Data communication and control for medical imaging systems
First Claim
1. A method of controlling an imaging procedure, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing an integrated injection and imaging system featuring an injector subsystem and an imaging subsystem, with the imaging subsystem for applying energy to a patient and producing an image or a measurement of an internal region of the patient from a signal resulting from the energy applied to the patient, and with the injector subsystem having first and second pressurizing units for pressurizing a contrast medium and a diluent, respectively, for injection into the patient in connection with the imaging procedure; and
(b) providing a data interface interconnecting the injector and imaging subsystems for enabling exchange of digital information therebetween, the information comprising at least timing data, such that the digital information transmitted between the subsystems is usable thereby for enabling closed loop control of one of the subsystems by the other of the subsystems through which the contrast medium and the diluent injected into the patient is adjustable so as to achieve a desired level of enhancement therewith within the internal region of the patient of which the images are acquired during the imaging procedure;
wherein the closed loop control of one of the subsystems by the other of the subsystems is based upon at least one of (i) selected portions of the digital information from the imaging subsystem, (ii) selected portions of the digital information from the injector subsystem, and (iii) a physiological condition of the patient obtained from a sensor thereof.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for producing a contrast-enhanced medical image of a patient includes a source of a contrast or enhancement medium, a pressurizing unit in fluid connection with the source of contrast or enhancement medium, an energy source operable to apply energy to a region of the patient, an imaging unit providing a visual display of an internal view of the patient based upon a signal resulting from the energy applied to the region of the patient, and a control unit. In an embodiment, the signal is affected by a condition of the contrast or enhancement medium in the patient. To control the procedures, the control unit adjusts the condition of the contrast or enhancement medium in the patient based upon the signal. A communication interface preferably enables information between an injector subsystem and an imaging subsystem.
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Citations
43 Claims
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1. A method of controlling an imaging procedure, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing an integrated injection and imaging system featuring an injector subsystem and an imaging subsystem, with the imaging subsystem for applying energy to a patient and producing an image or a measurement of an internal region of the patient from a signal resulting from the energy applied to the patient, and with the injector subsystem having first and second pressurizing units for pressurizing a contrast medium and a diluent, respectively, for injection into the patient in connection with the imaging procedure; and (b) providing a data interface interconnecting the injector and imaging subsystems for enabling exchange of digital information therebetween, the information comprising at least timing data, such that the digital information transmitted between the subsystems is usable thereby for enabling closed loop control of one of the subsystems by the other of the subsystems through which the contrast medium and the diluent injected into the patient is adjustable so as to achieve a desired level of enhancement therewith within the internal region of the patient of which the images are acquired during the imaging procedure; wherein the closed loop control of one of the subsystems by the other of the subsystems is based upon at least one of (i) selected portions of the digital information from the imaging subsystem, (ii) selected portions of the digital information from the injector subsystem, and (iii) a physiological condition of the patient obtained from a sensor thereof. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of controlling an imaging procedure to enable diagnosis and therapeutic treatment of diseased tissue in a patient, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing an injection and imaging system featuring an injector subsystem and an imaging subsystem, with the imaging subsystem capable of applying energy to and producing an image of an internal region of the patient from a signal resulting from the energy applied to the patient, and with the injector subsystem capable of injecting at least one of a contrast medium and a therapeutic agent into the patient in connection with the imaging procedure; (b) providing a data interface interconnecting the injector and imaging subsystems for enabling exchange of digital information therebetween, the digital information comprising at least timing data;
such that the digital information transmitted between the subsystems is usable thereby for enabling closed loop control of one of the subsystems by the other of the subsystems through which concentration of the contrast medium injected into the patient is adjustable in connection with the imaging procedure during which the images are acquired;(c) exchanging a desired collection of the digital information between the subsystems and thereby coordinate through the data interface the imaging procedure performed by the imaging subsystem with the injection of the contrast medium into the patient by the injector subsystem to produce a contrast-enhanced image at a desired enhancement level of the internal region including the diseased tissue thereat; and (d) administering the therapeutic agent via the injector subsystem for the purpose of targeting the diseased tissue for treatment therewith. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A method of controlling an imaging procedure to enable stress testing of a cardiovascular system of a patient, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing an injection and imaging system featuring an injector subsystem and an imaging subsystem, with the imaging subsystem capable of applying energy to and producing an image of an internal region of the patient from a signal resulting from the energy applied to the patient, and with the injector subsystem capable of injecting at least one of a contrast medium and a cardiovascular stressor agent into the patient in connection with the imaging procedure; (b) providing a data interface interconnecting the injector and imaging subsystems for enabling exchange of digital information therebetween, the information comprising at least timing data;
such that the digital information transmitted between the subsystems is usable thereby for enabling closed loop control of one of the subsystems by the other of the subsystems through which concentration of the contrast medium injected into the patient is adjustable in connection with the imaging procedure during which the images are acquired;(c) connecting a sensor to one of the data interface, the imaging subsystem and the injector subsystem through which a cardiac condition of the patient is made available to the system as part of the digital information and usable thereby; (d) exchanging a desired collection of the information between the subsystems and thereby coordinate through the data interface the imaging procedure performed by the imaging subsystem with the injection of the contrast medium into the patient by the injector subsystem to produce a contrast-enhanced image at a desired enhancement level of the internal region; and (e) administering the cardiovascular stressor agent via the injector subsystem for the purpose of stressing the cardiovascular system. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43)
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Specification