reconstructor 118 reconstructs the projection data and generates projection (2D) images and / or volumetric (3D) image data depending on the type of scan.

[0015] System 1 further includes a computer that serves as an operator console 120, which includes a human-readable output device 122 such as a display, an input device 124 such as a keyboard and a mouse, a processor 126 (e.g., a microprocessor, a central processing unit (CPU), etc.), and a computer-readable storage medium (memory) 128 that includes a non-transitory medium (hardware memory) and does not include a transitory medium (signals, carrier waves, etc.). The application software 130 resident on the operator console 120, when executed by the processor 126, enables an operator to control the operation of the imaging system 100 through a graphical or other user interface, such as selecting the type of scan (e.g., a projection scan or a volume scan) and selecting an imaging protocol.

[0016] To generate a pre-scan projection image, a projection scan (also referred to as a pre, scout, pilot, survey, etc.) is performed. This pre-scan projection image is used to generate a scan plan for a volume scan, and the scan plan is executed to generate volume image data. In one example, the projection scan is performed by having the rotating gantry 104 and thus the X-ray radiation source 112 in a static position, turning on the X-rays, and moving the patient support through the examination region 106 over a preset distance from a preset start position or to a preset end position. In an alternative example, the rotating gantry 104 and thus the X-ray radiation source 112 rotate and the X-rays are emitted at predetermined angular positions (e.g., 0 degrees and / or 90 degrees). The resulting projection image resembles an X-ray photograph.

[0017] Volume scanning is performed based on a generated scan plan where the rotating gantry 104 and thus the X-ray radiation source 112 are rotated around the examination area 106 and the X-rays are continuously or intermittently turned on (e.g., using an X-ray tube grid switch, radiation attenuation filter, etc. to control the duty cycle). In the case of an axial scan, the subject support supports the patient in a static position. In the case of a spiral / helical scan, the subject support moves the patient through the examination area 106 from a start position to an end position in the imaging plan. The resulting volumetric image data is generated from cross-sectional slices traversing the patient. Axial, sagittal, coronal, and / or oblique (angled) 2D and / or 3D images can be derived from the volumetric image data.

[0018] The illustrated computer-readable storage medium 128 further includes at least a protocol definition module 132, a scan plan module 134, and a protocol compliance module 136. Modules 132, 134, and 136 have computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the processor 126, cause the processor to perform the functions of modules 132, 134, and 136 described herein. As will be described in more detail below, in one example, the protocol definition module 132 provides an interactive graphical tool with a digital representation of an anatomical model that enables an authorized user to define a scan protocol, the scan plan module 134 uses the defined scan protocol along with pre-scan projection images to create a scan plan for volume scanning, and the protocol compliance module 136 determines whether a completed scan complies with the scan protocol.

[0019] The protocol definition module 132, the scan plan module 134, and the protocol compliance module 136 are shown as being stored in the computer-readable storage medium 128 of the console 120. However, in a variant, one or more of them are stored in a memory remote to the outside of the console 120, for example, the memory of another console of another imaging system, the memory of a computer workstation, a memory accessible through a network (for example, a "cloud" - based storage device or other storage device), etc. In one example, one or more of the modules 132, 134, and 136 are executed by the processor 126. In another example, at least one of the modules 132, 134, and 136 is executed by one or more processors remote to the outside of the console 120, for example, in the console of another imaging system, a computer workstation, "cloud", etc.

[0020] Figure 2 shows an example of an interactive graphical tool 202 of the protocol definition module 132 for generating a scan protocol. The interactive graphical tool 202 is visually presented through the display device of the output device 122 and / or in other ways.

[0021] The interactive graphical tool 202 visually presents a surface model 204 of a part of an anatomical model. One approach for creating the surface model 204 involves overlaying a 2D triangle mesh over an image and then constructing a corresponding 3D mesh by placing the vertices of the triangles in 3D space according to values found in a depth map. Other surface models are also contemplated herein. Further, or alternatively, the interactive graphical tool 202 visually presents an anatomical atlas that is an image in which each voxel has a probability of representing a particular anatomical tissue. The interactive graphical tool 202 can perform switching between multiple different types of digital representations and / or display them simultaneously. The digital representations can be constructed for an average subject and / or customized to the patient being scanned.

[0022] An example of a suitable surface model is described in Weese, et al., "Shape constrained deformable models for 3D medical image segmentation," In: Biennial International Conference on Information Processing in Medical Imaging, Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg, 2001. S. 380-387. An example of a suitable probabilistic atlas is described in Franz, et al., "Annotation-free probabilistic atlas learning for robust anatomy detection in CT images," SPIE Medical Imaging: Image Processing, volume 9413, 941338, 2015. An exemplary approach for constructing the context of human anatomical structures is described in Pflesser, et al., "Exploring the visible human's inner organs with the VOXEL-MAN 3D navigator," Studies in health technology and informatics, 2001, S. 379-385. Other approaches are contemplated herein.

[0023] In one example, the portion of the subject within the surface model 204 is the same (e.g., the whole body even in the case of a head scan) regardless of the anatomical structure of interest. In another example, the portion of the subject within the surface model 204 is specific to the anatomical structure of interest (e.g., only the head in the case of a head scan and not the whole body). In the latter case, the user first identifies the anatomical structure (e.g., the head), and the processor 126 automatically retrieves and renders the surface model (from a plurality of surface models) using the identified anatomical structure. As an alternative, the user selects the surface model from a library of available surface models. Further, the surface model 204 can be specific to tissue of interest such as, for example, blood vessels, soft tissue, bone, and / or can include landmarks associated with the tissue of interest.

[0024] In the illustrated embodiment, a scan field of view 205 defined by a space between boundary structures defined by the user such as the upper surface 206 and the lower surface 208 is pre - arranged in the surface model 204. In another embodiment, the scan field of view 205 is defined through a boundary box or the like. In the illustrated embodiment, the scan field of view 205 has a cubic shape. In other embodiments, the scan field of view 205 has any shape (e.g., cylindrical, etc.) and / or an oblique orientation (e.g., following the spinal direction). The planes 206 and / or 208 can be standardized planes from a publicly available library and / or planes of other users and / or predetermined planes. In a variant, the surface model 204 has three or more planes pre - arranged. In another variant, no planes are pre - arranged in the surface model 204. In this example, the interactive graphical tool 202 has planes that the user can select and / or drag - and - drop on the surface model 204. The user can adjust the geometric shape and / or position of the plane 206 and / or the plane 208. In one example, this includes using a graphical pointer (e.g., in the case of the mouse input device 124) to move the corners or sides of the plane and / or the whole plane.

[0025] Additionally or alternatively, the interactive graphical tool 202 has an information area 210 that visually presents explanations such as offset, width, angular orientation (e.g., a plane tilted with respect to the longitudinal axis of the subject), slice thickness, image resolution, 2D or 3D, specific organs (e.g., the heart), etc., which are used to define the scan planes 206 and 208. The information area 210 can further include other information used to define the scan planes 206 and 208, such as landmarks and / or organs to be included and / or excluded, external devices used for the scan, scan parameters, CT dose, etc. The illustrated size, shape, and / or position of the information area 210 are for illustrative purposes and are not limiting. In a variant, the information area 210 is omitted from the interactive graphical tool 202.

[0026] Examples of landmarks include bifurcations of the aorta and blood vessels, the centers of vertebrae, the tips, ends, sides, etc. of organs, and / or other features related to identifying the positions of anatomical structures of interest. The planes 206 and 208 can be adjusted to ensure that any organs and / or landmarks that should be in the image are in the image and / or to ensure that any organs and / or landmarks that should not be in the image are not in the image. An example of an external device is a device for positioning the subject. For example, the support can be a pillow placed under the subject's head to tilt the head with respect to the diagonal plane, e.g., to avoid irradiating the subject's eyes. In one example, the information area 210 enables the user to adjust the information therein, for example, by manually entering data, selecting data from a menu, etc. In general, the prescan, which is already acquired using the support, can be used to create a volume scan plan such that a scan protocol and the prescan can be used to create a volume scan plan.

[0027] The scan protocol generated by the protocol definition module 132 using the interactive graphical tool 202 is stored in the memory 128 (FIG. 1) and / or other storage devices such as the central storage device of the imaging center, the radiation information system (RIS), the hospital information system (HIS), and the "cloud"-based storage device. The scan protocol in such a storage device can be edited using the interactive graphical tool 202 and / or other methods. Further, the scan protocol in such a storage device can be deleted using the interactive graphical tool 202 and / or other methods. The scan protocol can also be shared across imaging systems, facilities within a healthcare facility, healthcare facilities, etc. The stored scan protocol is, in one example, a "standardized" protocol used and followed by a medical institution when scanning a subject.

[0028] As a non-limiting example, in one instance, the scan protocol is a scan of the abdominal aorta in the context of a scan for abdominal aortic aneurysm. Contrast-enhanced CT scans are typically acquired to capture the shape of the aneurysm and the position of arterial branches. The branches are used when flow and pressure characteristics are calculated to estimate the probability of rupture during the analysis phase. The branches are also used during the intervention planning phase as a typical stent is selected such that important branches are blocked. Another option includes a specific outflow portion within the aortic stent. For either option, it is extremely important to cover important branch arteries such as the renal artery, iliac artery, mesenteric artery, etc. to succeed in image acquisition. The interactive graphical tool 202 can be used to generate a scan protocol that adheres to these criteria.

[0029] As briefly described above, the scan planning module 134 uses a defined scan protocol along with the pre-scan projection images to generate a scan plan for volume scanning. In this example, this involves using segmentation, anatomical recognition, and / or the like to estimate the organ positions and extents within the pre-scan projection images and then, for example, transforming the information within planes 206 and 208 and information region 210 to the patient's geometric shape by alignment and / or other approaches for communicating geometric information to facilitate generating a scan plan. The user can adjust the volume scan plan as desired. Next, the volume scan plan is used to program the imaging system 100 and / or other imaging systems to scan the patient. The volume scan plan and / or the resulting image data are also stored in a memory such as the memory 128, a central storage of the imaging center, a RIS, a HIS, a "cloud"-based storage, etc.

[0030] As briefly described above, the protocol compliance module 136 determines whether a completed scan complied with the scan protocol used to create the volume scan plan. To do this, the protocol compliance module 136 performs image analysis to identify tissues, organs, landmarks, etc. within the field of view in the volumetric image data. The protocol compliance module 136 then compares the identified tissues, organs, landmarks, etc. within the field of view to those specified by the scan protocol used to generate the scan plan. Based on the comparison, the protocol compliance module 136 identifies deviations between the actual scan and the scan protocol and stores those deviations in a storage such as a central storage within the imaging center, a RIS, a HIS, a "cloud"-based storage, etc.

[0031] FIG. 3 shows an example of a protocol compliance module 136 that evaluates results from several different scans based on all the same scan protocol. In one example, the protocol compliance module 136 visually displays a copy 302 of the surface model 204 (FIG. 2) used to generate a scan protocol having actual upper planes 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, and 314, and lower planes 316, 318, 320, and 322 for several different scans based on the same scan protocol. Each pair of upper and lower planes defines a scan field therebetween, as described in connection with planes 206 and 208 and scan field 205 of FIG. 2. The surface model 204 and planes 206 and 208 of FIG. 2 can be displayed simultaneously with the copy 302 of the surface model 204.

[0032] In this example, plot 324 shows the distribution 326 of the deviation of the field of view between the actual upper planes 304, 306, 308, 310, 312 and 314 and the lower planes 316, 318, 320 and 322 along the longitudinal axis of the subject. The distribution 326 has a peak 332 (centered on the abdomen) for the upper planes 304, 306, 308, 310, 312 and 314 and a peak 334 (centered on the pelvis) for the lower planes 316, 318, 320 and 322. The graphical representations 332 and 334 of planes 206 and 208 of FIG. 2 are superposed on the distribution 326. As an alternative, the actual upper planes 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 314 and lower planes 316, 318, 320 and 322 can be compared to planes 206 and 208 of FIG. 2.

[0033] Generally, the smaller the peak, the greater the degree to which the actual scan adheres to the scan protocol, and the wider the peak, the greater the degree to which the actual scan fails to adhere to the scan protocol. Here too, respiration is an example of something that can shift the scan plan from the desired position defined within the scan protocol to another position. Different types of scans (e.g., abdomen vs. pelvis) may have different tolerances, so whether the deviation of the field of view of a particular scan is within the tolerance range depends on the particular type of scan. Further, the same type of scan for different subjects can have different margins added to the field of view. Thus, the scan protocol is used, along with other information, to determine the tolerance range of the subject.

[0034] In one example, the displayed upper planes 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 314 and lower planes 316, 318, 320, and 322 are color-coded to visually indicate whether those planes adhere to the scan protocol. For example, in one example, planes having views within the tolerance range are colored green, planes having views outside the tolerance range but within a predetermined tolerance range are colored yellow, and planes having views outside the predetermined tolerance range are colored red. Other, different, and / or more markings can be used to visually indicate that the fields of view of the upper and lower planes 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 314, 316, 318, 320, and 322 adhere to the scan protocol. In one example, a plane colored red indicates that the scan is insufficient and needs to be run again with an adjusted plane.

[0035] Figure 4 shows a graph of one aspect of adherence to the scan protocol (e.g., field of view, inhalation, rotation, etc.). The information is aggregated over a number of scans. Each bar represents an examination performed by one particular operator. The height of the bar indicates the percentage of cases of protocol adherence performed by this operator.

[0036] The embodiments shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 and / or other embodiments can be shown, for a plurality of different technicians, on a graphical user interface of a display monitor of the output device 122 and / or in a dashboard within a web interface, etc., to show deviations from the intended scan protocol. In another example, although not visually shown in FIG. 3, the above description is utilized to determine deviations. These statistics can be performed on demand or based on a schedule (e.g., monthly), etc., for all or a subset of the scanned subjects, for all or a subset of the scan protocol, etc.

[0037] In one example, deviations are used to facilitate determination of whether a scan conforms to a scan plan. For example, movement due to breathing may move tissue that is instructed to be included in the scan in the scan protocol outside of the field of view, where the tissue is not scanned. In this case, the deviation can indicate that the scan does not conform to the scan protocol, and the protocol compliance module 136 can recommend repeating the scan. The recommendation is presented visually on the dashboard and / or communicated to the user in other ways. In another example, for instance, movement due to breathing may move tissue that is instructed to be excluded from the scan in the scan protocol inside the field of view to be scanned. Similarly, the deviation can indicate that the scan does not conform to the scan protocol, and the protocol compliance module 136 can recommend repeating the scan. In both examples, the scan may or may not actually be repeated.

[0038] The deviations determined by the protocol compliance module 136 are not limited to the above examples related to iterative scans. For example, the deviations can additionally or alternatively be used to improve reproducibility / efficiency. In this case, the information indicating reproducibility can be visually presented on the dashboard and / or communicated to the user in other ways. Examples include the number and / or percentage of procedures where the scan initially met the scan protocol and the scan was not repeated, the number and / or percentage of procedures where the scan did not meet the scan protocol and the scan was repeated, the number of times the scan had to be repeated before it met the scan protocol, and the number of times the scan protocol was not repeated, but are not limited thereto.

[0039] Another example involves using the deviations for training. In this example, the information can be visually presented on the dashboard and / or communicated to the user in other ways to give instructions to the trainee and / or provide feedback to the trainee. The information can indicate suggestions to assist the trainee in performing scans compliant with the scan protocol, the number of times the trainee successfully completed a scan compliant with the scan protocol on the first try, the number of times the trainee had to repeat the scan before it met the scan protocol, etc. Other examples include using the deviations to improve data correlation, for example, in clinical research, using it to establish implementation uniformity, for example, using it to establish whether a study will be reimbursed, etc.

[0040] Again, the above has been described in detail with respect to CT, but it is also applicable to other imaging modalities such as MRI. For example, in MRI, the information area 210 can include instructions for the MR sequence, orientation, specific coils, etc.

[0041] Figure 5 shows an exemplary method according to an embodiment of the present specification.

[0042] At 702, as described herein and / or in other ways, a scan protocol generation interactive user interface (e.g., interactive user interface 202) is visually presented.

[0043] At 704, the user generates a scan protocol including a field of view using the scan protocol generation interactive user interface as described herein and / or in other ways.

[0044] At 706, a scan protocol including the (multiple) fields of view is converted into a scan plane as described herein and / or in other ways.

[0045] At 708, a scan plan is executed by the imaging system 100 as described herein and / or in other ways.

[0046] For example, respiration may move organs and / or landmarks out of the field of view during a scan. In this case, even if the organs and / or landmarks are within the field of view of the scan plane in the scan plan, a deviation indicating that the organs and / or landmarks do not consistently exist in the image data may result in increasing the size of the field of view in the scan protocol to compensate for movement due to respiration.

[0047] Additionally or alternatively, this may result in repeating the scan to generate image data of the subject including these organs and / or landmarks. In another example, a deviation indicating that organs and / or landmarks identified to be excluded in the scan protocol are in the image data may lead to reducing the field of view so that these organs and / or landmarks do not exist in the image data. This can reduce the patient dose.

[0048] Although the present invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and the foregoing description, such illustrations and descriptions should be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive. The present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims.

[0049] In the claims, the term "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite articles "a" or "an" do not exclude a plurality. A single processor or other unit may perform the functions of several items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain means are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these means cannot be advantageously used.

[0050] A computer program can be stored / distributed on a suitable medium, such as an optical storage medium or a solid-state medium, supplied together with or as part of other hardware, but can also be distributed in other forms via the Internet or other wired or wireless telecommunications systems. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims. The following are appended various aspects of the present invention. (Appendix 1) a memory configured to store a protocol definition module, a display, a processor configured to execute the protocol definition module, having, wherein the protocol definition module causes the processor to execute a step of displaying an interactive graphical tool including a digital representation of an anatomical model to generate a scan protocol for execution by an imaging system, and an interactively generated scan field of view is superposed on the digital representation of the anatomical model, and the scan field of view identifies an anatomical structure of a subject to be scanned with respect to the scan protocol, apparatus. (Appendix 2) The apparatus according to Appendix 1, wherein the digital representation includes a surface model or an anatomical atlas. (Appendix 3) The apparatus according to Appendix 1 or 2, wherein the processor disposes the predetermined scan field of view on the digital representation. (Appendix 4) The apparatus according to Appendix 1 or 2, wherein the processor generates a scan field of view having at least two planes, and each plane has an orientation and a different position in the anatomical model. (Appendix 5) The apparatus according to any one of Appendices 1 to 4, wherein the processor receives a signal as an input, the signal indicates an anatomical structure of interest, and the processor selects a digital representation to be displayed from a set of digital representations having at least a first digital representation specialized for a first anatomical structure and a second different digital representation specialized for a second different anatomical structure based on the anatomical structure of interest, and the selected digital representation has the anatomical structure of interest. (Appendix 6) The apparatus according to Appendix 5, wherein the processor positions the scan field of view at a position of the anatomical structure of interest on the digital representation. (Appendix 7) The apparatus according to any one of Appendices 1 to 6, wherein the processor changes a geometric shape or a position of the scan field of view in response to a geometric shape or a position change indicated by an input device. (Appendix 8) The processor further displays an information area within the interactive graphical tool, and the processor places in the information area at least one of an offset, a width, an angle, a slice thickness, and an image resolution, landmarks and / or organs to be included and / or excluded, an external device used for the scan, a CT dose, or other scan instruction elements, the apparatus according to any one of Appendices 1 to 7. (Appendix 9) The processor changes the information in the information area in response to an information change indicated by an input device, the apparatus according to Appendix 8. (Appendix 10) The memory is further configured to store a scan planning module, the processor is further configured to execute the scan planning module, and the scan planning module causes the processor to execute a step of converting the scan protocol including the scan field of view into a pre-scan projection image of the scan plan, the apparatus according to any one of Appendices 1 to 9. (Appendix 11) The memory is further configured to store a protocol compliance module, the processor is further configured to execute the protocol compliance module, and the protocol compliance module causes the processor to execute a step of analyzing volumetric image data generated by the imaging system to determine whether the volumetric image data complies with the scan protocol, the apparatus according to Appendix 10. (Appendix 12) The processor further displays a difference between the volumetric image data and the scan protocol on a dashboard visually presented via the display, the apparatus according to Appendix 11. (Appendix 13) A memory configured to store a protocol compliance module, A processor configured to execute the protocol compliance module, It has, and the protocol compliance module causes the processor to analyze a set of volumetric image data generated by one or more imaging systems programmed with a scan protocol for a plurality of different scans, and determine whether the set of volumetric image data complies with the scan protocol. (Appendix 14) The processor further compares the set of volumetric image data with the scan protocol to determine the differences therebetween, and displays the differences in one of a line graph or a bar graph that displays compliance for the plurality of different scans as a percentage. The apparatus according to Appendix 13. (Appendix 15) The memory is further configured to store a protocol definition module, the processor is further configured to execute the protocol definition module, and the protocol definition module causes the processor to execute a step of displaying an interactive graphical tool including a digital representation of an interpretation model on which a scan field of view is overlaid to generate the scan protocol. The apparatus according to Appendix 13 or 14. (Appendix 16) The memory is further configured to store a scan plan module, the processor is further configured to execute the scan plan module, and the scan plan module causes the processor to execute a step of converting the scan protocol including the scan plane into a pre-scan projection image of the scan plan. The apparatus according to Appendix 15. (Appendix 17) A computer-readable medium encoded with computer-executable instructions, which when executed by a processor, Analyzing volumetric image data generated by an imaging system that executes a scan plan generated from a scan protocol to determine whether the volumetric image data complies with the scan protocol; and A step of visually presenting on a display information indicating whether the volumetric image data complies with the scan protocol; A computer-readable medium that causes the processor to execute. (Appendix 18) The computer-executable instructions further include When the organization identified by the scan protocol is within the volumetric image data, a step of presenting that the volumetric image data complies with the scan protocol; The computer-readable medium according to Appendix 17 that causes the processor to execute. (Appendix 19) The computer-executable instructions further include When the organization identified by the scan protocol is not within the volume image data, a step of presenting that the volume image data does not comply with the scan protocol; The computer-readable medium according to Appendix 17 that causes the processor to execute. (Appendix 20) The computer-executable instructions further include When the organization within the volumetric image data is not identified in the scan protocol, a step of presenting that the volumetric image data does not comply with the scan protocol; The computer-readable medium according to Appendix 17 that causes the processor to execute. (Appendix 21) The computer-executable instructions further include A step of visually presenting a proposal to repeat the scan in response to the volumetric image data not complying with the scan protocol; The computer-readable medium according to Appendix 17 that causes the processor to execute. (Appendix 22) The computer-executable instructions further include A step of visually presenting assistance for guiding the execution of a repeated scan that complies with the scan protocol; A computer-readable medium according to appendix 17, which causes the processor to execute. (Appendix 23) The computer-executable instructions further visually presenting assistance for guiding the execution of the scan to comply with the scan protocol without repeating the scan. A computer-readable medium according to appendix 17, which causes the processor to execute. (Appendix 24) The computer-executable instructions further visually presenting information indicating at least one of the number and percentage of scans that comply with the scan protocol without repeating the scan. A computer-readable medium according to appendix 17, which causes the processor to execute. (Appendix 25) The computer-executable instructions further displaying an interactive graphical tool including a digital representation of an anatomical model with an adjustable scan field of view for generating the scan protocol. A computer-readable medium according to appendix 17, which causes the processor to execute.

Claims

1. A memory configured to store a protocol definition module, A display, A processor configured to execute the protocol definition module, The protocol definition module causes the processor to execute a step of displaying an interactive graphical tool including a display of a digital representation of an anatomical model in order to generate a scan protocol for execution by an imaging system, the digital representation of the anatomical model being a surface model or an anatomical atlas, and an interactively generated scan field of view is superposed on the anatomical model of the digital representation, the scan field of view identifies an anatomical structure of a subject to be scanned with respect to the scan protocol, the anatomical model is an anatomical structure model for generating the scan protocol, and the processor selects a digital representation of the anatomical model to be displayed from a set of individual digital representations of a plurality of different anatomical models, The memory is further configured to store a scan planning module, the processor is further configured to execute the scan planning module, and the scan planning module causes the processor to execute a step of converting the scan protocol including the scan field of view into a pre-scan projection image of a scan plan, The memory is further configured to store a protocol compliance module, the processor is further configured to execute the protocol compliance module, and the protocol compliance module causes the processor to execute a step of analyzing volumetric image data generated by the imaging system to determine whether the volumetric image data complies with the scan protocol, an apparatus.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processor disposes the predetermined scan field of view on the digital representation.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processor generates a scan field of view having at least two planes, and each plane has an orientation and a different position in the anatomical model.

4. The processor receives a signal as input, the signal indicating an anatomical structure of interest, and the processor selects, from the set of digital representations having at least a first digital representation specialized for a first anatomical structure and a second different digital representation specialized for a second different anatomical structure, a digital representation to be displayed based on the anatomical structure of interest, the selected digital representation having the anatomical structure of interest. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The processor positions the scan field at a location of the anatomical structure of interest on the digital representation. The apparatus according to claim 4.

6. The processor changes a geometric shape or position of the scan field in response to a geometric shape or position change indicated by an input device. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The processor further displays an information area within the interactive graphical tool, and the processor places in the information area at least one of an offset, a width, an angle, a slice thickness, an image resolution, a landmark or organ included in the scan, a landmark or organ excluded from the scan, an external device used for the scan, a CT dose, and other scan instruction elements. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The processor changes the information in the information area in response to an information change indicated by an input device. The apparatus according to claim 7.

9. The processor further displays a difference between the volumetric image data and the scan protocol on a dashboard visually presented via the display. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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