Abstract: A technique is provided for collaboratively processing and/or analyzing a set of image data. The technique provides for the initiation of a collaborative session by an application server. One or more collaborative workstations may join the collaborative session, providing common access to an image data set and to tools for processing and/or viewing the image data set. Operators at the collaborative workstations and/or the application server may thereby simultaneously access, process, and/or analyze the image data set. Communication between the operators via the network supporting the collaborative session may also be provided.

Abstract: A technique for exchanging data between networked medical diagnostic systems of a medical institution is provided. The diagnostic systems may include imaging systems, data management systems, monitors, and so forth, connected to an internal network of the institution. A data communications control system is connected to the internal network and receives data from the systems, transmits data to a remote service provider via an external network, and routes data received through the external network back to the diagnostic systems.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, the present technique provides a method of transporting a cryogenic device between first and second facilities. The exemplary method includes actively maintaining cryogen in the device within desired parameters. According to another embodiment, the present technique provides a portable resource supply, which provides resources to a cryogenic imaging device during transportation. Advantageously, the portable supply unit may actively maintain cryogen in the imaging device within desired parameters. Moreover, the portable supply unit may reduce the likelihood of a loss of cryogen and a loss of superconductivity in the imaging device. Furthermore, the present technique provides a maintenance system for cryogenic imaging devices. As one example, the maintenance system may include an intermediate facility having resources for maintaining a cryogenic imaging device during transportation thereof.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, the present technique provides a method for servicing an imaging device having a cryogenic cooling system. In the exemplary embodiment, servicing of an MRI scanner may be scheduled via a model correlating a measured condition of the MRI scanner's cryogenic cooling system to a kind of imaging device event. According to another embodiment, the present technique provides a method for developing a model for predicting a cryogenic cooling system event by analyzing data from a population of similar cryogenic cooling systems.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, the present technique provides a phantom for testing imaging device. The exemplary phantom includes a first portion having groups of vessels, which are filled with a radiographically opaque substance (i.e., a contrast agent). The each group of vessels may extend from a central region of the first portion to the periphery of the central portion. The phantom may also include a second portion having a testing region. By way of example, the testing region may comprise a series of rings, each ring being configured to attenuate X-ray radiation differently. Adventurously, each ring may comprise materials configured to emulate different types and amounts of human tissue. For example, the exemplary phantom may include a ring, which emulates bone tissue, and a second ring, which emulates soft tissue. Moreover, each ring may be configured to emulate different amounts of tissue.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, the present technique provides a medical device component having an RF tag that is configured to provide information regarding the medical device component. Particularly, the RF tag may contain and provide information regarding maintenance, installation, and manufacture of the medical device component. Indeed, the exemplary embodiment of the present technique may facilitate the development of an “as built” or hardware configuration of the medical device through the use of RF tags. Advantageously, the medical device may be surveyed by activating the RF tags, which contain and transmit information regarding the various components in the medical device.

Abstract: A technique is provided for securely generating reports for biomedical equipment in a medical institution. Equipment data is collected, manually or automatically. The data is stored in a centralized database operating in a secure processing space, such as at a service provider location. The database is accessed periodically, or upon request, to generate data files for report generation. The data accessed may be used to derive or calculate other data for the reports, such at trending data, equipment counts, comparisons, and so forth. The data file is then exported through a firewall to a second processing space. The report is compiled in the second processing space, and is formatted in accordance with a report template, such as for transmission to the medical institution. An additional firewall separates the second processing space from intrusion, but permits the report to be accessed by the institution via a network such as the Internet.

Abstract: A technique is provided for collaboratively processing and/or analyzing a set of image data. The technique provides for the initiation of a collaborative session by an application server. One or more collaborative workstations may join the collaborative session, providing common access to an image data set and to tools for processing and/or viewing the image data set. Operators at the collaborative workstations and/or the application server may thereby simultaneously access, process, and/or analyze the image data set. Communication between the operators via the network supporting the collaborative session may also be provided.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, the present technique provides a medical device component having an RF tag that is configured to provide information regarding the medical device component. Particularly, the RF tag may contain and provide information regarding maintenance, installation, and manufacture of the medical device component. Indeed, the exemplary embodiment of the present technique may facilitate the development of an “as built” or hardware configuration of the medical device through the use of RF tags. Advantageously, the medical device may be surveyed by activating the RF tags, which contain and transmit information regarding the various components in the medical device.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a novel technique for placing superconducting magnets into operation. For example, the technique provides for automatically controlling ramp-up of a superconducting magnet. In one aspect, the technique includes connecting a power supply to the magnet, determining constraining parameters of the ramp-up, automatically applying power to the magnet, automatically controlling the ramp-up based on the constraining parameters, and wherein the ramp-up is complete upon reaching a predetermined value of a target parameter.

Abstract: A technique is provided for designing and evaluating service models for components, functions, subsystems and field replaceable units in a complex machine system. At a component or item level, each model identifies various items, failure modes, and so forth which may be the root cause of anticipated serviceable events or faults. The design tools permit numerous interfaces to be used in the design of service models, and in the evaluation of the degree to which the models address detectability and isolation capabilities for the root causes of serviceable events and faults.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed for providing problem and solution information, such as that relating to a particular application or protocol, to medical diagnostic institutions and systems. The information is created and stored on machine readable media. A user may enter a problem query at a user interface at the diagnostic institution or system and search a database of information located at a centralized service facility. A list of solutions to the query is displayed at the diagnostic institution. The user may then select and display a desired solution from the user interface. The particular solution may include textual and exemplary image descriptions of the solution. Moreover, additional links may be provided to access other related sources of information. The information stored on the machine readable media may be easily updated by adding new case problems and associated solutions as well as new solutions to existing case problems.

Abstract: A technique is provided for securely storing user data and generating user reports. The user data is input manually or automatically and is transmitted to a service provider via a network. The data is stored in a secure database operating in a processing space which is not directly accessible to the user directly. Based upon pre-established report templates, user data is extracted from the secure database, and is exported from the secure processing space for use in generating user reports. The reports are formed in a second processing space, by combining the data file with the report template. The report may then be transmitted to the user automatically or may be accessed by the user via the network.

Abstract: A distributed multi-user system for real time data access during cardiology procedures. The system includes an interactive computer network which can be used to simultaneously display data from a cardiology procedure on a plurality of devices and at a plurality of locations. The system is implemented through various replication topologies which allow the simultaneous access a cardiology study during the procedure. The study can be displayed at any of the plurality of locations, which may be local or remote, during the procedure.

Abstract: A technique is provided for servicing a plurality of medical diagnostic systems remotely. The systems are coupled to an internal network of a medical institution or facility. A data communications control system serves to link the institution to a remote service provider via an external network. Service requests and data are generated at the systems or at the control system. The requests are then transmitted to the remote service provider via the control system, and responses to the requests are received by the control system for distribution to the diagnostic systems. The technique permits systems to be remotely serviced which may not be equipped for separate communication via external networks, reduces infrastructure and costs, and facilitates the coordination of service needs of the institution.

Abstract: A technique for scheduling planned maintenance of equipment, such as medical imaging systems, permits selection of time-based or usage-based scheduling. If usage-based scheduling is selected, operational data collected from the systems serves as the basis for computing a maintenance schedule along with reference usage values for parameters indicative of use. Reference may be made to norms for similar equipment, and the schedule may be adapted accordingly. Trends in usage, increasing or decreasing, may be accommodated by comparison of the usage determinations over time, and schedules may be adjusted accordingly.

Abstract: A diagnostic medical imaging device including a signal processor that includes an adaptive filter noise canceler that is used to reduce the additive electrical noise on low power bio-potential signals caused by a patient's respiration. A noise reference signal associated with the patient's respiration is adaptively filtered with only minimal time delay and subtracted from a noisy bio-potential signal that is acquired from the patient. The resultant signal is a clean bio-potential signal that may be used for, among other things, triggering an MRI scan. The noise reference signal is received by an adaptive filter having adjustable filter coefficients. The filter coefficients are adjusted using the clean bio-potential signal that acts an error signal.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus and method that completely removes blocking artifacts from a compressed and restored digitized image. A compressed image is formed by windowing pixel data with a smooth window (discrete cosine transform) and then folding (wrapping) the windowed pixel data to form a modified image that is the same size as the original image. The wrapped and folded image is thereafter processed using a conventional discrete cosine transform and coder to produce the compressed image. To restore the original image, an inverse discrete cosine transform is used to process the compressed image, then the pixel data is unfolded (unwrapped), windowed, and combined to form the restored image. The present invention may be used to process data, such as voice signals, and images other than radiological images. The transform used in the present invention may also be a Fourier transform, for example.