Data communication and control for medical imaging systems
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for producing a contrast-enhanced medical image of a patient includes a source of a contrast or enhancement medium, a pressurizing unit in fluid connection with the source of contrast or enhancement medium, an energy source operable to apply energy to a region of the patient, an imaging unit providing a visual display of an internal view of the patient based upon a signal resulting from the energy applied to the region of the patient, and a control unit. In an embodiment, the signal is affected by a condition of the contrast or enhancement medium in the patient. To control the procedures, the control unit adjusts the condition of the contrast or enhancement medium in the patient based upon the signal. A communication interface preferably enables information between an injector subsystem and an imaging subsystem.
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Citations
43 Claims
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1-20. -20. (canceled)
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21. A method for controlling an imaging procedure, comprising:
- providing a data interface in communicative connection with at least the pressurizing unit of an injector and an imaging unit to enable sharing of data other than timing data between the injector and the imaging unit.
- View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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24. An injector system for producing a contrast-enhanced medical image of a patient in cooperation with an imaging system, the imaging system applying energy to a patient and producing an image or a measurement of a region of interest in the patient from a signal resulting from the applied energy, the injector comprising:
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a source of a contrast or enhancement medium;
a pressurizing subsystem in connection with the source of contrast or enhancement medium to pressurize the contrast or enhancement medium for injection into the patient;
an injector control unit for controlling said pressurizing subsystem; and
a communication interface to exchange information comprising data other than timing data between the injector system and the imaging system. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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26-1. The injector system of claim 24 wherein the communication interface is adapted to exchange digital information between the injector system and the imaging system.
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37. An imaging unit for producing a contrast-enhanced medical image of a patient in cooperation with an injector system, the injector system pressurizing a contrast or enhancement medium for injection into the patient, the imaging unit comprising:
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a source of a energy to be applied to a region of interest in the patient;
a display to provide an image based upon a signal resulting from the imaging energy applied to the region of the patient;
an imaging control unit for controlling the imaging unit; and
a communication interface to exchange information comprising data other than timing data between the injector system and the imaging unit. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43)
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Specification