Usage log for mechanical and electrical functions of medical imaging systems

• US 20070007453A1
• Filed: 06/16/2006
• Published: 01/11/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Graw, Ansgar, Battle, Xavier
• Application Number:
  US11/454,321
• Publication Number:
  US 20070007453A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 250/363.10
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/583 using calibration phantoms

Abstract

A method for monitoring mechanical and electrical functions of a medical imaging system is provided. The method includes monitoring at least one configuration of the medical imaging system, storing the at least one configuration in a database, performing a diagnostic on the mechanical and electrical functions of the medical imaging system, storing a result of the diagnostic on the mechanical and electrical functions in the database, and correlating the at least one configuration with the result of the diagnostic.

Claims

1. A method for monitoring mechanical and electrical functions of a medical imaging system comprising:

monitoring at least one configuration of the medical imaging system;

storing the at least one configuration in a database;

performing a diagnostic on the mechanical and electrical functions of the medical imaging system;

storing a result of the diagnostic on the mechanical and electrical functions in the database; and

correlating the at least one configuration with the result of the diagnostic.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

retrieving a result of the correlation from the database.

3. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein the step of retrieving further comprises:

retrieving the result of the correlation from the database remotely.

4. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein the step of retrieving further comprises:

retrieving the result of the correlation from the database onsite

5. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

dispatching service personnel based on the step of correlating.

6. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

updating a product life expectancy based on the step of correlating.

7. The method as recited in claim 5, wherein the step of dispatching is performed at a first price tier

8. The method as recited in claim 6, wherein the step of updating is performed at a second price tier.

9. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the mechanical functions comprise functions for positioning the medical imaging system.

10. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the electrical functions comprises at least one of electrical functions to position the medical imaging system and functions to perform normal operations of the medical imaging system.

11. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the diagnostic is performed periodically.

12. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein the diagnostic is performed at least in one of hourly, daily, weekly and monthly intervals.

13. The method as recited in claim 7, wherein the step of updating further comprises:

adjusting a service interval.

14. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

proactively making repairs on the medical imaging system.

15. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the medical imaging system comprises at least one of a CT, SPECT and PET.

16. A computer readable medium having instructions for monitoring mechanical and electrical functions of a medical imaging system comprising:

a first set of instructions for monitoring at least one configuration of the medical imaging system;

a second set of instructions for storing the at least one configuration in a database;

a third set of instructions for performing a diagnostic on the mechanical and electrical functions of the medical imaging system;

a fourth set of instructions for storing a result of the diagnostic on the mechanical and electrical functions in the database; and

a fifth set of instructions for correlating the at least one configuration with the result of the diagnostic.

17. The computer readable medium as recited in claim 16, further comprising:

a sixth set of instructions retrieving a result of the correlation from the database.

18. The computer readable medium as recited in claim 16, further comprising:

a seventh set of instructions for retrieving the result of the correlation from the database remotely.

19. The computer readable medium as recited in claim 16, further comprising:

an eight set of instructions for retrieving the result of the correlation from the database onsite

20. The computer readable medium as recited in claim 16, further comprising:

a ninth set of instructions for dispatching service personnel.