Surgery – Diagnostic testing – Detecting nuclear – electromagnetic – or ultrasonic radiation
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-24
2001-10-23
Lateef, Marvin M. (Department: 3737)
Surgery
Diagnostic testing
Detecting nuclear, electromagnetic, or ultrasonic radiation
C128S916000, C600S443000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06306089
ABSTRACT:
This invention relates to ultrasonic diagnostic imaging systems and, in particular, to ultrasonic diagnostic imaging systems with image measurements and calculations which can be customized for particular clinical applications.
Ultrasonic imaging systems routinely include visual tools by which a user can measure anatomy shown in the ultrasound images and calculate values and estimations from these measurements. Since two and three dimensional ultrasound images are formed by recording the time-of-travel of ultrasonic echoes and the velocity of ultrasonic waves in the body is well known, ultrasound images can be spatially quantified when displayed. This quantification gives rise to the ability to perform measurements and calculations of the tissue and organs shown in the images. Such measurements and calculations are quantified measures by reason of the spatially accurate dimensions and scaling with which ultrasound images can be displayed.
A typical use of such measurement and analysis tools can be found in ultrasound systems configured for obstetrical examinations. Obstetrical images can show anatomy such as the head, abdomen and limbs of the developing fetus. These anatomical features can be measured by placing drawing markers and shapes over and around the features with the measurement tools. Measurements such as lengths and areas can be determined from the markers and shapes placed or drawn on the image. Some of the measurements can be directly diagnostic such as determining from the head circumference whether a Caesarian section delivery will be necessary. The measurements can also be used to compute other attributes of the developing fetus, such as estimated gestational age and fetal weight. The ability to make these measurements and calculations thus facilitate proper care and treatment of both the mother and baby.
More sophisticated ultrasound systems, particularly those that can be configured for a variety of clinical applications, often are equipped with the ability to perform dozens of measurements and calculations. Because a clinical user will usually not employ all of the numerous measurements and calculations in his or her daily practice, ultrasound systems generally provide the capability to select only predetermined measurements and calculations to be available each time the system is utilized. The unselected measurements and calculations will still be resident in the ultrasound system for future selection, but will not be active during use of the system without modification of the selection of the measurements and calculations available.
It would be desirable for the system to have greater flexibility and versatility than simply designating a default list of measurements and calculations.
Furthermore, it would be desirable to enable the clinician to design customized protocols which include the measurements and calculations which the clinician wants to use for specific types of examinations. It would also be desirable for the clinician to be able to design custom measurements not provided by the ultrasound system, and to be able to employ standard and/or custom measurements in customized calculations of the clinician's own design, independent of measurements and calculations supplied by the system manufacturer. This would free the clinician from the restricted use of only the measurements and calculations provided with the ultrasound system and variations thereof, enabling researchers to develop their own new and more accurate measures and computations for the treatment of patients.
In accordance with the principles of the present invention, an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system is provided with the ability to create customized diagnostic protocols, measurements, and calculations using ultrasound image data, independent of those supplied with the system. A clinician can create custom protocols which include the unique set of measurements and calculations which the clinician desires to employ in specific types of examinations. A clinician can create custom measurements with the ability to define measurement parameters such as units and precision. A clinician can create custom calculations which compute equations and formulae specifically designed by the clinician. Such custom calculations can employ standard clinical measurements or custom measurements designed by the clinician. In a constructed embodiment a capability is also provided to designate the availability of measurements and calculations for making image measurements and preparing diagnostic reports.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5553620 (1996-09-01), Snider et al.
patent: 5860924 (1999-01-01), Quistgaard
patent: 5919138 (1999-07-01), Ustuner
ATL Ultrasound, HDI 5000 Reference Manual, “Measurements,” pp. 6-1 through 6-10; “Calculations,” pp. 7-1 through 7-12, 1998.
Acuson Corporation, Sequoia General Applications Reference Manual, “Customizing Cardiac Calculations,”pp. 4-1 through 4-18; “Customizing Overview,” pp. 3-3 through 3-12, Jul. 1996.
Coleman Michål
Jones Jesse
Lau Jackie
Lu Haiyuan
ATL Ultrasound Inc.
Lateef Marvin M.
Patel Maulin
Yorks, Jr. W. Brinton
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