Surgery – Diagnostic testing – Detecting nuclear – electromagnetic – or ultrasonic radiation
Reexamination Certificate
1998-09-30
2001-05-08
Lateef, Marvin M. (Department: 3737)
Surgery
Diagnostic testing
Detecting nuclear, electromagnetic, or ultrasonic radiation
C600S443000, C378S146000, C378S062000, C073S624000, C346S03300R, C360S018000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06230043
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to the field of electronic monitoring and diagnosis. It finds particular application in conjunction with magnetic resonance imagers and will be described with particular reference thereto. However, it is to be appreciated that the invention may also find application in conjunction with other imaging/scanning apparatus, other medical electronic and computerized equipment, and the like.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There are many situations wherein it is desired to produce diagnostic image information with respect to a subject by means of any of a variety of electronic apparatuses, and for then making the results of these diagnostic tests promptly available to a person who is not present at the diagnosis site. This can be true not just for analyzing certain results, but also when there are questions or concerns about the quality of an image acquired on a system. If an imaging system is exhibiting an image quality problem, it is necessary and desirable to correct the problem as quickly as possible, so that the problem extends to as few scans as possible.
In reviewing and/or correcting image quality problems, the user may need to request assistance from a remote source. In order to analyze and correct the problem, the remote source will usually require the data files associated with the problem period. However, imaging systems typically have temporary files. That is, all data associated with a certain scan or period of time, is deleted at some point, often before a service technician can be on site to access the data to help in troubleshooting image quality issues. Therefore, all data associated with a “problem” time is often lost before it can be retrieved and analyzed.
Currently, when magnetic imaging customers have questions or concerns about the quality of an image acquired on their system, they must request assistance from a Support Center. A Support Center engineer must then connect to that system and pull not only the image(s) in question for retrieval and analysis, but particularly the data files (error logs, scan protocols, crash files, raw data files, etc.), for retrieval and analysis at the Support Center. This process requires the engineer and the system operator, necessarily at separate locations (and, often, in separate time zones), to be available concurrently. Furthermore, this requires concurrent availability within a very immediate time frame, to prevent the loss of temporary files. Obviously, this may inconvenience the operator, requiring him or her to interrupt the scanning schedule to contact the Support Center, as well as possibly requiring availability of the engineer at an inconvenient time.
It is seen, therefore, that it would be desirable to provide a new and useful system and method for saving and transmitting to a remote site diagnostic information, system and data files, and images generated by an imaging modality at a subject-testing site.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a novel system and method for immediate capture and forwarding of multiple images and data files to a remote location, such as to a Support Center, via an on-site transmitting means. The present invention, therefore, relates to systems for presenting to a remote viewer images corresponding to diagnostic image information, and particularly to such systems for doing so by means of rapidly acting computerized digital telecommunications apparatus. When invoked, the function according to the present invention, will capture and store a selected image(s), and information regarding the current system operating state. The resultant data file can be used later by either an on-site field engineer or transferred to a Support Center for remote analysis.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a system and method for providing remote viewing and analysis of diagnostic images is provided. Electronic diagnostic imaging equipment receives raw data from an operator, and means responsive to the raw data translates the data into scanner commands to acquire a scan. A remote terminal is adapted to receive the raw data and scan data, and to reproduce and manipulate images represented by the received data. In accordance with the present invention, these steps and functions can be rapidly achieved, so that the maximum amount of existing data required for image quality issue analysis is available.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and useful system and method for transmitting to a remote site diagnostic data files, information and images generated by an imaging modality at a subject-testing site.
Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4457311 (1984-07-01), Sorenson et al.
patent: 4993025 (1991-02-01), Vesel et al.
patent: 5447153 (1995-09-01), Weil et al.
patent: 5806521 (1998-09-01), Morimoto et al.
Cabou Christian G.
General Electric Company
Haushalter Barbara Joan
Lateef Marvin M.
Lin Jeoyuh
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