Patent Application
20100208959
The present application hereby claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 on German patent application number DE 10 2009 009 385.0 filed Feb. 18, 2009, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
At least one embodiment of the invention generally relates to a method for managing and/or processing medical image data, in particular for controlling a medical workflow. Furthermore, at least one embodiment of the invention generally relates to a computer system and to a computer program product having a computer program code for implementing the method.
The publication DE 101 25 504 B4 discloses a method and a computer system for workflow management, which is shown in the upper part of
Medical modalities such as CT and MR devices are shown in detail on the inner ring M in
Once the images have been recorded, they are sent to the external ring P in
The afore-cited method discloses how the individual postprocessing steps, which are to be implemented by users U, generally physicians, can be specified in the form of a taskflow template. Different taskflow templates are prepared here for different image types. When introducing an image into a postprocessing system, the image is analyzed and classified on the basis of its image header parameter. A taskflow template is assigned in accordance with this classification (e.g. CT neck image, MR leg image) and the user is guided by the steps specified in the template in order to implement the finding. The taskflow template therefore controls the post-processing process in hospital.
The known taskflow templates describe postprocessing steps, which are to be implemented by the physicians. Taskflow template mapping is currently implemented on a DICON image basis. When receiving an image, its header is analyzed, a corresponding taskflow template is assigned and its processing is activated. The afore-cited prior art nevertheless does not describe a method, with which it would be possible to implement a taskflow template mapping which assumes the control of the exam processes (prior to postprocessing). This results in exam processes proceeding in an uncontrolled manner and thus potentially being faulty. Different physicians may implement the processes differently. This also fails to ensure that exam processes are attuned to the subsequent postprocessing processes so that a correct finding is implemented at the end of the processing chain.
In at least one embodiment of the invention, the afore-cited procedure in respect of controlling exam processes is improved.
One aspect of at least one embodiment of the invention is a method for managing and/or processing medical image data having the following steps:
In particular, at least one embodiment of the inventive method is used to control a medical workflow.
An output file which corresponds to the template and has data for identifying the processing steps is preferably generated.
The classification is expediently implemented in a rule-based fashion on the basis of the said classification criteria.
Processing steps could be grouped here on the basis of the extracted description data.
A further aspect of at least one embodiment of the invention is a computer system for implementing the method as claimed in one of the inventive method steps, comprising
means for classifying image data, which comprise description data according to a predefined structure,
means for assigning image data to a template as a function of the classification, with the template specifying the respective processing of image data in one or several processing steps, characterized by
means for extracting classification criteria from the description data.
Furthermore, the computer system can comprise means for generating an output file which corresponds to the template and has data for identifying the processing steps.
A further aspect of at least one embodiment of the invention is a computer program product having a computer program code for implementing the method steps of the inventive method, with the computer program code being executed on a computer, in particular on the computer system according to one of the preceding apparatus designs.
A further aspect of at least one embodiment of the invention is that the computer program code of the computer program product is stored on a medium which can be read by a computer.
At least one embodiment of the invention is characterized by at least one of the following advantages.
An example embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing, in which;
Various example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings in which only some example embodiments are shown. Specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are merely representative for purposes of describing example embodiments. The present invention, however, may be embodied in many alternate forms and should not be construed as limited to only the example embodiments set forth herein.
Accordingly, while example embodiments of the invention are capable of various modifications and alternative forms, embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent to limit example embodiments of the present invention to the particular forms disclosed. On the contrary, example embodiments are to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the invention. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout the description of the figures.
It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a first element, without departing from the scope of example embodiments of the present invention. As used herein, the term “and/or,” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected,” or “coupled,” to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected,” or “directly coupled,” to another element, there are no intervening elements present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between,” versus “directly between,” “adjacent,” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.).
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the,” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, the terms “and/or” and “at least one of” include any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” and/or “including,” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions/acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two figures shown in succession may in fact be executed substantially concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved.
Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath”, “below”, “lower”, “above”, “upper”, and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, term such as “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein are interpreted accordingly.
Although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, it should be understood that these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used only to distinguish one element, component, region, layer, or section from another region, layer, or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer, or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer, or section without departing from the teachings of the present invention.
In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, taskflow templates are proposed, which not only describe postprocessing steps, but also contain exam processes. Furthermore, a taskflow template mapper MP is introduced, which is able to promptly assign the new taskflow templates, i.e. even before starting the exams. An embodiment of the inventive mapper is thus able to control larger workflows, which contain both exam and also postprocessing processes.
In respect of modalities on the inner ring M of
The DICOM modality worklist in
DICOM modality work lists can be used as a basis for taskflows, which control both exam and also postprocessing processes. A DICOM modality worklist contains all demographic patient data needed therefor as well as details relating to the modality examinations to be implemented and desired findings. Protocols can proceed in an exam corresponding to a taskflow on the basis of the data in the DICOM modality worklist (e.g. “US Neck Exam for Men”) and suitable postprocessing steps can subsequently be implemented (e.g. “2D Viewing US Neck” and “Create Report US Neck”). The mapping (assignment) of these comprehensive taskflow templates is illustrated in
The mapper MP in
The architecture in
1. Task and taskflow template repositories R
2. Taskflow template mapper MP
The task template respository in the left upper part of
The taskflow template repository in the right upper part of
The taskflow template mapper functions according to the following algorithm. The mapper firstly analyses the DICOM modality worklist entered at the input. It extracts the information concerning
Based on this information, the taskflow template mapper examines the taskflow template repository and attempts to find a taskflow template which corresponds to the criteria extracted from the DICOM modality worklist.
Upon discovery of a suitable taskflow template, the taskflow template mapper assigns the template in the system. It is thus known within the system and can be started in order to control the exam and postprocessing processes. In this connection, the correspondence of the parameter from the DICOM modality worklist to the taskflow template can be configured. The configuration is generally site-specific (location-dependent). It normally depends on which procedure catalogue is offered by the respective “imaging” department. The configuration is processed by a so-called knowledge-based rules engine. The user interface for configuring the rules, according to which the assignment of the taskflow templates is to take place, is illustrated in
The following prioritized rules are supported:
A further advantage of an embodiment of the invention resides in a 1:1 assignment of requested procedure to task flow template not always taking place. Instead, attempts are made to group associated processes and/or procedures and to assign the group to a single highly-specialized taskflow template (N:1 mapping). A configuration for this is illustrated in the top part of
A grouping takes place for procedures of a patient. This reduces the time taken to process the procedure. As a grouped specialized taskflow can be processed more quickly, it is possible for each procedure to be processed as an individual task flow. For instance, a special taskflow template can exist for MR head and lungs. It is assigned for two requested procedures “MR Head” and “MR Lung”, instead of assigning two individual taskflow templates.
An additional example of procedure grouping during taskflow template mapping is shown in
All procedures “CT Chest/Abdomen/Pelvis” and “PET_WholeBody” of a patient are combined and mapped onto the workflow template “Hybrid_Oncology_Templ—1”. It should be highlighted that in this case the workflow template can even process images of two different modalities.
The patent claims filed with the application are formulation proposals without prejudice for obtaining more extensive patent protection. The applicant reserves the right to claim even further combinations of features previously disclosed only in the description and/or drawings.
The example embodiment or each example embodiment should not be understood as a restriction of the invention. Rather, numerous variations and modifications are possible in the context of the present disclosure, in particular those variants and combinations which can be inferred by the person skilled in the art with regard to achieving the object for example by combination or modification of individual features or elements or method steps that are described in connection with the general or specific part of the description and are contained in the claims and/or the drawings, and, by way of combinable features, lead to a new subject matter or to new method steps or sequences of method steps, including insofar as they concern production, testing and operating methods.
References back that are used in dependent claims indicate the further embodiment of the subject matter of the main claim by way of the features of the respective dependent claim; they should not be understood as dispensing with obtaining independent protection of the subject matter for the combinations of features in the referred-back dependent claims. Furthermore, with regard to interpreting the claims, where a feature is concretized in more specific detail in a subordinate claim, it should be assumed that such a restriction is not present in the respective preceding claims.
Since the subject matter of the dependent claims in relation to the prior art on the priority date may form separate and independent inventions, the applicant reserves the right to make them the subject matter of independent claims or divisional declarations. They may furthermore also contain independent inventions which have a configuration that is independent of the subject matters of the preceding dependent claims.
Further, elements and/or features of different example embodiments may be combined with each other and/or substituted for each other within the scope of this disclosure and appended claims.
Still further, any one of the above-described and other example features of the present invention may be embodied in the form of an apparatus, method, system, computer program, computer readable medium and computer program product. For example, of the aforementioned methods may be embodied in the form of a system or device, including, but not limited to, any of the structure for performing the methodology illustrated in the drawings.
Even further, any of the aforementioned methods may be embodied in the form of a program. The program may be stored on a computer readable medium and is adapted to perform any one of the aforementioned methods when run on a computer device (a device including a processor). Thus, the storage medium or computer readable medium, is adapted to store information and is adapted to interact with a data processing facility or computer device to execute the program of any of the above mentioned embodiments and/or to perform the method of any of the above mentioned embodiments.
The computer readable medium or storage medium may be a built-in medium installed inside a computer device main body or a removable medium arranged so that it can be separated from the computer device main body. Examples of the built-in medium include, but are not limited to, rewriteable non-volatile memories, such as ROMs and flash memories, and hard disks. Examples of the removable medium include, but are not limited to, optical storage media such as CD-ROMs and DVDs; magneto-optical storage media, such as MOs; magnetism storage media, including but not limited to floppy disks (trademark), cassette tapes, and removable hard disks; media with a built-in rewriteable non-volatile memory, including but not limited to memory cards; and media with a built-in ROM, including but not limited to ROM cassettes; etc. Furthermore, various information regarding stored images, for example, property information, may be stored in any other form, or it may be provided in other ways.
Example embodiments being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the present invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 2009 009 385.0 | Feb 2009 | DE | national |
