Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B8/00—Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
  • A61B5/0002—Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network
  • A61B5/0004—Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network characterised by the type of physiological signal transmitted
  • A61B5/0013—Medical image data
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G16—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR SPECIFIC APPLICATION FIELDS
  • G16H—HEALTHCARE INFORMATICS, i.e. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR THE HANDLING OR PROCESSING OF MEDICAL OR HEALTHCARE DATA
  • G16H40/00—ICT specially adapted for the management or administration of healthcare resources or facilities; ICT specially adapted for the management or operation of medical equipment or devices
  • G16H40/60—ICT specially adapted for the management or administration of healthcare resources or facilities; ICT specially adapted for the management or operation of medical equipment or devices for the operation of medical equipment or devices
  • G16H40/67—ICT specially adapted for the management or administration of healthcare resources or facilities; ICT specially adapted for the management or operation of medical equipment or devices for the operation of medical equipment or devices for remote operation
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
  • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y10S128/00—Surgery
  • Y10S128/92—Computer assisted medical diagnostics
  • Y10S128/922—Computer assisted medical diagnostics including image analysis

Definitions

• the present invention relates to the field of medical imaging. It relates more particularly to a remote ultrasound analysis system usable for example for expertise in gyneco-obstetrics.
• Ultrasound is a specific imaging modality. The good analysis of the pathological case depends strongly on the ability of the manipulator to visualize the cutting plane allowing him to establish the diagnosis.
• the expert is given the possibility of carrying out the examination on a block of volume data, he will be able to visualize the cutting plans necessary for the diagnosis.
• This analysis can be done during the preparation of the coordination meeting, without any particular constraint: the data to be analyzed are accessible, can be analyzed by several experts, can be duplicated, transmitted or printed. The expert may, during the coordination meeting, show the images he has obtained and, by interactive remote manipulation on the data block, demonstrate how to view them.
• real expertise with an efficiency at least doubled compared to sending a file composed of a few still images, and a training act, since the expert explains the way of get the relevant pictures.
• the invention is based on the manipulation of a volume ultrasound information base.
• the first step in the process is that of acquiring this data.
• the invention relates to an imaging system comprising means for transmitting a digital image, an image base, a probe and a means of locating on a mannequin, as well as means of visualization of ultrasound type, characterized in that that it includes means for the recalculation of a 3D image and expertise feedback means associating videoconferencing and the possibility of manipulating 2D images remotely.
• the invention also relates to a station for the acquisition of a 3D image, to its transfer for the production of a system characterized in that it comprises means for connecting several physical machines.
• the workstation consists of:
• videoconferencing means integrating an electronic card and a double video input, a color camera, a microphone and a headset.
• the station is connected on one side to the ultrasound system and on the other to the communication network, the station comprising means for temporarily storing the data acquired from the ultrasound system, until it is sent to the expert, then used during videoconference.
• the invention also relates to a workstation for the production of equipment, intended to receive a file to be appraised, to carry out the virtual ultrasound examination (visualization of any cutting plans from the 3D matrix), to transmit the electronic report and to animate a session of return of expertise associating videoconference and remote manipulation of the 3D matrix.
• the workstation includes a central unit, a screen, a 3D position sensor giving the spatial positions of the virtual ultrasound probe, a videoconference kit including an electronic card and a double video input, a color camera, a microphone. and a headset, a reproduction bench, a color inkjet printer.
• the acquisition is carried out from any ultrasound system: an acquisition station is connected to the standard video output (preferably S-VHS) and makes it possible to record the ultrasound data obtained by scans of the area to be studied.
• a 3D position sensor positioned on the standard probe used makes it possible to record with great precision the position in space of the acquired planes, which makes it possible to construct a volume image of the area studied.
• An original treatment treats the acquired plans and makes it possible to obtain a volume base of a high quality.
• the acquisition of the echographic data can be done from different angles, making it possible in particular to limit the effects of the shadow cones.
• a data acquisition protocol specific to each organ or area to be analyzed makes it possible to optimize the taking data at source. The sonographer only has to follow this protocol to be sure that he has recorded enough data to make a delayed diagnosis possible.
• Source data can also be acquired in synchronization with physiological signals, for example ECG. This technique makes it possible to keep only ultrasound data synchronous with an instant of the cardiac cycle (case of vascular analysis).
• volume data acquired is stored on the acquisition station in the form of a computer file, which can be transferred to the expert center by any digital channel: removable magnetic medium, local network, modem, ISDN link. .. Analysis by the expert
• the expert having a diagnostic station compatible with the acquisition system, has tools allowing him to visualize the data received.
• the principle of visualization is simple: a virtual probe, connected to its station, allows it to select the 2D plane to visualize in the 3D ultrasound matrix.
• the image is displayed on a screen, in a format equivalent to that of an ultrasound system. Contrast / brightness adjustment functions, and simple annotation and measurement functions complete the interface.
• the acquisition (collector center) and expertise stations include a video conference type function simple, a window on the screen allowing to visualize the image of his interlocutor.
• a sound channel allows dialogue.
• the electronic file comprising a few images and the associated comments is transmitted from the expert to the collector.
• the expert can manipulate the 3D matrix of the ultrasound data he has analyzed, and show in parallel on his screen and on the screen of the collector center the selected cutting plans, realizing thus in real time a virtual ultrasound exploration, with high educational added value.
• the 3D matrices being available on the 2 sites, are transmitted from one site to another only the control data making it possible to select the cutting plane to be viewed.
• An application derived from this technology is that it is possible to record this control data, and therefore to replay the entire examination by recording a minimum of data.
• a training system is known, centered on the trainer's station (image base, probe, location on a mannequin, ultrasound type visualization) but also including the acquisition phase of the source data.
• the architecture of the proposed station implements the functionalities necessary for acquiring a 3D image, transferring it and including a videoconferencing subsystem. Depending on the local context, these functionalities can be supported by one or more physical machines. Indeed, depending on the organization of work in the medical structure, it may be interesting to separate or group the functions of videoconferencing interface and acquisition of ultrasound data (requiring immediate proximity to the ultrasound system).
• the workstation is made up
• a videoconferencing kit including a PCI card supporting the H320 standards up to 384 Kbits / s and H323 and a double video input, a color camera, a microphone and a headset.
• the station is connected on one side to the ultrasound system and on the other to the ISDN network. It makes it possible to temporarily store the data acquired from the ultrasound system, until it is transmitted to the expert, then used during videoconference.
• the expert's station allows you to receive a file to be appraised, to carry out a virtual ultrasound examination (visualization of any cutting plans from the 3D matrix), to transmit the electronic report and to facilitate a session of expertise feedback combining videoconferencing and remote manipulation of the 3D matrix.
• the workstation is made up
• a videoconferencing kit incorporating a PCI card supporting the H320 standards up to 384 Kbps and H323 and a double video input, a color camera, a microphone and a headset,
• the stations are connected to the Numéris network.
• the number of channels used is directly related to expected performance in terms of data transfer (ultrasound matrix and videoconference). Using 6 channels gives optimal results.

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• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Biomedical Technology (AREA)
• Public Health (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Medical Informatics (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy & Molecular Imaging (AREA)
• Pathology (AREA)
• Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
• Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
• Biophysics (AREA)
• Molecular Biology (AREA)
• Surgery (AREA)
• Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
• Radiology & Medical Imaging (AREA)
• Physiology (AREA)
• Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
• Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
• General Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
• Epidemiology (AREA)
• Primary Health Care (AREA)
• Ultra Sonic Daignosis Equipment (AREA)
• Processing Or Creating Images (AREA)
• Measuring And Recording Apparatus For Diagnosis (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

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• 1999
  • 1999-04-14 FR FR9904668A patent/FR2792441B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2000
  • 2000-04-14 EP EP00922693A patent/EP1168964A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2000-04-14 WO PCT/FR2000/000977 patent/WO2000061009A1/fr active Application Filing
• 2001
  • 2001-10-12 US US09/976,945 patent/US6980676B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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