Voice activated diagnostic imaging control user interface

• US 20030068011A1
• Filed: 10/09/2001
• Published: 04/10/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/09/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Chase, Maureen L., Johnson, Mark A.
• Granted Patent: US 6,785,358 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 378/115
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/055 involving electronic [EMR] or nuclear [NMR] magnetic resonance, e.g. magnetic resonance imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7475 User input or interface means, e.g. keyboard, pointing device, joystick
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/00 Apparatus or devices for radiation diagnosis; Apparatus or devices for radiation diagnosis combined with radiation therapy equipment instruments measuring radiation intensity for application in the field of nuclear medicine, e.g. in vivo counting, G01T1/161; apparatus for taking X-ray photographs G03B42/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/032 Transmission computed tomography [CT]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4423 related to hygiene or sterilisation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/467 characterised by special input means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/548 Remote control of the apparatus or devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/467 characterised by special input means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/16 Sound input; Sound output speech processing G10L
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 30/20 for handling medical images, e.g. DICOM, HL7 or PACS
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation

Abstract

A medical examination suite is described. In one example embodiment, the suite comprises an exam room having a microphone and at least a portion of a medical imaging system therein. A microphone sensitivity zone is located in the exam room. The suite further comprises a control room adjacent the exam room and having a video monitor and controls for the imaging system therein, and an equipment room having a computer therein. The computer is coupled to the microphone and to the video monitor and controls for the imaging system.

Claims

1. A medical examination suite, comprising:

an exam room having a microphone and at least a portion of a medical imaging system therein, a microphone sensitivity zone located in said exam room; and

an equipment room having a computer therein, said computer coupled to said microphone.

2. A medical examination suite according to claim 1 further comprising a control room adjacent said exam room and having a video monitor and controls for said imaging system therein, and wherein said imaging system further comprises at least one video monitor and manual controls located in said exam room.

3. A medical examination suite according to claim 1 further comprising an audio speaker located in said exam room, said speaker coupled to said computer.

4. A medical examination suite according to claim 3 further comprising an audio amplifier coupled to said speaker, said audio amplifier coupled to said computer.

5. A medical examination suite according to claim 1 further comprising an audio mixer and amplifier coupled to said microphone, said mixer and amplifier coupled to said computer.

6. A medical examination suite according to claim 1 where said controls in said control room comprise X-ray generator controls, motor controls, and image review controls.

7. A medical examination suite according to claim 1 wherein said computer is programmed to perform at least one of word and phrase recognition.

8. A medical examination suite according to claim 1 wherein said computer operates in accordance with a standard speech application program interface.

9. A voice activated control subsystem for a medical imaging system, said control subsystem comprising:

an audio microphone configured to be positioned for receiving audio input from an operator;

an audio amplifier for receiving audio signals generated by said microphone; and

an audio signal processor coupled to said amplifier for processing amplified audio signals from said amplifier, said processing comprising at least one of word and phrase recognition.

10. A voice activated control subsystem in accordance with claim 9 wherein said microphone comprises a highly directional microphone.

11. A voice activated control subsystem in accordance with claim 9 further comprising a speaker coupled to an audio amplifier, said audio amplifier coupled to said processor.

12. A voice activated control subsystem in accordance with claim 9 wherein said audio signal processor operates in accordance with a standard speech application program interface.

13. An X-ray exam system, comprising:

an x-ray source;

a detector positioned to receive x-rays transmitted from said x-ray source;

a patient table positioned so that said x-ray source emits x-rays towards a patient thereon;

a video monitor for displaying images while performing an exam; and

a voice activated control system coupled to said x-ray source, said detector, and said video monitor, said control system comprising an audio microphone configured to be positioned for receiving audio input from an operator, and an audio signal processor coupled to said microphone for processing amplified audio signals from said amplifier, said processing comprising at least one of word and phrase recognition, said control system coupled to controls for at least one of said x-ray source, said detector, and said monitor for executing commands received by said control system.

14. An X-ray exam system according to claim 13 further comprising an audio amplifier for receiving audio signals from said microphone, said amplifier coupled to said computer.

15. An X-ray exam system according to claim 13 wherein said microphone comprises a highly directional microphone.

16. An X-ray exam system according to claim 13 wherein said voice activated control system further comprising a speaker coupled to an audio amplifier, said audio amplifier coupled to said processor.

17. An X-ray exam system according to claim 13 wherein said X-ray source, said detector, said monitor, and said microphone are located in an exam room, a microphone sensitivity zone located in said exam room.

18. An X-ray exam system according to claim 13 wherein said controls comprise X-ray generator controls and image review controls.