Method and system for viewing image data

• US 7,729,523 B2
• Filed: 12/21/2004
• Issued: 06/01/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Hammond, Christopher Reynolds
• Primary Examiner(s): BHATNAGAR, ANAND P
• Application Number:
  US11/018,672
• Publication Number:
  US 20060133659A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,988 Days
• Field of Search: 382/100, 382/128, 382/130, 382/131, 382/132, 382/133, 128/922, 378 4- 27
• US Class Current: 382/128
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/032 Transmission computed tomography [CT]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/461 Displaying means of special interest
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/463 characterised by displaying multiple images or images and diagnostic data on one display
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/465 adapted to display user selection data, e.g. graphical user interface, icons or menus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/469 for selecting a region of interest [ROI]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/563 involving image data transmission via a network
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 30/20 for handling medical images, e.g. DICOM, HL7 or PACS
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 30/40 for processing medical images, e.g. editing
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 50/20 for computer-aided diagnosis, e.g. based on medical expert systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/922 including image analysis

Abstract

A technique is provided for viewing image data via a user interface. The technique includes displaying two or more selectable tabs and displaying a corresponding analysis for a selected tab. Each tab corresponds to an analysis of a set of radiological images and the corresponding analysis comprises one or more identified features. The technique also includes displaying a corresponding image for a selected feature such that the selected feature is visually indicated on the corresponding image.

Claims

1. A method for viewing image data on a display, the method comprising:

displaying two or more selectable tabs, wherein each tab corresponds to a separate analysis of a common set of radiological images of a patient;

displaying a selectable combined tab, wherein the combined tab corresponds to a combined presentation of two or more separate analysis of the set of radiological images of the patient;

displaying a corresponding analysis for a selected tab, wherein the corresponding analysis comprises one or more identified features; and

displaying a corresponding image for a selected feature, wherein the selected feature is visually indicated on the corresponding image.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein each identified feature further comprises one or more feature characteristics.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein each analysis is generated by one or more readers.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the one or more readers comprises at least one of a radiologist, a physician, a CAD reader, or an automated algorithm.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the analyses of the set of radiological images include a combined analysis comprising two or more separate analyses of the set of radiological images.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein displaying the corresponding image comprises enhancing the selected feature.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein enhancing the selected feature comprises at least one of enlarging a portion of the corresponding image, filtering a portion of the corresponding image, enhancing one or more image quality characteristics of the corresponding image, or differentially displaying a portion of the corresponding image.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the selected feature is visually indicated using at least one of a color enhancement, an indicator reticle, or a circular marker.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising interacting with the corresponding image via a mouse to alter the display of the corresponding image.

10. An image viewing station, comprising:

a computer configured to display a user interface, the user interface comprising;

a viewable area comprising;

a first portion configured to display two or more selectable tabs, wherein each tab corresponds to a separate analysis of a common set of radiological images of a patient;

a second portion configured to display a corresponding analysis for a selected tab, wherein the corresponding analysis comprises one or more identified features;

a third portion configured to display a corresponding image for a selected feature, wherein the selected feature is visually indicated on the corresponding image; and

a fourth portion configured to display a selectable combined tab, wherein the combined tab corresponds to a combined presentation of two or more separate analysis of the set of radiological images of the patient.

11. The image viewing station of claim 10, wherein each identified feature comprises one or more feature characteristics.

12. The image viewing station of claim 10, wherein the display areas of the first portion, the second portion and the third portion are adjustable relative to one another.

13. The image viewing station of claim 10, wherein the computer is configured to enhance the selected feature.

14. The image viewing station of claim 13, wherein the computer is configured to enhance the selected feature by at least one of enlarging a portion of the corresponding image filtering a portion of the corresponding image, enhancing one or more image quality characteristics of the corresponding image, or differentially displaying a portion of the corresponding image.

15. The image viewing station of claim 10, wherein the selected feature is visually indicated using at least one of a color enhancement, an indicator reticle, or a circular marker.

16. The image viewing station of claim 10, wherein the image viewing station is connected to an image acquisition system comprising an imager, system control circuitry, data acquisition circuitry, and data processing circuitry configured to generate the set of radiological images.

17. A user interface comprising:

a viewable area comprising;

a first portion configured to display two or more selectable tabs, wherein each tab corresponds to a separate analysis of a common set of radiological images of a patient;

a second portion configured to display a corresponding analysis for a selected tab, wherein the corresponding analysis comprises one or more identified features;

a third portion configured to display a corresponding image for a selected feature, wherein the selected feature is visually indicated on the corresponding image; and

a fourth portion configured to display a selectable combined tab, wherein the combined tab corresponds to a combined presentation of two or more separate analysis of the set of radiological images of the patient.

18. The user interface of claim 17, wherein each identified feature comprises one or more feature characteristics.

19. The user interface of claim 17, wherein the display areas of the first portion, the second portion and the third portion are adjustable relative to one another.

20. A computer readable medium, comprising:

code adapted to display two or more selectable tabs, wherein each tab corresponds to a separate analysis of a common set of radiological images of a patient;

code adapted to display a selectable combined tab, wherein the combined tab corresponds to a combined presentation of two or more separate analysis of the set of radiological images of the patient;

code adapted to display a corresponding analysis for a selected tab, wherein the corresponding analysis comprises one or more identified features; and

code adapted to display a corresponding image for a selected feature, wherein the selected feature is visually indicated on the corresponding image.