Managing information in an endoscopy system

Claim 1

A system for acquiring images during a medical procedure and using the acquired images, comprising at least one input device for obtaining said images, at least one output device for using the images obtained by said input device to enable image data to be communicated to a medical practitioner, a preference database for pre-storing, for each one of a plurality of users of said system, respective preference information that indicates one or more processing operations that said one of said plurality of users of said system prefers to be performed on said images obtained by said input device and that indicates a configuration of at least one of said input and output devices that said one of said plurality of users of said system prefers, and wherein said preference information further indicates, for each one of said users, a sequence of images that are to be obtained during said medical procedure, and wherein said system further comprises means for prompting said current user to obtain the images in said sequence, and a processor for receiving an indication of an identity of one of said users, who is currently using said system, and, responsive to said indication of said identity of said one of said users who is currently using said system, for retrieving said preference information for said one of said users pre-stored in said preference database, for performing processing operations on said images obtained by said input device and applying said images to said at least one output device based on the preference information in said preference database that corresponds to said current user, and for establishing a configuration of at least one of said input and output devices based on the preference information in said preference database that corresponds to said current user.

Claim 2

A system for acquiring images during a medical procedure and using the acquired images, comprising at least one input device for obtaining said images, at least one output device for using the images obtained by said input device to enable image data to be communicated to a medical practitioner, a preference database for pre-storing, for each one of a plurality of users of said system, respective preference information that indicates one or more processing operations that said one of said plurality of users of said system prefers to be performed on said images obtained by said input device and that indicates a configuration of at least one of said input and output devices that said one of said plurality of users of said system prefers, and wherein said preference information further indicates, for each one of said users, a sequence of images that are to be obtained during said medical procedure, and wherein said system further comprises means for prompting said current user to obtain the images in said sequence, and a processor for receiving an indication of an identity of one of said users, who is currently using said system, and, responsive to said indication of said identity of said one of said users who is currently using said system, for retrieving said preference information for said one of said users pre-stored in said preference database, for performing processing operations on said images obtained by said input device and applying said images to said at least one output device based on the preference information in said preference database that corresponds to said current user, and for establishing a configuration of at least one of said input and output devices based on the preference information in said preference database that corresponds to said current user.

Claim 13

A system for acquiring images during a medical procedure and using the acquired images, comprising at least one input device for obtaining said images, at least one output device for using the images obtained by said input device to enable image data to be communicated to a medical practitioner, a preference database for pre-storing, for each one of a plurality of users of said system, respective preference information that indicates a script of designated images that said one of said plurality of users of said system prefers to have captured, and a processor for receiving an indication of an identity of one of said users, who is currently using said system, and, responsive to said indication of said identity of said one of said users who is currently using said system, for retrieving said preference information for said one of said users pre-stored in said preference database, and for causing a script of images to be captured based on the preference information in said preference database that corresponds to said current user, and said processor including prompting means for causing said script of images to be captured by prompting a physician to capture said images in accordance with said script.

Claim 14

A system for acquiring images during a medical procedure and using the acquired images, comprising at least one input device for obtaining said images, at least one output device for using the images obtained by said input device to enable image data to be communicated to a medical practitioner, a preference database for pre-storing, for each one of a plurality of users of said system, respective preference information that indicates a script of designated images that said one of said plurality of users of said system prefers to have captured, and a processor for receiving an indication of an identity of one of said users, who is currently using said system, and, responsive to said indication of said identity of said one of said users who is currently using said system, for retrieving said preference information for said one of said users pre-stored in said preference database, and for causing a script of images to be captured based on the preference information in said preference database that corresponds to said current user, and said processor including prompting means for causing said script of images to be captured by prompting a physician to capture said images in accordance with said script.

Claim 15

A system for acquiring images during a medical procedure and using the acquired images, comprising at least one input device for obtaining said images, at least one output device for using the images obtained by said input device to enable image data to be communicated to a medical practitioner, a preference database for pre-storing, for each one of a plurality of medical procedures, respective preference information that indicates a script of designated images that a user of said system prefers to have captured in connection with said one of said plurality of medical procedures, and a processor for receiving an indication of an identity of one of said plurality of medical procedures, and, responsive to said indication of said one of said plurality of medical procedures, for retrieving said preference information for said one of said medical procedures pre-stored in said preference database, and for causing a script of images to be captured based on the preference information in said preference database that corresponds to said one of said medical procedures, and said processor including prompting means for causing said script of images to be captured by prompting a physician to capture said images in accordance with said script.

Claim 16

A system for acquiring images during a medical procedure and using the acquired images, comprising at least one input device for obtaining said images, at least one output device for using the images obtained by said input device to enable image data to be communicated to a medical practitioner, a preference database for pre-storing, for each one of a plurality of medical procedures, respective preference information that indicates a script of designated images that a user of said system prefers to have captured in connection with said one of said plurality of medical procedures, and a processor for receiving an indication of an identity of one of said plurality of medical procedures, and, responsive to said indication of said one of said plurality of medical procedures, for retrieving said preference information for said one of said medical procedures pre-stored in said preference database, and for causing a script of images to be captured based on the preference information in said preference database that corresponds to said one of said medical procedures, and said processor including prompting means for causing said script of images to be captured by prompting a physician to capture said images in accordance with said script.

Claim 17

A system for acquiring images during a medical procedure and using the acquired images, comprising at least one input device for obtaining said images, at least one output device for using the images obtained by said input device to enable image data to be communicated to a medical practitioner, a preference database for pre-storing, for each one of a plurality of users of said system, respective preference information that indicates one or more visual representations that said one of said plurality of users of said system prefers to be applied to said at least one output device together with said images obtained by said input device, said one or more visual representations comprising graphical objects, and a processor for receiving an indication of an identity of one of said users, who is currently using said system, and, responsive to said indication of said identity of said one of said users who is currently using said system, for retrieving said preference information for said one of said users pre-stored in said preference database, for combining said one or more visual representations with said images obtained by said input device based on the preference information in said preference database that corresponds to said one of said users, and for applying said images to said at least one output device together with said one or more visual representations.

Claim 18

A system for acquiring images during a medical procedure and using the acquired images, comprising at least one input device for obtaining said images, at least one output device for using the images obtained by said input device to enable image data to be communicated to a medical practitioner, a preference database for pre-storing, for each one of a plurality of users of said system, respective preference information that indicates one or more visual representations that said one of said plurality of users of said system prefers to be applied to said at least one output device together with said images obtained by said input device, said one or more visual representations comprising graphical objects, and a processor for receiving an indication of an identity of one of said users, who is currently using said system, and, responsive to said indication of said identity of said one of said users who is currently using said system, for retrieving said preference information for said one of said users pre-stored in said preference database, for combining said one or more visual representations with said images obtained by said input device based on the preference information in said preference database that corresponds to said one of said users, and for applying said images to said at least one output device together with said one or more visual representations.

Claim 33

A system for acquiring images during a medical procedure and using the acquired images, comprising at least one input device for obtaining said images, at least one output device for using the images obtained by said input device to enable image data to be communicated to a medical practitioner, a preference database for pre-storing, for each one of a plurality of medical procedures, respective preference information that indicates one or more visual representations that are preferred to be applied to said at least one output device together with said images obtained by said input device in connection with said one of said plurality of medical procedures, said one or more visual representations comprising graphical objects, and a processor for receiving an indication of an identity of one of said medical procedures, which is currently to be performed and, responsive to said indication of said identity of said one of said medical procedures that is currently to be performed, for retrieving said preference information for said one of said medical procedures that is pre-stored in said preference database, for combining said one or more visual representations with said images obtained by said input device based on the preference information in said preference database that corresponds to said medical procedure, and for applying said images to said at least one output device together with said one or more visual representations.

Claim 34

A system for acquiring images during a medical procedure and using the acquired images, comprising at least one input device for obtaining said images, at least one output device for using the images obtained by said input device to enable image data to be communicated to a medical practitioner, a preference database for pre-storing, for each one of a plurality of medical procedures, respective preference information that indicates one or more visual representations that are preferred to be applied to said at least one output device together with said images obtained by said input device in connection with said one of said plurality of medical procedures, said one or more visual representations comprising graphical objects, and a processor for receiving an indication of an identity of one of said medical procedures, which is currently to be performed and, responsive to said indication of said identity of said one of said medical procedures that is currently to be performed, for retrieving said preference information for said one of said medical procedures that is pre-stored in said preference database, for combining said one or more visual representations with said images obtained by said input device based on the preference information in said preference database that corresponds to said medical procedure, and for applying said images to said at least one output device together with said one or more visual representations.

Claim 49

A system for acquiring images during a medical procedure and using the acquired images, comprising at least one input device for obtaining said images, at least one output device for using the images obtained by said input device to enable image data to be communicated to a medical practitioner, a still frame buffer configured to temporarily store an image obtained by said at least one input device, a memory configured to store images obtained by said at least one input device on a long-term basis, and a processor configured to receive a freeze command and in response thereto to freeze in said still frame buffer an image obtained by said at least one input device, and to receive a save command and in response thereto to save in said memory a frozen image.

Claim 50

A system for acquiring images during a medical procedure and using the acquired images, comprising at least one input device for obtaining said images, at least one output device for using the images obtained by said input device to enable image data to be communicated to a medical practitioner, a still frame buffer configured to temporarily store an image obtained by said at least one input device, a memory configured to store images obtained by said at least one input device on a long-term basis, and a processor configured to receive a freeze command and in response thereto to freeze in said still frame buffer an image obtained by said at least one input device, and to receive a save command and in response thereto to save in said memory a frozen image.

Claim 52

A system for acquiring images during a medical procedure and using the acquired images, comprising at least one input device for obtaining said images, at least one output device for using the images obtained by said input device to enable image data to be communicated to a medical practitioner, a preference database for pre-storing, for each one of a plurality of users of said system, respective preference information that indicates one or more visual representations that said one of said plurality of users of said system prefers to be applied to said at least one output device together with said images obtained by said input device, said one or more visual representations possessing the attributes of translucency, and a processor for receiving an indication of an identity of one of said users, who is currently using said system, and, responsive to said indication of said identity of said one of said users who is currently using said system, for retrieving said preference information for said one of said users pre-stored in said preference database, for combining said one or more visual representations with said images obtained by said input device based on the preference information in said preference database that corresponds to said one of said users, and for applying said images to said at least one output device together with said one or more visual representations.

Claim 53

A system for acquiring images during a medical procedure and using the acquired images, comprising at least one input device for obtaining said images, at least one output device for using the images obtained by said input device to enable image data to be communicated to a medical practitioner, a preference database for pre-storing, for each one of a plurality of users of said system, respective preference information that indicates one or more visual representations that said one of said plurality of users of said system prefers to be applied to said at least one output device together with said images obtained by said input device, said one or more visual representations possessing the attributes of translucency, and a processor for receiving an indication of an identity of one of said users, who is currently using said system, and, responsive to said indication of said identity of said one of said users who is currently using said system, for retrieving said preference information for said one of said users pre-stored in said preference database, for combining said one or more visual representations with said images obtained by said input device based on the preference information in said preference database that corresponds to said one of said users, and for applying said images to said at least one output device together with said one or more visual representations.

Claim 54

A system for acquiring images during a medical procedure and using the acquired images, comprising at least one input device for obtaining said images, at least one output device for using the images obtained by said input device to enable image data to be communicated to a medical practitioner, a preference database for pre-storing, for each one of a plurality of users of said system, respective preference information that indicates one or more visual representations that said one of said plurality of users of said system prefers to be applied to said at least one output device together with said images obtained by said input device, said one or more visual representations comprising prompts for prompting said one of said users to capture images in a desired sequence, and a processor for receiving an indication of an identity of one of said users, who is currently using said system, and, responsive to said indication of said identity of said one of said users who is currently using said system, for retrieving said preference information for said one of said users pre-stored in said preference database, for combining said one or more visual representations with said images obtained by said input device based on the preference information in said preference database that corresponds to said one of said users, and for applying said images to said at least one output device together with said one or more visual representations.

Claim 55

A system for acquiring images during a medical procedure and using the acquired images, comprising at least one input device for obtaining said images, at least one output device for using the images obtained by said input device to enable image data to be communicated to a medical practitioner, a preference database for pre-storing, for each one of a plurality of users of said system, respective preference information that indicates one or more visual representations that said one of said plurality of users of said system prefers to be applied to said at least one output device together with said images obtained by said input device, said one or more visual representations comprising prompts for prompting said one of said users to capture images in a desired sequence, and a processor for receiving an indication of an identity of one of said users, who is currently using said system, and, responsive to said indication of said identity of said one of said users who is currently using said system, for retrieving said preference information for said one of said users pre-stored in said preference database, for combining said one or more visual representations with said images obtained by said input device based on the preference information in said preference database that corresponds to said one of said users, and for applying said images to said at least one output device together with said one or more visual representations.

Claim 56

A system for acquiring images during a medical procedure and using the acquired images, comprising at least one input device for obtaining said images, at least one output device for using the images obtained by said input device to enable image data to be communicated to a medical practitioner, a preference database for pre-storing, for each one of a plurality of users of said system, respective preference information that indicates one or more visual representations that said one of said plurality of users of said system prefers to be applied to said at least one output device together with said images obtained by said input device, a processor for receiving an indication of an identity of one of said users, who is currently using said system, and, responsive to said indication of said identity of said one of said users who is currently using said system, for retrieving said preference information for said one of said users pre-stored in said preference database, for combining said one or more visual representations with said images obtained by said input device based on the preference information in said preference database that corresponds to said one of said users, and for applying said images to said at least one output device together with said one or more visual representations, and said processor including means for maintaining an aspect ratio of said one or more visual representations with respect to said images as said images are scaled in size.

Claim 57

A system for acquiring images during a medical procedure and using the acquired images, comprising at least one input device for obtaining said images, at least one output device for using the images obtained by said input device to enable image data to be communicated to a medical practitioner, a preference database for pre-storing, for each one of a plurality of users of said system, respective preference information that indicates one or more visual representations that said one of said plurality of users of said system prefers to be applied to said at least one output device together with said images obtained by said input device, a processor for receiving an indication of an identity of one of said users, who is currently using said system, and, responsive to said indication of said identity of said one of said users who is currently using said system, for retrieving said preference information for said one of said users pre-stored in said preference database, for combining said one or more visual representations with said images obtained by said input device based on the preference information in said preference database that corresponds to said one of said users, and for applying said images to said at least one output device together with said one or more visual representations, and said processor including means for maintaining an aspect ratio of said one or more visual representations with respect to said images as said images are scaled in size.

Claim 58

A system for acquiring images during a medical procedure and using the acquired images, comprising at least one input device for obtaining said images, at least one output device for using the images obtained by said input device to enable image data to be communicated to a medical practitioner, a preference database for pre-storing, for each one of a plurality of users of said system, respective preference information that indicates one or more visual representations that said one of said plurality of users of said system prefers to be applied to said at least one output device together with said images obtained by said input device, a processor for receiving an indication of an identity of one of said users, who is currently using said system, and, responsive to said indication of said identity of said one of said users who is currently using said system, for retrieving said preference information for said one of said users pre-stored in said preference database, for combining said one or more visual representations with said images obtained by said input device based on the preference information in said preference database that corresponds to said one of said users, and for applying said images to said at least one output device together with said one or more visual representations, and said processor including means for maintaining relative appearance of said one or more visual representations with respect to said images as a format of said images is changed.

Claim 59

A system for acquiring images during a medical procedure and using the acquired images, comprising at least one input device for obtaining said images, at least one output device for using the images obtained by said input device to enable image data to be communicated to a medical practitioner, a preference database for pre-storing, for each one of a plurality of users of said system, respective preference information that indicates one or more visual representations that said one of said plurality of users of said system prefers to be applied to said at least one output device together with said images obtained by said input device, a processor for receiving an indication of an identity of one of said users, who is currently using said system, and, responsive to said indication of said identity of said one of said users who is currently using said system, for retrieving said preference information for said one of said users pre-stored in said preference database, for combining said one or more visual representations with said images obtained by said input device based on the preference information in said preference database that corresponds to said one of said users, and for applying said images to said at least one output device together with said one or more visual representations, and said processor including means for maintaining relative appearance of said one or more visual representations with respect to said images as a format of said images is changed.

Claim 60

A system for acquiring images during a medical procedure and using the acquired images, comprising at least one input device for obtaining said images, at least one output device for using the images obtained by said input device to enable image data to be communicated to a medical practitioner, a preference database for pre-storing, for each one of a plurality of users of said system, respective preference information that indicates one or more visual representations that said one of said plurality of users of said system prefers to be applied to said at least one output device together with said images obtained by said input device, a processor for receiving an indication of an identity of one of said users, who is currently using said system, and, responsive to said indication of said identity of said one of said users who is currently using said system, for retrieving said preference information for said one of said users pre-stored in said preference database, for combining said one or more visual representations with said images obtained by said input device based on the preference information in said preference database that corresponds to said one of said users, and for applying said images to said at least one output device together with said one or more visual representations, and said processor including means for storing said one or more visual representations in overlays in order not to affect said images.

Claim 61

A system for acquiring images during a medical procedure and using the acquired images, comprising at least one input device for obtaining said images, at least one output device for using the images obtained by said input device to enable image data to be communicated to a medical practitioner, a preference database for pre-storing, for each one of a plurality of users of said system, respective preference information that indicates one or more visual representations that said one of said plurality of users of said system prefers to be applied to said at least one output device together with said images obtained by said input device, a processor for receiving an indication of an identity of one of said users, who is currently using said system, and, responsive to said indication of said identity of said one of said users who is currently using said system, for retrieving said preference information for said one of said users pre-stored in said preference database, for combining said one or more visual representations with said images obtained by said input device based on the preference information in said preference database that corresponds to said one of said users, and for applying said images to said at least one output device together with said one or more visual representations, and said processor including means for storing said one or more visual representations in overlays in order not to affect said images.

Claim 62

A system for acquiring images during a medical procedure and using the acquired images, comprising at least one input device for obtaining said images, at least one output device for using the images obtained by said input device to enable image data to be communicated to a medical practitioner, a preference database for pre-storing, for each one of a plurality of medical procedures, respective preference information that indicates one or more visual representations that are preferred to be applied to said at least one output device together with said images obtained by said input device in connection with said one of said plurality of medical procedures, said one or more visual representations possessing the attributes of translucency, and a processor for receiving an indication of an identity of one of said medical procedures, which is currently to be performed and, responsive to said indication of said identity of said one of said medical procedures that is currently to be performed, for retrieving said preference information for said one of said medical procedures that is pre-stored in said preference database, for combining said one or more visual representations with said images obtained by said input device based on the preference information in said preference database that corresponds to said medical procedure, and for applying said images to said at least one output device together with said one or more visual representations.

Claim 63

A system for acquiring images during a medical procedure and using the acquired images, comprising at least one input device for obtaining said images, at least one output device for using the images obtained by said input device to enable image data to be communicated to a medical practitioner, a preference database for pre-storing, for each one of a plurality of medical procedures, respective preference information that indicates one or more visual representations that are preferred to be applied to said at least one output device together with said images obtained by said input device in connection with said one of said plurality of medical procedures, said one or more visual representations possessing the attributes of translucency, and a processor for receiving an indication of an identity of one of said medical procedures, which is currently to be performed and, responsive to said indication of said identity of said one of said medical procedures that is currently to be performed, for retrieving said preference information for said one of said medical procedures that is pre-stored in said preference database, for combining said one or more visual representations with said images obtained by said input device based on the preference information in said preference database that corresponds to said medical procedure, and for applying said images to said at least one output device together with said one or more visual representations.

Claim 64

A system for acquiring images during a medical procedure and using the acquired images, comprising at least one input device for obtaining said images, at least one output device for using the images obtained by said input device to enable image data to be communicated to a medical practitioner, a preference database for pre-storing, for each one of a plurality of medical procedures, respective preference information that indicates one or more visual representations that are preferred to be applied to said at least one output device together with said images obtained by said input device in connection with said one of said plurality of medical procedures, said one or more visual representations comprising prompts for prompting said one of said users to capture images in a desired sequence, and a processor for receiving an indication of an identity of one of said medical procedures, which is currently to be performed and, responsive to said indication of said identity of said one of said medical procedures that is currently to be performed, for retrieving said preference information for said one of said medical procedures that is pre-stored in said preference database, for combining said one or more visual representations with said images obtained by said input device based on the preference information in said preference database that corresponds to said medical procedure, and for applying said images to said at least one output device together with said one or more visual representations.

Claim 65

A system for acquiring images during a medical procedure and using the acquired images, comprising at least one input device for obtaining said images, at least one output device for using the images obtained by said input device to enable image data to be communicated to a medical practitioner, a preference database for pre-storing, for each one of a plurality of medical procedures, respective preference information that indicates one or more visual representations that are preferred to be applied to said at least one output device together with said images obtained by said input device in connection with said one of said plurality of medical procedures, said one or more visual representations comprising prompts for prompting said one of said users to capture images in a desired sequence, and a processor for receiving an indication of an identity of one of said medical procedures, which is currently to be performed and, responsive to said indication of said identity of said one of said medical procedures that is currently to be performed, for retrieving said preference information for said one of said medical procedures that is pre-stored in said preference database, for combining said one or more visual representations with said images obtained by said input device based on the preference information in said preference database that corresponds to said medical procedure, and for applying said images to said at least one output device together with said one or more visual representations.

Claim 66

A system for acquiring images during a medical procedure and using the acquired images, comprising at least one input device for obtaining said images, at least one output device for using the images obtained by said input device to enable image data to be communicated to a medical practitioner, a preference database for pre-storing, for each one of a plurality of medical procedures, respective preference information that indicates one or more visual representations that are preferred to be applied to said at least one output device together with said images obtained by said input device in connection with said one of said plurality of medical procedures, and a processor for receiving an indication of an identity of one of said medical procedures, which is currently to be performed and, responsive to said indication of said identity of said one of said medical procedures that is currently to be performed, for retrieving said preference information for said one of said medical procedures that is pre-stored in said preference database, for combining said one or more visual representations with said images obtained by said input device based on the preference information in said preference database that corresponds to said medical procedure, and for applying said images to said at least one output device together with said one or more visual representations, and said processor including means for maintaining an aspect ratio of said one or more visual representations with respect to said images as said images are scaled in size.

Claim 67

A system for acquiring images during a medical procedure and using the acquired images, comprising at least one input device for obtaining said images, at least one output device for using the images obtained by said input device to enable image data to be communicated to a medical practitioner, a preference database for pre-storing, for each one of a plurality of medical procedures, respective preference information that indicates one or more visual representations that are preferred to be applied to said at least one output device together with said images obtained by said input device in connection with said one of said plurality of medical procedures, and a processor for receiving an indication of an identity of one of said medical procedures, which is currently to be performed and, responsive to said indication of said identity of said one of said medical procedures that is currently to be performed, for retrieving said preference information for said one of said medical procedures that is pre-stored in said preference database, for combining said one or more visual representations with said images obtained by said input device based on the preference information in said preference database that corresponds to said medical procedure, and for applying said images to said at least one output device together with said one or more visual representations, and said processor including means for maintaining an aspect ratio of said one or more visual representations with respect to said images as said images are scaled in size.

Claim 68

A system for acquiring images during a medical procedure and using the acquired images, comprising at least one input device for obtaining said images, at least one output device for using the images obtained by said input device to enable image data to be communicated to a medical practitioner, a preference database for pre-storing, for each one of a plurality of medical procedures, respective preference information that indicates one or more visual representations that are preferred to be applied to said at least one output device together with said images obtained by said input device in connection with said one of said plurality of medical procedures, and a processor for receiving an indication of an identity of one of said medical procedures, which is currently to be performed and, responsive to said indication of said identity of said one of said medical procedures that is currently to be performed, for retrieving said preference information for said one of said medical procedures that is pre-stored in said preference database, for combining said one or more visual representations with said images obtained by said input device based on the preference information in said preference database that corresponds to said medical procedure, and for applying said images to said at least one output device together with said one or more visual representations, and said processor including means for maintaining relative appearance of said one or more visual representations with respect to said images as a format of said images is changed.

Claim 69

A system for acquiring images during a medical procedure and using the acquired images, comprising at least one input device for obtaining said images, at least one output device for using the images obtained by said input device to enable image data to be communicated to a medical practitioner, a preference database for pre-storing, for each one of a plurality of medical procedures, respective preference information that indicates one or more visual representations that are preferred to be applied to said at least one output device together with said images obtained by said input device in connection with said one of said plurality of medical procedures, and a processor for receiving an indication of an identity of one of said medical procedures, which is currently to be performed and, responsive to said indication of said identity of said one of said medical procedures that is currently to be performed, for retrieving said preference information for said one of said medical procedures that is pre-stored in said preference database, for combining said one or more visual representations with said images obtained by said input device based on the preference information in said preference database that corresponds to said medical procedure, and for applying said images to said at least one output device together with said one or more visual representations, and said processor including means for maintaining relative appearance of said one or more visual representations with respect to said images as a format of said images is changed.

Claim 70

A system for acquiring images during a medical procedure and using the acquired images, comprising at least one input device for obtaining said images, at least one output device for using the images obtained by said input device to enable image data to be communicated to a medical practitioner, a preference database for pre-storing, for each one of a plurality of medical procedures, respective preference information that indicates one or more visual representations that are preferred to be applied to said at least one output device together with said images obtained by said input device in connection with said one of said plurality of medical procedures, and a processor for receiving an indication of an identity of one of said medical procedures, which is currently to be performed and, responsive to said indication of said identity of said one of said medical procedures that is currently to be performed, for retrieving said preference information for said one of said medical procedures that is pre-stored in said preference database, for combining said one or more visual representations with said images obtained by said input device based on the preference information in said preference database that corresponds to said medical procedure, and for applying said images to said at least one output device together with said one or more visual representations, and said processor including means for storing said one or more visual representations in overlays in order not to affect said images.

Claim 71

A system for acquiring images during a medical procedure and using the acquired images, comprising at least one input device for obtaining said images, at least one output device for using the images obtained by said input device to enable image data to be communicated to a medical practitioner, a preference database for pre-storing, for each one of a plurality of medical procedures, respective preference information that indicates one or more visual representations that are preferred to be applied to said at least one output device together with said images obtained by said input device in connection with said one of said plurality of medical procedures, and a processor for receiving an indication of an identity of one of said medical procedures, which is currently to be performed and, responsive to said indication of said identity of said one of said medical procedures that is currently to be performed, for retrieving said preference information for said one of said medical procedures that is pre-stored in said preference database, for combining said one or more visual representations with said images obtained by said input device based on the preference information in said preference database that corresponds to said medical procedure, and for applying said images to said at least one output device together with said one or more visual representations, and said processor including means for storing said one or more visual representations in overlays in order not to affect said images.