APPLICATION SERVER FOR USE WITH A MODULAR IMAGING SYSTEM

• US 20110013220A1
• Filed: 07/20/2009
• Published: 01/20/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/20/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Jabri, Kadri Nizar, Sabol, John Michael, Avinash, Gopal Biligeri, Marar, Rajeev Ramankutty, Liu, Tan, Liu, Chuande, Liu, James Zhengshe
• Granted Patent: US 8,786,873 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 358/1.15
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/548 Remote control of the apparatus or devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/581 Remote testing
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 30/40 for processing medical images, e.g. editing
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/20 for the management or administration of healthcare resources or facilities, e.g. managing hospital staff or surgery rooms
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation

Abstract

Systems and methods are disclosed for managing autonomous detector and imager subsystems communicating as nodes on a network. In an embodiment, an application server is provided which coordinates use of the autonomous imager and detector subsystems so that appropriate combinations of imagers and detectors are used for particular imaging applications. In another embodiment, the performance of a detector subsystem may be automatically evaluated prior to use, such as by one or more automated routines that monitor or measure factors related to detector performance. Additional systems, methods, and devices are also disclosed.

Claims

1. An imaging management system, comprising:

a network

a plurality of autonomous imager subsystems, each capable of communicating as respective nodes on the network;

a plurality of autonomous detector subsystems, each capable of communicating as respective nodes on the network; and

an application server capable of communicating as a node on the network, wherein the application server stores and executes routines that generate combinations of imagers and detectors from the plurality of autonomous imager subsystems and the plurality of autonomous detector subsystems based on an application to be performed.

2. The imaging management system of claim 1, wherein the application server comprises a physical server device.

3. The imaging management system of claim 1, wherein the application server comprises a virtual server implemented as routines executed on one or more devices on the network.

4. The imaging management system of claim 1, wherein the routines that generate combinations of imagers and detectors communicate with a license server in generating combinations of imagers and detectors.

5. The imaging management system of claim 1, wherein the routines that generate combinations of imagers and detectors communicate with a scheduling calendar in generating combinations of imagers and detectors.

6. The imaging management system of claim 1, wherein the routines that generate combinations of imagers and detectors communicate with the plurality of autonomous detector subsystems to determine one or more of the operational parameters, functional status, maintenance history, or calibration status of each detector subsystem.

7. The imaging management system of claim 1, wherein the routines that generate combinations of imagers and detectors communicate with the plurality of autonomous imager subsystems to determine one or more of the operational parameters, functional status, or maintenance history of each imager subsystem.

8. The imaging management system of claim 1, wherein the application server stores and executes a routine that lists the generated combinations of imager and detectors based on the application to be performed.

9. The imaging management system of claim 8, wherein the routine that lists the generated combinations of imager and detectors also describes one or more operational parameters of the listed imagers and detectors.

10. An imaging management system, comprising:

a network

a plurality of autonomous imager subsystems, each capable of communicating as a node on the network;

a plurality of autonomous detector subsystems, each capable of communicating as a node on the network; and

an application server capable of communicating as a node on the network, wherein the application server stores and executes routines that determine and indicate available applications for different combinations of imagers and detectors from the plurality of autonomous imager subsystems and the plurality of autonomous detector subsystems.

11. The imaging management system of claim 10, wherein the application server stores and executes a routine that lists the available applications for different combinations of imagers and detectors.

12. The imaging management system of claim 10, wherein the routines that determine and indicate available applications for different combinations of imagers and detectors determine the available applications for an imager and/or detector specified by an operator.

13. The imaging management system of claim 12, wherein the application server stores and executes a routine that lists the available applications for the imager and/or detector specified by the operator.

14. The imaging management system of claim 10, wherein the routines that determine and indicate available applications communicate with a license server in determining available applications.

15. The imaging management system of claim 10, wherein the routines that determine and indicate available applications communicate with a scheduling calendar in determining available applications.

16. The imaging system of claim 10, wherein the routines that determine and indicate available applications communicate with the plurality of autonomous detector subsystems to determine one or more of the operational parameters, functional status, maintenance history, or calibration status of each detector subsystem.

17. The imaging system of claim 10, wherein the routines that determine and indicate available applications communicate with the plurality of autonomous imager subsystems to determine one or more of the operational parameters, functional status, or maintenance history of each imager subsystem.

18. A method for monitoring detector performance, comprising the acts of:

executing one or more routines to determine the operational status of an autonomous wireless detector; and

notifying a device in wireless communication with the autonomous wireless detector as to the operation status of the autonomous wireless detector.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the one or more routines monitor one or more of battery charge remaining in the autonomous wireless detector, wireless signal strength, or wireless throughput.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the one or more routines monitor a temperature at a patient contacting surface of the autonomous wireless detector.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein the one or more routines compare a current scrub image with a previously acquired scrub image to determine if the autonomous wireless detector is functioning.

22. The method of claim 18, wherein the one or more routines compare a current scrub image with a previously acquired scrub image to update a bad pixel map.

23. The method of claim 18, wherein the one or more routines monitor one or more voltages at the autonomous wireless detector prior to an examination.