Ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system with universal access to diagnostic information and images

• US 5,851,186 A
• Filed: 02/04/1998
• Issued: 12/22/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: ATL Ultrasound Incorporated (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: ATL Ultrasound Incorporated (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Pflugrath, Lauren S., Roncalez, Pascal, Souquet, Jacques, Wood, Michael A.
• Primary Examiner(s): MANUEL, GEORGE C
• Application Number:
  US09/018,411
• Time in Patent Office: 321 Days
• Field of Search: 600/437, 128/904, 382/128, 382/132, 341/65, 395/705, 705/3
• US Class Current: 600/437
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0271 using a remote monitoring unit
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4405 Device being mounted on a trolley
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/463 characterised by displaying multiple images or images and diagnostic data on one display composite display in devices for short-range imaging with acoustic waves G01S7/52074
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/565 involving data transmission via a network
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/582 Remote testing of the device
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/899 Combination of imaging systems with ancillary equipment
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/003 Transmission of data between radar, sonar or lidar systems and remote stations
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/52034 Data rate converters
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/34038 Web, http, ftp, internet, intranet server
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/45169 Medical, rontgen, x ray
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 15/00 ICT specially adapted for medical reports, e.g. generation or transmission thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 30/20 for handling medical images, e.g. DICOM, HL7 or PACS
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/40 for the management of medical equipment or devices, e.g. scheduling maintenance or upgrades
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 80/00 ICT specially adapted for facilitating communication between medical practitioners or patients, e.g. for collaborative diagnosis, therapy or health monitoring

Abstract

A medical ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system is provided which is capable of being accessed over data communication networks such as the Internet, making the ultrasonic images, diagnostic reports, and ultrasound system diagnostics information and operation accessible to a conventional personal computer using commercially available software at virtually any remote location. In one embodiment, the ultrasound system can be remotely operated from the personal computer. The inventive apparatus and techniques make it possible for physicians to remotely access, control, and perform diagnoses using their ultrasound systems over a network such as the World Wide Web with no special hardware requirements.

Claims

1. A method of electronically acquiring a diagnostic ultrasound image over a communications network from an ultrasound system having a server by means of a computer, comprising the steps of:

a. establishing an electronic communications link between said ultrasound system and said computer over said network; and

b. operating said computer to cause said ultrasound system server to transmit an ultrasound image over said network for display on said computer.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

c. operating said computer to electronically store said ultrasound image.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

c. operating said computer to print said ultrasound image on a hardcopy medium.

4. The method claim 1, further comprising the step of:

c. operating said computer to electronically transmit said ultrasound image to a location remote from said computer.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein step c. comprises the steps of:

c1. operating said computer to add said ultrasound image to an electronic message; and

c2. electronically mailing said electronic message to a location remote from said computer.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising the step of:

d. operating said computer to cause said ultrasound system server to transmit a diagnostic report over said network to said computer;

and wherein step c1. further comprises operating said computer to add said diagnostic report to said electronic message.

7. The method of any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, wherein said communications network comprises the Internet.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein step b. further comprises transmitting said ultrasound image over said network in the form of a Web page.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein said computer comprises a personal computer (p.c.).

10. The method of claim 1, wherein step b. comprises the steps of:

b1. viewing on said computer a directory of ultrasound images stored on said ultrasound system; and

b2. selecting from said computer one of said ultrasound images, whereby said selected image is transmitted over said network to said computer.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said directory comprises a plurality of small images displayed simultaneously.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said small images comprise compressed images.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein said selected image is viewed on said computer as an uncompressed image.

14. The method of any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 10, wherein said computer comprises a personal computer (p.c.).

15. A method of electronically preparing a medical ultrasound diagnosis from a computer terminal comprising the steps of:

a. establishing a data link over a network between said computer terminal and an ultrasound system on which an ultrasonic image is stored;

b. commanding said ultrasound system from said computer terminal to transmit said ultrasonic image over said network to said computer terminal; and

c. adding the ultrasonic image received by said computer terminal to an electronic document on said computer terminal.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein step b. further comprises commanding said ultrasound system from said computer terminal to transmit a diagnostic report over said network to said computer terminal;

and

wherein step c. further comprises adding the diagnostic report received by said computer terminal to an electronic document on said computer terminal.

17. The method of claim 15 or 16, further comprising the step of:

d. transmitting said electronic document to a location remote from said computer terminal.

18. The method of any one of claims 15 or 16, wherein said network comprises the Internet.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein said ultrasound image is transmitted over said network in the form of a Web page.

30. The method of any one of claims 15, 20, 21, 23 or 24, wherein said computer terminal comprises a personal computer (p.c.).

20. A method of electronically preparing and delivering a medical ultrasound diagnosis from a computer terminal comprising the steps of:

a. establishing a data link over a network between said computer terminal and an ultrasound system on which a diagnostic ultrasound report is stored;

b. commanding said ultrasound system from said computer terminal to transmit said ultrasound report over said network to said computer terminal; and

c. storing said ultrasound report at a destination location.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein step c. comprises:

c. electronically mailing said ultrasound report to a destination location.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein step c. comprises:

c. printing said ultrasonic report on a printer connected to said computer terminal.

23. The method of claim 20, further comprising a step following step b. of:

d. adding said ultrasound report to an electronic document on said computer terminal.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein step c. comprises:

c. electronically mailing said electronic document to a destination location.

25. The method of any one of claims 20, 21, 22, 23 or 24, wherein said ultrasound report comprises an ultrasonic image.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein said ultrasound report comprises an ultrasonic image and textual material.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein said network comprises the Internet.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein said ultrasound report is transmitted over said network in the form of a Web page.

29. The method of any one of claims 20, 21, 22, 23 or 24, wherein said ultrasound report comprises a textual report.