Abstract: Methods are provided for allowing patients, health care practitioners and other service providers to have remote access to electronic medical records of a patient stored on a first computer network by the remote user requesting access to the electronic medical record from a second computer network and providing a first and second piece of patient derived information to the second computer network; the second computer network transferring the first and second piece of patient derived information to a third computer network; the third computer network authorizing the remote user through the first and second piece of patient derived information and dependent on a patient specific authorization protocol; the third computer network confirming a patient specific consent protocol; and the third computer network disclosing the electronic medical record to the remote user dependent upon an authorization and a confirmation received from the third computer network.

Abstract: Methods are provided for allowing patients, health care practitioners and other service providers to have remote access to electronic medical records of a patient stored on a first computer network by the remote user requesting access to the electronic medical record from a second computer network and providing a first and second piece of patient derived information to the second computer network; the second computer network transferring the first and second piece of patient derived information to a third computer network; the third computer network authorizing the remote user through the first and second piece of patient derived information and dependent on a patient specific authorization protocol; the third computer network confirming a patient specific consent protocol; and the third computer network disclosing the electronic medical record to the remote user dependent upon an authorization and a confirmation received from the third computer network.

Abstract: Methods are provided for allowing patients, health care practitioners and other service providers to have remote access to electronic medical records of a patient stored on a first computer network by the remote user requesting access to the electronic medical record from a second computer network and providing a first and second piece of patient derived information to the second computer network; the second computer network transferring the first and second piece of patient derived information to a third computer network; the third computer network authorizing the remote user through the first and second piece of patient derived information and dependent on a patient specific authorization protocol; the third computer network confirming a patient specific consent protocol; and the third computer network disclosing the electronic medical record to the remote user dependent upon an authorization and a confirmation received from the third computer network.

Abstract: A method and system for recognizing and selecting a portion of an image. The method and system employs user-controlled region growing to select a region within an image. The user manipulates a user input device to interactively increase or decrease the number of iterations performed by a region growing routine. The progress of the growth of the region is displayed to the user on a display. In the case of a three dimensional image, the user may select sectional or volume views of the image within which to monitor the growth of the region. Once the user determines an appropriately sized region has been grown, the remainder of the image is scalpelled away and the selected region is displayed on the display. Alternatively, the region is scalpelled away and the remainder of the image is displayed on the display.

Abstract: There is disclosed a system and method for managing the privacy of a patient's PHI within a medical/healthcare domain (e.g. within a healthcare institution or organization). More generally, listing of a caregiver or assistant in a patient's circle-of-care is managed by a circle-of-care manager that tracks the names and any aliases for any caregivers/assistants, as well as the name and any aliases of the patient, throughout the medical/healthcare domain. Using a set of hierarchical rules determining access restrictions, the circle-of-care list is updated by the circle-of-care manager to reflect any changes in membership. Within the circle-of-care list, multi-level permissions and restrictions may be assigned to each caregiver/assistant, depending on the level of access required. Permissions and/or restrictions may be time-limited to expire automatically.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, embodiments of the invention can superimposed upon the existing framework of network which includes a number of nodes interconnected by the underlying communications network. In one embodiment, an access control node is interposed between each node and the remainder of the network. The access control node is adapted to transmit information about the node and the user attempting to access the node to a server used for maintaining security and audit information. This information may take the form of node identification data (thus identifying the node) and user identification data (to ensure that the user is associated with an active account and the user has entered the correct password thus authenticating the user). If the node is not recognised by the server, then no access to protected information (e.g., PHI) is allowed. If, however, the node is recognised, then access to PHI requires that the user also be authenticated.

Abstract: A scanning system for obtaining an optimal image of a selected part of a patient, wherein the selected part varies cyclically over time. The scanning system comprises (1) scanner for scanning a cross-section of a selected part of the patient to generate a time-wise series of images of the cross-section; (2) image processing submodule for analyzing the time-wise series of images to determine a state of the selected part as shown in each image in the time-wise series of images; (3) image selection submodule for selecting the optimal image from the time-wise series of images based on the state of the selected part in the optimal image; and, (4) memory for storing the optimal image.

Abstract: A method of storing and restoring for replay a selected view from a series of views of a three dimensional image generated from an image object. The three dimensional image is generated in an image coordinate set of a coordinate space, and is configurable to sequentially make each view in the series of views viewable. Each view in the series of views has an associated configuration. The method comprises selecting a view from a series of views, storing an object unique identifier for the image object, storing the associated configuration for the selected view of the three dimensional image, retrieving the object unique identifier, retrieving the image object using the object unique identifier, retrieving the associated configuration for the selected view of a three dimensional image, generating the three dimensional image in the coordinate space from the image object, and configuring the three dimensional image to have the associated configuration for the selected view to make the selected view viewable.

Abstract: A scanning system for obtaining an optimal image of a selected part of a patient, wherein the selected part varies cyclically over time. The scanning system comprises (1) scanning means for scanning a cross-section of a selected part of the patient to generate a time-wise series of images of the cross-section; (2) image processing means for analyzing the time-wise series of images to determine a state of the selected part as shown in each image in the time-wise series of images; (3) image selection means for selecting the optimal image from the time-wise series of images based on the state of the selected part in the optimal image; and, (4) memory for storing the optimal image.

Abstract: A method and system for recognizing and selecting a portion of an image. The method and system employs user-controlled region growing to select a region within an image. The user manipulates a user input device to interactively increase or decrease the number of iterations performed by a region growing routine. The progress of the growth of the region is displayed to the user on a display. In the case of a three dimensional image, the user may select sectional or volume views of the image within which to monitor the growth of the region. Once the user determines an appropriately sized region has been grown, the remainder of the image is scalpelled away and the selected region is displayed on the display. Alternatively, the region is scalpelled away and the remainder of the image is displayed on the display.

Abstract: A method and system for selecting at least one optimal view of a computer-generated three dimensional image. The three dimensional image is generated by mapping image properties onto a coordinate space modeled by the computer. Then, selected coordinates of the coordinate space are projected onto a display to show a view of the three dimensional image. Points of interest can be selected and the view can be changed to include projections of different selected coordinates of the coordinate space. After at least two points have been selected, at least one optimal view is determined so as to include the selected points, and is projected onto the display.

Abstract: A method and system for selectively rendering a two dimensional view of a three dimensional image, in order to facilitate rapid three dimensional imaging in a realtime or static context. Specifically, the system includes means for identifying display coordinates that continue to show the same image coordinates from view to view, and bypasses rasterization for the next view for such display coordinates, thereby reducing the access to memory required in order to retrieve image data, as well as data processing time, all required to generate new two dimensional views of a three dimensional image.

Abstract: A method and system for selecting at least one optimal view of a computer-generated three dimensional image. The three dimensional image is generated by mapping image properties onto a coordinate space modeled by the computer. Then, selected coordinates of the coordinate space are projected onto a display to show a view of the three dimensional image. Points of interest can be selected and the view can be changed to include projections of different selected coordinates of the coordinate space. After at least two points have been selected, at least one optimal view is determined so as to include the selected points, and is projected onto the display.

Abstract: An image management system for use in conjunction with an ultrasound machine. The system comprises an input port coupled to the ultrasound machine for receiving the video output signal generated for the ultrasound images and a frame buffer for digitizing and storing the video output from the ultrasound. The system includes a switch for routing the video output signal or the video signal generated from the digitized ultrasound images to the monitor of the ultrasound for display. The system allows the original video signal to be displayed without introducing artifacts. The system includes storage devices for archive and retrieval of the digitized ultrasound images and playback on the ultrasound monitor. The system also includes a communication port for interfacing the ultrasound with a PACS or a networked ultrasound management system.

Abstract: An image management system for use in conjunction with an ultrasound machine. The system comprises an input port coupled to the ultrasound machine for receiving the video output signal generated for the ultrasound images and a frame buffer for digitizing and storing the video output from the ultrasound. The system includes a switch for routing the video output signal or the video signal generated from the digitized ultrasound images to the monitor of the ultrasound for display. The system allows the original video signal to be displayed without introducing artifacts. The system includes storage-devices for archive and retrieval of the digitized ultrasound images and playback on the ultrasound monitor, The system also includes a communication port for interfacing the ultrasound with a PACS or a networked ultrasound management system.