Ultrasound image information archiving system

Details Ultrasound image information archiving system Ultrasound image information archiving system

1997-04-30

2001-06-26

Black, Thomas G. (Department: 2771)

Data processing: database and file management or data structures

Database design

Data structure types

C707S793000, C707S793000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06253214

ABSTRACT:

MICROFICHE APPENDIX
This application includes one microfiche appendix containing 20 frames.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
When an ultrasound imaging system is connected into a diagnostic medical imaging network, ultrasound image information captured at the imaging system can be stored for future reference. Several systems and methods have been used to store such information. For example, image information has been archived onto a removable storage medium. After the information is archived, the storage medium is removed from a storage device and placed in a media library for safekeeping. To reference the image information, a user retrieves the medium from the library and places it in the storage device. As another example, image information has been printed on film media and manually stored in file folders. A user must retrieve the hard copy from the file folders to reference the image information.
There are several problems associated with these systems and methods. Manually retrieving information from a media library or a file folder is time consuming. There is also a risk that the storage medium or film will be lost or damaged. In addition, because ultrasound images are typically transmitted and stored as full-size images, network efficiency and storage density are reduced.
There is, therefore, a need for a system and method for storing reference copies of ultrasound image information that will overcome the problems described above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to an on-line storage system and method for storing reference copies of ultrasound image information.
According to a first aspect of this invention, an on-line high-density image storage system is provided for storing a reference copy of ultrasound image information. This system comprises a primary storage device, a secondary storage device, and control means for retrieving ultrasound image information, creating a reference copy of the ultrasound image information, and storing the reference copy in the secondary storage device.
According to a second aspect of this invention, a method for storing a reference copy of ultrasound image information is provided comprising the steps of retrieving ultrasound image information, creating a reference copy of the ultrasound image information, and storing the reference copy in the secondary storage device.
According to a third aspect of this invention, a method for archiving ultrasound image information is provided comprising the steps of retrieving ultrasound image information from a primary storage device, storing the ultrasound image information in an archive storage device, updating a database to indicate that the ultrasound image information was stored in the archive storage device, creating a reference copy of the ultrasound image information, storing the reference copy in a secondary storage device, updating a database to indicate that the reference copy was stored in the secondary storage device, and deleting the ultrasound image information from the primary storage device.
The preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the attached drawings.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4958283 (1990-09-01), Tawara et al.
patent: 5715823 (1998-02-01), Wood et al.

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