Multiple modality interface for imaging systems

A medical image data acquisition system interface usable with at least first and second different medical imaging data acquisition systems that include first and second data acquisition hardware configurations for acquiring data using different first and second medical image data acquisition modalities, respectively, wherein the first and second modalities may be selected from radiography, fluoroscopy, angiography, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound, nuclear medicine, positron emission tomography and computer tomography, each modality including functions which are common to each of the first and second modalities, each separate instance of the interface used with only a specific one of the first or second modality systems and linked to a diagnostic system for acquiring data according to the specific one of the first and second acquisition modalities, the interface comprising:

• a display;
• a programmed data processor for providing a uniform interface image on the display despite the specific data acquisition modality associated with the diagnostic system linked to the interface, the uniform interface image comprising:
• a function navigation space including function icons corresponding to data acquisition procedures which are common to both the first and second data acquisition modalities wherein, each procedure which is common to the first and second data acquisition modalities includes procedure-specific subprocesses;
• and
• a workspace adjacent the function navigation space for displaying, analyzing and manipulating images of a type consistent with the specific data acquisition modality, wherein the workspace includes a workflow navigation space in which, when a function icon is selected, the processor displays a workflow icons set including a separate workflow icon corresponding to each subprocess of the process associated with the selected function icon and for the specific modality;
• and
• a pointing device for moving a pointer icon about the display and for selecting displayed icons;
• wherein, when an icon is selected, the processor correlates the selected icon with a corresponding data acquisition command and executes the command;
• and
• wherein the processor stores a workflow table which correlates subprocess sets with each modality function and wherein the processor provides a protocols icon which, when selected, causes the processor to display icons in the workspace for modifying the subprocess set to provide a modified subprocess set which is then stored by the processor as the subprocess set, the next time the corresponding function icon is selected, the processor providing a workflow icon for each of the subprocesses in the subprocess set.

A medical image data acquisition system interface usable with at least first and second different medical imaging data acquisition systems that include first and second data acquisition hardware configurations for acquiring data using different first and second medical image data acquisition modalities, respectively, wherein the first and second modalities may be selected from radiography, fluoroscopy, angiography, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound, nuclear medicine, positron emission tomography and computer tomography, each modality including functions which are common to each of the first and second modalities, each separate instance of the interface used with only a specific one of the first or second modality systems and linked to a diagnostic system for acquiring data according to the specific one of the first and second acquisition modalities, the interface comprising:

• a display;
• a programmed data processor for providing a uniform interface image on the display despite the specific data acquisition modality associated with the diagnostic system linked to the interface, the uniform interface image comprising:
• a function navigation space including function icons corresponding to data acquisition procedures which are common to both the first and second data acquisition modalities wherein, each procedure which is common to the first and second data acquisition modalities includes procedure-specific subprocesses;
• and
• a workspace adjacent the function navigation space for displaying, analyzing and manipulating images of a type consistent with the specific data acquisition modality, wherein the workspace includes a workflow navigation space in which, when a function icon is selected, the processor displays a workflow icons set including a separate workflow icon corresponding to each subprocess of the process associated with the selected function icon and for the specific modality;
• and
• a pointing device for moving a pointer icon about the display and for selecting displayed icons;
• wherein, when an icon is selected, the processor correlates the selected icon with a corresponding data acquisition command and executes the command;
• and
• wherein a plurality of physicians may prescribe imaging using the specific modality and each physician may have a different subprocess procedure for modality functions, the processor storing a table which correlates each physician with a physician specific subprocess set for each function, a physician identifier provided to the processor and, when a specific function icon Is selected, the processor accesses the table, correlates the physician identifier with selected function subprocess set and provides a workflow icon for each subprocess in the subprocess set.

A method for use with a specific one of at least first and second imaging systems, the first and second systems including first and second data acquisition hardware configurations for acquiring data using different first and second medical image data acquisition modalities, respectively, wherein the first and second modalities may be selected from radiography, fluoroscopy, angiography, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound, nuclear medicine, positron emission tomography and computer tomography, each system also including a processor linked to the acquisition hardware, a display and a pointing device for moving a pointer icon about the display and for selecting displayed icons, the method for guiding a technologist through the processes required to use a modality specific acquisition system, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing an interface image on the display including:
• a function navigation space including function icons corresponding to data acquisition procedures which are common to both the first and second data acquisition modalities wherein, each procedure which is common to the first and second data acquisition modalities includes procedure-specific subprocesses;
• and
• a workspace adjacent the function navigation space for displaying, analyzing and manipulating images of a type consistent with the specific data acquisition modality;
• providing a pointer icon on the display;
• when the pointer icons is used to select one of the function icons, correlating the selected icon with a corresponding data acquisition command and executes the command,
• wherein the step of providing an interface image includes the step of, as part of the workspace, providing a workflow navigation space and, when a function icon is selected, the method further includes the step of displaying a workflow icon set including a separate workflow icon corresponding to each subprocess of the process associated with the selected function icon and for the specific modality in the workflow navigation space;
• and
• wherein each subprocess includes subprocess specific parameters, the step of providing an interface image includes the step of, as part of the workspace, providing both an imaging window and a parameter setting space adjacent the imaging window and, when a workflow icon is selected, the method further includes the steps of, displaying a parameter value set and setting icons in the setting space which correspond to the subprocess specific parameters associated with the selected workflow icon, each parameter value indicating the current parameter value, the setting icons useable to modify the current parameter values.

A method for use with a specific one of at least first and second imaging systems, the first and second systems including first and second data acquisition hardware configurations for acquiring data using different first and second medical image data acquisition modalities, respectively, wherein the first and second modalities may be selected from radiography, fluoroscopy, angiography, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound, nuclear medicine, positron emission tomography and computer tomography, each system also including a processor linked to the acquisition hardware, a display and a pointing device for moving a pointer icon about the display and for selecting displayed icons, the method for guiding a technologist through the processes required to use a modality specific acquisition system, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing an interface image on the display including:
• a function navigation space including function icons corresponding to data acquisition procedures which are common to both the first and second data acquisition modalities wherein, each procedure which is common to the first and second data acquisition modalities includes procedure-specific subprocesses;
• and
• a workspace adjacent the function navigation space for displaying, analyzing and manipulating images of a type consistent with the specific data acquisition modality;
• providing a pointer icon on the display;
• when the pointer icons is used to select one of the function icons, correlating the selected icon with a corresponding data acquisition command and executes the command,
• wherein the step of providing an interface image includes the step of, as part of the workspace, providing a workflow navigation space and, when a function icon is selected, the method further includes the step of displaying a workflow icon set including a separate workflow icon corresponding to each subprocess of the process associated with the selected function icon and for the specific modality in the workflow navigation space;
• and
• wherein the workflow icons include a setup icon which corresponds to the process of positioning a patient for imaging, when the setup icon is selected, the method further including the step of providing a position window in the workspace and providing an image of a properly positioned patient in the position window.

A method for use with a specific one of at least first and second imaging systems, the first and second systems including first and second data acquisition hardware configurations for acquiring data using different first and second medical image data acquisition modalities, respectively, wherein the first and second modalities may be selected from radiography, fluoroscopy, angiography, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound, nuclear medicine, positron emission tomography and computer tomography, each system also including a processor linked to the acquisition hardware, a display and a pointing device for moving a pointer icon about the display and for selecting displayed icons, the method for guiding a technologist through the processes required to use a modality specific acquisition system, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing an interface image on the display including:
• a function navigation space including function icons corresponding to data acquisition procedures which are common to both the first and second data acquisition modalities wherein, each procedure which is common to the first and second data acquisition modalities includes procedure-specific subprocesses;
• and
• a workspace adjacent the function navigation space for displaying, analyzing and manipulating images of a type consistent with the specific data acquisition modality;
• providing a pointer icon on the display;
• when the pointer icons is used to select one of the function icons, correlating the selected icon with a corresponding data acquisition command and executes the command,
• wherein the step of providing an interface image includes the step of, as part of the workspace, providing a workflow navigation space and, when a function icon is selected, the method further includes the step of displaying a workflow icon set including a separate workflow icon corresponding to each subprocess of the process associated with the selected function icon and for the specific modality in the workflow navigation space;
• and
• wherein subprocess parameters corresponding to each subprocess include a commonly modified parameter subset and a seldomly modified parameter subset and wherein, when a workflow icon is selected the step of displaying parameter values includes the step of displaying parameter values and setting icons which correspond to the commonly modified parameter subset and a toolbox icon and, when the toolbox icon is selected, the method further includes the step of opening a toolbox window and displaying the parameter values and setting icons which correspond to the seldomly modified parameter set.

A method for use with a specific one of at least first and second imaging systems, the first and second systems including first and second data acquisition hardware configurations for acquiring data using different first and second medical image data acquisition modalities, respectively, wherein the first and second modalities may be selected from radiography, fluoroscopy, angiography, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound, nuclear medicine, positron emission tomography and computer tomography, each system also including a processor linked to the acquisition hardware, a display and a pointing device for moving a pointer icon about the display and for selecting displayed icons, the method for guiding a technologist through the processes required to use a modality specific acquisition system, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing an interface image on the display including:
• a function navigation space including function icons corresponding to data acquisition procedures which are common to both the first and second data acquisition modalities wherein, each procedure which is common to the first and second data acquisition modalities includes procedure-specific subprocesses;
• and
• a workspace adjacent the function navigation space for displaying, analyzing and manipulating images of a type consistent with the specific data acquisition modality;
• providing a pointer icon on the display;
• when the pointer icons is used to select one of the function icons, correlating the selected icon with a corresponding data acquisition command and executes the command,
• wherein the step of providing an interface image includes the step of, as part of the workspace, providing a workflow navigation space and, when a function icon is selected, the method further includes the step of displaying a workflow icon set including a separate workflow icon corresponding to each subprocess of the process associated with the selected function icon and for the specific modality in the workflow navigation space;
• and
• wherein the processor stores a workflow table which correlates subprocess sets with each modality function and wherein the method further includes the steps of displaying a protocols icon, when the protocols icon is selected, displaying icons in the workspace for modifying the subprocess set to provide a modified subprocess set, storing the modified subprocess set as the subprocess set and, the next time the corresponding function icon is selected, providing a workflow icon for each of the subprocesses in the subprocess set.

A method for use with a specific one of at least first and second imaging systems, the first and second systems including first and second data acquisition hardware configurations for acquiring data using different first and second medical image data acquisition modalities, respectively, wherein the first and second modalities may be selected from radiography, fluoroscopy, angiography, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound, nuclear medicine, positron emission tomography and computer tomography, each system also including a processor linked to the acquisition hardware, a display and a pointing device for moving a pointer icon about the display and for selecting displayed icons, the method for guiding a technologist through the processes required to use a modality specific acquisition system, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing an interface image on the display including:
• a function navigation space including function icons corresponding to data acquisition procedures which are common to both the first and second data acquisition modalities wherein, each procedure which is common to the first and second data acquisition modalities includes procedure-specific subprocesses;
• and
• a workspace adjacent the function navigation space for displaying, analyzing and manipulating images of a type consistent with the specific data acquisition modality;
• providing a pointer icon on the display;
• when the pointer icons is used to select one of the function icons, correlating the selected icon with a corresponding data acquisition command and executes the command,
• wherein the step of providing an interface image includes the step of, as part of the workspace, providing a workflow navigation space and, when a function icon is selected, the method further includes the step of displaying a workflow icon set including a separate workflow icon corresponding to each subprocess of the process associated with the selected function icon and for the specific modality in the workflow navigation space;
• and
• wherein a plurality of physicians may prescribe imaging using the specific modality and each physician may have a different subprocess procedure for modality functions, the processor storing a table which correlates each physician with a physician specific subprocess set for each function, the method further including the steps of receiving a physician identifier and, when a specific function icon is selected, accessing the table, correlating the physician identifier with the selected function subprocess set and providing a workflow icon for each subprocess in the subprocess set.