Strategic Collaborations in CT Imaging
The University of Wisconsin–Madison Department of Radiology collaborates with leading industry partners, including GE HealthCare and Canon Medical Systems, to advance CT imaging through the development and optimization of innovative imaging protocols. These collaborations focus on improving image quality and diagnostic accuracy, enhancing clinical workflows, incorporating emerging technologies, and minimizing radiation exposure while maintaining diagnostic confidence. By combining clinical expertise with industry innovation, these partnerships support the development of state-of-the-art CT imaging solutions that improve patient care and help shape the future of medical imaging worldwide.
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UW/GE Partnership
Project Overview
Initiated over a decade ago, the UW/GE CT Protocol Project focuses on developing, validating, and disseminating CT protocols tailored for various GE CT scanner platforms. The primary objectives are to reduce radiation doses, improve diagnostic image quality, and standardize CT imaging practices across healthcare institutions. This collaboration leverages the expertise of UW radiologists, medical physicists, technologists, and GE Healthcare engineers.
Key Milestones
- Protocol Development and Validation: The team has created and validated protocols for multiple GE CT platforms, including the Lightspeed VCT, Optima CT660, Revolution Discovery CT, and more recently the Revolution Apex line. These protocols are designed to address a wide range of clinical indications, adjusting parameters such as contrast administration, patient positioning, and scan settings to optimize outcomes.
- Global Dissemination: As of June 2022, over 1,746 GE CT scanners worldwide have been shipped with UW-developed protocols pre-installed. This widespread distribution underscores the project’s impact on enhancing CT imaging practices globally
- Major Healthcare Adoption: In February 2018, a significant healthcare consortium in the southern United States adopted the UW protocols across their entire CT operations, marking a pivotal moment in the project’s influence on large-scale healthcare providers.
UW/Canon Partnership
Collaborative Objectives
The UW/Canon partnership is driven by a commitment to innovation and excellence in CT imaging. The key objectives of this collaboration include:
- Developing and refining CT protocols that enhance image quality while minimizing radiation dose.
- Integrating advanced imaging technologies to improve workflow efficiency and patient safety.
- Conducting clinical trials and research to validate new protocols and optimize scanning techniques.
- Sharing expertise and best practices with healthcare providers globally.
Protocol Manuals
Below we share protocol manuals for all UW validated GE CT scanner models. We recommend downloading and implementing the highest version number provided for your specific scanner. Between version releases we implement societal recommendations and advisory board suggestions, so the latest version represents what we believe are the best CT protocols. Within each manual, you will find a detailed listing of the changes between each version.
Reach out to your GE application’s specialist if you want to implement more than a few protocols. Manual entry of all our CT protocols (~300) for a single scanner would take you roughly 16 hours and mistakes could lead to poor quality studies or radiation issues. GE can provide you with a USB stick allowing you to instantly upload our protocols to your scanner using the step-by-step instructions listed in the UW Protocol Restore Manual. Additionally, GE now offers the Imaging Protocol Manager (IPM™) tool. It has a cloud based “share” feature allowing you to download these protocols directly onto your scanner.
Note, to properly program the “scout” phase of our CT protocols, please refer to this manual Scout Ranges And Anatomical Landmarks.