Radiation image identifying device

• US 5,646,416 A
• Filed: 03/14/1995
• Issued: 07/08/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: AGFA Healthcare NV (Agfa-Gevaert N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert N.V.
• Inventors: Van de Velde, Stefan
• Primary Examiner(s): Porta, David P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bruce, David Vernon
• Application Number:
  US08/403,622
• Time in Patent Office: 847 Days
• Field of Search: 250/584, 250/583, 364/413, 364/13
• US Class Current: 250/584
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4494 Means for identifying the diagnostic device
• CPC Class Codes: G01T 1/2012 using stimulable phosphors, e.g. stimulable phosphor sheets

Abstract

A universal radiation image identification system for use in an environment such as a hospital wherein an information management system is already available. The identification system is interfaced to the existing information system in order to avoid reentering the identification data with respect to radiological data. The radiological data or image typically is stored in a photostimulable phosphor screen.

Claims

1. A radiation image identification system comprising

an information system comprising a data base having stored therein identification data of a number of patients,

an identification station arranged to identify a radiation image of a patient on the basis of patient identification data retrieved from said information system,

a network system interfacing said identification station and said information system,

data interchange means enabling interchange of data between said information system and said identification station connected by said network system,

means for converting the format of data supplied by said information system into a format that is interpretable by said identification station,

wherein said identification station comprises

means for initiating operation of said data interchange means and said conversion means,

means for storing converted data, and

means for resuming identification upon termination of said conversion by means of said converted data.

2. A system for reading a radiation image that has been stored in a photostimulable phosphor screen comprising

an image read out section comprising means for scanning said screen with stimulating irradiation, means for detecting light emitted upon stimulation, means for converting said light into a digital signal representation,

an information system comprising a data base having stored therein identification data of a number of patients,

an identification station arranged to identify a radiation image of a patient on the basis of patient identification data retrieved from said information system,

a network system interfacing said identification station and said information system,

data interchange means enabling interchange of data between said information system and said identification station connected by said network system,

means for converting the format of data supplied by said information system into a format that is interpretable by said identification station,

wherein said identification station comprises

means for initiating operation of said data interchange means and said conversion means,

means for storing converted data, and

means for resuming said identification upon termination of said conversion by means of said converted data.

3. A system according to claim 2 wherein said screen is conveyed in a cassette that is provided with a memory device and wherein said identification station is provided with means for writing identification data into said memory device.

4. A system according to claim 3 wherein said memory device is an electrically erasable programmable memory (EEPROM).

5. A method of identifying a radiation image by means of an identification procedure running on an identification station that is connected to an information system supplying data to said identification station via a network,

characterised in that

(1) said identification procedure is interrupted,

(2) data supplied by said information system are converted so that the data format wherein data are supplied by said information system is converted into a format that is interpretable by said identification station,

(3) converted data are stored,

(4) identification is resumed by means of said converted data.

6. A method according to claim 5 wherein said radiation image is stored in a photostimulable phosphor screen.