US5851186A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system with universal access to diagnostic information and images
Assignee: ATL Ultrasound Inc
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Filing: 1998-02-04
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Granted: 1998-12-22
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Expires: 2018-02-04
Abstract
Abstract A medical ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system is provided which is capable of being accessed over data communication networks such as the Internet, making the ultrasonic images, diagnostic reports, and ultrasound system diagnostics information and operation accessible to a conventional personal computer using commercially available software at virtually any remote location. In one embodiment, the ultrasound system can be remotely operated from the personal computer. The inventive apparatus and techniques make it possible for physicians to remotely access, control, and perform diagnoses using their ultrasound systems over a network such as the World Wide Web with no special hardware requirements.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael A. Wood
- 👤 Pascal Roncalez
- 👤 Lauren S. Pflugrath
- 👤 Jacques Souquet
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 00:41
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B8/00; A61B8/58; A61B8/582; A61B8/46; A61B8/461; A61B8/463; A61B8/56; A61B8/565; G; G01; G01S; G01S15/00; G01S15/88; G01S15/89; G01S15/8906; G01S15/899; G01S7/00; G01S7/003; G16; G16H; G16H15/00; G16H30/00; G16H30/20; G16H40/00; G16H40/60; G16H40/67; A61B2560/00; A61B2560/02; A61B2560/0266; A61B2560/0271; A61B8/44; A61B8/4405; G01S7/52; G01S7/52017; G01S7/52023; G01S7/52034; G05; G05B; G05B2219/00; G05B2219/30; G05B2219/34; G05B2219/34038; G05B2219/45; G05B2219/45169; G16H40/40; G16H80/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
69 words
A method of electronically acquiring a diagnostic ultrasound image over a communications network from an ultrasound system having a server by means of a computer, comprising the steps of: a. establishing an electronic communications link between said ultrasound system and said computer over said network; and b. operating said computer to cause said ultrasound system server to transmit an ultrasound image over said network for display on said computer.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
69 words
A method of electronically acquiring a diagnostic ultrasound image over a communications network from an ultrasound system having a server by means of a computer, comprising the steps of: a. establishing an electronic communications link between said ultrasound system and said computer over said network; and b. operating said computer to cause said ultrasound system server to transmit an ultrasound image over said network for display on said computer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of: c. operating said computer to electronically store said ultrasound image.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of: c. operating said computer to print said ultrasound image on a hardcopy medium.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method claim 1, further comprising the step of: c. operating said computer to electronically transmit said ultrasound image to a location remote from said computer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 4, wherein step c. comprises the steps of: c1. operating said computer to add said ultrasound image to an electronic message; and c2. electronically mailing said electronic message to a location remote from said computer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 5, further comprising the step of: d. operating said computer to cause said ultrasound system server to transmit a diagnostic report over said network to said computer; and wherein step c1. further comprises operating said computer to add said diagnostic report to said electronic message.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
21 words
The method of any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, wherein said communications network comprises the Internet.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 7, wherein step b. further comprises transmitting said ultrasound image over said network in the form of a Web page.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 7, wherein said computer comprises a personal computer (p.c.).
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 1, wherein step b. comprises the steps of: b1. viewing on said computer a directory of ultrasound images stored on said ultrasound system; and b2. selecting from said computer one of said ultrasound images, whereby said selected image is transmitted over said network to said computer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 10, wherein said directory comprises a plurality of small images displayed simultaneously.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 11, wherein said small images comprise compressed images.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 10, wherein said selected image is viewed on said computer as an uncompressed image.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
23 words
The method of any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 10, wherein said computer comprises a personal computer (p.c.).
Claim 16
Independent Claim
80 words
A method of electronically preparing a medical ultrasound diagnosis from a computer terminal comprising the steps of: a. establishing a data link over a network between said computer terminal and an ultrasound system on which an ultrasonic image is stored; b. commanding said ultrasound system from said computer terminal to transmit said ultrasonic image over said network to said computer terminal; and c. adding the ultrasonic image received by said computer terminal to an electronic document on said computer terminal.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
80 words
A method of electronically preparing a medical ultrasound diagnosis from a computer terminal comprising the steps of: a. establishing a data link over a network between said computer terminal and an ultrasound system on which an ultrasonic image is stored; b. commanding said ultrasound system from said computer terminal to transmit said ultrasonic image over said network to said computer terminal; and c. adding the ultrasonic image received by said computer terminal to an electronic document on said computer terminal.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of claim 15, wherein step b. further comprises commanding said ultrasound system from said computer terminal to transmit a diagnostic report over said network to said computer terminal; and wherein step c. further comprises adding the diagnostic report received by said computer terminal to an electronic document on said computer terminal.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 15 or 16, further comprising the step of: d. transmitting said electronic document to a location remote from said computer terminal.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
16 words
The method of any one of claims 15 or 16, wherein said network comprises the Internet.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 18, wherein said ultrasound image is transmitted over said network in the form of a Web page.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
74 words
A method of electronically preparing and delivering a medical ultrasound diagnosis from a computer terminal comprising the steps of: a. establishing a data link over a network between said computer terminal and an ultrasound system on which a diagnostic ultrasound report is stored; b. commanding said ultrasound system from said computer terminal to transmit said ultrasound report over said network to said computer terminal; and c. storing said ultrasound report at a destination location.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
74 words
A method of electronically preparing and delivering a medical ultrasound diagnosis from a computer terminal comprising the steps of: a. establishing a data link over a network between said computer terminal and an ultrasound system on which a diagnostic ultrasound report is stored; b. commanding said ultrasound system from said computer terminal to transmit said ultrasound report over said network to said computer terminal; and c. storing said ultrasound report at a destination location.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 20, wherein step c. comprises: c. electronically mailing said ultrasound report to a destination location.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 20, wherein step c. comprises: c. printing said ultrasonic report on a printer connected to said computer terminal.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 20, further comprising a step following step b. of: d. adding said ultrasound report to an electronic document on said computer terminal.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 23, wherein step c. comprises: c. electronically mailing said electronic document to a destination location.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
21 words
The method of any one of claims 20, 21, 22, 23 or 24, wherein said ultrasound report comprises an ultrasonic image.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 25, wherein said ultrasound report comprises an ultrasonic image and textual material.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 25, wherein said network comprises the Internet.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 27, wherein said ultrasound report is transmitted over said network in the form of a Web page.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
21 words
The method of any one of claims 20, 21, 22, 23 or 24, wherein said ultrasound report comprises a textual report.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
22 words
The method of any one of claims 15, 20, 21, 23 or 24, wherein said computer terminal comprises a personal computer (p.c.).
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-12-21 | 2002-06-22 | 2002-12-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-12-21 | 2006-06-22 | 2006-12-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-12-21 | 2010-06-22 | 2010-12-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |