Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present application provide a method for imaging in a healthcare environment including receiving in an application a first feed, the first feed including historical patient image data; receiving in the application a second feed, the second feed including substantially live patient image data; and integrating in real-time in the application the first feed and the second feed to form a display representation, the display representation displayable on a display, and the display representation simultaneously including data corresponding to the first feed and the second feed.

Abstract: A system and method to increase the efficiency of the healthcare system. Computer software for analyzing data and returning recommended procedure types based on the data. The data may include, for example, medical data, patient symptoms, patient vitals, patient history, chief complaint of a patient, intakes, outputs, physical information, medications, or demographic information and/or other information relevant to a patient's health. The data may be input from a user or information recommended from another source, such as a database. Computer software may analyze the data and return recommended procedure types based on the data. The analysis performed by the computer software may include mapping the data among potential procedures to determine which procedures should be performed based on the data. Procedures that are successfully mapped with the data may be recommended to a user and ordered from a user interface.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a graphical user interface for a conferencing and collaboration system in a healthcare environment. The interface includes a shared data display window. The shared data display window is capable of selecting and displaying data to be shared with one or more participants in a collaboration session based at least in part on contextual information. The shared data display window is also capable of sharing of the contextual information between the one or more participants.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a system for improved conferencing and collaboration in a healthcare environment. The system includes an initiator workstation capable of sharing data over a network with a participant workstation and manipulating the shared data based at least in part on input from an initiator. The system also includes a participant workstation capable of manipulating the shared data based at least in part on input from a participant. The initiator and participant workstations are capable of simultaneous user manipulation of the shared data.

Abstract: A system for hygienic input of data into a medical information system is provided. In one embodiment of the system, a computer terminal, a mobile wireless input tray, a mobile wireless interactive visual display system, and a wireless headset are used. During a medical procedure, the mobile input tray, the mobile display system, and the wireless headset may be positioned in an operating room near a surgeon or other medical practitioner. The mobile input tray, the mobile display system, and the wireless headset may be used to access patient medical information through the computer terminal. The mobile input tray, the mobile display system, and the wireless headset communicate amongst and between each other through wireless communication links. The mobile input tray, the mobile display system, and the wireless headset communicate with the computer terminal through wireless communication links.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a method and system for improved management of multiple applications and workflows using a workflow engine based dynamic worklist in a healthcare environment. In an embodiment, the system includes at least one data store, wherein the at least one data store includes departmental and/or enterprise information. The system also includes a plurality of databases, wherein the plurality of databases includes user tasks, user rules, and user preferences. In addition, the system includes a workflow engine for calculating and filtering the information obtained from the databases and data stores. The system also includes a worklist user interface, wherein the information calculated and filtered by the workflow engine is displayed.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a system, method and computer instructions for providing procedure based decision support. In an embodiment, a procedure based decision support system includes a procedure input module that allows a user to input a procedure; a procedure identification module that identifies procedures that are the same and/or similar to the input procedure; and an output module that outputs information based on the identified procedures. The procedure based decision support system may also include a decision support activation module that activates the procedure based decision support system, for example.

Abstract: The present invention provides a computer-readable storage medium including a set of instructions for a computer. The instructions include an access routine, a tracking routine, and a modifying routine. The access routine is configured to communicate a default hanging protocol between a network server and a display workstation. The default hanging protocol includes at least one default display rule for displaying a plurality of images at the display workstation. The default display rule is capable of directing the display workstation to present each of the images at a location on a display device of the display workstation and/or in a sequence in which each of the images is presented at the display workstation. The tracking routine is configured to monitor a selection of an additional display rule. The modifying routine is configured to dynamically modify the default hanging protocol based on the selection.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide methods and systems for determine a level of significance of an image. Certain embodiments include selecting one or more parameters for use in determining a level of significance for an image, assigning a value to each of the one or more parameters, and determining the level of significance for the image based on the parameters and the values associated with each of the one or more parameters. One or more parameters may be weighted to affect determination of the level of significance. An offset may be added to the determination of the level of significance for the image. Parameters may include clinical relevance, diagnosis pattern, segmented area, number of pixels, and/or reading time for the image, for example.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide methods and systems for identification of most read images. Certain embodiments provide automatically determining a reading time for an image based on at least one of image viewing time and tool usage with respect to the image, and generating a viewing order for the image based on the reading time. Reading times may be determined for a plurality of images. In certain embodiments, a priority may be assigned to the image based on the reading time. Images may be arranged on a display based on the priority, for example. A series of images may be ordered according to reading time for each of a plurality of images, for example.

Abstract: The present invention provides a computer-readable storage medium including a set of instructions for a computer. The instructions include an access routine, a tracking routine, and a modifying routine. The access routine is configured to communicate a default image processing workflow between a network server and a display workstation. The default image processing workflow includes at least one default image processing step for preparing at least one image for presentation to a user. The tracking routine is configured to monitor a selection of at least one additional image processing step to be applied to the image. The modifying routine is configured to modify the default workflow to alter the default workflow and/or add the at least one additional image processing step to the default image processing workflow.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for real-time workflow management in a healthcare environment. The system includes a database, an optimizer engine, and an interface. The database includes resource information for a healthcare environment. The optimizer engine is capable of communicating with the database to extract resource information. The interface is capable of communicating with the optimizer engine and a user. The interface is capable of allocating a resource to manage a workflow based on output from the optimizer engine. In an embodiment, the optimizer engine is capable of making a recommendation based on the resource information. In an embodiment, the interface presents the recommendation to the user, and may present the recommendation based on a rule, for example. In an embodiment, the interface may include a map of resources. The user may direct workflow based in part on the interface and/or the recommendation.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide improved clinical workflow using a medical imaging and information management system and method with enhanced communication capabilities. Certain embodiments of the system include an information manager including clinical content, such as images and/or information, and a communication manager receiving an event notification from the information manager. The system may further include an interface capable of accessing the information manager. Additionally, the system may include a contact device capable of communicating via the communication manager. A modality may transmit examination data to the information manager and may receive instructions for the information manager. In an embodiment, the communications manager includes a contact information list with one or more contact devices associated with a user. The communications manager may be capable of detecting a presence of a user on a network.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a method and system for improved medical workflow and interfacing in a healthcare environment using a unified interface framework. In an embodiment, the system includes a unified user interface allowing access to a plurality of medical components, wherein the unified user interface coordinates the plurality of medical components to provide unified access and display of information from the plurality of medical components. The system may also include a context manager, such as a rules-based context manager. The system may further include a plurality of perspectives for organizing the plurality of medical components and interactions within the unified user interface. One or more of the medical components may include a user interface accessible by the unified user interface, wherein the access is transparent to a user. The unified user interface may allow access to the plurality of medical components via a single sign-on.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a method and system for using gaze detection to improve information display in a healthcare environment. Certain embodiments of a gaze detection and control system include an information system including information related to at least one image, a display device capable of displaying images and data, and a gaze tracking system for detection a location of a user's gaze with respect to the display device. The gaze tracking system triggers a retrieval of information from the information system based at least in part on the location of the user's gaze, and the retrieved information is displayed at the display device. In an embodiment, the retrieved information is overlaid over an image at the display device. In an embodiment, the gaze tracking system includes at least one camera and/or eyewear, for example.

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 method and system for using medical perspectives to improve medical workflow. Certain embodiments of a system for using medical perspectives for improved screening analysis include a picture archiving and communication system (PACS) workstation capable of being used for reviewing images and at least one display capable of displaying images for review. The system also includes a default perspective including a first plurality of images organized according to a default criterion, wherein the default perspective is used to review the first plurality of images via the PACS workstation. The system includes one or more additional perspectives organizing image sets according to certain criteria. A user may select one or more of the additional perspectives for reviewing image sets or subsets via the PACS workstation. The system may also include tools and reporting templates for use with images within the perspectives.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a method and system for using gaze detection to improve information display in a healthcare environment. Certain embodiments of a system include an eyewear headset for detecting a location of a user's gaze and a display for displaying information. Information on the display, such as images and/or data, is customized for the user based on the user's gaze. In an embodiment, the eyewear headset viewer projects information into the user's oculars for an individual information display. The system may also include a conflict resolution module for determining priority and control of the display among a plurality of users. In an embodiment, a function at the display may be triggered using a voice command, a gesture, and/or a gaze, for example.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a method and system for improved diagnostic reading and workflow in a healthcare environment using rules-based context management. In an embodiment, the system includes a plurality of information sources, wherein each of the plurality of information sources includes information. The system also includes a rules engine including at least one rule governing at least one of availability and presentation of information. In addition, the system includes a context manager for obtaining information from the plurality of information sources based on a query and filtering the information based on the at least one rule. In an embodiment, the information sources include an information system and/or an imaging system, for example.

Abstract: An apparatus configured to display 3D volumetric data acquired from a patient by an imaging system comprises a 3D volumetric display system configured to generate a real-time 3D diagnostic display of the 3D volumetric data. The 3D volumetric display system includes a graphical user interface configured to permit a user to access, view, and manipulate the 3D volumetric data. The graphical user interface also includes a plurality of 3D computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) markers, each plurality of 3D CAD markers having a delineator configured to navigate through the 3D volumetric data to locate pathology and to permit a user to compile and to prepare a report containing diagnosis information in a virtual-reality environment.