Abstract: A medical imaging system including a central processing unit, a data storage unit in communication with said central processing unit, an imaging device in electrical communication with the central processing unit, and a biometric authorization unit in electrical communication with the central processing unit. A user inputs a biometric identifier into the biometric authorization unit in order to enable the medical imaging system.

Abstract: System and method for ganged ultrasound scanners is described. The described system includes a plurality of ultrasound scanners configured as a network and at least one connector for connecting a single ultrasound probe to the plurality of ultrasound scanners. The connector is configured to provide communication between the plurality of ultrasound scanners and the ultrasound probe.

Abstract: A method for operating a medical imaging system is provided. The method includes receiving an image data set of a region of interest in a first dimensional representation, reducing the dimensionality of the image data set to a second dimensional representation, selecting a feature of interest in the second dimensional representation, and generating an image of the selected feature in the first dimensional representation.

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: A navigational tool is provided for selection of images of interest in large series of images. Difference indices are calculated between adjacent images in the series, and the indices are used to generate a navigational tool which can be presented as a graphical representation of differences between the images. A viewer may select specific locations or sets of images for viewing by manipulation of a virtual tool based upon the representation of the difference indices. The technique thus provides a highly efficient and intuitive tool for location of images in a series where particular features of interest or changes may occur, permitting rapid access and viewing of these images.

Abstract: A navigational tool is provided for selection of images of interest in large series of images. Difference indices are calculated between adjacent images in the series, and the indices are used to generate a navigational tool which can be presented as a graphical representation of differences between the images. A viewer may select specific locations or sets of images for viewing by manipulation of a virtual tool based upon the representation of the difference indices. The technique thus provides a highly efficient and intuitive tool for location of images in a series where particular features of interest or changes may occur, permitting rapid access and viewing of these images.

Abstract: A technique is provided for generating scout or navigational images based upon a series of related images. The related images are analyzed to compute pixels of scout images, such as by determining a characteristic of aligned pixels of each of the related images. The scout or navigational images are then projections of the related images and individual rows or columns of the scout images correspond to individual images of the related set. One or more of the related images may then be accessed by review of the scout image or images. The scout images may be referred to in their own right for an overview of features of interest and may be modified by a user. The technique provides for efficient time management by allowing specific images to be identified in large image series, and facilitates intelligent use of bandwidth for accessing specific images in a viewer workstation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for providing fully integrated information processing, management and communication functions in a fully integrated RIS-PACS system for a radiology department/healthcare environment by employing brokerless interface methods to synchronize patient and exam data entities in a radiology information system (RIS) database and a picture archive and communication system (PACS) database within the RIS-PACS system and to generate direct database calls to the RIS and PACS databases. The running of RIS and PACS applications within the RIS-PACS system is initiated from client workstations over a web interface. Information from the databases is accessed by the client workstations. Also, the system may communicate between internal PACS applications and an external RIS system over a HL7-based interface or between internal RIS applications and an external PACS system over a standard medical communications interface such as HL7 and DICOM.