Dose Management Technology Makes Cardiac CT Safer

Improved, dose-reduction software lowers patient radiation dose from computed tomography (CT) imaging up to 75%, while providing better image quality routinely.

To make today’s cardiac CT examinations even safer, Toshiba Medical Systems (Tokyo, Japan) has introduced the next-generation of dose reduction technology--AIDR 3D. This advanced software lowers the radiation dose to the patient by up to 75% compared to conventional scanning. This results in the best image quality at the lowest possible dose, enabling clinicians to make better and more accurate diagnoses routinely.

This innovative new technology is available with Toshiba’s Aquilion ONE, Aquilion Prime, and Aquilion CXL systems and was showcased at the European Society of Cardiology Congress that takes place August 27-31, 2011, in Paris, France. AIDR 3D (adaptive iterative dose reduction three-dimensional) is an advanced algorithm that has been specially designed to work in both the three dimensional reconstruction data and raw data domains. The collective AIDR 3D process results in robust noise reduction, which is essential for achieving ultralow dose examinations in routine clinical CT imaging. AIDR 3D can be routinely applied to all clinical acquisition modes and is able to remove up to 50% of image noise maintaining image quality, resulting in dose reduction of up to 75%.

Integration of dose reduction technologies is critical for optimal dose management. Therefore, AIDR 3D has been integrated with SureExposure 3D, Toshiba’s automatic tube current modulation software. SureExposure 3D modulates the exposure for each patient, based on a preset, target level of image quality. When combined with AIDR 3D, X-ray exposure is automatically reduced before the scan, while maintaining the preprogrammed image quality adjusted for the expected level of noise reduction. This combination provides a unique solution for robust dose management.

Dr. John Troupis, from Monash Medical Center (Melbourne, Australia), stated, “The Toshiba solution for iterative reconstruction technology [AIDR 3D] has proven to be an effective method for reducing patient dose for every routine clinical examination performed on our CT system. AIDR 3D works to reduce image noise by up to 50% while maintaining spatial resolution, which is an impressive development. Reduced noise in the reconstructed images permits reduced radiation dose to achieve a similar level of diagnostic image quality. In our clinical setting, dose reduction of up to 75% is achieved routinely as AIDR 3D is integrated into the automatic exposure control software, which prospectively calculates the tube current for each examination based on our preferred reference image quality. Quite simply there is no guesswork needed, and the perfect balance of image quality at reduced dose is completely automated with consistent results. The comprehensive dose reduction solution offered by Toshiba was implemented into our routine clinical practice during the first morning the software was introduced. The additional reconstruction time that is required by the iterative technique is measured in mere seconds, which has had no impact on our clinical workflow. I have seen a lot of advances in CT technology over the years that have expanded the clinical utility of CT, and now we have advanced technology that is dramatically increasing patient safety.”

Toshiba’s focus on reduce dose reduction in CT is an ongoing project that began with the design of the first CT system back in 1978. ”Although AIDR 3D is once again a significant step forward in reducing patient dose, I can assure you that our engineers will continue to develop state-of-the-art technologies to offer the most robust dose management, with excellent diagnostic examination results,” said Yasuo Nobuta, vice president and general manager, CT systems division, Toshiba Medical Systems Corp.

A comprehensive training program is available that ensures that operators become proficient in taking advantage of Toshiba’s dose reduction technologies available for every scan, providing clinicians with maximum image quality at the lowest possible dose to the patient.

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