Abstract: Certain examples provide systems, apparatus, and methods to facilitate automated processing of report text to associate text with external content to be accessed via the report. An example method includes automatically processing report text according to natural language processing of the text to identify a text element in the report associated with content external to the report. The example method includes associating the identified text element in the report with a link to the identified content external to the report to structure the report with reference to the external content. The example method includes providing the structured report for access and manipulation by a user.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing automated imaging feedback are described. An example computer-implemented method of automatically providing imaging feedback includes comparing one or more of a series of first images obtained in an ongoing imaging session relating to a patient exam to one or more reference images associated with an exam type corresponding to the patient exam. The example method also includes based on the comparison, automatically generating imaging feedback. The imaging feedback comprising instructions to continue or end the imaging session.

Abstract: An example computer-implemented method for creating a medical presentation. The method includes accessing a medical exam, presenting the medical exam for review by a user, and marking at least a portion of the medical exam according to a criterion identified by the user. The method includes collecting the marked portion of the medical exam to be included in a presentation according to the criterion, and preparing, automatically, a presentation for the user as the user continues exam review, the presentation including the marked portion of the medical exam, wherein the marked portion of the medical exam is anonymized, the presentation to be dynamically updated as the user continues review.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide methods and systems for determining a hanging protocol for display of clinical images in a study. Certain embodiments provide a method for determining a hanging protocol for clinical image display. The method includes capturing one or more high level characteristics for an image study based on relationships between images in the study. The method also includes identifying one or more low level characteristics for individual images in the image study. The method further includes classifying the image study based on a combination of the high level characteristics and the low level characteristics. The method additionally includes determining a hanging protocol for the image study based on the classifying. The method includes providing the hanging protocol for display of images in the image study.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide methods and systems for synchronizing a view of a patient image with an atlas image. Certain embodiments provide a method for synchronizing a patient image with an atlas image. The method includes retrieving an image atlas including at least one atlas image, registering an atlas image to a patient image and synchronizing a view of the atlas image to a view of the patient image. In certain embodiments, the method further includes registering a plurality of atlas images to a plurality of patient images. In certain embodiments, the step of synchronizing further includes synchronizing at least one of orientation, zoom level, window level and pan of the atlas image to the patient image.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to classify reports are disclosed herein. An example method includes determining a type of an examination associated with a report; obtaining an identification of a person associated with the report; using the identification to determine whether the person associated with the report is specialized in the type of the examination; when the person associated with the report is specialized in the type of the examination, classifying the report as associated with a specialist; when the person associated with the report is unspecialized in the type of the examination, classifying the report as associated with a non-specialist; and presenting a document consumer with an indication of the classification of the report.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide methods and systems for synchronizing a view of a patient image with an atlas image. Certain embodiments provide a method for synchronizing a patient image with an atlas image. The method includes retrieving an image atlas including at least one atlas image, registering an atlas image to a patient image and synchronizing a view of the atlas image to a view of the patient image. In certain embodiments, the method further includes registering a plurality of atlas images to a plurality of patient images. In certain embodiments, the step of synchronizing further includes synchronizing at least one of orientation, zoom level, window level and pan of the atlas image to the patient image.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide methods and systems for synchronizing a view of a patient image with an atlas image. Certain embodiments provide a method for synchronizing a patient image with an atlas image. The method includes retrieving an image atlas including at least one atlas image, registering an atlas image to a patient image and synchronizing a view of the atlas image to a view of the patient image. In certain embodiments, the method further includes registering a plurality of atlas images to a plurality of patient images. In certain embodiments, the step of synchronizing further includes synchronizing at least one of orientation, zoom level, window level and pan of the atlas image to the patient image.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a system, method and computer instructions for assessing alertness of an operator of an image review system. In an embodiment, such a system includes: an input module configured to allow alertness data to be input; an alertness assessment module configured to evaluate alertness based on the alertness data; and an output module configured to output information based on the evaluation made by the alertness assessment module. In certain embodiments, the input module may input alertness data from: a three-dimensional coordinate tracking system; a brain wave monitoring device; an eye movement monitoring device; a video recording device; and/or an eye closure monitoring device, for example. In certain embodiments, the alertness assessment module may evaluate alertness data using: a Psychomotor Vigilance Performance Task; the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale; and/or a Visual Analogue Sleepiness Scale, for example.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for correlating an acquired image with an historical image. Certain embodiments include registering an acquired image and at least one historical image according to a coordinate system, applying a metric to the acquired image and each of the historical image(s), and identifying a correlation between the acquired image and one of the historical image(s) based on the metric. Certain embodiments further include storing the correlation between the acquired image and an historical image for automatic linking of the acquired image and the historical image upon display. In certain embodiments, the acquired image and the historical image may be displayed based on the correlation. In certain embodiments, the acquired image and the historical image may be automatically linked based on the correlation. In certain embodiments, the metric analyzes the acquired image and at least one historical image based on anatomy.

Abstract: Clinical information tracking and alerting systems are disclosed herein. An example method of providing feedback to healthcare practitioners includes receiving a subscription to clinical information associated with a patient from a healthcare practitioner; searching a database of shared clinical information to identify recently entered clinical information, wherein searching the database is automated to be performed according to a schedule; determining whether the recently entered clinical information includes medical data associated with the patient; and publishing the medical data associated with the patient to the healthcare practitioner.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide methods and systems for determining a hanging protocol for display of clinical images in a study. Certain embodiments provide a method for determining a hanging protocol for clinical image display. The method includes capturing one or more high level characteristics for an image study based on relationships between images in the study. The method also includes identifying one or more low level characteristics for individual images in the image study. The method further includes classifying the image study based on a combination of the high level characteristics and the low level characteristics. The method additionally includes determining a hanging protocol for the image study based on the classifying. The method includes providing the hanging protocol for display of images in the image study.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for providing patient and healthcare providers with access to a patient EHR a computer workstation. A user interface accessible via a network is provided that allows a user to access an EHR system comprising at least one patient EHR. The user is identified using a security administrator, and access is granted and denied based on user identification. The user obtains a patient EHR from the EHR system by providing instructions via the user interface. The user is provided with at least one functionality application allowing a user to add information to the patient EHR. The patient EHR is updated based upon the information entered by the user using the at least one functionality application and storing the updated patient EHR in the EHR database.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for searching for and scheduling healthcare provider visit appointments via a user interface. A user may access a healthcare visit agent via the internet, and instruct the agent, via a user interface, to conduct a search among one or more healthcare provider systems for available visit appointments. In certain embodiments the agent generates an array of available appointments based on search criteria entered by a user via the user interface, and then populates the user interface with the array. A user may then select one or more healthcare provider appointments from the array, and instruct a scheduler to reserve the appointment time for the user at the healthcare provider. In certain embodiments the user may search for available appointments based on visit basis criteria, location criteria, calendar criteria, insurance criteria, patient satisfaction criteria and patient retention criteria.

Abstract: A technique is provided for obfuscating or masking indicia viewable in a reconstructed image. Image data is acquired and stored and then accessed and the reconstructed image is analyzed to determine whether any indicia are viewable in the image that are in need of masking. Such indicia may include, for example, patient-identifying data. Other information may be left unmasked, such as orientation information, descriptive information, dates, and so forth. The technique permits automated recognition of indicia and altering of image data files so as to render certain sensitive information undecipherable in the processed reconstructed images.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for image registration and display of relevant information. The method includes identifying one or more anatomical parts in an acquired image, mapping the acquired image to a reference image based on the one or more anatomical parts, storing anatomy information in relation to the acquired image, and displaying the acquired image based on the anatomy information. The method may also include controlling the displaying of the acquired image based on a voice command related to the anatomy information. Anatomy information may be displayed with the acquired image. Anatomy information may include clinical information, reference information, disease process information, a related image, and/or drug interaction information, for example. The acquired image may be displayed according to a display setting, such as a window level setting and/or other display setting, based on the anatomy information.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a method and system for improved identification of significant images using visual tracking. Certain embodiments of the system include a visual tracking system capable of tracking a user gaze with respect to a display device and a significant image selector for identifying at least one significant image based on user viewing time. The visual tracking system identifies an image at which a user is gazing records a viewing time during which the user is looking at the image. In an embodiment, the visual tracking system records viewing times for one or more users. In an embodiment, meta-data is associated with one or more significant images to identify the images as significant images, for example. The system may further include a database or table storing significant image information.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for prioritizing medical imaging scans. An image acquisition device, such as a computerized tomography (CT) system, an ultrasound system, an electron beam tomography (EBT) system, a magnetic resonance (MR) system and the like, generates medical imaging scans. A computer aided diagnosis application manager may be used to select a computer aided diagnosis application based on information associated with an imaging scan. The imaging scan may be examined with the computer aided diagnosis application. If the examination of the imaging scan indicates the imaging scan contains urgent findings, the imaging scan may be identified as priority. The indication of the imaging scan as priority may be communicated to a physician so the physician may review the priority imaging scan before non-priority imaging scans.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide methods and systems for navigation and review of significant and/or key images in an image series. Certain embodiments provide a method for image navigation and review. The method includes facilitating graphical user navigation through images in an image series for a patient, the image series including a plurality of significant and/or key images. The method also includes enabling navigation from a first significant or key image to a second significant or key image in the image series based on stored navigation information identifying significant and/or key images in the image series. The method further includes allowing navigation to view one or more images adjacent to a significant or key image in the image series.

Abstract: Certain embodiments provide a portable, handheld electronic input device and method of use for completing an electronic clinical form and transmitting electronic clinical form data to an external system. The device includes an adaptable, insertable electronic form requesting information related to at least one of a patient and patient care. The device also includes an input mechanism for providing information to complete the electronic form at the portable electronic input device. The input mechanism includes a keyboard, voice recognition software, handwriting recognition software, a touchscreen and/or a stylus enabling a user to input, output, search for, and retrieve information via the device. The device further includes a communication port for transmitting the electronic form and information. The electronic form, in conjunction with the device, provides policy information to a user and guides a user in completing the form using at least one of audio guidance and visual guidance.