Abstract: Methods and systems for a user to create a custom menu for medical imaging are provided. To maximize the ease of use and increase user efficiency, the user interface is tailored to a particular user or for a certain application. The user selects from various imaging parameters in a preprogrammed user interface displayed on a monitor or other display device. The selection is by collecting the desired items or by discarding undesired items. After selection, the desired items are displayed in a customized display state. This customized display state can be labeled and stored for later use. An assignable key is also provided. Imaging functions, such as a type of B-mode or Doppler imaging, are assigned to the key. Different or new functions may be later assigned to the key as the most used imaging functions change. Any customization may be different for different users of the same system, such as by saving the customization related to a log-on procedure.

Abstract: The preferred embodiments described herein provide a method and system for facilitating selection of stored medical images. In one preferred embodiment, a plurality of medical images are stored, and, for each medical image, the settings of at least one acquisition time control used to create the image are also stored. During image review, a user selects a set of acquisition time control settings, and a set of medical images is automatically selected from the stored images based on the selected set of acquisition time control settings. Other preferred embodiments are provided, and each of the preferred embodiments described herein can be used alone or in combination with one another.

Abstract: The embodiments described herein relate to stepping through the stages of a protocol using an input device and a protocol controller for a medical diagnostic imaging system. The protocol controller may be operative to transition from one stage to a next stage in the protocol in response to no more than a single input from the input device. Thus, a single input from the input device may indicate to the protocol controller to transition to each of the stages of the protocol. In one embodiment, the same single input, such as a stage transition input, is received to transition to each stage of the at least two sequential stages. In another embodiment, different single input, such as different keys on a keyboard, may be used to transition to different stages of the at least two sequential stages. Other embodiments are provided, and each of the embodiments described herein can be used alone or in combination with one another.

Abstract: The embodiments described herein relate to a protocol controller for a medical diagnostic imaging system. In one embodiment, two or more distinct study protocols are active on a medical diagnostic imaging system at the same time. In another embodiment, control of a medical diagnostic imaging system is changed at each stage of a study protocol sequence to optimize study performance. In yet another embodiment, a protocol is created from a collection of macros that control a medical diagnostic imaging system. Other embodiments are provided, and each of the embodiments described herein can be used alone or in combination with one another.

Abstract: A method and system for facilitating selection of stored medical image files are disclosed. In one preferred embodiment, a plurality of medical image files are stored. Each medical image file comprises image data and a header comprising medical-image-file retrieval information. During image review, a user specifies medical-image-file retrieval information for at least one medical image file desired to be retrieved from the stored plurality of medical image files. Then, a set of medical image files is automatically selected from the stored plurality of medical image files based on the specified medical-image-file retrieval information. Other preferred embodiments are provided, and each of the preferred embodiments can be used alone or in combination with one another.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a user to create a custom menu for medical imaging are provided. To maximize the ease of use and increase user efficiency, the user interface is tailored to a particular user or for a certain application. The user selects from various imaging parameters in a preprogrammed user interface displayed on a monitor or other display device. The selection is by collecting the desired items or by discarding undesired items. After selection, the desired items are displayed in a customized display state. This customized display state can be labeled and stored for later use. An assignable key is also provided. Imaging functions, such as a type of B-mode or Doppler imaging, are assigned to the key. Different or new functions may be later assigned to the key as the most used imaging functions change. Any customization may be different for different users of the same system, such as by saving the customization related to a log-on procedure.

Abstract: The preferred embodiments described herein provide a method and system for facilitating selection of stored medical images. In one preferred embodiment, a plurality of medical images are stored, and, for each medical image, the settings of at least one acquisition time control used to create the image are also stored. During image review, a user selects a set of acquisition time control settings, and a set of medical images is automatically selected from the stored images based on the selected set of acquisition time control settings. Other preferred embodiments are provided, and each of the preferred embodiments described herein can be used alone or in combination with one another.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for annotating an image captured by an ultrasound system, which has an input device with a plurality of console keys for receiving input from an operator. The plurality of console keys includes an alphanumeric input device, such as a keyboard, used for placing characters on the image. An annotation function is invoked by pressing a key of the alphanumeric input device. The annotation function is for placing a character on the image in response to a character code from the alphanumeric input device. In a further aspect of the invention, the input device is provided with a pointing device, such as a track ball, which is spaced apart from the alphanumeric input device such that unintentional invocation of the annotation function is minimized. According to the method of the present invention, a key of the alphanumeric input device is pressed. In response to a character code generated by pressing the key, the annotation function is invoked.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for quantifying and displaying ultrasound signals in an ultrasonic system are provided. A first signal value for each of at least one spatial location in a region of interest is acquired at a first time, and the signal values are summed to obtain a first surface integral value. A second signal value for each of said at least one spatial location in said region of interest is acquired at a second time, and the second signal values are summed to obtain a second surface integral value. The first surface integral value is summed with the second surface integral value to obtain a time based integral. The time based integral is displayed. Other quantities based on any of various ultrasound parameters, such as Doppler energy, Doppler velocity and B-mode intensity, are calculated and displayed as quantities or as waveforms as a function of time. Furthermore, various comparisons of quantities and waveforms are provided. Image plane data or other ultrasound data are used in the calculations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for quantifying and displaying ultrasound signals in an ultrasonic system are provided. A first signal value for each of at least one spatial location in a region of interest is acquired at a first time, and the signal values are summed to obtain a first surface integral value. A second signal value for each of said at least one spatial location in said region of interest is acquired at a second time, and the second signal values are summed to obtain a second surface integral value. The first surface integral value is summed with the second surface integral value to obtain a time based integral. The time based integral is displayed. Other quantities based on any of various ultrasound parameters, such as Doppler energy, Doppler velocity and B-mode intensity, are calculated and displayed as quantities or as waveforms as a function of time. Furthermore, various comparisons of quantities and waveforms are provided. Image plane data or other ultrasound data are used in the calculations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for quantifying and displaying ultrasound signals in an ultrasonic system are provided. A first signal value for each of at least one spatial location in a region of interest is acquired at a first time, and the signal values are summed to obtain a first surface integral value. A second signal value for each of said at least one spatial location in said region of interest is acquired at a second time, and the second signal values are summed to obtain a second surface integral value. The first surface integral value is summed with the second surface integral value to obtain a time based integral. The time based integral is displayed. Other quantities based on any of various ultrasound parameters, such as Doppler energy, Doppler velocity and B-mode intensity, are calculated and displayed as quantities or as waveforms as a function of time. Furthermore, various comparisons of quantities and waveforms are provided. Image plane data or other ultrasound data are used in the calculations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for quantifying and displaying ultrasound signals in an ultrasonic system are provided. A first signal value for each of at least one spatial location in a region of interest is acquired at a first time, and the signal values are summed to obtain a first surface integral value. A second signal value for each of said at least one spatial location in said region of interest is acquired at a second time, and the second signal values are summed to obtain a second surface integral value. The first surface integral value is summed with the second surface integral value to obtain a time based integral. The time based integral is displayed. Other quantities based on any of various ultrasound parameters, such as Doppler energy, Doppler velocity and B-mode intensity, are calculated and displayed as quantities or as waveforms as a function of time. Furthermore, various comparisons of quantities and waveforms are provided. Image plane data or other ultrasound data are used in the calculations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for quantifying and displaying ultrasound signals in an ultrasonic system are provided. A first signal value for each of at least one spatial location in a region of interest is acquired at a first time, and the signal values are summed to obtain a first surface integral value. A second signal value for each of said at least one spatial location in said region of interest is acquired at a second time, and the second signal values are summed to obtain a second surface integral value. The first surface integral value is summed with the second surface integral value to obtain a time based integral. The time based integral is displayed. Other quantities based on any of various ultrasound parameters, such as Doppler energy, Doppler velocity and B-mode intensity, are calculated and displayed as quantities or as waveforms as a function of time. Furthermore, various comparisons of quantities and waveforms are provided. Image plane data or other ultrasound data are used in the calculations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for quantifying and displaying ultrasound signals in an ultrasonic system are provided. A first signal value for each of at least one spatial location in a region of interest is acquired at a first time, and the signal values are summed to obtain a first surface integral value. A second signal value for each of said at least one spatial location in said region of interest is acquired at a second time, and the second signal values are summed to obtain a second surface integral value. The first surface integral value is summed with the second surface integral value to obtain a time based integral. The time based integral is displayed. Other quantities based on any of various ultrasound parameters, such as Doppler energy, Doppler velocity and B-mode intensity, are calculated and displayed as quantities or as waveforms as a function of time. Furthermore, various comparisons of quantities and waveforms are provided. Image plane data or other ultrasound data are used in the calculations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for quantifying and displaying ultrasound signals in an ultrasonic system are provided. A first signal value for each of at least one spatial location in a region of interest is acquired at a first time, and the signal values are summed to obtain a first surface integral value. A second signal value for each of said at least one spatial location in said region of interest is acquired at a second time, and the second signal values are summed to obtain a second surface integral value. The first surface integral value is summed with the second surface integral value to obtain a time based integral. The time based integral is displayed. Other quantities based on any of various ultrasound parameters, such as Doppler energy, Doppler velocity and B-mode intensity, are calculated and displayed as quantities or as waveforms as a function of time. Furthermore, various comparisons of quantities and waveforms are provided. Image plane data or other ultrasound data are used in the calculations.

Abstract: A method for interactively detecting a maximum velocity from acquired echo signals in an ultrasound system is provided. A processor with maximum velocity code is provided. The code has a variable. A user input provides a value for the variable while the ultrasound system is in a maximum velocity mode. The ultrasound system is operated in a maximum velocity mode. The echo signals are processed to determine said maximum velocity, and the processing is adjusted while remaining in said maximum velocity mode. During CINE playback, delimeters are generated for adjusting the time period of parameter calculation.