Multiple modality interface for imaging systems

Details Multiple modality interface for imaging systems Multiple modality interface for imaging systems

1998-11-25

2004-01-06

Kincaid, Kristine (Department: 2174)

Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system

Display driving control circuitry

Controlling the condition of display elements

C345S625000, C345S215000, C345S215000, C709S241000, C709S241000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06674449

ABSTRACT:

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
Not applicable.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Not applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The field of the invention is medical imaging methods and systems. More particularly, the invention relates to a standard system which can be used to interface with any of several different imaging system types.
Traditionally medical facilities have concentrated their efforts on providing the best possible medical services to patients. One area in which the quality of medical services has progressed extremely quickly is in the medical imaging disciplines or modalities which include radiography, fluoroscopy, angiography, magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, ultrasound, nuclear medicine (NM) and computer tomography (CT).
While each of the separate imaging modalities can be used to generate medical images, the medical imaging industry has recognized that each modality is particularly suited for certain imaging techniques and that some modalities are better suited than others for observing specific anatomical phenomenon. For this reason, many medical facilities have acquired a plurality of imaging systems, each of which facilitates a different one of the imaging modalities. This is particularly true in large medical facilities which may have several imaging systems for performing each of the imaging modalities (i.e. several MR systems, several CT systems, etc.). Having several imaging systems each capable of facilitating a different one of the imaging modalities enables a physician to select the best imaging modality for a particular imaging task and therefore increases the usefulness of a resulting image for achieving the particular task. In fact, many medical facilities compete for patients based on the abilities of their medical imaging departments. This imaging department competition places pressure on each medical facility to maintain state of the art imaging departments.
While imaging system quality has increased appreciably, the costs associated with maintaining a state of the art imaging department have also increased appreciably. Unfortunately, despite increased costs associated with providing a state of the art imaging department, recently there has been mounting pressure on many medical facilities to reduce medical costs. For this reasons imaging departments are always looking for ways to decrease department costs while maintaining the highest possible service quality.
In addition to imaging hardware and software costs which are substantial, another expensive component to any successful medical imaging department is imaging personnel which includes radiologists and technologists. A radiologist is a trained physician who specializes in radiology disciplines and typically in other imaging modalities. Technologists are supervised by the radiologists and perform most of the setup, imaging, filming and archiving of images.
Basic training for a technologist in the imaging disciplines typically includes two years of on the job apprenticeship which focuses on the human anatomy and physiology, imaging equipment theory and operation and imaging procedures. In addition to basic training, many technologists obtain additional training in imaging specialties such as ultrasound, NM and radiation therapy. Training in each specialty typically takes about an additional year per specialty. In addition, some technologists obtain further training in sub-specialties such as computer tomography CT, MR and angiography, each of which requires further on the job training. After a successfully completed apprenticeship a technologist performs procedures under the direction of a radiologist.
Because of the differences in the imaging modalities, many medical facilities are staffed with a plurality of technologists, at least one technologist for each imaging modality practiced at the facility. Thus, in some cases a facility may include at lease seven technologists, at least one technologist for each possible modality. While necessary to have a trained technologist in each imaging modality practiced at a facility, such staffing requirements are extremely expensive.
One solution to the excessive technologist staffing problem has been to train technologists in more than a single imaging modality. For example, one technologist may be trained in both NM and CT while another may be trained in fluoroscopy and radiography.
Another solution to the excessive technologist staffing problem has been for medical facilities to share technologists. Thus, for example, a CT technologist may divide her time between three separate medical facilities, every third day spent at a different one of the three facilities.
While both of these solutions reduce costs associated with technologist staffing, each of the solutions is hampered by the current state of imaging systems and the way in which technologists are forced to interact with such systems and system information. An exemplary MR imaging session is instructive in understanding the difficulties associated with training a technologist in more than a single imaging modality.
A typical MR imaging session comprises several different steps including scheduling, analyzing patient information, patient preparation and handling, acquiring image data, displaying images, advanced processing of image data, filming display images, archiving display images, logging completed acquisitions and interpretation and reporting. Each of the different steps often requires a technologist to interact with one or several different department tools. For example, during scheduling a technologist typically uses a scheduling clipboard (i.e. paper on a clipboard) or the like to schedule imaging sessions during the coarse of a day. A scheduling table appears on the board which typically identifies time, patient, the type of exam required (e.g. C-spine, brain, head, etc.), status, identification number, etc.
As an alternative to a hardcopy clipboard, some facilities now have automated scheduling tools whereby a scheduling computer is used to generate a scheduling table which is consulted by the technologist throughout the course of a day to schedule and keep track of required imaging tasks.
In addition to the scheduling table, often a hardcopy (i.e. paper) requisition form will be provided for the technologist which includes additional patient identifying information (e.g. weight, height, sex, etc.), may list allergies, identifies the type of exam (e.g. c-spine, brain, head) to be performed, identifies the requesting physician and so on. Prior to imaging a requisition form is required to ensure that inadvertent imaging is not performed on patients. Once again, some automated facilities provide a computer for accessing requisition forms.
After examining a requisition form and confirming authorization and prior to meeting a patient, the technologist typically confirms images which have to be acquired during a subsequent session. For example, while imaging a spinal section using the MR modality, it may be conventional to obtain a series of image slices along the length of the spinal section using a T
1
FSE pulse sequence and a T
2
FSE pulse sequence. In addition, a particular physician may routinely require a third series of image slices using an oblique axial FSE pulse sequence. To confirm required images technologists often consult a required image guidebook which includes lists of required images and may include lists of images specially required by specific radiologists. In addition, a guidebook may also indicate required patient position and equipment position for each required image Moreover, each facility may also have a list of standard required images which must be consulted by the technologist.
During patient preparation and handling, the technologist greets the patient, explains the imaging procedure, helps the patient onto an imaging table and guides the patient into a first position required to collect a first of the required images.
Next, during acquisition the technologist typically uses an acquisition computer to select specific

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