Abstract: A system and method for converting between a plurality of single-frame image data objects and a multi-frame image data object. Meta-data attributes common to each single-frame image data object from a source are considered to be shared meta-data attributes and associated with a multi-frame image data object. Perframe meta-data attributes and pixel data are not shared and are individually stored within the multi-frame image data object. In reverse, the number of perframe meta-data attributes within a multi-frame image data object from a source are examined and the corresponding number of single-frame image data objects are created. The shared meta-data attributes are copied into each single-frame image data object along with associated perframe meta-data attributes and pixel data. This conversion process can be applied as images are transmitted to the image manager/archive from the modality, as studies are retrieved from the image manager/archive, and as studies are requested.

Abstract: A redundant image storage system for archiving an image data file within at least two picture archiving and communication systems (PACS), said system including coupled source and destination PACS networks. The source PACS network stores and transmits the image data file. The destination PACS is associated with a Remote Archive Locations record and a Source PACS Archived flag. The destination PACS network receives the image data file from the source PACS network, stores the image data file and determines whether the image data file should be stored back on the source PACS network and if not then sets the value of the Source PACS Archived flag to be true. The destination PACS network only sends the image data file to the source PACS network for storage if the Source PACS Archived flag is false.

Abstract: A system and method for determining a predicted window level transformation for image data associated with a loading image based on user selections of window level transformations. A learning image associated with a set of learning context characteristics is displayed to the user in order to elicit selection of a first selected window transformation. Learned rules are established based on the learning context characteristics and the first selected window transformation. When there is a request to display a loading image associated with a set of loading context characteristics, the learned rules are evaluated based on the loading context characteristics to determine a set of inferred window level transformations. The predicted window level transformation is then determined by selecting the most desirable inferred window level transformation.

Abstract: A comparative review system for displaying views associated with studies on first and second display areas according to a screen layout, a study view mode, and a hanging protocol. The screen layout is used to determine the number of display slots to display in the first and second display areas. This determination along with the study view mode is then used to determine whether to display a study in corresponding display slots associated with the first and second display areas. The number of display slots displayed, whether studies are displayed in corresponding display slots across displays, and the hanging protocol are used to determine which views to display within display slots. Each screen layout, study view mode and hanging protocol is associated with a comparative review mode, which in turn are combined into a comparative review sequence. The comparative review sequence allows for display and navigation through the various modes.

Abstract: A system and method for managing the archival and retention of data in a multiple-node PACS network. Data is distributed among network nodes such that a secondary node will not delete a received image study it has received from a primary node if the primary node is an originating source. Instead, the secondary node will execute data retention. Data retention is achieved by including a delete retention attribute within the metadata associated with the received image data on the secondary node and requiring that the secondary node enforce data retention if a data retention attribute is identified within the metadata stored on the secondary node.

Abstract: An imaging history display system and method is disclosed comprising diagnostic and patient summary interfaces for displaying, comparing and managing medical images. Imaging history display system displays studies in two interface modes in response to commands received from a user workstation. Display entities are displayed on display areas within display entity boxes that are defined by display entity layouts. Contextual summaries of display entities are provided in the patient summary interface to facilitate accurate and exhaustive diagnoses. Contextual summaries are generated in part based on pre-determined relevancy information. Display entities are easily organized in the patient summary interface. Display entities are easily activated in the diagnostic interface for diagnostic and comparison purposes.

Abstract: An image transformation system and method for transforming a source image having source image pixel data associated with a source pixel array having an origin into a target image having target image pixel data associated with a target pixel array according to an image transformation. The image transformation is applied to the source image pixel data to generate transformed image pixel data. The transformed image pixel data is then compared to the target pixel array and the portion of the transformed image pixel data that fits within the target pixel array is determined. The portion of the source image pixel data that corresponds to the portion of the transformed image pixel data is determined. Finally, the image transformation is applied to the portion of the source image pixel data to generate the target image pixel data.

Abstract: An image data dissemination system and method for anticipating user image requests from a user workstation and for locating, transforming and, as necessary, migrating anticipated representations of image data files to a local storage area for efficient access. An anticipated image request is determined based on a number of factors including the image retrieval historical information associated with a user and/or the user workstation. An anticipated representation of the image data file is also determined. An image data file that satisfies the anticipated image request and is in the anticipated representation is then identified, copied and stored in an optimal local storage area. When a user workstation generates the anticipated image request, the corresponding image data file stored on the optimal local storage area is provided the user workstation.

Abstract: A system and method for managing the archival and retention of data in a multiple-node PACS network. Data is distributed among network nodes such that a secondary node will not delete a received image study it has received from a primary node if the primary node is an originating source. Instead, the secondary node will execute data retention. Data retention is achieved by including a delete retention attribute within the metadata associated with the received image data on the secondary node and requiring that the secondary node enforce data retention if a data retention attribute is identified within the metadata stored on the secondary node.

Abstract: An imaging history display system and method is disclosed comprising diagnostic and patient summary interfaces for displaying, comparing and managing medical images. Imaging history display system displays studies in two interface modes in response to commands received from a user workstation. Display entities are displayed on display areas within display entity boxes that are defined by display entity layouts. Contextual summaries of display entities are provided in the patient summary interface to facilitate accurate and exhaustive diagnoses. Contextual summaries are generated in part based on pre-determined relevancy information. Display entities are easily organized in the patient summary interface. Display entities are easily activated in the diagnostic interface for diagnostic and comparison purposes.

Abstract: An audio processing system and method for providing synchronized display of recognized text from an original audio file and playback of the original audio file. The system includes a speech recognition module, a silence insertion module, and a silence detection module. The speech recognition module generates text and audio pieces. The silence insertion module, aggregates the audio pieces into an aggregated audio file. The silence detection module converts the original audio file and the aggregated audio file into silence detected versions. Silent and non-silent blocks are identified using a threshold volume. The silence insertion module compares the silence detected original and aggregated audio files, determines the differences in position of non-silence elements and inserts silence within the audio pieces accordingly. The characteristics of the silence inserted audio pieces are used to synchronize the display of recognized text from an original audio file and playback of original audio file.

Abstract: A system and method for scaling a composite overlay image, wherein the composite overlay image comprises a plurality of pixels and each pixel comprises at least one color channel and at least one alpha channel, and further wherein at least one pixel of the composite overlay image has an alpha value of zero and a colour value that is not well defined. First, a set of pixels of the composite overlay image are identified as pixels to be dilated. The color channels of the identified pixels are then dilated to form dilated composite overlay image. Finally, the dilated composite overlay image is scaled.

Abstract: A system and method for converting between a plurality of single-frame image data objects and a multi-frame image data object. Meta-data attributes common to each single-frame image data object from a source are considered to be shared meta-data attributes and associated with a multi-frame image data object. Perframe meta-data attributes and pixel data are not shared and are individually stored within the multi-frame image data object. In reverse, the number of perframe meta-data attributes within a multi-frame image data object from a source are examined and the corresponding number of single-frame image data objects are created. The shared meta-data attributes are copied into each single-frame image data object along with associated perframe meta-data attributes and pixel data. This conversion process can be applied as images are transmitted to the image manager/archive from the modality, as studies are retrieved from the image manager/archive, and as studies are requested.

Abstract: An image archiving system includes imaging modalities, an acquisition workstation and a number of PACS networks. Each PACS network includes storage access points that access and provide medical image meta-data from a clinical database and image data files from temporary and permanent storage areas and to a plurality of clients. The temporary and permanent storage areas each have a location repository and a storage device for storing medical images and the details associated with the image data. When triggering events occur, image data files stored in a permanent storage area are considered for deletion and image data file copies stored in a temporary storage area are considered for replacement. Various selection criteria and indicia are used to determine whether or not to delete or replace image data files.

Abstract: An image data dissemination system and method for anticipating user image requests from a user workstation and for locating, transforming and, as necessary, migrating anticipated representations of image data files to a local storage area for efficient access. An anticipated image request is determined based on a number of factors including the image retrieval historical information associated with a user and/or the user workstation. An anticipated representation of the image data file is also determined. An image data file that satisfies the anticipated image request and is in the anticipated representation is then identified, copied and stored in an optimal local storage area. When a user workstation generates the anticipated image request, the corresponding image data file stored on the optimal local storage area is provided the user workstation.