Remote diagnostic imaging

• US 10,368,828 B2
• Filed: 07/07/2017
• Issued: 08/06/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 11/25/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Merative US LP
• Original Assignee: Merge Healthcare Incorporated (International Business Machines Corporation)
• Inventors: Ferro, Jr., Michael W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Song, Hoon K
• Application Number:
  US15/644,393
• Publication Number:
  US 20170303886A1
• Time in Patent Office: 760 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/06 Diaphragms
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4417 related to combined acquisition of different diagnostic modalities
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4429 related to the mounting of source units and detector units
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/463 characterised by displaying multiple images or images and diagnostic data on one display
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/465 adapted to display user selection data, e.g. graphical user interface, icons or menus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/548 Remote control of the apparatus or devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/566 involving communication between diagnostic systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/10 specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 30/20 for handling medical images, e.g. DICOM, HL7 or PACS
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16Z 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass

Abstract

Systems and methods for performing remote diagnostic imaging. One system includes a stand-alone imaging station including a first housing module and a diagnostic imaging device. The diagnostic imaging device is contained within the first housing module and includes a radiation source and a radiation detector. The imaging station also includes a door and a device. The door is coupled to the first housing module and configured to allow a patient to enter the first housing module. The device is configured to receive payment information for a diagnostic imaging procedure performed using the diagnostic imaging device. The device may be magnetic stripe reader, a bill pay unit, a user identification card dispenser, or a scanner.

Claims

1. A stand-alone imaging station comprising:

a first housing module;

a diagnostic imaging device contained within the first housing module, the diagnostic imaging device including a radiation source and a radiation detector;

a door coupled to the first housing module and configured to allow a patient to enter the first housing module; and

a device coupled to a surface of the stand-alone imaging station and configured to receive payment information for a diagnostic imaging procedure performed using the diagnostic imaging device, wherein the device configured to receive the payment information is coupled to a wall of the stand-alone imaging station.

2. The stand-alone imaging station of claim 1, wherein the device configured to receive the payment information includes one selected from a group consisting of a magnetic stripe reader, a bill pay unit, a user identification card dispenser, and a scanner.

3. The stand-alone imaging station of claim 1, wherein the first housing module includes a wall having a lead lining.

4. The stand-alone imaging station of claim 1, wherein the door includes a lock configured to maintain the door in a locked state at least while the diagnostic imaging device captures a diagnostic image, and wherein the lock is a remotely-controlled lock.

5. The stand-alone imaging station of claim 4, further comprising a controller included in the stand-alone imaging station including a processing unit, the processing unit configured to receive a control signal from a remote device through a network to operate the diagnostic imaging device.

6. The stand-alone imaging station of claim 1, further comprising a second housing module, the first housing module and the second housing module being separate and configured to be assembled together.

7. The stand-alone imaging station of claim 6, wherein the device configured to receive the payment information is located on an external surface of the second housing module.

8. The stand-alone imaging station of claim 1, wherein the first housing module has a length between eight and fourteen feet and a width between two and eight feet.

9. The stand-alone imaging station of claim 6, wherein the first housing module and the second housing module each include a top portion and a bottom portion, the top portion and the bottom portion being separate from each other and configured to be assembled together.

10. The stand-alone imaging station of claim 1, wherein the radiation source is supported by a first mounting portion and wherein the radiation detector is supported by a second mounting portion positioned opposite the first mounting portion.

11. The stand-alone imaging station of claim 10, further comprising a first positioning device coupled to the first mounting portion, the first positioning device configured to move the radiation source along a length of the first mounting portion.

12. The stand-alone imaging station of claim 11, further comprising a first motor coupled to the first positioning device to move the radiation source.

13. The stand-alone imaging station of claim 12, further comprising a second positioning device coupled to the second mounting portion, and a second motor coupled to the second positioning device to move the radiation detector along a second length of the second mounting portion.

14. The stand-alone imaging station of claim 13, wherein the first motor and the second motor are configured to synchronously adjust a position of the radiation source and the radiation detector in response to a single positioning command.

15. The stand-alone imaging station of claim 1, further comprising a collimator configured to adjust a first field-of-view of the radiation source.

16. The stand-alone imaging station of claim 1, further comprising a surveillance device coupled to the radiation source, and positioned above the radiation source.

17. The stand-alone imaging station of claim 16, wherein the surveillance device is a camera, and wherein the radiation source has a first field-of-view that is smaller than a second field-of-view of the surveillance device.

18. The stand-alone imaging station of claim 1, further comprising a device configured to determine a distance between the patient and the radiation source when the patient has entered the first housing module.

19. The stand-alone imaging station of claim 1, further comprising a scale to determine a weight of the patient.

20. A stand-alone imaging station comprising:

a first housing module;

a second housing module, the first housing module and the second housing module being separate and configured to be assembled together;

a diagnostic imaging device contained within the first housing module, the diagnostic imaging device including a radiation source and a radiation detector;

a door coupled to the first housing module and configured to allow a patient to enter the first housing module; and

a device coupled to a surface of the stand-alone imaging station and configured to receive payment information for a diagnostic imaging procedure performed using the diagnostic imaging device, wherein the device configured to receive the payment information is located on an external surface of the second housing module.