Workflow for computer aided detection

• US 20040102689A1
• Filed: 01/08/2003
• Published: 05/27/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/27/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cad Investments, LLC, GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company LLC (GE Healthcare Technologies, Inc.), Riverain Technologies LLC
• Original Assignee: Riverain Medical Group, LLC
• Inventors: Lure, Fleming Y.M., Lin, Jyh-Shyan, Martello, Edward A., Metz, Stephen W., Thomas, Carson H.
• Granted Patent: US 8,156,210 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/407
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 15/00 ICT specially adapted for medical reports, e.g. generation or transmission thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 30/20 for handling medical images, e.g. DICOM, HL7 or PACS
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 30/40 for processing medical images, e.g. editing
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 50/20 for computer-aided diagnosis, e.g. based on medical expert systems

Abstract

A method is disclosed, in a diagnostic medical environment, that enhances workflow while using a computer-aided-detection (or diagnosis) (CAD) system in the environment. The method comprises generating image data with a diagnostic medical imaging acquisition system. The image data is transmitted from the diagnostic medical imaging acquisition system to a computer-aided-detection (or diagnosis) (CAD) system and an archive/review station. Detection results are generated by processing the image data, using the CAD system, while storing and viewing the image data on the archive/review station. The detection results are transmitted from the CAD system to the archive/review station. The detection results are integrated with the image data by the archive/review station to form composite image data. The composite image data is displayed by the archive/review system.

Claims

1. In a diagnostic medical environment, a method to efficiently incorporate computer-aided-detection (CAD) capability into a workflow process of said diagnostic medical environment, said method comprising:

transmitting image data from at least a first system to at least a second system and a third system;

generating detection results by processing said image data, using said second system, while storing and viewing said image data on at least said third system; and

transmitting said detection results from said second system to at least said third system.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said first system comprises a diagnostic medical imaging acquisition system.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said second system comprises at least one computer-aided-detection (or diagnosis) (CAD) system.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said third system comprises an archive/review station.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said transmittings are performed over a network connected between said first system, said second system, an said third system.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising generating said image data with said first system.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising integrating said detection results with said image data, using said third system, to generate composite image data.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising displaying said composite image data using said third system.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein said detection results are indicated within said composite image data by at least one of text, arrows, geometrical symbols, and colors.

10. The method of claim 5 further comprising supporting a DICOM protocol over said network.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein said first system comprises at least one of an X-ray system, a CT system, an ultrasound system, an MR system, a film scanning device, and a PET system.

12. The method of claim 5 wherein said image data and said detection results are transmitted over said network in a DICOM format.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein said second system is pre-configured to identify and process certain categories of image data.

14. The method of claim 1 further comprising verifying certain identifiers associated with said image data using said second system.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein said certain identifiers comprise at least one of image data source, anatomical type, and anatomical view.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein said certain identifiers are embedded in at least one header of said image data.

17. The method of claim 1 wherein said detection results correspond to physiological abnormalities within said image data.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein said physiological abnormalities comprise at least one of cancerous masses, diseased tissue, lesions, broken bones, blood vessel blockage, tissue damage, and bleeding.

19. The method of claim 1 wherein said first system comprises a DICOM compatible device.

20. The method of claim 1 wherein said second system comprises a DICOM compatible device.

21. The method of claim 1 wherein said third system comprises a DICOM compatible device.

22. The method of claim 5 further comprising bi-directionally communicating over said network between said first system and said second system.

23. The method of claim 5 further comprising bi-directionally communicating over said network between said first system and said third system.

24. The method of claim 5 further comprising bi-directionally communicating over said network between said second system and said third system.

25. The method of claim 7 wherein said detection results may be eliminated or added to a display of said composite image data by a user of said third system.

26. The method of claim 1 wherein said image data comprises at least header information and physiological image information in a DICOM-compatible format.

27. In a diagnostic medical environment, a method to efficiently incorporate computer-aided-detection (or diagnosis) (CAD) capability into a workflow process of said diagnostic medical environment, said method comprising:

transmitting image data from at least one diagnostic medical imaging acquisition system to at least one archive/review station;

transmitting said image data from said archive/review station to a computer-aided-detection (or diagnosis) (CAD) system while storing and viewing said image data on said at least one archive/review station;

generating detection results by processing said image data using said CAD system while storing and viewing said image data on said at least one archive/review station; and

transmitting said detection results from said CAD system to said at least one archive/review station.

28. The method of claim 27 further comprising generating said image data with said at least one diagnostic medical imaging acquisition system.

29. The method of claim 27 further comprising integrating said detection results with said image data, using said archive/review station, to generate composite image data.

30. The method of claim 29 further comprising displaying said composite image data using said archive/review station.