Patent Application
20100199207
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for controlling the acquisition of measurement data in a medical image recording device, in particular a magnetic resonance device, having a control device and an operating device with display device for displaying a graphic user interface. In addition, the present invention relates to an appertaining image acquisition device, in particular a magnetic resonance device, and an appertaining user interface.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Examinations using medical image acquisition devices, in particular magnetic resonance devices, are known to be extremely complicated because a significant amount of knowledge is required. Their operation requires a long and intensive training period.
User interfaces known today have come about essentially through the expansion of basic packets. Repeatedly, functions have been added that were not planned from the beginning, due to the fact that new image recording possibilities became available. For example, although magnetic resonance data contain complete diagnostic information this image modality was used only rarely in areas such as cardiac examination. Additional dialogues or menu entries were added for this purpose that are ultimately not illuminating and not intuitive for the user. As a result, users have to be trained in order to cope with the inadequacies of the user interface. An effective, simple controlling of the image recording device is not possible.
Another problem is that of monitoring information, such as system status or information concerning the measurement in progress. In known representations on the display device of an image acquisition device, such items of information are usually shown in a small font size at the lower left edge of a display screen. These items of monitoring information are superimposed on parts of the image, and are not integrated into the user interface. The connection between the images and the individual measurement steps is difficult to understand.
Further disadvantages of known user interfaces and control methods include, for example, the situation of similar operating elements at different locations, and the usually unclear connection between operating elements and items of information that should belong together, i.e. that are associated with the same step. For example, depending on the measurement method, the measurement is started at different positions in the user interface or in a pop-up window, and items of information or operating elements that belong together are situated far away from one another in the user interface. In addition, in particular due to the above-mentioned separate positioning of items of monitoring information, in currently used user interfaces the user cannot recognize if a step still actually has to be carried out, and whether operating elements may still effectively be used to set operating parameters.
Thus, in summary, the controlling of the recording of measurement data in image recording devices, in particular magnetic resonance devices, is extremely complicated and prone to errors. In the context of the present description, the acquisition of measurement data may also include the planning of measurement steps and their basic evaluation, for example quality control.
An object of the present invention is to provide a control method for acquiring measurement data in imaging devices that, through the production of information in real time that is adapted to the status of the image recording device, enables control of the imaging device that is less susceptible to error and is easier to understand, so that the image quality is also improved.
This object is achieved by a method for controlling acquisition of measurement data in a medical imaging device that has a control device and an operating device having a display device for displaying a graphic user interface that includes a navigation area and a content area. In accordance with the invention, when a step is selected during the operating sequence in the acquisition of measurement data in the navigation area of the user interface, an item of status information concerning the step is determined by the control device, and dependent on the status information, at least one status-specific item of information and/or at least one status-specific operating element is displayed in the content area.
The user interface that is to be displayed, that has a navigation area in which a step can be selected during the operating sequence for the acquisition of measurement data, and also includes a content area, can thus be adapted dynamically to the current state or status of the image recording device. An item of technical information, the status information, which describes the state of the image recording device at least with regard to the selected step during the operating sequence of the recording of the measurement data, is correspondingly evaluated in order to enable the selection and displaying in the user interface of particular items of status-specific information, for example including items of monitoring information and/or status-specific operating elements with which for example operating parameters, in particular recording parameters, of the image recording device can be set. On the basis of the operating parameters set via the operating elements, in particular recording parameters, the controlling of the image recording device then takes place via the control device; in other words, as a consequence the image recording device is controlled in a manner corresponding to the selection made via the at least one operating element.
Thus, the invention is a dynamic user interface matched to specific steps, in particular measurement steps, in the operating sequence of the acquisition of measurement data, the user interface being as a result configured so as to be suitable for the task at hand, and presenting the information necessary for the examination being carried out in the right place and at the right time. The method according to the present invention thus supports the user in making decisions, and the dynamic contents help guide the user through the examination. As a result, the goal of providing good images for a diagnosis quickly and without error is achieved effectively, efficiently, and satisfactorily. Ultimately, therefore, the operating sequence of the examination (or of the recording of the measurement data), as technical information, is evaluated and imaged in the user interface in a manner focused on the task at hand. Through this imaging, connections in the operating sequence can be dynamically visualized, so that ultimately a concept is described that enables the production of a user interface that is suitable for the task. The method guides the user systematically through the operating sequence. Time and mental energy can be saved because the method offers appropriate and understandable work information and tools. Thus, distracting information is removed, and overloading of the user interface is avoided.
This ultimately also results in shorter processing times and faster examinations. The user can concentrate better on the patient being examined, the work with the image recording device is simpler, and user motivation is increased because errors are avoided and the operating sequence flows better.
An item of status information can be used that assumes three values, the first value indicating that the step still has to be processed, the second value indicating that the step is currently being processed, and the third value indicating that the step has already been processed. In the context of the operating sequence, the recording of the measurement data is generally made up of a measurement protocol having a plurality of measurement steps, or also other steps, that are processed one after the other. Consequently, the user first determines a focus by selecting a step in the navigation area, for example from a working list. Depending on the value of the item of status information (step accomplished/measured, step currently being accomplished/measured, step still has to be accomplished/measured), relevant items of information and operating elements are displayed.
For a measurement step that is still to be processed, at least one item of planning information, in particular at least one image that is to be used as a basis for the planning, is selected and is displayed in the content area, and/or at least one operating element used for planning is displayed in the content area. If, consequently, a measurement step is still to be planned (focus on planning), the method can be used to automatically display the image or images that the user can use in this planning. For example, the previously recorded images can be cataloged and assigned to measurement steps in the operating sequence. Consequently, for each subsequent measurement step/operating step, the image that is optimally suitable for the planning can automatically be loaded into the content area. In addition, for the planning specific operating elements can be used in order to enable operating parameters, here in particular recording parameters, to be set.
With regard to the second value, for a measurement step that is currently being processed, at least one item of information concerning the current measurement is displayed in the content area. In such a case, the focus of the user is thus on monitoring. If a measurement step is currently being measured, the method displays information about the current measurement. In particular, this is detailed information, for example the images currently being measured, a graphic representation of the measurements within a step (for example given multiple measurements with pauses), and the like. Here as well, of course, operating elements can be provided in order for example to stop the measurement or to enable modification of parameters.
Finally, with regard to the third value, for an already-processed measurement step, at least one image measured in said measurement step, and/or at least one operating element for the renewed execution of this measurement step, is displayed in the content area. Because, as is known, the control device tracks which steps have been assigned already-measured images, these images can be displayed there when the measurement step is re-selected. Of course, an image can also be allocated to a plurality of steps if it is used for example for the planning of a further step. In addition, it can be possible for an operating element to be displayed in the content area for the renewed execution of this measurement step. Thus, the user can for example view the image or images and, if their quality is inadequate, decide to carry out a so-called “rerun”; i.e. to measure the corresponding images again. However, particularly advantageously it can be provided that, on the basis of an algorithm, the measurement data of the image are evaluated with regard to their quality and a corresponding item of information, in particular a proposal for the re-execution of this measurement step, can be displayed in the content area. Consequently, a first evaluation of the recorded measurement data of the image assists the user in making the decision to carry out a rerun if warranted. Here it can be provided that the measurement data are evaluated for measurement artifacts and/or the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and/or the contrast-to-noise ratio. For example, in the case of magnetic resonance a search can be made for convolutions that are relatively easy to determine algorithmically. In order to derive therefrom the proposal for the renewed execution of the measurement step, i.e. a rerun, criteria, for example boundary values, can be provided upon whose fulfillment the corresponding item of information is displayed. Thus, it is possible to re-measure the images if they do not meet the desired level of quality.
In a further embodiment of the method according to the present invention, the item of status information is determined continuously, and, given a change in the status, the item of information specific to the new status and/or the operating element specific to the new status is displayed, in particular after confirmation by a user. In this case, the technical information is thus permanently tracked via the state of the image recording device, so that for example after the conclusion of a measurement step the displayed items of monitoring information can be replaced, after confirmation by the user if warranted, by a display of the measured images and first evaluation options. Thus, a constant monitoring takes place that enables a real-time adaptation of the user interface.
Various values of the status information can be assigned a color and/or a type of emphasis, and steps displayed in the navigation area can be colored depending on the value of their status information. In this case, as a result the status of each step is continuously monitored; that is, the associated status information is queried and the configuration of the user interface is correspondingly adapted. For example, already processed/measured steps can be displayed in gray, steps currently being measured and steps still to be measured can be colored green, and the currently selected step can be shown in brown. This makes the display intuitive and easy to survey, and the user is given additional information concerning the progress of the operating sequence. In order to further increase the intuitiveness and information content of the user interface, it can additionally be provided that all displayed items of information and/or operating elements that can be allocated to a step are shown in the color corresponding to the status information of that step.
For the selection of the steps, in the navigation area an operating of selectable steps can be displayed in a selection sub-area. In the form of such an operating list, an easy and convenient selection of steps of the operating sequence is possible.
The navigation area can have a status sub-area in which current items of monitoring information are displayed relating to the recording of the measurement data and/or the image recording device, and/or a physiology sub-area in which current physiological data of a patient to be examined, in particular the EKG, are displayed. If items of monitoring information are displayed, the user then always has visual access to the status of the measurement data recording/image recording device. In this way, it is always possible to intervene in the measurement as needed. For example, as items of monitoring information status bars and a countdown, the countdown of pauses, general items of system information (system adjusting, measurement stopped, system waiting for user input, automatic respiratory commands, . . . ), and the like can be displayed. At the same time, if a physiology sub-area is provided, it is also possible to constantly keep an eye on the relevant data of a patient, for example his EKG or the like, in order to enable intervention in case of emergency. In this way, optimal information increases the user's overview.
The content area can include an image sub-area, in which images are displayed that are assigned to the selected step, and/or a setting sub-area in which monitoring information and/or at least one operating element are displayed. Thus, as already described, the content area contains general items of information relating to the selected operating step. Concretely, for example, in an upper sub-area images can be displayed that are being used to work, or that are relevant for the selected step, it being determined, as described, which images are assigned to which steps. However, the user can also be given the possibility of loading different images at any time in order for example to use them for planning. In a further sub-area, items of information and setting possibilities concerning the selected step can be provided.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, the user interface can include, in addition to the navigation area and the content area, a storage area in which selection elements, in particular thumbnails and/or folders of various categories of images, can be displayed for the user-defined selection of already-recorded images. Here, thumbnails are small versions of the actual image, provided if warranted with text elements for identification. In the method, it can be provided that measured images are automatically assigned to particular image categories. Such folders are frequently also referred to as segments. For example, the images can be automatically sorted according to their orientation. Thus, for example in the case of cardiac examinations, it can be provided that as folders “minor axis,” “two-chamber view,” “three-chamber view,” “four-chamber view,” and “localizer,” as well as “other” if warranted, can be provided.
Usefully, the storage area can comprise a folder sub-area, in which the folders, in particular provided with icons, can be selected, and a thumbnail sub-area in which the images of a selected folder can be selected. The folders in the folder sub-area can in particular be provided with icons that for example reproduce the orientation in a quickly surveyable manner.
If no folders are provided, it can also be provided that in the storage area only the images assigned to the selected step can be displayed and/or selected.
For a more intuitive apprehension of the connections preferably provided that images shown in a storage area and assigned to a step are shown in the color corresponding to the status of the step, or at least one image currently displayed in the content area is displayed with emphasis in the storage area. In this way, the connections can be surveyed even more easily, and the accessibility of the user interface is further increased.
In order to enable an adaptation by the user of the user interface, wherein the various areas comprise sub-areas, the sub-areas of an area can be adapted in their size and situation by a user. In this way, a user can optimally configure the areas—navigation area, content area, and, if warranted, storage area—according to his personal requirements. A wide variety of possibilities is conceivable here; for example, items of monitoring information and items of physiological information can be displayed above an operating list, or a decision can be made as to whether and how many images are displayed in the content area.
A further possibility for adaptation is provided if the navigation area, the content area, and, if warranted, the storage area are displayed as columns. Such a column representation enables a particularly simple and easily surveyable structuring of the user interface. In particular, it can then be provided that the width of the columns can be adjusted by a user.
In a further embodiment of the method according to the present invention, the user interface images the operating sequence of the recording of the measurement data in the direction of reading, i.e. from left to right and/or from top to bottom. For example, it can be provided that the navigation area, fashioned as a column, the content area, fashioned as a column, and, if warranted, the storage area, fashioned as a column, succeed one another from left to right. This provides additional intuitiveness and simplicity of the controlling. In addition, it can usefully be provided that, in particular at the upper edge of the user interface, a bar can be provided that displays various sub-processes of the operating sequence, each including a number of steps, the current sub-process, in particular the preparation or execution of the recording of the measurement data, being displayed with emphasis. Such a bar thus guides the user through the operating sequence. In addition to the possibilities already named, sub-processes can include “prepare examination” and “carry out examination,” as well as “register patient” or “evaluate images.”
In addition to the method, the present invention also relates to an image acquisition device, in particular a magnetic resonance device, having a control device and an operating device fashioned for the execution of the method according to the present invention. All embodiments relating to the method carry over to the image recording device. In such an image acquisition device, via the control device, the status of the image recording device, in particular of a selected step, is able to be determined, which is expressed as a dynamic adaptation of a user interface that is to be displayed on a display device of the operating device. In this way, the current state of the image recording device is thus converted into a user guide oriented to the operating sequence, enabling a user interface suitable to the task at hand. The user is systematically guided through the operating sequence, making it possible to save time and mental energy, remove distracting information, and thus to realize a faster examination that avoids error.
The present invention also relates to a user interface for display on a display device of an operating device of an image acquisition device, the interface having a navigation area and a content area, such that after determination of an item of status information concerning a step upon selection of the step in the operating sequence of the measurement data recording in the navigation area of the user interface, at least one status-specific item of information and/or at least one status-specific operating element can be displayed in the content area as a function of the status information. The advantages described above are also achieved by the user interface according to the present invention.
As a function of the item of status information, in a second step 2 a user interface (described in more detail below) displayed on a display device of an operating device of the image recording device is then dynamically adapted. This essentially takes place in two ways. First, the item of status information of a step selected in the user interface is used to display, in a content area of the user interface, status-specific items of information and status-specific operating elements, which is to be explained in more detail in particular in relation to
Moreover, the currently selected step is also assigned a color; in the present exemplary embodiment, this color is brown.
In step 2, via the user interface a user can then use the operating elements to set operating parameters, in particular recording parameters. Of course, an immediate controlling of the image recording device is also conceivable.
The actual controlling takes place in a step 3 of the method according to the present invention; that is, the image data acquisition device is controlled corresponding to the selection made via the operating elements of the user interface.
Thus, through the determination of the status information it is possible to display at all times to a user the currently required up-to-date information and operating elements specific to this status.
In the method according to the present invention, each measurement step 7 is now assigned at each point in time an item of status information that, as described above, can assume three values depending on whether the step has already been processed, is currently being processed, or still has to be processed. The basic sequence of an examination 4 shown in
In order to enable further orientation to be given to a user regarding the examination sequence, user interface 7 additionally has a bar 11 situated on the upper edge of user interface 7, the bar displaying sub-processes 5 and indicating the sub-process currently being carried out, here the execution of the examination/measurement data recording, with display emphasis, as shown by hatching 12.
In order to enable user interface 7 to be adapted individually or to different diagnostic situations, the widths of the columns, i.e. of navigation area 8, content area 9, and storage area 10, can be adapted by the user.
Navigation area 8 further comprises a physiology sub-area 17 in which, in the present case, an EKG 18 of the patient to be examined is shown.
Finally, a status sub-area 19 is also provided in which various items of monitoring information 20 are shown that provide information concerning the state of the image recording device or of the measurement data recording. For example, here status bars, countdowns, currently measured images, general system information (system adjusting, measurement stopped, system waiting for user input, automatic respiratory commands, . . . ) and the like are shown.
The user thus always has visual access to items of monitoring information 20, the physiological data, and operating list 15.
In variant 22, three smaller image sub-areas 24 are provided above a larger setting area 25, while in variant 23 a single large image sub-area 24 is provided having a somewhat smaller setting area 25.
In variant 26, the storage area has a folder sub-area 29 and a thumbnail sub-area 30 in which images are displayed of a selected folder 32 as miniature preview versions, i.e. thumbnails 31, and can be selected. Currently selected folder 32 is likewise identified to the user by an emphasis. Furthermore, icons 34 can be provided on the representations of folders 32, enabling easy identification of the folder.
In variant 27, in which storage area 10 is made narrower, a larger folder sub-area 29, and only one small image sub-area 30, is provided. Of course, operating elements 35 can also be present via which, in case it is not possible to show all thumbnails 31, further thumbnails 31 can be brought to display.
Variant 28 shows a version in which only thumbnails 31 are displayed.
Here, it is to be noted that the design of the various areas, i.e. of navigation area 8, content area 9, and storage area 10, can be adapted by a user. For example, the arrangement of various sub-areas can be modified, their size can be adjusted, and if warranted some sub-areas may even be completely omitted. Thus, a user can, on his own initiative, alternate between the depicted variants 21, 22, 23 or 26, 27, 28, or can create his own settings.
As already mentioned, the content of content area 9 depends essentially on the value of the item of status information of selected step 14a.
Although modifications and changes may be suggested by those skilled in the art, it is the intention of the inventors to embody within the patent warranted hereon all changes and modifications as reasonably and properly come within the scope of their contribution to the art.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 2009 007 040.0 | Feb 2009 | DE | national |
