US5987345A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and system for displaying medical images
Assignee: Arch Development Corp
•
Filing: 1996-11-29
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Granted: 1999-11-16
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Expires: 2016-11-29
Abstract
Abstract A method and system for displaying medical images and computer output from various CAD schemes on the images. Images are loaded into the display system and displayed in a main viewing area. The system can display various CAD schemes, such as the automated detection of lung nodules, interstitial infiltrates, and heart size, in the case of a chest image, on the image. The method and system also display interval change (temporal subtraction) between images. Individual abnormality from CAD schemes can be viewed by clicking buttons with minified (postage stamp size) images with CAD annotation rendered into them. The images and results are then shown on a high-speed monitor. Interval change between the current and a previous image can also be chosen by clicking buttons containing minified images. Interval change between any other pair of images for a patient can be selected by choosing from minified subtraction images presented in a two-dimensional array format. A previewer next to the array permits rapid inspection of subtraction images before a subtraction set is chosen for detailed study.
Inventors
- 👤 Roger Engelmann
- 👤 Kenneth R. Hoffmann
- 👤 Heber MacMahon
- 👤 Kunio Doi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 21:14
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06T; G06T19/00; G16; G16H; G16H15/00; G16H30/00; G16H30/40; G06T2210/00; G06T2210/41; G06T2219/00; G06T2219/028; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S128/00; Y10S128/92
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 57
Claim 1
Independent Claim
225 words
A computerized method of displaying medical images, comprising: obtaining a first medical image representative of an anatomy as said anatomy existed at a first point in time; obtaining a second medical image representative of an anatomy as said anatomy existed at a second point in time temporally spaced from said first point in time; obtaining a temporal subtraction image in which one of said first and second medical images of said anatomy is subtracted from the other thereof, said temporal subtraction image highlighting changes occurring in said anatomy between said first and second points in time; obtaining at least one first diagnostic image of said first medical image, each diagnostic image including said first medical image having superimposed respective diagnostic annotations indicative of the results of computer aided diagnosis superimposed on said first medical image, said diagnostic annotations being displayed in spatial relation to respective portions of said anatomy; displaying one of said first medical image, said second medical image, said temporal subtraction image and said first diagnostic image in a first display area of a first display screen; and displaying said first medical image, said second medical image, said temporal subtraction image and said first diagnostic image including said respective diagnostic annotations in a second display area of said first display screen for visual comparison with the image displayed in said first display area.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
225 words
A computerized method of displaying medical images, comprising: obtaining a first medical image representative of an anatomy as said anatomy existed at a first point in time; obtaining a second medical image representative of an anatomy as said anatomy existed at a second point in time temporally spaced from said first point in time; obtaining a temporal subtraction image in which one of said first and second medical images of said anatomy is subtracted from the other thereof, said temporal subtraction image highlighting changes occurring in said anatomy between said first and second points in time; obtaining at least one first diagnostic image of said first medical image, each diagnostic image including said first medical image having superimposed respective diagnostic annotations indicative of the results of computer aided diagnosis superimposed on said first medical image, said diagnostic annotations being displayed in spatial relation to respective portions of said anatomy; displaying one of said first medical image, said second medical image, said temporal subtraction image and said first diagnostic image in a first display area of a first display screen; and displaying said first medical image, said second medical image, said temporal subtraction image and said first diagnostic image including said respective diagnostic annotations in a second display area of said first display screen for visual comparison with the image displayed in said first display area.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
A method as recited in claim 1, comprising: displaying said first and second medical images, said temporal subtraction image and said first diagnostic image including said respective diagnostic annotations in miniature in said second display area in comparison with a size of the image displayed in said first display area.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method as recited in claim 1, comprising: obtaining a second medical image of said anatomy; obtaining a subtraction image in which one of said first and second medical images of said anatomy is subtracted from the other thereof; and displaying said subtraction image and said first and second medical images.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as recited in claim 3, comprising: displaying said temporal subtraction image grouped with said first and second medical images.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
52 words
A method as recited in claim 3, comprising: displaying said first and second medical images, said temporal subtraction image and said first and second diagnostic images including said respective diagnostic annotations in miniature in said second display area in comparison with a size of the image displayed in said first display area.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method as recited in claim 5, comprising: displaying miniature of said first and second diagnostic images in association with respective miniature of said first and second medical images in said second display area.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
66 words
A method as recited in claim 5, comprising: displaying in said second display area respective display selection function buttons for each of said at least first and second medical images and said temporal subtraction image; and displaying in said first display area a respective one of the first and second medical images and said temporal subtraction image upon activation of the respective display selection function button.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method as recited in claim 7, comprising: displaying said first and second medical images and said temporal subtraction image superimposed in miniature on respective of said display selection function buttons at least when the respective display selection function button is not activated.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method as recited in claim 8, comprising: altering the display of a miniature image in a selected display selection function button displayed in said second display area upon activation of the selected display selection function button.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
70 words
A method as recited in claim 9, comprising: providing in said second display area an all-three display selection function button which when activated results in display of the first and second medical images and said temporal subtraction image in said first display area; and displaying said first and second medical images and said temporal subtraction image in said first display area upon activation of said all-three display selection function button.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as recited in claim 9, comprising: indicating in at least one of said function buttons a diagnostic decision.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as recited in claim 5, comprising: obtaining identification information corresponding to said medical image; and displaying said identification information with said medical image.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as recited in claim 5 comprising: displaying in said first screen diagnostic result information corresponding to the displayed diagnostic image displayed in said first display area.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
86 words
A method as recited in claim 3, comprising: displaying in said second display area a respective display selection function button for each diagnostic image and for said first and second medical images and for said temporal subtraction image such that upon activation of said display selection function button the respective image corresponding thereto is displayed in said first display area; and displaying the image corresponding to the activated display selection function button in said first display area upon activation of the respective display selection function button.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
52 words
A method as recited in claim 14, comprising: displaying in miniature superimposed on each said display selection function button respective of said diagnostic images, said first and second medical images, and said temporal subtraction image in said second display area at least when the respective display selection function button is not activated.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as recited in claim 15, comprising: altering the display of a miniature image superimposed on a selected display selection function button upon activation of the selected display selection function button.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as recited in claim 16, comprising: indicating in at least one of said function buttons a diagnostic decision.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
70 words
A method as recited in claim 15, comprising: providing in said second display area an all-three display selection function button which when activated results in display of the first and second medical images and said temporal subtraction image in said first display area; and displaying said first and second medical images and said temporal subtraction image in said first display area upon activation of said all-three display selection function button.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
175 words
A method as recited in claim 15, comprising: displaying in said second display area an other-images display selection function button which when activated produces a second screen in which plural images of said anatomy are arranged in a matrix, said matrix including a first row in which medical images of said anatomy obtained at different points in time are arranged, a second row including at one end of said second row a medical image laterally offset with respect to said medical images of said first row and temporal subtraction images respectively resulting when one of the medical images of the first row and the laterally offset image of said second row is subtracted from the other of the medical images of the first row and the laterally offset image of said second row, each temporal subtraction image being displayed vertically aligned in a column with the respective medical image of the first row from which the respective subtraction image was derived; and displaying said second screen upon activation of said other-images display selection function button.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
123 words
A method as recited in claim 19, comprising: said second screen having first and second display areas; displaying display selection function buttons in said second display area of said second screen for respective of said medical images and said temporal subtraction images, displaying said medical images and said temporal subtraction images superimposed in miniature on respective of said display selection function buttons displayed in said second area of said second screen at least when the respective display selection function button is not activated; and displaying in said first area of said second screen a selected of said medical images and said temporal subtraction images upon activation of a respective display selection function button displayed in said second display area of said second screen.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method as recited in claim 20, comprising: altering the display of a miniature image in a selected display selection function button displayed in said second display area of said second screen upon activation of the selected display selection function button.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as recited in claim 14, comprising: indicating in at least one of said function buttons a diagnostic decision.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
223 words
In a computerized system for displaying medical images, the improvement comprising: a mechanism configured to obtain a first medical image representative of an anatomy as said anatomy existed at a first point in time; a mechanism configured to obtain a second medical image representative of the anatomy as said anatomy existed at a second point in time; a mechanism configured to obtain a temporal subtraction image in which one of said first and second medical images is subtracted from the other thereof; a mechanism configured to obtain plural diagnostic images of said first and second medical images, each diagnostic image including said one of said first and second medical images having a respective diagnostic annotation, indicative of the results of computer aided diagnosis, superimposed on the respective of said first and second medical images in spatial relation to respective portions of said anatomy; a mechanism configured to display at least one of said first and second medical images, said temporal subtraction image and said diagnostic images in a first display area of a first display screen; and a mechanism configured to display said first and second medical images, said temporal subtraction image and said diagnostic images including said respective diagnostic annotations in a second display area of said first display screen for visual comparison with the image displayed in said first display area.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
223 words
In a computerized system for displaying medical images, the improvement comprising: a mechanism configured to obtain a first medical image representative of an anatomy as said anatomy existed at a first point in time; a mechanism configured to obtain a second medical image representative of the anatomy as said anatomy existed at a second point in time; a mechanism configured to obtain a temporal subtraction image in which one of said first and second medical images is subtracted from the other thereof; a mechanism configured to obtain plural diagnostic images of said first and second medical images, each diagnostic image including said one of said first and second medical images having a respective diagnostic annotation, indicative of the results of computer aided diagnosis, superimposed on the respective of said first and second medical images in spatial relation to respective portions of said anatomy; a mechanism configured to display at least one of said first and second medical images, said temporal subtraction image and said diagnostic images in a first display area of a first display screen; and a mechanism configured to display said first and second medical images, said temporal subtraction image and said diagnostic images including said respective diagnostic annotations in a second display area of said first display screen for visual comparison with the image displayed in said first display area.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
53 words
A system as recited in claim 23, comprising: a mechanism configured to display said first and second medical images, said temporal subtraction image and said diagnostic images including said respective diagnostic annotations in miniature in said second display area in comparison with a size of the image displayed in said first display area.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
25 words
A system as recited in claim 23, comprising: a mechanism configured to display said temporal subtraction image grouped with said first and second medical images.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
86 words
A system as recited in claim 23, comprising: a mechanism configured to display plural of said diagnostic images including said respective diagnostic annotations in miniature in said second display area in comparison with a size of the image displayed in said first display area; a mechanism configured to display said at least two medical images and said temporal subtraction image in said second display area in miniature in said second display area in comparison with a size of the image displayed in said first display area.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
37 words
A system as recited in claim 26, comprising: a mechanism configured to display in said second display area said plural of said miniature diagnostic images in association with respective of said miniature at least two medical images.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
76 words
A system as recited in claim 26, comprising: a mechanism configured to provide in said second display area an all-three display selection function button which when activated results in display of said first and second medical images and temporal subtraction image in said first display area; and a mechanism configured to display said first and second medical images and temporal subtraction image in said first display area upon activation of said all-three display selection function button.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system as recited in claim 28, comprising: a mechanism configured to indicate in at least one of said function buttons a diagnostic decision.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
93 words
A system as recited in claim 23, comprising: a mechanism configured to display in said second display area a respective display selection function button for each diagnostic image, for said first and second medical images, and for said temporal subtraction image such that upon activation of said display selection function button, the respective image corresponding thereto is displayed in said first display area; and a mechanism configured to display the image corresponding to the activated display selection function button in said first display area upon activation of the respective display selection function button.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
53 words
A system as recited in claim 30, comprising: a mechanism configured to display said first and second medical images, said temporal subtraction image and said diagnostic images including said respective diagnostic annotations in miniature in said second display area in comparison with a size of the image displayed in said first display area.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
36 words
A system as recited in claim 31, comprising: a mechanism configured to alter the display of a miniature image superimposed on a selected display selection function button upon activation of the selected display selection function button.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system as recited in claim 32, comprising: a mechanism configured to indicate in at least one of said function buttons a diagnostic decision.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
47 words
A system as recited in claim 31, comprising: a mechanism configured to display said first and second medical images and said temporal subtraction image superimposed in miniature on respective of said display selection function buttons at least when the respective display selection function button is not activated.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
41 words
A system as recited in claim 34, comprising: a mechanism configured to alter the display of a miniature image in a selected display selection function button displayed in said second display area upon activation of the selected display selection function button.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
75 words
A system as recited in claim 30, comprising: a mechanism configured to provide in said second display area an all-three display selection function button which when activated results in display of said first and second medical images and temporal subtraction image in said first display area; and a mechanism configured to display said first and second medical images and subtraction image in said first display area upon activation of said all-three display selection function button.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
189 words
A system as recited in claim 30, comprising: a mechanism configured to display in said second display area an other-images display selection function button which when activated produces a second screen in which plural images of said anatomy are arranged in a matrix, said matrix including a first row in which medical images representative of said anatomy as said anatomy existed at different points in time are arranged, and a second row including at one end of said second row a medical image laterally offset with respect to said medical images of said first row and temporal subtraction images respectively resulting when one of the medical images of the first row and the laterally offset image of said second row is subtracted from the other of the medical images of the first row and the laterally offset image of said second row, each temporal subtraction image being displayed vertically aligned in a column with the respective medical image of the first row from which the respective temporal subtraction image was derived; and a mechanism configured to display said second screen upon activation of said other-images display selection function button.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
134 words
A system as recited in claim 37, comprising: said second screen having first and second display areas; a mechanism configured to display selection function buttons in said second display area of said second screen for respective of said medical images and said temporal subtraction images, a mechanism configured to display said medical images and said temporal subtraction images superimposed in miniature on respective of said display selection function buttons displayed in said second area of said second screen at least when the respective display selection function button is not activated; and a mechanism configured to display in said first area of said second screen a selected of said medical images and said temporal subtraction images upon activation of a respective display selection function button displayed in said second display area of said second screen.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
48 words
A system as recited in claim 38, comprising: a selection mechanism configured to select in said second screen a medical image displayed in said second screen, such that upon activation of said selection mechanism, the selected medical image and associated diagnostic images are displayed in said first screen.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
96 words
A system as recited in claim 39, wherein said selection mechanism comprises: a change screen display selection function button displayed in said first display area of said second screen and having said selected of said first and second medical images and said temporal subtraction image superimposed thereon, such that upon activation of said change screen display selection function the display mechanism is configured to display said first screen with said selected of said first and second medical images, respective diagnostic images, and said temporal subtraction image displayed in said second display area of said first screen.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
112 words
A system as recited in claim 40, wherein said selection mechanism comprises: change screen double selection display selection function buttons displayed in said second display area of said second screen and having respective of said medical images and said temporal subtraction images superimposed thereon in miniature, such that upon a double activation of one of said change screen double selection display selection function buttons, the display mechanism is configured to display said first screen with a selected of the medical images corresponding to the double activated change screen double selection display selection function button, and respective diagnostic and temporal subtraction images associated therewith, in said second display area of said first screen.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
110 words
A system as recited in claim 39, wherein said selection mechanism comprises: change screen double selection display selection function buttons displayed in said second display area of said second screen and having respective of said medical images and said temporal subtraction images superimposed thereon in miniature, such that upon a double activation of one of said change screen double selection display selection function buttons, the display mechanism is configured to display said first screen with a selected medical image corresponding to the double activated change screen double selection display selection function button, and respective diagnostic and temporal subtraction images associated therewith, in said second display area of said first screen.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
45 words
A system as recited in claim 38, comprising: a mechanism configured to alter the display of a miniature image in a selected display selection function button displayed in said second display area of said second screen upon activation of the selected display selection function button.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
48 words
A system as recited in claim 37, comprising: a selection mechanism configured to select in said second screen a medical image displayed in said second screen, such that upon activation of said selection mechanism, the selected medical image and associated diagnostic images are displayed in said first screen.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system as recited in claim 30, comprising: a mechanism configured to indicate in at least one of said function buttons a diagnostic decision.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
33 words
A system as recited in claim 30, comprising: a mechanism configured to obtain identification information corresponding to said medical image; and a mechanism configured to display said identification information with said medical image.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
32 words
A system as recited in claim 30, comprising: a mechanism configured to display in said first screen diagnostic result information corresponding to the displayed diagnostic image displayed in said first display area.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
159 words
A computerized system of displaying medical images, comprising: a mechanism configured to obtain plural medical images representative of an anatomy as said anatomy existed at different points in time; a mechanism for obtaining at least one temporal subtraction image formed by subtraction of a first of said plural medical images from at least a second of said plural medical images; a display mechanism configured to display said medical images and said at least one temporal subtraction image arranged in a matrix, said matrix including a first row in which said second medical image is displayed, and a second row in which a temporal subtraction image and said first medical image are displayed with the temporal subtraction image arranged substantially vertically aligned in a column with the second medical image and horizontally aligned with the first medical image in said second row, said subtraction image having been derived by a subtraction operation performed between said first and second medical images.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
159 words
A computerized system of displaying medical images, comprising: a mechanism configured to obtain plural medical images representative of an anatomy as said anatomy existed at different points in time; a mechanism for obtaining at least one temporal subtraction image formed by subtraction of a first of said plural medical images from at least a second of said plural medical images; a display mechanism configured to display said medical images and said at least one temporal subtraction image arranged in a matrix, said matrix including a first row in which said second medical image is displayed, and a second row in which a temporal subtraction image and said first medical image are displayed with the temporal subtraction image arranged substantially vertically aligned in a column with the second medical image and horizontally aligned with the first medical image in said second row, said subtraction image having been derived by a subtraction operation performed between said first and second medical images.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
84 words
A system as recited in claim 48, wherein said display mechanism is configured to display plural of said medical images in said first row of said matrix and plural temporal subtraction images obtained by subtraction between said first medical image and the medical images of said first row, said temporal subtraction images displayed vertically aligned in respective columns with respective medical images of said first row from which each respective temporal subtraction image was derived and in said row including said first medical image.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
75 words
The system of claim 49, wherein said display mechanism comprises first and second display areas, wherein at least a selected one of said medical images and said temporal subtraction images is displayed in said first display area and said matrix including said medical images and temporal subtraction images is displayed in said second display area in miniature form relative to a size of the selected at least one image displayed in the first display area.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
65 words
A system as in claim 50, wherein said display mechanism is further configured to display a display selection function button in association with each of said medical images and said at least one temporal subtraction image such that upon activation of one of said display selection function buttons, the respective medical image or temporal subtraction image associated therewith is displayed in said first display area.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
35 words
A system as recited in claim 51, comprising: said display mechanism configured to display said miniature medical images and temporal subtraction images displayed in said second display area superimposed over said display selection function buttons.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
43 words
A system as recited in claim 52, comprising: said display mechanism configured to alter display of a selected of said medical images and temporal subtraction images superimposed over a respective display selection function button upon activation of the selected display selection function button.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
82 words
The system of claim 48, wherein said display mechanism comprises first and second display areas, wherein at least a selected one of said medical images and said at least one temporal subtraction image is displayed in said first display area and said matrix including said medical images and said at least one temporal subtraction image is displayed in said second display area in miniature form relative to a size of the selected at least one image displayed in the first display area.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-11-15 | 2003-05-17 | 2003-11-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-11-15 | 2007-05-17 | 2007-11-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-11-15 | 2011-05-17 | 2011-11-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |