Processes and apparatus for imaging protocols and analysis

• US 20080044069A1
• Filed: 08/15/2006
• Published: 02/21/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/15/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: DuGal, Tiffany Ann
• Granted Patent: US 7,986,821 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 382/128
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/0012 Biomedical image inspection
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 30/20 for handling medical images, e.g. DICOM, HL7 or PACS
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 50/20 for computer-aided diagnosis, e.g. based on medical expert systems

Abstract

Systems, processes and apparatus are described through which signals are modified within a system. A process for image conditioning in a nondestructive imaging system includes acts of: (i) selecting a protocol from a group of protocols, each protocol of the group being structured to provide multiple coordinated views of a particularized anatomical region and to facilitate automated characterization of an aspect of the anatomical region; (ii) opting for at least one of a plurality of viewing modalities for review of images associated with the selected protocol; and (iii) displaying the images in conformance with the at least one viewing modality.

Claims

1. A process for image conditioning in a nondestructive imaging system, the process including acts of:

selecting a protocol from a group of protocols, each protocol of the group being structured to provide multiple coordinated views of a particularized anatomical region and to facilitate automated characterization of an aspect of the anatomical region;

opting for at least one of a plurality of viewing modalities for review of images associated with the selected protocol; and

displaying the images in conformance with the at least one viewing modality.

2. The process of claim 1, wherein the nondestructive imaging system comprises an X-ray system, and wherein the images are constructed by an image processing engine from tomographic data.

3. The process of claim 1, wherein the act of selecting includes an act of selecting a protocol from a group consisting of:

a thoracic aorta characterization protocol;

a bilateral carotid artery characterization protocol;

a renal artery characterization protocol and a mesenteric artery characterization protocol.

4. The process of claim 1, wherein the selected protocol provides measurements for a stent, responsive to a clinician designating a sequence of points along an artery being characterized.

5. The process of claim 1, wherein the protocols and viewing modalities available may be altered via modification of software.

6. The process of claim 1, wherein, following the acts of selecting and opting, the process includes acts of:

placing points on vessels of interest via the images;

reviewing the images and placements;

performing an analysis to provide data characterizing the vessels of interest; and

recording the data in a memory.

7. The process of claim 1, wherein, following the acts of selecting and opting, the process includes acts of:

placing points on vessels of interest via the images;

reviewing the images and placements;

performing an analysis to provide data characterizing the vessels of interest, the data including sizing parameters for a stent; and

saving the data in a memory.

8. A graphical user interface comprising:

a plurality of image panels; and

at least one control panel, the control panel being structured to facilitate;

selecting a protocol from a group of protocols, each protocol of the group being structured to provide multiple coordinated views of a particularized anatomical region and to facilitate automated characterization of an aspect of the anatomical region;

opting for at least one of a plurality of viewing modalities for review of images associated with the selected protocol; and

displaying the images in conformance with the at least one viewing modality.

9. The graphical user interface of claim 8, wherein the nondestructive imaging system comprises an X-ray system, and wherein the images are constructed by an image processing engine from tomographic data.

10. The graphical user interface of claim 8, wherein the interface includes controls for selecting a protocol from a group consisting of:

a thoracic aorta characterization protocol;

a bilateral carotid artery characterization protocol;

a renal artery characterization protocol and a mesenteric artery characterization protocol.

12. The graphical user interface of claim 8, wherein the selected protocol provides measurements for a stent or vascular implant, responsive to a clinician designating a sequence of points along a vessel being characterized.

13. The graphical user interface of claim 8, wherein the protocols and viewing modalities available may be altered via modification of software.

14. The graphical user interface of claim 8, wherein, following the acts of selecting and opting, the interface provides user-interactive controls to facilitate acts of:

placing points on vessels of interest via the images;

reviewing the images and placements;

performing an analysis to provide data characterizing the vessels of interest; and

saving the data in a memory.

15. The graphical user interface of claim 8, wherein, following the acts of selecting and opting, the interface provides user-interactive controls to facilitate acts of:

placing points on vessels of interest via the images;

reviewing the images and placements;

performing an analysis to provide data characterizing the vessels of interest, the data including sizing parameters for a stent or vascular implant; and

saving the data in a memory.

16. An article of manufacture comprising a computer-readable medium having computer-readable instructions embodied thereon, which, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to:

assist a clinician to select a protocol from a group of protocols, each protocol of the group being structured to provide multiple coordinated views of a particularized anatomical region and to facilitate automated characterization of an aspect of the anatomical region;

opt for at least one of a plurality of viewing modalities for review of images associated with the selected protocol; and

display the images in conformance with the at least one viewing modality.

17. The article of manufacture of claim 16, wherein the computer-readable medium comprises a detachable computer-readable medium.

18. The article of manufacture of claim 16, wherein the protocols and viewing modalities available may be altered via modification of software.

19. The article of manufacture of claim 16, wherein the computer-readable instructions, when executed, cause the one or more processors to:

facilitate a clinician to place points on vessels of interest via the images, after selecting and opting;

display the images and placements for review;

perform an analysis to provide data characterizing the vessels of interest; and

record the data in a memory.

20. The article of manufacture of claim 16, wherein the computer-readable instructions, when executed, cause the one or more processors to:

facilitate a clinician to place points on vessels of interest via the images, after selecting and opting;

display the images and placements for review;

perform an analysis to provide data characterizing the vessels of interest, the data including sizing parameters for a stent; and

save the data in a memory.