Method and system for capturing categorical annotations on an ultrasound system

Abstract

A system and method for capturing categorical annotations on an ultrasound system is provided. The method includes receiving, by at least one processor of an ultrasound system executing an annotation application, a selection to create an annotation application document; presenting, at a display system, the annotation application document; and inserting a received annotation into the annotation application document. The method includes assigning an ultrasound topic category and / or access permission settings for the annotation application document; and selectively storing the annotation application document with the received annotation at one of a plurality of data storage mediums communicatively coupled to the ultrasound system based on the ultrasound topic category and / or access permission settings. The method includes retrieving the annotation application document with the received annotation from the one of the plurality of data storage mediums and presenting, at the display system, the annotation application document with the received annotation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Some implementations relate to ultrasound systems. More specifically, some implementations relate to methods and systems for capturing classification annotations on an ultrasound system. Classification annotations are independent of and distinct from annotations embedded in specific ultrasound images of an ultrasound examination. Background Technology

[0002] Ultrasound imaging is a medical imaging technique used to image organs and soft tissues in the human body. Ultrasound imaging uses real-time, non-invasive high-frequency sound waves to produce two-dimensional (2D), three-dimensional (3D), and / or four-dimensional (4D) images (i.e., real-time / continuous 3D images).

[0003] Ultrasound imaging is a valuable non-invasive tool for diagnosing a variety of medical conditions. An ultrasound operator performing an ultrasound examination can analyze the acquired ultrasound image data to perform measurements and add annotations to the ultrasound images. However, the ultrasound operator may wish to record annotations that are unrelated to a specific ultrasound image but are relevant to ultrasound-related topics, such as annotations generally related to a specific patient, ultrasound machine, ultrasound operator, or ultrasound examination.

[0004] By comparing such systems with some aspects of this disclosure as set forth with reference to the accompanying drawings in the remainder of this application, the further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditional methods will become apparent to those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0005] A system and / or method for capturing classification annotations on an ultrasound system is provided, the system and / or method being substantially as shown and / or described in conjunction with at least one figure.

[0006] These and other advantages, aspects and novel features of this disclosure, as well as details of its illustrative embodiments, will be more fully understood from the following description and accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0007] Figure 1 This is a block diagram of an exemplary ultrasound system operable to capture classification annotations according to various implementation schemes.

[0008] Figure 2 This is a flowchart illustrating exemplary steps that can be used to capture classification annotations on an ultrasound system, according to an exemplary embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0009] Certain embodiments may exist in methods and systems for capturing categorized annotations on an ultrasound system. Various embodiments have the technical effect of creating annotations at the ultrasound system, which are not embedded as notes in the ultrasound image. Aspects of this disclosure have the technical effect of categorizing the created annotations based on ultrasound themes, such as ultrasound machine, ultrasound operator, ultrasound patient, ultrasound examination, etc. Certain embodiments have the technical effect of allowing the ultrasound operator to view and create annotations, for example, on a main display and / or a touch panel display, if the annotation is private. Various embodiments have the technical effect of providing reminders for displaying notifications at the ultrasound machine to view the created annotations. Aspects of this disclosure have the technical effect of providing a dedicated area at the display system for accessing annotations, entering annotations, and / or receiving notifications related to the annotations. Some implementations offer the following technical effects: annotations are categorized based on access permission settings, such as access only available to the creator of the annotation, access only available to a selected group of people or selected personnel categories, access only available to personnel with access rights to the categorized ultrasound topic, and / or access only available to users of a specific ultrasound machine. Various implementations also offer the following technical effects: annotations are selectively stored based on the categorized ultrasound topic and / or access permission settings.

[0010] The foregoing summary of the invention and the following detailed description of certain embodiments will be better understood when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. For the purposes of the diagrams illustrating the functional blocks of various embodiments, these functional blocks do not necessarily represent a division between hardware circuits. Thus, for example, one or more functional blocks (e.g., a processor or memory) may be implemented in a single piece of hardware (e.g., a general-purpose signal processor or a block of random access memory, a hard disk, etc.) or in multiple pieces of hardware. Similarly, a program may be a standalone program, may be included as a subroutine in an operating system, may be a function in an installed software package, etc. It should be understood that the various embodiments are not limited to the arrangements and tools shown in the drawings. It should also be understood that embodiments may be combined, or other embodiments may be utilized, and structural, logical, and electrical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the various embodiments. Therefore, the following detailed description should not be considered limiting, and the scope of this disclosure is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0011] As used herein, elements or steps listed in the singular and beginning with the word "a" or "an" should be understood to not exclude multiple said elements or steps, unless such exclusion is explicitly stated. Furthermore, references to "exemplary embodiments," "various embodiments," "certain embodiments," "representative embodiments," etc., are not intended to be construed as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the described features. Moreover, unless explicitly stated to the contrary, embodiments that "comprise," "include," or "have" one or more elements having a particular property may include additional elements that do not have that property.

[0012] Additionally, as used herein, the term "image" broadly refers to both a visual image and the data representing that image. However, many implementations generate (or are configured to generate) at least one visual image. Furthermore, as used herein, the phrase "image" is used to refer to ultrasound modes such as B-mode (2D mode), M-mode, three-dimensional (3D) mode, CF mode, PW Doppler, CW Doppler, MGD, and / or submodes of B-mode and / or CF such as shear wave elastography (SWEI), TVI, Angio, B-flow, BMI, BMI_Angio, and in some cases also MM, CM, TVD, where "image" and / or "plane" includes a single beam or multiple beams.

[0013] Furthermore, as used herein, the term processor or processing unit refers to any type of processing unit capable of performing the required computations required for various implementation schemes, such as single-core or multi-core: CPU, Accelerated Processing Unit (APU), graphics board, DSP, FPGA, ASIC, or combinations thereof.

[0014] It should be noted that the various embodiments of generating or forming images described herein may include processing for forming the image, which in some embodiments includes beamforming, while in others does not. For example, an image may be formed without beamforming, such as by multiplying a matrix of demodulated data by a coefficient matrix such that the product is an image, and wherein the process does not form any “beams.” Alternatively, image formation may be performed using a combination of channels that may originate from more than one transmission event (e.g., synthetic aperture technology).

[0015] In various implementations, ultrasound processing to form an image is performed, for example, in software, firmware, hardware, or a combination thereof, including ultrasound beamforming, such as receive beamforming. One specific implementation of an ultrasound system having a software beamformer architecture formed according to various implementations is... Figure 1 As shown in the image.

[0016] Figure 1This is a block diagram of an exemplary ultrasound system 100 operable to capture classification annotations according to various implementation schemes. See also Figure 1 An ultrasound system 100 is shown. The ultrasound system 100 includes a transmitter 102, an ultrasound probe 104, a transmit beamformer 110, a receiver 118, a receive beamformer 120, an A / D converter 122, an RF processor 124, an RF / IQ buffer 126, a user input device 130, a signal processor 132, an image buffer 136, a display system 134, and a file 138.

[0017] Transmitter 102 may include suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and / or code operable to drive ultrasound probe 104. Ultrasound probe 104 may include a two-dimensional (2D) array of piezoelectric elements. Ultrasound probe 104 may include a set of transmitting transducer elements 106 and a set of receiving transducer elements 108 that generally constitute the same components. In some embodiments, ultrasound probe 104 is operable to acquire ultrasound image data covering at least a majority of anatomical structures, such as the heart, blood vessels, fetus, or any suitable anatomical structure.

[0018] The transmitting beamformer 110 may include suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and / or code operable to control the transmitter 102, which drives the set of transmitting transducer elements 106 via the transmitting sub-aperture beamformer 114 to transmit ultrasonic signals to a region of interest (e.g., a person, animal, underground cavity, physical structure, etc.). The transmitted ultrasonic signals may be backscattered from structures (such as blood cells or tissue) within the object of interest to generate echoes. The echoes are received by the receiving transducer element 108.

[0019] The set of receiving transducer elements 108 in the ultrasonic probe 104 is operable to convert the received echo into an analog signal, perform sub-aperture beamforming via the receiving sub-aperture beamformer 116, and then transmit it to the receiver 118. The receiver 118 may include suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and / or code operable to receive the signal from the receiving sub-aperture beamformer 116. The analog signal can be transmitted to one or more of a plurality of A / D converters 122.

[0020] Multiple A / D converters 122 may include suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and / or code operable to convert analog signals from receiver 118 into corresponding digital signals. The multiple A / D converters 122 are disposed between receiver 118 and RF processor 124. However, this disclosure is not limited in this respect. Therefore, in some embodiments, multiple A / D converters 122 may be integrated within receiver 118.

[0021] RF processor 124 may include suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and / or code operable to demodulate digital signals output from a plurality of A / D converters 122. According to one embodiment, RF processor 124 may include a demodulator (not shown) operable to demodulate digital signals to form I / Q data pairs representing corresponding echo signals. The RF or I / Q signal data can then be transmitted to an RF / IQ buffer 126. RF / IQ buffer 126 may include suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and / or code operable to provide temporary storage of the RF or I / Q signal data generated by RF processor 124.

[0022] The receiver beamformer 120 may include suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and / or code operable to perform digital beamforming processing, such as summing a delayed channel signal received from the RF processor 124 via the RF / IQ buffer 126 and outputting a beam sum signal. The resulting processed information may be a beam sum signal output from the receiver beamformer 120 and transmitted to the signal processor 132. According to some embodiments, the receiver 118, multiple A / D converters 122, the RF processor 124, and the beamformer 120 may be integrated into a single beamformer, which may be digital. In various embodiments, the ultrasound system 100 includes multiple receiver beamformers 120.

[0023] User input device 130 can be used to: input patient data, scan parameters, settings, select protocols and / or templates, launch annotation applications, input annotations, provide category and access permission settings, etc. In an exemplary embodiment, user input device 130 can be operated to configure, manage, and / or control the operation of one or more components and / or modules in ultrasound system 100. In this regard, user input device 130 can be used to configure, manage, and / or control the operation of transmitter 102, ultrasound probe 104, transmit beamformer 110, receiver 118, receive beamformer 120, RF processor 124, RF / IQ buffer 126, user input device 130, signal processor 132, image buffer 136, display system 134, and / or archive 138. User input device 130 may include buttons, rotary encoders, touchscreens, touchpads, trackballs, motion tracking, voice recognition, mouse devices, keyboards, cameras, and / or any other devices capable of receiving user commands. In some implementations, one or more of the user input devices 130 may be integrated into other components such as the display system 134. For example, the user input device 130 may include a touchscreen display.

[0024] Signal processor 132 may include suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and / or code operable to process ultrasound scan data (i.e., summed IQ signals) to generate an ultrasound image for presentation on display system 134. Signal processor 132 is operable to perform one or more processing operations based on multiple selectable ultrasound modalities on the acquired ultrasound scan data. In exemplary embodiments, signal processor 132 may be used to perform display processing and / or control processing, etc. Acquired ultrasound scan data can be processed in real time during a scanning session as echo signals are received. Alternatively or concurrently, ultrasound scan data may be temporarily stored in RF / IQ buffer 126 during a scanning session and processed in a less real-time manner during online or offline operation. In various embodiments, processed image data may be presented at display system 134 and / or stored at archive 138. Archive 138 may be a local archive, Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS), Enterprise Archive (EA), Vendor-Agnostic Archive (VNA), Electronic Medical Record (EMR), or any suitable device for storing images and related information.

[0025] Signal processor 132 may be one or more central processing units, microprocessors, microcontrollers, etc. For example, signal processor 132 may be an integrated component or may be distributed in various locations. In an exemplary embodiment, signal processor 132 may include annotation application processor 140. Signal processor 132 may be able to receive input information from user input device 130 and / or file 138, receive image data, generate output that can be displayed by display system 134, and manipulate the output in response to input information from user input device 130, etc. Signal processor 132 including annotation application processor 140 is capable of performing, for example, any of the methods and / or instruction sets discussed herein according to various embodiments.

[0026] The ultrasound system 100 is operable to continuously acquire ultrasound scan data at a frame rate suitable for the imaging situation under consideration. Typical frame rates are in the range of 20 to 120, but can be lower or higher. The acquired ultrasound scan data can be displayed on the display system 134 at the same, slower, or faster display rate as the frame rate. An image buffer 136 is included for storing frames of the acquired ultrasound scan data that are not scheduled for immediate display. Preferably, the image buffer 136 has sufficient capacity to store frames of ultrasound scan data for at least several minutes. The frames of ultrasound scan data are stored in a manner that facilitates retrieval based on their acquisition order or time. The image buffer 136 can be embodied in any known data storage medium.

[0027] Signal processor 132 may include annotation application processor 140, which includes suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and / or code operable to create, categorize, assign access permissions to, store, provide access to, and provide notifications about the annotation application documents by executing the annotation application and responding to user input. For example, annotation application processor 140 may be configured to automatically open the annotation application at ultrasound system 100 when ultrasound system 100 is powered on, or to manually open the annotation application in response to a user instruction provided via user input device 130. In various embodiments, a dedicated area of ​​display system 134 may be allocated to the annotation application, such as one or more areas on a primary or secondary display (e.g., a touch panel display). Annotation application processor 140 may present selectable options and / or notifications in the dedicated area of ​​display system 134. Selectable options may include menu bars, drop-down menus, selectable buttons, selectable icons, symbols, text, etc. Notifications may include icons, symbols, text, etc. In an exemplary embodiment, a notification can be selected to open an annotation application document associated with the notification or to provide a notification message associated with one or more selectable annotation application documents.

[0028] In representative implementations, selectable options may include an option to create a new annotation document. For example, the annotation application processor 140 may open and present a new annotation application document in response to a user selection of a button, icon, drop-down menu item, etc. The new annotation application document may be presented in a dedicated area of ​​the display system 134. In various implementations, the user can configure the display location of the new annotation application document. For example, the user may wish to view the annotations and / or enter the annotations in a document presented on the main display of the display system 134 for increased visibility. As another example, the user may wish to view the annotations and / or enter the annotations in an annotation application document presented on a secondary display of the display system 134, which may be hidden from the view of the patient or other personnel in the ultrasound examination room. The annotation application processor 140 may receive annotations from the ultrasound operator and enter the annotations into the annotation application document via a user input device 130, such as a keyboard, touchscreen display, mouse clicking device, voice recognition device, or any suitable user input device. Annotations input into the annotation application document by the annotation application processor 140 can be displayed in real time at the display system 134.

[0029] In an exemplary embodiment, the annotation application processor 140 may be configured to categorize annotation application documents in response to user selection via user input device 130. For example, annotation application documents may be categorized by ultrasound topic, such as ultrasound machine, ultrasound operator, ultrasound patient, ultrasound examination, etc. As an example, annotation application documents with annotations such as: the next maintenance time for the ultrasound machine, a missing or malfunctioning ultrasound probe 104 of the ultrasound system, or any suitable annotation related to a specific ultrasound system 100 may be categorized under ultrasound machine annotations. As another example, annotations related to the ultrasound operator's schedule may be categorized under ultrasound operator annotations, such as moving to a different ultrasound examination room at 2:00 PM. Patient-related annotations may be categorized under ultrasound patient annotations, such as reacting to contrast agents, the patient's husband passing away last year, the patient having to wait 2 hours for their last consultation, or the patient disliking a particular doctor. Annotations can be categorized under ultrasound examination annotations, for example, those related to the difficulty of acquiring a specific ultrasound image view, or any suitable annotations that are generally related to an ultrasound examination but not specifically for a particular acquired image. In various embodiments, the categorized ultrasound topics can be predefined and can be selected by the ultrasound operator creating the annotation application document via drop-down options, selectable buttons, selectable text, etc. Additionally and / or alternatively, the annotation application can be configured to allow the ultrasound operator to define one category or another. In some embodiments, ultrasound topic categories can be associated with a storage location, such as a local archive, EMR, PACS, or any suitable data storage medium location. For example, ultrasound machine annotations can be stored locally at ultrasound system 100, ultrasound patient annotations can be stored at the EMR, and ultrasound examination annotations can be stored at the PACS or any suitable storage association.

[0030] In various implementations, the annotation application processor 140 can be configured to assign access permissions to an annotation application document in response to user selection via user input device 130. For example, access permissions can be assigned to the annotation application document, such as access available only to the creator of the annotation, access available only to a selected set of personnel or selected personnel categories, access available only to personnel with access rights to categorize ultrasound topics, and / or access available only to users of a specific ultrasound machine, and / or any suitable access permissions. In various implementations, access permissions can be predefined and can be selected by the ultrasound operator creating the annotation application document via drop-down options, selectable buttons, selectable text, etc. Additionally and / or alternatively, the annotation application can be configured to allow the ultrasound operator to define access permissions. In some implementations, access permissions can be associated with a storage location, such as a local archive, EMR, PACS, or any suitable data storage medium location. For example, access permissions that assign only the annotation application document to users of a specific ultrasound machine can be stored locally at the specific ultrasound machine 100.

[0031] In some implementations, the annotation application processor 140 can be configured to assign a reminder time for presenting a notification at the ultrasound machine to view the created annotation. For example, the reminder time can be assigned in response to a user selection via user input device 130. As an example, an ultrasound operator who has created an annotation for servicing an ultrasound machine can assign a date and time to the annotation application processor 140 to present a notification of the annotation application document at display system 134. As another example, an ultrasound operator who has created an annotation for changing the ultrasound examination room at 2:00 PM can assign a date and time to the annotation application processor to present a notification of the annotation application document at display system 134. The notification can be an icon (such as a red flag or exclamation mark), shape, text message, pop-up message, or any suitable notification for the annotation application document.

[0032] In a representative implementation, the annotation application processor 140 can be configured to selectively store created annotation application documents based on the categorized ultrasound topic and / or access permission settings. For example, annotation application documents can be associated with a storage location, such as a local archive, EMR, PACS, or any suitable data storage medium location, based on the categorized ultrasound topic and / or access permission settings. As an example, annotation application documents categorized as ultrasound machine annotations and / or assigned access permissions only to specific ultrasound machine users can be stored locally at a specific ultrasound machine 100. As another example, annotation application documents categorized as ultrasound patient annotations can be stored at the EMR. Additionally, annotation application documents categorized as ultrasound examination annotations can be stored at the PACS.

[0033] In an exemplary embodiment, the annotation application processor 140 may be configured to retrieve and present annotation application documents at the display system 134 of the ultrasound system 100. The annotation application processor 140 may retrieve and present the annotation application documents automatically and / or in response to instructions received via the user input device 130. For example, the annotation application processor 140 may automatically retrieve and present the annotation application documents based on a reminder time assigned to them. As another example, the annotation application document processor 140 may retrieve and present the annotation application documents based on a selection of the annotation application document or a notification associated with the annotation application document. The annotation application processor 140 may be configured to present the annotation application documents retrieved from file 138 or any suitable data storage medium at a dedicated area of ​​the main display and / or touch panel display of the display system 134 of the ultrasound system 100.

[0034] See still Figure 1 The display system 134 can be any device capable of transmitting visual information to a user. For example, the display system 134 may include a liquid crystal display, a light-emitting diode display, and / or any suitable one or more displays. The display system 134 is operable to display information from the signal processor 132 and / or the archive 138, such as annotation documents, selectable annotation categories, selectable annotation access permission settings, selectable annotation notification times, annotation notifications, and / or any suitable information. The display system 134 may include one or more displays. For example, the display system 134 may include a main display and a touch panel display, etc. The display system 134 is operable to provide a dedicated display area for accessing annotation application documents, entering annotation application documents, viewing annotation application documents, and / or receiving notifications related to annotation application documents.

[0035] File 138 may be one or more computer-readable storage devices integrated with and / or communicatively coupled (e.g., via a network) to ultrasound system 100, such as Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS), Enterprise Archive (EA), Vendor-Agnostic Archive (VNA), Electronic Medical Record (EMR), server, hard disk, floppy disk, CD, CD-ROM, DVD, compact storage device, flash memory, random access memory, read-only memory, electrically erasable and programmable read-only memory, and / or any suitable memory. File 138 may include, for example, a database, library, information set, or other memory accessed and / or combined with signal processor 132. For example, file 138 may be able to temporarily or permanently store data. File 138 may be able to store medical image data, data generated by signal processor 132, and / or instructions readable by signal processor 132, etc. In various implementations, document 138 stores annotation applications, and the created annotation application documents categorized as follows: ultrasound topic and / or access permission settings, annotation category options, annotation access permission options, annotation storage instructions, annotation notification time options, annotation notification display instructions, and / or annotation document display instructions, etc.

[0036] Figure 2 This is a flowchart 200 illustrating exemplary steps 202-216 that can be used to capture classification annotations on an ultrasound system 100, according to an exemplary embodiment. See also Figure 2 The diagram illustrates flowchart 200, which includes exemplary steps 202 to 216. Some embodiments may omit one or more steps, and / or perform the steps in a different order than listed, and / or combine certain steps discussed below. For example, some steps may not be performed in some embodiments. Also, some steps may be performed in a different chronological order than listed below, including simultaneous execution.

[0037] In step 202, the annotation application can be opened at the ultrasound system 100. For example, the annotation application processor 140 of the signal processor 132 of the ultrasound system 100 can be configured to automatically open the annotation application at the ultrasound system 100 when the ultrasound system 100 is powered on. As another example, the annotation application processor 140 can open the annotation application in response to a user instruction provided via the user input device 130. The annotation application can be assigned to a dedicated area of ​​the display system 134, such as one or more areas on the main display or secondary display (e.g., a touch panel display).

[0038] In step 204, the signal processor 132 of the ultrasound system 100 may receive a selection to create a new annotation application document at the ultrasound system 100. For example, the annotation application processor 140 of the signal processor 132 may present selectable options in a dedicated area of ​​the display system 134. Selectable options may include menu bars, drop-down menus, selectable buttons, selectable icons, symbols, text, etc. Selectable options may include an option for creating a new annotation document.

[0039] In step 206, signal processor 132 may open the annotation application document and present it at display system 134 of ultrasound system 100. For example, annotation application processor 140 of signal processor 132 may open and present a new annotation application document in response to a user selection in step 204. Annotation application processor 140 may be configured to present the new annotation application document in a dedicated area of ​​display system 134. In various embodiments, display size, position, etc., may be configurable by the user. For example, the user may wish to view annotations and / or enter annotations in a document presented at: the main display of display system 134 for increased visibility; or a touch panel display for improved privacy.

[0040] In step 208, signal processor 132 can receive annotations from an opened annotation application document via user input device 130 of ultrasound system 100. For example, via user input device 130, such as a keyboard, touchscreen display, mouse, voice recognition device, or any suitable user input device, annotation application processor 140 of signal processor 132 can receive annotations from the ultrasound operator and input them into the annotation application document. Annotations input into the annotation application document by annotation application processor 140 can be displayed in real time at display system 134.

[0041] In step 210, via the user input device 130 of the ultrasound system 100, the signal processor 132 may receive at least one category selection associated with the annotation application document. For example, the annotation application processor 140 of the signal processor may be configured to categorize the annotation application document in response to a user selection via the user input device 130. The annotation application document may be categorized by ultrasound topic, such as ultrasound machine, ultrasound operator, ultrasound patient, ultrasound examination, etc. Additionally and / or alternatively, in response to a user selection via the user input device 130, the annotation application may be categorized by assigning access permissions to the annotation application document. For example, access permissions may be assigned to the annotation application document, such as access only available to the creator of the annotation, access only available to a selected set of people or selected personnel categories, access only available to people with access rights to the categorized ultrasound topic, and / or access only available to users of a specific ultrasound machine, and / or any suitable access permissions. In various embodiments, the ultrasound topic category and / or access permission settings may be predefined and may be selected by the ultrasound operator creating the annotation application document via drop-down selectable options, selectable buttons, selectable text, etc. Additionally and / or alternatively, the annotation application can be configured to allow ultrasound operators to define a category, additional categories, and / or access permissions.

[0042] In step 212, via the user input device 130 of the ultrasound system 100, the signal processor 132 can receive a reminder time selection associated with the annotation application document. For example, the annotation application processor 140 of the signal processor 132 can be configured to allocate a reminder time for presenting a notification at the ultrasound machine to view the created annotations. The reminder time can be allocated in response to a user selection via the user input device 130. The reminder time may include the date and time for presenting the notification and / or the annotation application document at the display system 134 of the ultrasound system 100.

[0043] In step 214, signal processor 132 may store annotation application documents at a data storage medium 138 communicatively coupled to ultrasound system 100. For example, annotation application processor 140 of signal processor 132 may be configured to selectively store created annotation application documents based on categorized ultrasound topics and / or access permission settings. Based on categorized ultrasound topics and / or access permission settings, annotation application documents may be associated with a storage location, such as a local archive, EMR, PACS, or any suitable data storage medium location. As an example, annotation application documents categorized as ultrasound machine annotations and / or assigned access permissions only to specific ultrasound machine users may be stored locally at a specific ultrasound machine 100. As another example, annotation application documents categorized as ultrasound patient annotations may be stored at an EMR. Additionally, annotation application documents categorized as ultrasound examination annotations may be stored at a PACS.

[0044] In step 216, signal processor 132 may retrieve and present annotation application documents at display system 134 of ultrasound system 100. For example, annotation application processor 140 of signal processor 132 may be configured to automatically and / or in response to instructions received via user input device 130, retrieve and present annotation application documents at display system 134 of ultrasound system 100. As an example, annotation application processor 140 may automatically retrieve and present annotation application documents based on reminder times assigned to the annotation application documents. As another example, annotation application document processor 140 may retrieve and present annotation application documents based on selection of annotation application documents or notifications associated with annotation application documents. Annotation application processor 140 may be configured to present annotation application documents retrieved from archive 138 or any suitable data storage medium at a dedicated area of ​​the main display and / or touch panel display of display system 134 of ultrasound system 100.

[0045] In various implementations, the annotation application can be implemented on a workstation, such as a workstation configured to view ultrasound examinations in a healthcare environment. The workstation's signal processor can be configured to execute the annotation application as discussed above with respect to ultrasound system 100. The workstation's signal processor can be configured to create and view annotation application documents associated with a specific ultrasound examination, which are independent of and distinct from annotations on specific images of the ultrasound examination. The created annotations can be categorized as associated with a specific ultrasound examination and stored in association with that specific ultrasound examination. The workstation's signal processor can be configured to assign access permissions and / or reminder times to the created annotation application documents. The signal processor can be configured to retrieve and present annotation application documents at the workstation's display system based on ultrasound topic categories, access permissions, and / or reminder times. The signal processor can be configured to create and view annotation application documents associated with other ultrasound topic categories, such as a specific ultrasound machine, a specific ultrasound operator or other medical personnel, a specific ultrasound patient, etc. Based on access permission settings, annotations created at the workstation can be accessed at the workstation or ultrasound system 100. The workstation's signal processor, display system, file system, and user input device can share various features with the following: the signal processor 132 of the ultrasound system 100, the annotation application processor 140, the display system 134, the file system 138, and the user input device 130, as described above. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As stated above.

[0046] Various aspects of this disclosure provide a system and method 200 for capturing classification annotations on an ultrasound system 100. According to various embodiments, method 200 may include: receiving, 204, an option to create an annotation application document by at least one processor 132, 140 of the ultrasound system 100 executing the annotation application; presenting, 206, the annotation application document by at least one processor 132, 140 via a display system 134 of the ultrasound system 100; inserting, 208, the received annotations into the annotation application document presented at the display system 134 by at least one processor; and assigning, 210, one or both of ultrasound topic categories and access permission settings to the annotation application document by at least one processor 132, 140. Method 200 may include: selectively storing 214 of an annotation application document having received annotations at one of a plurality of data storage media 138 communicatively coupled to the ultrasound system 100, by at least one processor 132, 140, based on one or both of ultrasound topic categories and access permission settings assigned to the annotation application document. Method 200 may include: retrieving 216 of the annotation application document having received annotations from one of the plurality of data storage media 138 by at least one processor 132, 140. Method 200 may include: presenting 216 of the annotation application document having received annotations at a display system 134 by at least one processor 132, 140.

[0047] In representative embodiments, received annotations inserted into the annotation application document are independent of and distinct from annotations embedded in ultrasound images of an ultrasound examination. In exemplary embodiments, the ultrasound topic category is one of a plurality of selectable ultrasound topic categories, including ultrasound machine 100, ultrasound operator, patient, and / or ultrasound examination. In various embodiments, access permission settings are one of a plurality of selectable access permission settings, including access available only to: the creator of the annotation application document, a selected set of users or a selected user category, a user with access rights to the categorized ultrasound topics, and / or a user of a specific ultrasound machine 100. In some embodiments, the display system 134 includes a main display and a touch panel display. The annotation application document with received annotations may be presented on one or both of the main display and the touch panel display. One or both of the main display and the touch panel display may include a dedicated area configured to present the annotation application document and the annotation application document with received annotations. In a representative implementation, multiple data storage media 138 include local archives 138, electronic medical records (EMR), and picture archiving and communication systems (PACS). In an exemplary implementation, method 200 further includes: receiving 212 a reminder time selection associated with an annotation application document by at least one processor 132, 140. Method 200 further includes: presenting 216 a notification by at least one processor 132, 140 at a display system 134 at the time corresponding to the reminder time selection. This notification can provide access to the annotation application document having the received annotations.

[0048] Various embodiments provide an ultrasound system 100 for capturing categorized annotations. The ultrasound system 100 may include at least one processor 132, 140 and a display system 134. At least one processor 132, 140 can execute an annotation application. At least one processor 132, 140 can be configured to receive a selection for creating an annotation application document. At least one processor 132, 140 can be configured to insert the received annotations into the annotation application document. At least one processor 132, 140 can be configured to assign one or both of ultrasound topic categories and access permission settings to the annotation application document. At least one processor 132, 140 can be configured to selectively store the annotation application document with the received annotations at one of a plurality of data storage media 138 communicatively coupled to the ultrasound system 100, based on one or both of the ultrasound topic categories and access permission settings assigned to the annotation application document. At least one processor 132, 140 can be configured to retrieve the annotation application document with the received annotations from one of the plurality of data storage media 138. Display system 134 can be configured to: present an annotation application document in response to a selection for creating an annotation application document. Display system 134 can be configured to: present an annotation application document with received annotations retrieved from one of a plurality of data storage media 138.

[0049] In exemplary embodiments, the received annotations inserted into the annotation application document are independent of and distinct from annotations embedded in the ultrasound images of an ultrasound examination. In various embodiments, the ultrasound topic category is one of a plurality of selectable ultrasound topic categories, including ultrasound machine 100, ultrasound operator, patient, and / or ultrasound examination. In some embodiments, the access permission setting is one of a plurality of selectable access permission settings, including access available only to: the creator of the annotation application document, a selected set of users or a selected user category, a user with access rights to the categorized ultrasound topics, and / or a user of a specific ultrasound machine. In a representative embodiment, the display system 134 includes a main display and a touch panel display. The display system 134 can be configured to present the annotation application document with the received annotations at one or both of the selected displays, the main display and the touch panel display. One or both of the main display and the touch panel display may include a dedicated area configured to present the annotation application document and the annotation application document with the received annotations. In exemplary embodiments, multiple data storage media 138 include local archives 138, electronic medical records (EMR), and picture archiving and communication systems (PACS). In various embodiments, at least one processor 132, 140 is configured to receive a reminder time selection associated with an annotation application document. At least one processor 132, 140 is configured to present a notification at a display system 134 at the time corresponding to the reminder time selection. This notification can provide access to the annotation application document with the received annotations.

[0050] Some embodiments provide a non-transitory computer-readable medium on which a computer program is stored, the computer program having at least one code segment. The at least one code segment is machine-executable to cause the ultrasound system 100 to perform step 200. Step 200 may include receiving 204 a selection to create an annotation application document via an annotation application executed at the ultrasound system 100. Step 200 may include presenting the annotation application document at a display system 134 of the ultrasound system 100. Step 200 may include inserting received annotations into the annotation application document presented at the display system 134. Step 200 may include assigning one or both of an ultrasound topic category and access permission settings to the annotation application document. Step 200 may include selectively storing 214 the annotation application document with received annotations at one of a plurality of data storage media 138 communicatively coupled to the ultrasound system 100, based on one or both of the ultrasound topic category and access permission settings assigned to the annotation application document. Step 200 may include retrieving, from one of the plurality of data storage media 138, an annotation application document 216 having the received annotations. Step 200 may include presenting, at a display system 134, the annotation application document 216 having the received annotations.

[0051] In various embodiments, the received annotations inserted into the annotation application document are independent of and distinct from annotations embedded in the ultrasound images of an ultrasound examination. In some embodiments, the ultrasound topic category is one of a plurality of selectable ultrasound topic categories, including ultrasound machine 100, ultrasound operator, patient, and / or ultrasound examination. In a representative embodiment, the access permission setting is one of a plurality of selectable access permission settings, including access available only to: the creator of the annotation application document, a selected set of users or a selected user category, a user with access rights to the categorized ultrasound topics, and / or a user of a specific ultrasound machine 100. In an exemplary embodiment, the display system 134 includes a main display and a touch panel display. The annotation application document with the received annotations may be presented on one or both of the main display and the touch panel display. One or both of the main display and the touch panel display may include a dedicated area configured to present the annotation application document and the annotation application document with the received annotations. In various implementations, step 200 may further include: receiving 212 a reminder time selection associated with the annotation application document. Step 200 may further include: presenting 216 a notification at the display system 134 at the time corresponding to the reminder time selection. This notification may provide access to the annotation application document containing the received annotations.

[0052] As used herein, the term "circuit" refers to physical electronic components (i.e., hardware) and any software and / or firmware ("code") that is configurable hardware, executed by the hardware, and / or otherwise associated with the hardware. For example, as used herein, a particular processor and memory may include a first "circuit" when executing one or more lines of first code, and a particular processor and memory may include a second "circuit" when executing one or more lines of second code. As used herein, "and / or" means any one or more items in a list linked by "and / or". For example, "x and / or y" means any element in the three-element set {(x), (y), (x, y)}. As another example, "x, y and / or z" means any element in the seven-element set {(x), (y), (z), (x,y), (x, z), (y, z), (x, y, z)}. As used herein, the term "exemplary" means used as a non-limiting example, instance, or illustration. As used herein, the terms “e.g.” and “for example” refer to a list of one or more non-limiting examples, instances, or illustrations. As used herein, a circuit is “intended” or “configured” to perform a function whenever the circuit includes the necessary hardware and code to perform the function, if required, regardless of whether the execution of the function is disabled or not enabled by some user-configurable settings.

[0053] Other embodiments may provide a computer-readable device and / or a non-transitory computer-readable medium, and / or a machine-readable device and / or a non-transitory machine-readable medium, wherein the device and / or medium stores machine code executable by a machine and / or a computer program having at least one code segment, thereby enabling the machine and / or computer to perform the steps described herein for capturing classification annotations on an ultrasound system.

[0054] Therefore, this disclosure can be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software. This disclosure may be implemented centrally in at least one computer system or distributed, wherein different elements are distributed across several interconnected computer systems. Any kind of computer system or other apparatus suitable for performing the methods described herein is appropriate.

[0055] Various implementation schemes may also be embedded in a computer program product that includes all the features of the methods described herein and is capable of executing those methods when loaded into a computer system. As used herein, a computer program means any expression of a set of instructions represented in any language, code, or notation, which is intended to cause a system with information processing capabilities to perform a particular function directly or after being: a) translated into another language, code, or notation; or b) reproduced in a different material form.

[0056] While this disclosure has been described with reference to certain embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes and substitutions can be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Furthermore, many modifications can be made to adapt particular situations or materials to the teachings of this disclosure without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Therefore, this disclosure is not intended to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, but rather to include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method for capturing classification annotations on an ultrasound system, the method comprising: Receive the option to create an annotation application document via an annotation application executed at the ultrasound system; The annotation application document is displayed on the display system of the ultrasound system; The received annotations are inserted into the annotation application document presented at the display system, wherein the received annotations inserted into the annotation application document are independent of and distinct from the annotations embedded in the ultrasound images of the ultrasound examination. Assign one or both of the ultrasound topic category and access permission settings to the annotation application document; Based on one or both of the ultrasound topic category and the access permission settings assigned to the annotation application document, the annotation application document having the received annotations is selectively stored at one of a plurality of data storage media communicatively coupled to the ultrasound system. Retrieve the annotation application document having the received annotation from one of the plurality of data storage media; as well as At the display system, the retrieved annotation application document with the received annotations is presented.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the ultrasound topic category is one of a plurality of selectable ultrasound topic categories including: Ultrasonic machines Ultrasound operator, Patients and / or Ultrasound examination.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the access permission setting is one of a plurality of selectable access permission settings, the plurality of selectable access permission settings including access available only to: The creator of the annotation application documentation, A selected set of users or a selected user category, Users with access to classified ultrasound topics, and / or Users of specific ultrasound machines.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The display system includes a main display and a touch panel display. The retrieved application document with the received annotations is displayed on one or both of the main display and the touch panel display. One or both of the main display and the touch panel display include a dedicated area configured to present the annotation application document and the retrieved annotation application document with the received annotations.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of data storage media comprises: Local archives Electronic Medical Records (EMR), and Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS).

6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: The reminder time selection associated with the annotation application document is received by at least one processor; as well as The at least one processor presents a notification at the display system at a time corresponding to the reminder time selection, the notification providing access to the annotation application document having the received annotations.

7. An ultrasound system, the ultrasound system comprising: At least one processor for executing an annotation application, said at least one processor being configured to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6; and Display system.

8. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a computer program having at least one code segment that is executable by a machine to cause an ultrasound system to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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