US 8,526,573 B2Granted

Systems and methods for remote diagnostic imaging

AssigneeMerge Healthcare Incorporated

InventorMichael W. Ferro, Jr.

Life of this patent

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Abstract

Systems and methods for remote diagnostic imaging. The systems include a diagnostic imaging kiosk. The kiosk includes, for example, a first housing module and a second housing module. The first housing module is configured to house, among other things, a diagnostic imaging system (e.g., an X-ray system). The second housing module is configured to house electronics associated with the operation, control, and networking of the kiosk. The electronics include, for example, a primary controller, an X-ray controller, an X-ray generator, an internal display controller, an external display controller, one or more routers, and a digital radiology module. The kiosk is configured to communicatively connect to a remote technician's workstation, and a remote technician at the workstation is able to remotely control the kiosk through a packet-switched network. The control of the kiosk includes controlling access to the kiosk, the position of a diagnostic imaging unit, the capture of diagnostic images, the display of information to a patient, etc.

Claims10

Dependent claims

A diagnostic imaging system comprising:

a remote diagnostic imaging station including a diagnostic imaging device, a communications interface, and a user interface, the remote diagnostic imaging station configured to be connected to a packet-switched network;
and
a diagnostic imaging control station separate from the remote diagnostic imaging station and communicatively connected to the remote diagnostic imaging station through the packet-switched network, the diagnostic imaging control station configured to
generate a position control signal, the position control signal associated with a physical position of at least a portion of the diagnostic imaging device,
transmit the position control signal through the packet-switched network to the remote diagnostic imaging station,
generate a diagnostic imaging procedure instruction signal, the diagnostic imaging procedure instruction signal instructing a patient located at the remote diagnostic imaging station to change position,
transmit the diagnostic imaging procedure instruction signal through the packet-switched network to the remote diagnostic imaging station,
generate a diagnostic imaging capture signal, the diagnostic imaging capture signal operable to initiate capture of a diagnostic image,
transmit the diagnostic imaging capture signal through the packet-switched network to the remote diagnostic imaging station, and
display the captured diagnostic image.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 12/953,137Filed 23 Nov 2010 · us provisional application
Priority: 25 Nov 2009
Published: US 2011/0122995 A126 May 2011
Granted: 3 Sep 2013
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification15 codes

A61B 6/548
Control of apparatus or devices for radiation diagnosis: remote control of the apparatus or devices
A61B 6/06
Apparatus or devices for radiation diagnosis; Apparatus or devices for radiation diagnosis combined with radiation therapy equipment: diaphragms
A61B 6/4417
Constructional features of apparatus for radiation diagnosis: related to combined acquisition of different diagnostic modalities
A61B 6/4429
Constructional features of apparatus for radiation diagnosis: related to the mounting of source units and detector units