Management system and method for the management of medical data

• US 20010032101A1
• Filed: 03/09/2001
• Published: 10/18/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: US Philips Corporation (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: US Philips Corporation (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Statius Muller, Jan Hendrik
• Application Number:
  US09/803,340
• Publication Number:
  US 20010032101A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/2
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 30/20 for handling medical images, e.g. DICOM, HL7 or PACS
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 70/00 ICT specially adapted for the handling or processing of medical references

Abstract

The invention relates to a management system and a method for the management of medical data, notably for the management of medical image data and medical reports. A problem is encountered in that a multitude of medical data that is associated with a given project, for example a patient or a medical case, must be stored and managed in such a manner that it can be retrieved again by means of simple means and that, when necessary, it can be accessed in a fast and simple manner. The medical data, therefore, generally is stored in the form of data sets (8 to 11) which include a plurality of data set elements (71 to 76, 81 to 85), identification codes (711, 752, 831) being assigned to the data set elements (71 to 76, 81 to 85) by means of code generating means (6). According to the invention the identification codes (712, 752, 831) are configured in such a manner that they enable linking to the data sets (8) associated with the data set elements (71 to 76, 81 to 85) and/or to further data set elements (71 to 76, 81 to 85) present in the associated data sets (8). Bar codes (712, 752) are preferably used as identification codes for data set elements (71 to 76) presented in the form of hard copies whereas data set elements (81 to 85) presented in the form of data files are preferably provided with selectable links.

Claims

1. A management system for the management of medical data, notably medical image data and medical reports, which system includes a memory (4) for storing the medical data in the form of data sets (8 to 11) which include a plurality of data set elements (71 to 76, 81 to 85), code generating means (6) for generating and assigning identification codes (712, 752, 831) to data set elements (71 to 76, 81 to 85), and also a reading device (12) for reading the identification codes (712, 752, 831),

characterized in that the code generating means (6) are arranged to generate identification codes (712, 752, 831) which enable linking to the data sets (8) associated with the data set elements (71 to 76, 81 to 85) and/or further data set elements (71 to 76, 81 to 85) present in the associated data sets (8), and that linking means (13) are provided for linking data set elements (71 to 76, 81 to 85) to the associated data sets (8) on the basis of the identification codes (712, 752, 831).

2. A management system as claimed in

claim 1

,

characterized in that the linking means (13) are arranged in such a manner that when an identification code (712, 752, 831) is read, information is output concerning further data set elements (71 to 76, 81 to 85) present in the associated data set (8).

3. A management system as claimed in

claim 1

,

characterized in that the linking means (13) are -arranged in such a manner that when an identification code (712, 752, 831) is read, one or more data set elements (71 to 76, 81 to 85) of the associated data set (8) are displayed on a display device (16).

4. A management system as claimed in

claim 1

,

characterized in that the code generating means (6) are arranged to generate and apply the identification codes (712, 752) to the data set elements (71 to 76) in the form of hard copies, notably to medical images or reports presented as hard copies, in a machine readable form, notably in the form of a bar code.

5. A management system as claimed in

claim 4

,

characterized in that the code generating means (6) are arranged for the direct or indirect application of the identification codes (712, 752) to the data set elements (71 to 76) presented as hard copies, notably by printing on the hard copies or by applying labels to the hard copies.

6. A management system as claimed in

claim 1

,

characterized in that the code generating means (6) are arranged to generate and assign identification codes (831), particularly in the form of readable and selectable links, to data set elements (81 to 85) presented in the form of digital data, notably in the form of data files.

7. A method for the management of medical data, notably medical image data and medical reports, wherein the medical data is stored in the form of data sets (8 to 11) which include a plurality of data set elements (71 to 76, 81 to 85) and wherein identification codes (712, 752, 831) are associated with the data set elements (71 to 76, 81 to 85),

characterized in that the identification codes (712, 752, 831) are generated in such a manner that they enable linking to the data sets (8) associated with the data set elements (71 to 76, 81 to 85) and/or to further data set elements (71 to 76, 81 to 85) present in the associated data sets (8).