Ultrasound image management system

• US 5,949,491 A
• Filed: 11/28/1997
• Issued: 09/07/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: Dicomit Imaging Systems Corp.
• Inventors: Little, Thomas, Hirson, Desmond, Callahan, Terrance
• Primary Examiner(s): Kostak, Victor R.
• Application Number:
  US08/980,413
• Time in Patent Office: 648 Days
• Field of Search: 348/442, 348/163, 348/6, 348/12, 348/13, 348/552, 348/553, 364/413.01, 364/413.19, 600/437, 600/443, 128/660.04, 128/660.01, 128/660.07
• US Class Current: 348/442
• 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: G06F 16/258 Data format conversion from or to a database

Abstract

An image management system for use in conjunction with an ultrasound machine. The system comprises an input port coupled to the ultrasound machine for receiving the video output signal generated for the ultrasound images and a frame buffer for digitizing and storing the video output from the ultrasound. The system includes a switch for routing the video output signal or the video signal generated from the digitized ultrasound images to the monitor of the ultrasound for display. The system allows the original video signal to be displayed without introducing artifacts. The system includes storage-devices for archive and retrieval of the digitized ultrasound images and playback on the ultrasound monitor, The system also includes a communication port for interfacing the ultrasound with a PACS or a networked ultrasound management system. According to another aspect, the image management system includes an interface to allow client machines to access patient information and images stored in the local archive database via the Internet.

Claims

1. An image management system for use in conjunction with an ultrasound machine having a scan converter for converting ultrasonic scan data into a video output signal and a monitor having an input for receiving a video input signal for display, said image management system comprising:

(a) an input port coupled to said ultrasound machine for receiving said video output signal;

(b) a switch for routing a signal for display on said monitor, said switch having a switch output coupled to the input of said monitor and a first switch input coupled to said input port for receiving said video output signal from the ultrasound machine and a second switch input for receiving a second video output signal, and wherein said first input comprises a loop-back path for directly coupling said video output signal from the scan converter for display on said monitor;

(c) switching control means coupled to said switch for selectively switching said video output signal and said other video output signal to said switch output for displaying said selected video signal on said monitor;

(d) a frame buffer having an input for receiving said video output signal and having image processing means for processing said video output signal and generating video output signal at an output coupled to said second switch input;

(e) said image processing means having means for generating digital image files corresponding to said video output signal;

(f) storage means for storing and retrieving said digital image files; and

(g) interface means for interfacing to a network and providing access for one or more remote clients to the digital image files stored in said storage means through a server connected to the network, said interface means comprising a database process module and a server process module, said server process module including means for interfacing to the server and means for receiving a request transmitted to said server by a client over said network, said database process module including means for processing said request and retrieving the associated digital image file, and means for transmitting said retrieved digital image file to said server for further transmission over the network to the client.

2. The image management system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said interface means includes a compression module for compressing the retrieved digital image file for transmission on the network.

3. The image management system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said network comprises the Internet.

4. The image management system as claimed in claim 3, wherein said storage means store patient information together with said digital image files.