US6819785B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Image reporting method and system
Assignee: UNIVERSITY WAKE FOREST
•
Filing: 2000-08-09
•
Granted: 2004-11-16
•
Expires: 2020-08-09
Abstract
Abstract A method and system are provided to report the findings of an expert's analysis of image data. The method and system are based on a reporting system that forms the basis of an image management system that can efficiently and systematically generate image reports, facilitate data entry into searchable databases for data mining, and expedite billing and collections for the expert's services. The expert identifies a significant finding on an image and attaches a location:description code to the location of that finding in order to create a significant finding and an entry into a database. Further descriptions of that finding, such as dimensional measurements, audio descriptions, 3D rendered snapshots, etc., may be automatically appended to the finding as secondary attributes of the finding within the database. At the end of the expert's evaluation of the image(s), the system sorts the findings in the database and presents the findings by prioritized categories. The expert edits and approves a multimedia report, which may be delivered to an Internet server for immediate access, archived in the database, sent by automated voice, fax or e-mail to an end-user, or any combination thereof.
Inventors
- 👤 David J. Vining
- 👤 Yaorong Ge
- 👤 David K. Ahn
- 👤 David R. Stelts
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 21:50
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06T; G06T7/00; G06T7/0002; G06T7/0012; G06F; G06F16/00; G06F16/40; G06F16/43; G06F16/438; G06F16/4387; G06F16/4393; G06F16/50; G06F16/58; G06F16/583; G06F16/5838; G06Q; G06Q10/00; G06Q10/10; G06Q30/00; G06Q30/04; G16; G16H; G16H30/00; G16H30/40; G11; G11B; G11B20/00; G11B20/10; G11B2020/10935; G11B2020/10944; G16H15/00; G16H40/00; G16H40/60; G16H40/63; G16H50/00; G16H50/20; G16H80/00; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S128/00; Y10S128/92; Y10S128/922; Y10S707/00; Y10S707/99941; Y10S707/99944; Y10S707/99945; Y10S707/99948
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 199
Claim 1
Independent Claim
149 words
A computer implemented method for analysis of an image comprising the steps of: displaying an actual image of an object in an image viewer to a user for analysis of the image; associating image content information describing the image type with the image; analyzing the image to identify a feature of interest of the object; identifying a location of the feature using an input device to selectively mark a location on the actual image representing image coordinates of the identified feature; associating a position descriptor with the location of the feature, the position descriptor representing image coordinates; compiling a list of user-selectable items related to the image content information to present to the user; selecting at least one item from the list, the item describing a characteristic of the feature; and creating an image finding of the feature comprising the position descriptor and the at least one selected item.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
149 words
A computer implemented method for analysis of an image comprising the steps of: displaying an actual image of an object in an image viewer to a user for analysis of the image; associating image content information describing the image type with the image; analyzing the image to identify a feature of interest of the object; identifying a location of the feature using an input device to selectively mark a location on the actual image representing image coordinates of the identified feature; associating a position descriptor with the location of the feature, the position descriptor representing image coordinates; compiling a list of user-selectable items related to the image content information to present to the user; selecting at least one item from the list, the item describing a characteristic of the feature; and creating an image finding of the feature comprising the position descriptor and the at least one selected item.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method according to claim 1 comprising associating a status of the viewer with the feature, the status comprising at least one of an orientation, a magnification, and a shading of the image, and wherein the image finding comprises the viewer status.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the at least one list item comprises a location-code which describes the location of the feature relative to an object depicted in the image.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 3 wherein the location-code represents an anatomical location.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the image content information comprises one or more of a CPT code and a ICD code.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 3 wherein the location-code is selected from a predefined lexicon of location-codes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 3 wherein the at least one list item comprises a description-code which describes at least one property of the feature.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 7 wherein the description-code is selected from a predefined lexicon of description-codes.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method according to claim 1 comprising associating at least one of a dimensional measurement, mean voxel value, standard deviation of voxel values, an audio description, a two-dimensional image, a three-dimensional rendered image, a video description, and a user-defined illustration with the finding.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein the image content information denotes that at least one specific object is depicted within the image.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 7 wherein the property includes a pathology of the feature.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the selected item is entered using voice recognition.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 1 comprising the step of assigning a priority to the image finding to denote the importance of the image finding.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 1 comprising the step of assigning a recommendation to the image finding to denote a recommended action to be taken with respect to the image finding.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 1 comprising the steps of creating at least one thumbnail image of the feature and associating the thumbnail image with the image finding.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 15 comprising the step of displaying the thumbnail image.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 1 comprising the step of displaying the image in at least one of a two-dimensional viewer and a three-dimensional viewer.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 17 wherein the image is formed by at least one of volume rendering, surface rendering, and rendering about a point.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 17 comprising the step of displaying multiple images simultaneously.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the image includes a digital image.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the image is part of a series of two-dimensional images associated with a three-dimensional body.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 1 comprising the step of identifying features in the image using computer analysis of the image to provide computer identified features.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 22 comprising the step of correlating the computer identified features with the feature.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 22 wherein the computer analysis includes computer assisted polyp detection.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 22 wherein the computer analysis includes a transbronchial needle aspiration targeting scheme.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 1 comprising creating a plurality of image findings.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 26 comprising the step of linking selected findings of the plurality of image findings to create a cumulative finding encompassing the plurality of image findings.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 26 comprising the step of linking related findings to associate the related findings to render the associated findings retrievable as a unit.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 26 comprising the steps of assigning a priority to at least one of the image findings and sorting the image findings according to priority.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 26 comprising the steps of assigning a location-code to at least one of the image findings and sorting the image findings according to location-code.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 26 comprising the step of assigning a description-code to at least one of the image findings and sorting the image findings according to the description-code.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
54 words
A method according to claim 1 comprising the steps of retrieving at least one prior finding from a previous analysis of an image and linking the retrieved image finding to the image finding of the feature, whereby a set of findings is created describing a chronology of the image finding of the set feature.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 1 comprising the step of generating a report based on the image finding.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 1 comprising the step of recording a cine clip showing a time varying characteristic of the feature.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 33 wherein the report contains at least one of the image finding, a thumbnail image of an image finding, and a chronology of an image finding.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
182 words
A computer implemented method for analysis of image data comprising the steps of: displaying an actual image of an object in an image viewer to a user for analysis of the image; analyzing the image to identify a feature of interest of the object; identifying a location of the feature using an input device to selectively mark a location on the actual image representing image coordinates of the identified feature; associating a status of the viewer with the feature, the status comprising at least one of an orientation, a magnification, and a shading of the image; associating a position descriptor with the location of the feature, the position descriptor representing image coordinates; associating a location-code with the feature, the location-code selected from a list presented to the user and describing the location of the feature relative to the object; associating a description-code with the feature to describe a characteristic of the feature, the description-code selected from a list presented to the user; and creating an image finding of the feature comprising the position descriptor, the location-code, the viewer status, and the description-code.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
182 words
A computer implemented method for analysis of image data comprising the steps of: displaying an actual image of an object in an image viewer to a user for analysis of the image; analyzing the image to identify a feature of interest of the object; identifying a location of the feature using an input device to selectively mark a location on the actual image representing image coordinates of the identified feature; associating a status of the viewer with the feature, the status comprising at least one of an orientation, a magnification, and a shading of the image; associating a position descriptor with the location of the feature, the position descriptor representing image coordinates; associating a location-code with the feature, the location-code selected from a list presented to the user and describing the location of the feature relative to the object; associating a description-code with the feature to describe a characteristic of the feature, the description-code selected from a list presented to the user; and creating an image finding of the feature comprising the position descriptor, the location-code, the viewer status, and the description-code.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 36 wherein the location-code represents an anatomical location.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 36 wherein the list of location-codes is compiled from a predefined lexicon of location-codes.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 36 wherein the characteristic describes at least one physical property of the feature.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 36 wherein the list of description-codes is compiled from a predefined lexicon of description-codes.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method according to claim 36 comprising the step of associating a content-code with the image, the content-code denoting that at least one specific object is depicted within the image, and wherein the description-code list is assembled to contain description-codes that are consistent with the content-code.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method according to claim 38 comprising the step of associating a content-code with the image, the content-code denoting that at least one specific object is depicted within the image and wherein the location-code list is assembled to contain location-codes that are consistent with the content-code.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 36 wherein the characteristic includes a pathology of the feature.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method according to claim 36 comprising associating at least one of a dimensional measurement, mean voxel value, standard deviation of voxel values, an audio description, a two-dimensional image, a three-dimensional rendered image, a video description, and a user-defined illustration with the finding.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 36 comprising the step of creating at least one thumbnail image of the feature and associating the thumbnail image with the image finding.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 45 comprising the step of displaying the thumbnail image wherein selection of the thumbnail image recalls the associated image finding.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 36 comprising the step of displaying the image includes display in at least one of a two-dimensional viewer and a three-dimensional viewer.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 47 wherein the image is formed by at least one of volume rendering, surface rendering, and rendering about a point.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 47 comprising the step of displaying multiple images simultaneously.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 36 wherein the image data includes a digital image.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 36 wherein the image data includes a series of two-dimensional images associated with a three-dimensional body.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 36 comprising the step of identifying features in the image using computer analysis of the image to provide computer identified features.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 52 comprising the step of correlating the computer identified features with the feature.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 36 comprising creating a plurality of image findings.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 54 comprising the step of generating a report based on the image findings.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 36 comprising the step of recording a cine clip showing a time varying characteristic of the feature.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method according to claim 55 wherein the step of generating the report comprises incorporating a cumulative finding by linking selected findings of the plurality of image findings to create the cumulative finding encompassing the plurality of image findings.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 55 wherein the step of generating the report comprises incorporating a primary finding by linking related findings to associate the related findings to create the primary finding.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 55 wherein the step of generating the report comprises the step of assigning a priority to at least one of the image findings and sorting image findings according to priority.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 55 wherein the step of generating the report comprises the step of sorting image findings according to at least one of the location-code and the description-code.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
61 words
A method according to claim 55 wherein the step of generating the report comprises incorporating a chronology of an image finding by retrieving at least one previous finding associated with the feature from a previous analysis and linking the retrieved image finding to the image finding of the feature whereby the chronology of the image finding of the feature is created.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 1 including the steps of displaying a selected portion of the image and selecting of the displayed portion of the image to recall the associated diagnostic finding.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the image includes a plurality of views having differing perspectives of the feature.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 55 wherein the step of generating the report comprises computing a selected statistical measure of the report generation process.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 64 wherein the statistical measure includes at least one of total review time, time per finding, number of findings, and diagnostic accuracy.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 55 comprising generating billing information to create a bill for the report.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the image content information includes an image content-code, denoting what the image data depicts, and includes reason-code, denoting a reason for creating the image data.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 67 comprising the step of ensuring that the image content-code and reason-code are compatible.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein the list of user-selectable items is at least a subset of a comprehensive list of user selectable items.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 2 , wherein the orientation comprises at least one of a translation state and a rotation state.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 2 , wherein the magnification comprises a degree of image zoom.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 2 , wherein the shading comprises at least one of a gray scale setting and opacity setting.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 36 , wherein the orientation comprises at least one of a translation state and a rotation state.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 36 , wherein the magnification comprises a degree of image zoom.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 36 , wherein the shading comprises at least one of a gray scale setting and opacity setting.
Claim 78
Independent Claim
126 words
A system for analyzing an image, comprising: a display for displaying an actual image of an object in an image viewer to a user for analysis of the image; a content information retriever for retrieving image content information describing the image type and for associating the content information with the image; an input device for marking a location on the actual image representing image coordinates of an image feature; a list compiler for compiling a list of user-selectable items related to the image content information and for presentation the list to the user; and an image finding generator for creating an image finding of the feature comprising the image coordinates of the image feature and at least one item selected by the user from the list.
Claim 79
Independent Claim
126 words
A system for analyzing an image, comprising: a display for displaying an actual image of an object in an image viewer to a user for analysis of the image; a content information retriever for retrieving image content information describing the image type and for associating the content information with the image; an input device for marking a location on the actual image representing image coordinates of an image feature; a list compiler for compiling a list of user-selectable items related to the image content information and for presentation the list to the user; and an image finding generator for creating an image finding of the feature comprising the image coordinates of the image feature and at least one item selected by the user from the list.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
39 words
A system according to claim 76 , comprising a viewer status recorder for associating a status of the viewer with the feature, the status comprising at least one of an orientation, a magnification, and a shading of the image.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system according to claim 77 , wherein the orientation comprises at least one of a translation state and a rotation state.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system according to claim 77 , wherein the magnification comprises a degree of image zoom.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system according to claim 77 , wherein the shading comprises at least one of a gray scale setting and opacity setting.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
29 words
A system according to claim 76 , wherein the list items comprise a location-code which describes the location of the feature relative to an object depicted in the image.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
14 words
A system according to claim 81 , wherein the location-code represents an anatomical location.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system according to claim 81 , wherein the location-code is selected from a predefined lexicon of location-codes.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
21 words
A system according to claim 81 , comprising a finding sorter for sorting a plurality of image findings according to location-code.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system according to claim 76 , wherein the list items comprise a description-code which describes at least one property of the feature.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim
21 words
A system according to claim 85 , comprising a finding sorter for sorting a plurality of image findings according to description-code.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system according to claim 85 , wherein the description-code is selected from a predefined lexicon of description-codes.
Claim 91
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system according to claim 85 , wherein the property includes a pathology of the feature.
Claim 92
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system according to claim 76 , wherein the image content information comprises one or more of a CPT code and a ICD code.
Claim 93
Dependent Claim
48 words
A system according to claim 76 , comprising a finding annotator for associating at least one of a dimensional measurement, mean voxel value, standard deviation of voxel values, an audio description, a two-dimensional image, a three-dimensional rendered image, a video description, and a user-defined illustration with the finding.
Claim 94
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system according to claim 76 , comprising a voice recognition unit for entering the selected item.
Claim 95
Dependent Claim
29 words
A system according to claim 76 , wherein the finding generator is configured to associate a priority with the image finding to denote the importance of the image finding.
Claim 96
Dependent Claim
21 words
A system according to claim 92 , wherein the finding generator is configured to sort the image findings according to priority.
Claim 97
Dependent Claim
35 words
A system according to claim 76 , wherein the finding generator is configured to associate a recommendation with the image finding to denote a recommended action to be taken with respect to the image finding.
Claim 98
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system according to claim 76 , comprising a thumbnail generator for creating at least one thumbnail image of the feature and associating the thumbnail image with the image finding.
Claim 99
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system according to claim 76 , wherein the viewer comprises at least one of a two-dimensional viewer and a three-dimensional viewer.
Claim 100
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system according to claim 76 , comprising a renderer for generating the image by at least one of volume rendering, surface rendering, and rendering about a point.
Claim 101
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system according to claim 76 , comprising an image analyzer for identifying features in the image using computer analysis of the image to provide computer identified features.
Claim 102
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system according to claim 98 , wherein the image analyzer is configured to correlate the computer identified features with the feature.
Claim 103
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system according to claim 94 , wherein the image analyzer is configured to perform computer assisted polyp detection.
Claim 104
Dependent Claim
21 words
A system according to claim 94 , wherein the image analyzer is configured to perform a transbronchial needle aspiration targeting scheme.
Claim 105
Dependent Claim
32 words
A system according to claim 76 , comprising a finding compositor for linking selected findings of a plurality of image findings to create a cumulative finding comprising the plurality of image findings.
Claim 106
Dependent Claim
56 words
A system according to claim 76 , comprising a file loader for retrieving at least one prior finding from a previous analysis of an image and for linking the retrieved image finding to the image finding of the feature, whereby a set of findings is created describing a chronology of the image finding of the feature.
Claim 107
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system according to claim 76 , comprising a report generator for generating a report based on the image finding.
Claim 108
Dependent Claim
32 words
A system according to claim 104 , wherein the report contains at least one of the image finding, a thumbnail image of the image finding, and a chronology of the image finding.
Claim 109
Dependent Claim
26 words
A system according to claim 76 , wherein the list of user-selectable items is at least a subset of a comprehensive list of user selectable items.
Claim 110
Dependent Claim
51 words
A system according to claim 76 , comprising a communication interface for communication with at least one of the Internet, an e-mail system, a fax, a telephone, a wireless communications system, a pager, a cell phone, a hospital information system, a radiology information system, and a picture archiving and communication system.
Claim 111
Independent Claim
121 words
A system for analyzing an image, comprising: display means for displaying an actual image of an object in an image viewer to a user for analysis of the image; content information retrieval means for retrieving image content information describing the image type and for associating the content information with the image; input means for marking a location on the actual image representing image coordinates of an image feature; list compilation means for compiling a list of user-selectable items related to the image content information for presentation to the user; and finding creation means for creating an image finding of the feature comprising the image coordinates of the image feature and at least one item selected by the user from the list.
Claim 112
Independent Claim
121 words
A system for analyzing an image, comprising: display means for displaying an actual image of an object in an image viewer to a user for analysis of the image; content information retrieval means for retrieving image content information describing the image type and for associating the content information with the image; input means for marking a location on the actual image representing image coordinates of an image feature; list compilation means for compiling a list of user-selectable items related to the image content information for presentation to the user; and finding creation means for creating an image finding of the feature comprising the image coordinates of the image feature and at least one item selected by the user from the list.
Claim 113
Dependent Claim
40 words
A system according to claim 108 , comprising a viewer status association means for associating a status of the viewer with the feature, the status comprising at least one of an orientation, a magnification, and a shading of the image.
Claim 114
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system according to claim 109 , wherein the orientation comprises at least one of a translation state and a rotation state.
Claim 115
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system according to claim 109 , wherein the magnification comprises a degree of image zoom.
Claim 116
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system according to claim 109 , wherein the shading comprises at least one of a gray scale setting and opacity setting.
Claim 117
Dependent Claim
29 words
A system according to claim 108 , wherein the list items comprise a location-code which describes the location of the feature relative to an object depicted in the image.
Claim 118
Dependent Claim
14 words
A system according to claim 113 , wherein the location-code represents an anatomical location.
Claim 119
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system according to claim 113 , wherein the location-code is selected from a predefined lexicon of location-codes.
Claim 120
Dependent Claim
21 words
A system according to claim 113 , comprising a sorting means for sorting a plurality of image findings according to location-code.
Claim 121
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system according to claim 108 , wherein the list items comprise description-codes which describes at least one property of the feature.
Claim 122
Dependent Claim
21 words
A system according to claim 117 , comprising a sorting means for sorting a plurality of image findings according to description-code.
Claim 123
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system according to claim 117 , wherein the description-code is selected from a predefined lexicon of description-codes.
Claim 124
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system according to claim 117 , wherein the property includes a pathology of the feature.
Claim 125
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system according to claim 108 , wherein the image content information comprises one or more of a CPT code and a ICD code.
Claim 126
Dependent Claim
48 words
A system according to claim 108 , an annotation association means for associating at least one of a dimensional measurement, mean voxel value, standard deviation of voxel values, an audio description, a two-dimensional image, a three-dimensional rendered image, a video description, and a user-defined illustration with the finding.
Claim 127
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system according to claim 108 , comprising a voice recognition unit for entering the selected item.
Claim 128
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system according to claim 108 , wherein the finding creation means is configured to associate a priority with the image finding to denote the importance of the image finding.
Claim 129
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system according to claim 124 , wherein the finding creation means is configured to sort the image findings according to priority.
Claim 130
Dependent Claim
36 words
A system according to claim 108 , wherein the finding creation means is configured to associate a recommendation with the image finding to denote a recommended action to be taken with respect to the image finding.
Claim 131
Dependent Claim
31 words
A system according to claim 108 , comprising a thumbnail creation means for creating at least one thumbnail image of the feature and associating the thumbnail image with the image finding.
Claim 132
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system according to claim 108 , wherein the viewer comprises at least one of a two-dimensional viewer and a three-dimensional viewer.
Claim 133
Dependent Claim
29 words
A system according to claim 108 , comprising a rendering means for rendering the image by at least one of volume rendering, surface rendering, and rendering about a point.
Claim 134
Dependent Claim
33 words
A system according to claim 108 , comprising an image analysis means for analyzing the image to identify features in the image using computer analysis of the image to provide computer identified features.
Claim 135
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system according to claim 130 , wherein the image analysis means is configured to correlate the computer identified features with the feature.
Claim 136
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system according to claim 130 , wherein the image analysis means is configured to perform computer assisted polyp detection.
Claim 137
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system according to claim 130 , wherein the image analysis means is configured to perform a transbronchial needle aspiration targeting scheme.
Claim 138
Dependent Claim
33 words
A system according to claim 108 , comprising a finding linking means for linking selected findings of a plurality of image findings to create a cumulative finding comprising the plurality of image findings.
Claim 139
Dependent Claim
57 words
A system according to claim 108 , comprising a file retrieval means for retrieving at least one prior finding from a previous analysis of an image and for linking the retrieved image finding to the image finding of the feature, whereby a set of findings is created describing a chronology of the image finding of the feature.
Claim 140
Dependent Claim
21 words
A system according to claim 108 , comprising a report creation means for generating a report based on the image finding.
Claim 141
Dependent Claim
32 words
A system according to claim 136 , wherein the report contains at least one of the image finding, a thumbnail image of the image finding, and a chronology of the image finding.
Claim 142
Dependent Claim
26 words
A system according to claim 108 , wherein the list of user-selectable items is at least a subset of a comprehensive list of user selectable items.
Claim 143
Dependent Claim
51 words
A system according to claim 108 , comprising a communication means for communication with at least one of the Internet, an e-mail system, a fax, a telephone, a wireless communications system, a pager, a cell phone, a hospital information system, a radiology information system, and a picture archiving and communication system.
Claim 144
Independent Claim
165 words
A system for analyzing an image, comprising: a display for displaying an actual image of an object in an image viewer to a user for analysis of the image; an input device for marking a location on the actual image representing image coordinates of an image feature; a viewer status recorder for associating a status of the viewer with the feature, the status comprising at least one of an orientation, a magnification, and a shading of the image; a location-code list compiler for compiling a list of user-selectable location-codes describing the location of the feature relative to the object; a description-code list compiler for compiling a list of user-selectable description-codes describing a characteristic of the feature; and an image finding generator for creating an image finding of the feature comprising the image coordinates of the image feature, the viewer status, at least one location-code selected by the user from the location-code list, and at least one description-code selected by the user from the description-code list.
Claim 145
Independent Claim
165 words
A system for analyzing an image, comprising: a display for displaying an actual image of an object in an image viewer to a user for analysis of the image; an input device for marking a location on the actual image representing image coordinates of an image feature; a viewer status recorder for associating a status of the viewer with the feature, the status comprising at least one of an orientation, a magnification, and a shading of the image; a location-code list compiler for compiling a list of user-selectable location-codes describing the location of the feature relative to the object; a description-code list compiler for compiling a list of user-selectable description-codes describing a characteristic of the feature; and an image finding generator for creating an image finding of the feature comprising the image coordinates of the image feature, the viewer status, at least one location-code selected by the user from the location-code list, and at least one description-code selected by the user from the description-code list.
Claim 146
Dependent Claim
14 words
A system according to claim 140 , wherein the location-code represents an anatomical location.
Claim 147
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system according to claim 140 , wherein the list of location-codes is compiled from a predefined lexicon of location-codes.
Claim 148
Dependent Claim
32 words
A system according to claim 140 , wherein at least one of the location-code list and the description-code list is at least a subset of a comprehensive list of user selectable items.
Claim 149
Dependent Claim
34 words
A system according to claim 140 , comprising a content-code retriever for retrieving a content-code, denoting what the image data depicts, and for retrieving a reason-code, denoting a reason for creating the image data.
Claim 150
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system according to claim 140 wherein the characteristic describes at least one physical property of the feature.
Claim 151
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system according to claim 140 , wherein the characteristic includes a pathology of the feature.
Claim 152
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system according to claim 140 , wherein the list of description-codes is compiled from a predefined lexicon of description-codes.
Claim 153
Dependent Claim
52 words
A system according to claim 140 , comprising a content-code retriever for retrieving a content-code and associating the content-code with the image, the content-code denoting that at least one specific object is depicted within the image, and wherein the location-code list is assembled to contain location-codes that are consistent with the content-code.
Claim 154
Dependent Claim
52 words
A system according to claim 140 , comprising a content-code retriever for retrieving a content-code and associating the content-code with the image, the content-code denoting that at least one specific object is depicted within the image, and wherein the description-code list is assembled to contain description-codes that are consistent with the content-code.
Claim 155
Dependent Claim
48 words
A system according to claim 140 , comprising a finding annotator for associating at least one of a dimensional measurement, mean voxel value, standard deviation of voxel values, an audio description, a two-dimensional image, a three-dimensional rendered image, a video description, and a user-defined illustration with the finding.
Claim 156
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system according to claim 140 , comprising a thumbnail generator for creating at least one thumbnail image of the feature and associating the thumbnail image with the image finding.
Claim 157
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system according to claim 140 , wherein the viewer comprises at least one of a two-dimensional viewer and a three-dimensional viewer.
Claim 158
Dependent Claim
29 words
A system according to claim 152 , comprising a rendering means for rendering the image by at least one of volume rendering, surface rendering, and rendering about a point.
Claim 159
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system according to claim 140 , comprising an image analyzer for identifying features in the image using computer analysis of the image to provide computer identified features.
Claim 160
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system according to claim 154 , wherein the image analyzer is configured to correlate the computer identified features with the feature.
Claim 161
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system according to claim 140 , comprising a report generator for generating a report based on the image finding.
Claim 162
Dependent Claim
33 words
A system according to claim 156 , comprising a finding linking means for linking selected findings of a plurality of image findings to create a cumulative finding comprising the plurality of image findings.
Claim 163
Dependent Claim
36 words
A system according to claim 156 , wherein the report generator is configured to assign a priority to at least one of a plurality of image findings and to sort the image findings according to priority.
Claim 164
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system according to claim 156 , wherein the report generator is configured to sort image findings according to at least one of the location-code and the description-code.
Claim 165
Dependent Claim
56 words
A system according to claim 156 , comprising a file loader for retrieving at least one prior finding from a previous analysis of an image and for linking the retrieved image finding to the image finding of the feature, whereby a set of findings is created describing a chronology of the image finding of the feature.
Claim 166
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system according to claim 156 , wherein the report generator is configured to compute a selected statistical measure of the report generation process.
Claim 167
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system according to claim 161 , wherein the statistical measure includes at least one of total review time, time per finding, number of findings, and diagnostic accuracy.
Claim 168
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system according to claim 140 , comprising a bill generator for creating a bill based on the diagnostic finding.
Claim 169
Dependent Claim
35 words
A system according to claim 140 , wherein the finding generator is configured to associate a recommendation with the image finding to denote a recommended action to be taken with respect to the image finding.
Claim 170
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system according to claim 140 , wherein the orientation comprises at least one of a translation state and a rotation state.
Claim 171
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system according to claim 140 , wherein the magnification comprises a degree of image zoom.
Claim 172
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system according to claim 140 , wherein the shading comprises at least one of a gray scale setting and opacity setting.
Claim 173
Independent Claim
162 words
A system for analyzing an image, comprising: display means for displaying an actual image of an object in an image viewer to a user for analysis of the image; input means for marking a location on the actual image representing image coordinates of an image feature; viewer status association means for associating a status of the viewer with the feature, the status comprising at least one of an orientation, a magnification, and a shading of the image; location-code list compilation means for compiling a list of user-selectable location-codes describing the location of the feature relative to the object; description-code compilation means for compiling a list of user-selectable description-codes describing a characteristic of the feature; and finding creation means for creating an image finding of the feature, comprising the image coordinates of the image feature, the viewer status, at least one location-code selected by the user from the location-code list, and at least one description-code selected by the user from the description-code list.
Claim 174
Independent Claim
162 words
A system for analyzing an image, comprising: display means for displaying an actual image of an object in an image viewer to a user for analysis of the image; input means for marking a location on the actual image representing image coordinates of an image feature; viewer status association means for associating a status of the viewer with the feature, the status comprising at least one of an orientation, a magnification, and a shading of the image; location-code list compilation means for compiling a list of user-selectable location-codes describing the location of the feature relative to the object; description-code compilation means for compiling a list of user-selectable description-codes describing a characteristic of the feature; and finding creation means for creating an image finding of the feature, comprising the image coordinates of the image feature, the viewer status, at least one location-code selected by the user from the location-code list, and at least one description-code selected by the user from the description-code list.
Claim 175
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system according to claim 168 , wherein the orientation comprises at least one of a translation state and a rotation state.
Claim 176
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system according to claim 168 , wherein the magnification comprises a degree of image zoom.
Claim 177
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system according to claim 168 , wherein the shading comprises at least one of a gray scale setting and opacity setting.
Claim 178
Dependent Claim
14 words
A system according to claim 168 , wherein the location-code represents an anatomical location.
Claim 179
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system according to claim 168 , wherein the list of location-codes is compiled from a predefined lexicon of location-codes.
Claim 180
Dependent Claim
32 words
A system according to claim 168 , wherein at least one of the location-code list and the description-code list is at least a subset of a comprehensive list of user selectable items.
Claim 181
Dependent Claim
34 words
A system according to claim 168 , comprising a content-code retriever for retrieving a content-code, denoting what the image data depicts, and for retrieving a reason-code, denoting a reason for creating the image data.
Claim 182
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system according to claim 168 , wherein the characteristic describes at least one physical property of the feature.
Claim 183
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system according to claim 168 , wherein the characteristic includes a pathology of the feature.
Claim 184
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system according to claim 168 , wherein the list of description-codes is compiled from a predefined lexicon of description-codes.
Claim 185
Dependent Claim
53 words
A system according to claim 168 , comprising a content-code retrieval means for retrieving a content-code and associating the content-code with the image, the content-code denoting that at least one specific object is depicted within the image, and wherein the location-code list is assembled to contain location-codes that are consistent with the content-code.
Claim 186
Dependent Claim
53 words
A system according to claim 168 , comprising a content-code retrieval means for retrieving a content-code and associating the content-code with the image, the content-code denoting that at least one specific object is depicted within the image, and wherein the description-code list is assembled to contain description-codes that are consistent with the content-code.
Claim 187
Dependent Claim
48 words
A system according to claim 168 , an annotation association means for associating at least one of a dimensional measurement, mean voxel value, standard deviation of voxel values, an audio description, a two-dimensional image, a three-dimensional rendered image, a video description, and a user-defined illustration with the finding.
Claim 188
Dependent Claim
29 words
A system according to claim 168 , comprising a rendering means for rendering the image by at least one of volume rendering, surface rendering, and rendering about a point.
Claim 189
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system according to claim 168 , comprising an image analyzer for identifying features in the image using computer analysis of the image to provide computer identified features.
Claim 190
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system according to claim 183 , wherein the image analyzer is configured to correlate the computer identified features with the feature.
Claim 191
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system according to claim 168 , comprising a report generator for generating a report based on the image finding.
Claim 192
Dependent Claim
33 words
A system according to claim 185 , comprising a finding linking means for linking selected findings of a plurality of image findings to create a cumulative finding comprising the plurality of image findings.
Claim 193
Dependent Claim
36 words
A system according to claim 185 , wherein the report generator is configured to assign a priority to at least one of a plurality of image findings and to sort the image findings according to priority.
Claim 194
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system according to claim 185 , wherein the report generator is configured to sort image findings according to at least one of the location-code and the description-code.
Claim 195
Dependent Claim
56 words
A system according to claim 185 , comprising a file loader for retrieving at least one prior finding from a previous analysis of an image and for linking the retrieved image finding to the image finding of the feature, whereby a set of findings is created describing a chronology of the image finding of the feature.
Claim 196
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system according to claim 185 , wherein the report generator is configured to compute a selected statistical measure of the report generation process.
Claim 197
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system according to claim 190 , wherein the statistical measure includes at least one of total review time, time per finding, number of findings, and diagnostic accuracy.
Claim 198
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system according to claim 168 , comprising a bill generator for creating a bill based on the diagnostic finding.
Claim 199
Dependent Claim
36 words
A system according to claim 190 , wherein the finding creation means is configured to associate a recommendation with the image finding to denote a recommended action to be taken with respect to the image finding.
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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) | 2007-11-16 | 2008-05-17 | 2008-11-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-11-16 | 2012-05-17 | 2012-11-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-11-16 | 2016-05-17 | 2016-11-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |