Systems and methods for enhancing the viewing of medical images

• US 20030069897A1
• Filed: 10/10/2001
• Published: 04/10/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/10/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Merative US LP
• Original Assignee: Stryker Imaging Corporation (Stryker Corporation)
• Inventors: Roy, Stephen C., Hodgeman, John D.
• Granted Patent: US 7,106,479 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 707/104.1
• 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 40/67 for remote operation

Abstract

The present invention provides systems and methods for enhancing the delivery and display of medical images over a network. Authorized users may access and view images by accessing a secure server and selecting images for viewing. Various characteristics of the image or images being viewed may be manipulated. Additionally, measuring devices, such as a goniometer, may be placed on an image to measure distances, angles and the like. In one embodiment, one or more templates, for example of medical devices, may be placed on an image and manipulated. In another embodiment, two or more users may view the same image simultaneously, while also viewing a template, measuring device, image manipulations and the like simultaneously. In yet another embodiment, two or more users may discuss one or more images via a discussion board.

Claims

1. A method for facilitating the transmission and display of medical images, via a server and a network, the method comprising:

acquiring and digitizing said medical images using an acquiring device;

transmitting said medical images to said server via said network;

assembling a web page, including said medical images, at said server;

transmitting said web page to an authorized user, wherein said authorized user inputs a unique identifier; and

displaying a template on said web page, wherein said template comprises an image which said authorized user may place on one or more of said medical images.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

providing a list of templates; and

allowing said authorized user to select said at least one template from said list of templates.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said template includes at least one image of a medical device.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein said list of templates includes at least two different sizes of the same medical device.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising enabling said authorized user to move said at least one template to a plurality of locations on a viewing device.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising enabling said authorized user to move said at least one of said one or more medical images to a plurality of locations on a viewing device.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising allowing said authorized user to choose whether said at least one template will have a black or white color.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising allowing said authorized user to adjust the gamma correction for said at least one of said one or more images.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising enabling said authorized user to manipulate one or more display characteristics of said at least one of said one or more medical images.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said one or more display characteristics include contrast, gamma settings, image magnification, image size reduction and image rotation.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising allowing said authorized user to access a database of information while viewing said medical images.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said information includes general medical information and patient information.

13. A method for facilitating the transmission and display of medical images, via a server and a network, the method comprising:

acquiring and digitizing said medical images using an acquiring device;

transmitting said medical images to said server via said network;

assembling a web page, including said medical images, at said server;

transmitting said web page to an authorized user, wherein said authorized user inputs a unique identifier;

allowing said authorized user to place two connected lines on one or more of said medical images;

measuring an angle formed by the junction of said two connected lines; and

displaying said measurement of said angle to said authorized user.

14. A method for facilitating the transmission and display of medical images, via a server and a network, the method comprising:

acquiring and digitizing said medical images using an acquiring device;

transmitting said medical images to said server via said network;

assembling a web page, including said medical images, at said server;

transmitting said web page to a first authorized user, wherein said first authorized user inputs a first unique identifier;

transmitting said web page to a second authorized user, wherein said second authorized user inputs a second unique identifier;

displaying a message area;

accepting one or more messages input by said at least one of said first authorized user and said second authorized user; and

displaying said one or more messages in said message area.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising displaying a list including the names of said first and second authorized users.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising storing said messages on said server.

17. A method for facilitating the transmission and display of medical images for viewing, via a server and a network, the method comprising:

receiving said medical images on said server from one or more uploading locations;

storing said medical images on said server;

accepting a log-on request from a user to log onto said server, wherein said log-on request includes inputting a unique identifier;

accepting a viewing request from said user to view at least one of said medical images;

determining, based on said unique identifier and said viewing request, whether said user is authorized to view said at least one of said medical images;

displaying said at least one of the medical images to said authorized user, based on said determining step and said viewing request;

allowing said authorized user to place at least one template on said at least one of said medical images;

allowing said authorized user to move said at least one template to move said at least one template to another location on said at least one or said medical images;

accepting one or more messages from said authorized user;

displaying said one or more messages; and

displaying said at least one of said medical images, said at least one template and said one or more messages to a second authorized user.

18. A system for facilitating the display of medical images, comprising:

a server for receiving said medical images from one or more uploading site;

a processor for processing requests of one or more users to log onto said server and view said medical images;

a database for storing at least one template, wherein said at least one template is configured to be displayed with one or more of said medical images;

a network for delivering said medical images and said template to said one or more users.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein said server is further configured to store said medical images.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein said processor comprises:

a storage module for storing unique user identifiers;

an comparison module for comparing said stored unique user identifiers with input unique user identifiers input by users; and

an authorization module for analyzing results from said comparison module and authorizing or denying user log-on requests based on said results.

21. The system of claim 18, further comprising a second database for storing general medical information and patient information.