CT Scout Scan Range Combination for Faster Low-Dose Imaging

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Solution Overview

Problem

In complex scanning situations or trauma scenarios, CT imaging workflows require multiple scout scans, which are time-consuming, prone to user error, and result in unnecessary radiation exposure due to overlapping scans and manual adjustments.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that intelligently combines multiple scout scans into either contiguous or non-contiguous scan ranges based on patient orientation and anatomical landmarks, using predictive algorithms and machine learning to streamline the scanning process and optimize dose usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If multiple scout scans are performed for complex scanning situations or trauma scenarios, then complete coverage of multiple anatomical regions is achieved, but scan time increases and radiation exposure increases due to overlapping scans

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescan coverage areaVSAvoidscan time

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple scout scans into a single integrated scout scan by detecting anatomical landmarks and determining whether scan ranges should be merged (contiguous) or kept separate (non-contiguous). This merging approach maintains complete anatomical coverage while reducing the number of separate scan operations, thereby decreasing total scan time and eliminating overlapping radiation exposure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Area of stationary object

If multiple scout scans are performed for complex scanning situations or trauma scenarios, then complete coverage of multiple anatomical regions is achieved, but radiation exposure increases due to overlapping scans

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescan coverage areaVSAvoidradiation exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges multiple scout scan ranges into a single optimized scan range by comparing anatomical landmarks. When landmarks indicate overlapping or adjacent regions, the scans are combined into one contiguous scan, eliminating redundant radiation exposure while ensuring complete coverage of all required anatomical areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potential harm of multiple overlapping scout scans into a benefit by using the landmark detection algorithm to intelligently merge scan ranges. The overlapping regions that would normally cause unnecessary radiation exposure are identified and consolidated into a single scan, transforming a harmful situation into an optimized scanning protocol.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Adaptability or versatility

If technologist manually adjusts scan range to cover multiple anatomical regions of interest, then flexibility in protocol selection is maintained, but user error and inconsistency increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotocol selection flexibilityVSAvoidscan accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service by automatically detecting anatomical landmarks and determining optimal scan ranges without requiring manual technologist intervention. The landmark detection algorithm autonomously identifies key anatomical features and uses this information to configure merged or non-contiguous scan protocols, eliminating manual adjustments and their associated errors while maintaining protocol adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from anatomical landmark detection to automatically adjust scan parameters. By detecting landmarks and using this information to determine whether to merge or separate scan ranges, the system creates a closed-loop process that continuously optimizes scan configuration based on actual patient anatomy, improving reliability while preserving flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Area of stationary object

If scan range includes areas of anatomy that will not be scanned for diagnosis, then complete anatomical coverage is ensured, but unnecessary radiation exposure occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescan coverage areaVSAvoidradiation exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts and removes unnecessary scan areas by comparing anatomical landmarks from multiple protocols. When determining merged or non-contiguous scan ranges, the algorithm identifies and excludes regions that fall outside the actual diagnostic requirements, thereby reducing radiation exposure to only the necessary anatomical areas while maintaining complete coverage of required regions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS20260066097A1Adaptive scout scan range and combination

Publication Date: 2026.03.05 GE PRECISION HEALTHCARE LLC

AI summary

A system for combining multiple scans in a computed tomography (CT) imaging workflow, comprising a protocol selection module configured to select two or more scan protocols for a patient, a scan combination module configured to combine the scans associated with the selected scan protocols into a combined scan, wherein the scan is either contiguous or non-contiguous based on anatomical landmarks, and a scan execution module configured to control a CT scan machine to execute the combined scan on the patient.