MXPA97008846A - Image system for ultrasonic diagnostics with communications capacities and access to da - Google Patents

Abstract

An image system for ultrasonic diagnosis is described that is capable of accessing images and information from external and internal databases through a search engine. Access to such images or information may be on a local network or on a worldwide network such as the Internet. The search engine can be used to place preset data or reference images in the system from a library of reference images for example

Description

SYSTEM OF IMAGES FOR ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSIS WITH COMMUNICATIONS CAPABILITIES AND ACCESS TO DATA FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to improvements in imaging systems for ultrasonic diagnostics, which can access data, images, messages and other types of information from other ultrasound systems and information sources.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The U.S. (serial number No. 08 / 719,360) describes an image system for ultrasonic diagnosis with an HTTP server that allows access to the system and transmits ultrasonic images and reports about the World Wide Web (World Wide Web), allowing a physician to consult the diagnostic results stored in their ultrasound system, from virtually any computer terminal in the world. This ability to have access to an ultrasound system and to retrieve information and images of it can be characterized as "take-out" technology, since the physician is REF: 26130"taking" information out of the ultrasound system from a remote location. This contrasts with the "push" technology of the prior art ultrasound networks, where the operator of the ultrasound system was required to "push" the information affirmatively out of the ultrasound system and onto a network or image hoarder, before that the information could be transmitted or used externally to the ultrasound system.

In addition to allowing access to information to users located remotely from an ultrasound system, it would be desirable to provide the operator of the ultrasound system with the ability to access the remotely located information and "pull out" this information within the ultrasound system, to support the ultrasound exam. For example, a physician may be uncertain about the nature of the pathology in an image scanned by ultrasound. The physician may wish to compare the acquired image with the images of known pathological conditions. This will be facilitated by allowing the physician to retrieve a reference image from a library of images of known pathological conditions. Said library can be located on the ultrasound system itself, on a local network to which the ultrasound system is connected, or at a remote location.

As another example, the operator of the ultrasound system may have a particular set of preconditions that he prefers to use for a particular type of examination. These preconditions can initialize the installation of the ultrasound system for that type of examination, or execute a predetermined type of analysis such as an obstetric measurement. The operator may have previously used the preconditions in another ultrasound system or store them in a network storage device. It would be desirable to allow the operator to retrieve the preconditions from the other ultrasound system or storage location, so that they can be automatically implemented for the current examination.

It would also be desirable to allow the operator of the ultrasound system to communicate directly with other physicians or locations. For example, an ultrasound that has examined a patient wants to call a diagnostic doctor to review and make a diagnosis of the ultrasound images that are just being obtained. It would be convenient for the ultrasound to be able to call the doctor from the ultrasound system, either by sending a message to the doctor's office or by contacting the doctor immediately at any place in the hospital.

It would also be desirable to allow the operator of the ultrasound system to have the ability to transmit the acquired images or diagnostic reports directly from the ultrasound system to a physician in another location. This would make it possible, for example, for a diagnostic doctor to prepare an immediate diagnosis of the images and reports on the ultrasound system, and to communicate the diagnosis and its support images and report them directly to the referred doctor, bringing more immediate attention to a patient. sick patient.

It would also be desirable to provide the operator of the ultrasound system with immediate access to the latest information about the ultrasound system and its capabilities. The operator would have immediate access to the most current information about ultrasound probes, system conditions and operating aids that allow the execution of the best ultrasound examination for any pathological condition. It would be possible for the manufacturer to deliver bulletins and reports with this type of information directly to the ultrasound system and to the operator, quickly obtain this type of information if it is not present in the ultrasound system.

It would also be desirable for the operator of the ultrasound system to have direct access to other types of information in databases in other areas of a hospital. Information about doctors and patients, who reside in a hospital information system, would be directly accessible from the ultrasound system. It would also be possible for the hospital information system to acquire information directly from the ultrasound system, to determine information related to the use of the ultrasound system or for the preparation of patient records and reports for example.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the principles of the present invention, the above capabilities are provided for an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system by incorporating a browser into the ultrasound system. The busacdor is a computer program that allows the operator of the ultrasound system to see documents in hypertext. Said hypertext documents may be resident in the same ultrasound system or available in other locations. The operator of the ultrasound system can use the finder to obtain ultrasound images and other information within the ultrasound system from these locations. This makes it possible for the operator to have access to reference diagnostic images on the system or elsewhere, and to have access to data on other systems or networks such as patient and doctor data stored in a patient information system. hospital. The search engine can also be used to access the latest manufacturer's diagnostic bulletins and aids, and to electronically examine system information such as the system's operating or service manuals. By using the busacdor, the operator can retrieve preconditions for specific examinations from other ultrasound systems or storage locations.

In the drawings: Figure 1 illustrates in the form of a block diagram, an ultrasound diagnostic imaging system with a searcher constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention; Figure 2 illustrates a network through which ultrasound systems have access to a library of reference images and a hospital information system and, Figure 3 illustrates, in the form of a block diagram, the interaction of a search engine with the image and control elements of an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system.

With reference to Figures 1 and 3, there is shown an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system 10 constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The ultrasound system 10 includes various conventional components, including an explorer head 14 with an ultrasonic transducer 12 that transmits ultrasonic waves within the body of a patient, receives echoes returning from the interaction of the transmitted waves with the organs and internal tissues of the body , and convert the received echoes into electrical echo signals. The electrical echo signals are appropriately delayed and combined by a beam concentrator 16 to form coherent beams of echo information. The echo information beams are processed by a signal processor 64 in accordance with the type of diagnostic information to be obtained (eg, B-mode, Doppler, color flow). The processed echo information is coupled to an exposure processor 68, to form ultrasonic images, which are stored in a report and image storage medium 24, displayed on a screen 70, or both.

The operation of the ultrasound system 10 is under the control of a control board 20, whereby an operator sends control commands and interacts in another way with an ultrasound system controller 18. The control board 20 conventionally contains an amount of user operable controls such as a keyboard 22, a path knob 26 and a selection key 27. The controls of the control panel together with the controls of the displayed video with which the operator can interact (sometimes referred to as "keys") soft ") are referred to as the user interface. The operator can also manipulate the user's interface to prepare the diagnostic reports of the ultrasound examinations carried out, using a computer program (software) report generator that is conventionally stored in an ultrasound system or placed in the module. diagnosis. Diagnostic reports can be displayed or printed on a printer (not shown), and can also be stored on the storage of reports and images 24.

The ultrasound system 10 includes a server 30 of a HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP for its acronym in English). The HTTP server 30 connects to images and ultrasonic access reports of the storage medium 24, making the reports and system images accessible to a personal computer, terminal, or workstation in a remote location. In Figure 1, the server 30 is connected by a modem 32 to access an external or local communication network. The server 30 makes the diagnostic information of the ultrasound system 10 available to the connected users to access the ultrasound system via a communication network, such as the network shown in Figure 2.

The server 30 is connected to the modem 32 through a serial port 31. The modem 32 converts the serial digital data of the serial port 31 into appropriate analog signals for transmission over telephone lines. The modem also translates analog telephone signals into digital data to pass through serial port 31 and be used by the ultrasound system. An appropriate modem is available from Hayes Microcomputer Products, Ine, which has established standards used by various modem manufacturers.

The communication with the modem 32 is established by a computer program known as the PPP (point-to-point protocol) package as shown in block 48 of the drawing. PPP is a standard that allows multiple network protocols to be used over a modem line or other serial connection. Other standards can be used such as the SLIP (Serial Line Internet Protocol), a standard that allows a communications protocol known as TCP / IP (discussed below) to be used over a modem line or other serial connection, or CSLIP (Serial Compressed Line Internet Protocol), a specialized form of the SLIP. After the PPP package has been installed in the ultrasound system, it must be initialized or configured for the ultrasound system and the modem with which it is operating. The configuration information controls the PPP packet to be compatible with features such as the serial port being used, the type of modem used, the telephone line, the guest's telephone number and the dialing method, the registration chronological and access passwords. In general, the configuration information provides the calibrations related to the start of the connection to the network, when a connection is initiated, and what happens after a connection has been established. The PPP computation program is incorporated into some operating system computing programs such as Windows 95 from the Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Washington for IBM-compatible personal computers. The PPP package for Apple personal computers is available from InterCon Systems Corporation of Herndon, Virginia among others.

The communication with the PPP computing program is a network protocol called the Protocol Series of Internet TCP / IP. TCP / IP is named after its two most commonly used protocols, the Protocol Internet (IP) and the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP). The IP protocol controls the routing of the data and the TCP protocol controls the transfer of the data. TCP / IP provides a common means of interconnection using packet transfer devices known as gateways. A gateway is a computer specialized in Internet networks, which connects two or more networks and routes the data packets between them.

When the ultrasound system has data that you want to transfer over the Internet or another network, the data is passed to TCP / IP as shown in block 46 of the drawing. TCP encapsulates data within segments called TCP packets with header information that is used to track, check and sort the data segments in the proper sequence. Since a block of data is transmitted on the Internet in discrete packets, of which the individual packets can be routed differently through the gateways, it is not ensured that packets will arrive at their destination in the proper order or without errors. TCP packets provide a means of securing the delivery, integrity and sort order of the packet. At the receiving end, packets are checked for errors in accordance with the TCP packet header information, error-free segments are recognized, and packets are placed in order to reassemble the original data blocks. The issuer follows up the acknowledgments of the segments, and if a segment is not recognized in time, the issuer retransmits the package. If a segment is lost in an initial transmission or it is taken out of service, the TCP keeps the segments received until all the segments are counted in the received end, time in which they can be ordered in their proper sequence and complete for reensa blarse of the original data block.

At the transmitting end, the TCP packets pass to the IP, which places the segments in the form of IP packets or datagrams. The datagram contains an IP header that supplies the address information used by the gateways to route the datagram to its proper destination. The IP header contains the source and destination of the Internet addresses to allow the input ports to route the data appropriately, and for the receiver to acknowledge the datagram. The IP makes its best effort attempt to deliver all datagrams, but does not ensure delivery. The assurance of the delivery is provided through the TCP through the recognition and retransmission as mentioned above.

Like the PPP computing program, TCP / IP needs to be configured for the particular ultrasound system and its environment. Typical configuration information for TCP / IP includes information on the type of local network if the ultrasound system is locally networked with other ultrasound equipment (eg, Ethernet or signaling network), information such as addresses of other systems in the local network, the address of the gateway if the system is performing a router function, the user number of the ultrasound equipment and the access password, the address of the servers in the system ultrasound, the Internet address (IP address) for the ultrasound system, and the default field for the local network. Like the PPP, the TCP / IP computing program also comes with some computer programs for the system such as Windows 95, and is available for InterCon Apple computers.

In Figure 1, the TCP / IP is connected to a local network medium, in this case an Ethernet connection 50. The Ethernet connection 50 connects the ultrasound system to other systems over a local network. The traditional Ethernet network uses a linear data bus line, with multiple access for the carrier sensor with collision detection (CSMA / CD). It is sometimes described by a similar standard that uses an alternate frame format under IEEE 802.3. The Ethernet 50 connection can be used to access local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), IEEE 802.5 signal calls or other network infrastructure. The data can be tramsitir on a network of Ethernet at high speed (previously 10 megabits per second; the current versions have speeds of up to 100 megabits per second), allowing each system to transmit only when no other system is currently transmitting over the system.

The interaction with the PPP and TCP / IP network packet is the HTTP server 30. The HTTP server is a computer program with which a web browser communicates to access information from the system. ultrasound. The HTTP server responds to external or internal requirements by deploying Web pages of information and hypertext connections for additional pages of the Network and information such as images and reports of ultrasound. The HTTP server also responds to external requirements to carry out a specific action associated with a button or control on the ultrasound system, as described more fully in the original application.

In response to external requirements, the HTTP server 30 transmits pages in HyperText Markup Language (HTML) 34 to a requesting Network browser. The HTML pages describe what the Network browser will display on the screen in a remote terminal, including buttons, text, images, series of animated images in real time, sounds and the like. HTML pages can be directly encoded in the computer program following the instructions published in various reference texts such as HTML and CGI Unleashed, by John December and Mark Ginsburg, published by Sams.net Publishing, Indianapolis, Indiana. Simple HTML pages can be written using commercially available word processing software and word processing software, then encoded in HTML form using computer programs known as Internet Assistant or similarly functional computing programs, which can be downloaded to through the Microsoft page at www.microsoft.com. Alternatively, the public domain computer program known as "Webmaker" can be downloaded from the Internet and used to make web pages. Web pages contain HTML data tags that describe how the page is interpreted by a search engine. of the Network. The links with the ultrasound images files are supplied by IMG tags in the web page code. A HREF hypertext reference provides a means to link to other Network pages on the same ultrasound equipment, or the pages of the Network in some other host team on the network. Once the HTML pages are created, they are copied to the ultrasound equipment and their storage addresses are supplied to the HTTP server. When a remote terminal or a browser requests to see a particular page on the Ultrasound Equipment Network, the HTTP 30 server is responsible for finding the page and sending its content back to the requester.

The ultrasound system 10 includes a variety of small executable programs called Common Gateway Input Inferiority (CGI) programs as shown in 36. CGI programs provide an interface between the HTML pages and the equipment of computation and package of the ultrasound system. CGI programs communicate with the ultrasound system, requesting the system to execute actions or supply the required information such as images, reports or current situation. In a built mode, CGI programs respond to requests for information by dynamically creating custom HTML pages in which the requested information is hosted. The original application, illustrates the operation of CGI programs that provide the patient directories of images and ultrasound reports, the deployment of a selected ultrasound image, general-purpose programs that execute tasks in response to input arguments, lead to perform system diagnostics; and provide patient directories for a number of ultrasound equipment in the network. CGI programs in a built-in mode are stored on the hard drive of the ultrasound system in a directory called "cgi-bin,". When executing their operations, CGI programs have access to ultrasound images and reports that are stored in 24, access and execute diagnostic routines stored in 28, and interact with the controls of the ultrasound system through the system controller of ultrasound 18.

Alternatively, small fragments of programs can be embedded in the server code and cause them to run based on CGI transactions.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, the ultrasound system 10 includes a browser 100 that can communicate via hypertext links to other sites (such as other ultrasound systems, servers and terminals) that have information of interest to the user of the ultrasound system. The searcher 100, comprises a computer program that allows the operator of the ultrasound system to observe the hypertext documents (HTML pages) stored in a remote server of the ultrasound system or in the ultrasound system itself. The searcher 100 is connected to the controller of the ultrasound system 18 so as to interact with the storage medium and screen of the ultrasound system, and be operable by means of the user interface of the ultrasound system. In order to "thrive" on a hypertext link of a displayed page of HTML for example, the user manipulates a cursor on the indicator of the search engine with the track knob 26 or the keys of the keyboard 22, then selecting the desired information with the key of selection 27 or the keyboard input key. The search engine software program, such as that available from Netscape Communications Corporation of Mountain View, California or the Internet Explorer search engine available from Microsoft Corporation, which conveniently allows the operator of the ultrasound system to obtain images, reports or other information about a local network or the World Internet Network.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, the ultrasound system 10 includes a simple mail transfer protocol (SMTP) server 102. The SMTP server 102 sends and receives electronic messages via TCP / IP 46 over a network local or over the Internet, through a network connection such as the Ethernet connection 50 or the modem 32. The SMTP server is connected to the controller of the ultrasound system 18 in order to interact with the storage means of the ultrasound system, the user interface and the indicator. The computer packet programs such as the Eudora electronic message program, which includes a POP3 client protocol for receiving the electronic message and SMTP for transmission, can be used, using the POP3 client to periodically receive a guest system for received messages. . The SMTP server 102 receives electronic messages and displays a warning at the system prompt 70, by means of the system controller 18, when the messages have been received by the ultrasound system 10. The messages can then be accessed through the user interface using the keyboard 22, the path knob 26, or the Selection Key 27 and displayed in the system indicator 70.

In general, the POP3 client is used when other system functions such as the guest system for transmission and reception of messages (POP guest), and a full implementation of SMTP server are used for permanent Ethernet connections. Message handling can also be carried out through the HTTP server 30, which can deliver messages via HTML pages and the HTTP protocol to other locations.

The electronic message handling capability provided by the SMTP server 102 can benefit the operator of the ultrasound system in a variety of ways. Electronic messages can place any information stored in the ultrasound system for transmission to interested parties, such as ultrasound images, reports (or individual calculations), ultrasound image uits, system preconditions, tables or OB formulas introduced by the user, chronological reports of system errors, or any other information resident in the ultrasound system. Similarly, the operator can receive said information from other locations and use it in the ultrasound system.

The ability to send electronic messages from the ultrasound system allows the operator to easily consult with others quickly. Physicians in other locations can send messages to the ultrasound system, which belong to future examinations to be carried out in the system, providing reminders and important information that can guide an ultrasound examination. The ability to send or retrieve system preconditions for a given exam allows the same exam to run automatically on ultrasound systems in other locations, without having to manually install a computer to try to duplicate an exam done elsewhere. An ultrasound machine that uses numerous ultrasound equipment in different locations can store its preferred preconditions of the system in a file in the ultrasound system or in the network server, which can then be referenced in an electronic message or from an HTML page, and recover from the Internet or the network in use wherever the ultrasound performs the ultrasound exams that day. The search engine can be used to lower new or specialized boot conditions for the user of the system manufacturer, and users can exchange system installation conditions through electronic messages. Similarly, specialized or preferred diagnostic tools such as preferred OB tables or OB tables designed for a particular culture or country can be downloaded from a remote location.

Figure 3 illustrates additional details of the operation of these capabilities. In this mode, the search engine 120 is compiled with the code of the computer program, which carries the prefixed data received from the system to the appropriate storage area of the ultrasound system, where it can be used by the controller of the ultrasound system to control the operation of the system. When the operator uses the search engine to access the preset data of the system from another ultrasound system or data storage device, the driving code directs the prefixed data received from the system to the storage of scan parameters 82, where store as custom-made data. Alternatively, the operator can download the preset data directly to the storage of scan parameters 82, using the FTP File Transfer Protocol. When the operator is given the choice of selecting the installation parameters of the system at the beginning of the image formation procedure, the operator manipulates the user controls to select these preset data, more than the normal preset data for the procedure (sometimes referred to as installation conditions of "Formation of Tissue Specific Images.TM,") that are stored in the ultrasound system. The ultrasound system controller 18 will then initialize the ultrasound system to carry out the ultrasonic scan in accordance with the preconditions of the custom system operator, as indicated by the connections between the ultrasound system controller 18 and the beam concentrator 16, signal processor 64 and presentation processor 68 of the ultrasound system.

As another example, suppose that the operator wishes to use a gestational age table designed specifically for a particular nationality, rather than one of the gestational age tables installed in the ultrasound system. The system operator uses the search engine 120 to acquire the gestational table of desired age from outside the ultrasound system, and the counting program of the driver code stores the table in the storage medium of the diagnostic report 84 parameters as a table to the OB measurement. When the operator is given the opportunity to select a gestational age table to estimate the fetal age, the "custom table" option is selected, and the ultrasound system controller causes the fetal age to be estimated using the table gestational age imported by the system operator.By sending the ultrasound imaging circuits to other doctors, it allows the doctor in a remote location to participate or make the diagnosis by observing the real-time image circuit that was acquired elsewhere. For reference physicians, the diagnostic doctor can create a patient's image and prepare a report about the ultrasound system, then send the images and the report as an electronic message or message placement directly to the referring physician. from the ultrasound system using the electronic message capability of the system.

The handling of electronic messages of the ultrasound system is useful to analyze problems and questions about the performance of the system. The operator of the ultrasound system can send the chronological record of system errors to the manufacturer of the system, even accompanied by the images acquired at the time of the problem, to allow the manufacturer to remotely diagnose the problems of system operation. This helps enormously in isolating obscure problems that happen non-periodically or only in certain locations, since the manufacturer can receive the system data immediately when problems arise. The electronic message system can be configured to automatically capture system information when a problem occurs, such as the log, situation and configuration of the error system, and to automatically send the error log to the manufacturer or repairman. moment of the problem. The manufacturer or repairman can review these messages and their information as they are received, and can notify the system operator if the information indicates that repairs or adjustments to the ultrasound system are needed. The manufacturer may contact the operator of the ultrasound system upon return of the electronic message or other means to request additional information if it appears useful or within warranty.

With each ultrasound system having its own electronic mailbox, the manufacturer can quickly and easily transmit bulletins about the system directly to the system mailbox. Information on new applications, diagnostic suggestions or facilities can be sent by the manufacturer to its various types of ultrasound systems (eg, deluxe, mid-range, cardiology, general, digital images, etc.) and used to improve the previous applications or to carry out new ones.

In a preferred embodiment, each ultrasound system has its own unique electronic message address for sending and receiving electronic messages. It is preferable to relate the serial number of an ultrasound system to the address of the system's unique electronic mailbox, for example, for a quick and unique identification of an ultrasound system and its mailbox. The electronic mailbox is protected by an access password so that access to messages is limited only to those who have been granted access permission by the owner of the ultrasound system. The data in the ultrasound system can be edited for safety before transmission, such as by removing the patient's name before transmitting images and reports. The greatest security concerns can be addressed by encrypting data before transmission.

The search engine 100 allows the operator of the ultrasound system to have access to information about other ultrasound practitioners, allowing doctors to exchange the email addresses of the ultrasound system with their colleagues, for example, which may lead to subsequent exchanges of diagnostic information and other communications. The system manufacturer can organize a Web page, for example, where users of the system can place their system addresses and other information they wish to make public among their colleagues.

Electronic messages can assist a hospital in determining the demographics and use of the user's exam. For example, the controller of the ultrasound system can be programmed to identify the patient's demographics and reports covering certain criteria, such as women over 40 who undergo an OB examination. At the end of the exam, the report and images of the exam are sent automatically by electronic message to a central site in the hospital, such as a hospital information system where the demographic data are kept or where studies of examinations are being done. that type, using messages prepared in message library 122. Messages could also be automatically sent to the hospital specialist in that practice area, such as a perinatologist specialized in pregnancies of women over 40 years of age. Another useful feature to help the hospital in administering its ultrasound resources, is the automatic transmission to the hospital administration every day or week, of an electronic message that contains the number of exams performed on the ultrasound system that day or week and the duration required for each examination, allowing the hospital administrator to update the patient's records and their statements. Again, this can be done by a previously prepared message stored in the message library 122. Alternatively, a CGI program can create a HTML page periodically with the desirable information therein, and the page can be accessed through the search engine of a. Hospital administrator when the data is needed.

Another use of electronic message capabilities is to page physicians for calls. In a built-in mode, pressing a button on the ultrasound system causes the system to send an electronic message previously prepared by modem 32 or the network modem, to a pager service in the format used by the pager service. The message received by the pager service identifies the pager's phone number, and gives a message to be sent to an alphanumeric pager, such as "Call Examination 7 Re: Ultrasound Examination". Upon receiving the message, the pager service sends the message to the doctor's pager who is on call at the hospital. The message can identify the ultrasound system and you can also ask the doctor to, for example, call the system operator to support him or to make a difficult diagnosis. This capability allows an ultrasonographer to quickly contact a medical reader when critical diagnostic decisions are needed.

The 100 search engine allows the operator of the ultrasound system to have access to a remote library of comparative ultrasound images on a baseline basis within his practice. These ultrasound image libraries can be compiled by systems manufacturers, universities, professional organizations, large hospitals and clinics and others. The image library may be resident in other sites on the Internet or the network, or it may be locally available on a connected server, CD-ROM or even on the system's hard drive. If a doctor is creating an unfamiliar pathology in images, he or she can access the image library through the 100 search engine. Reference images from the library can be called and displayed on the ultrasound system monitor, side next to the pathology of the patient, allowing comparisons that can help in the diagnosis.

Said capacity is shown in Figure 2, which shows two ultrasound systems 200 and 202 connected to a distribution center 304 of an Ethernet network 300. Also connected to the distribution center 304 are the terminal or work station 302 of a network administrator, a library of reference images 400 that includes a server 404, and a hospital information system (HIS) or a radiology information system (RIS) 500 with a server 504. Each system over the network has a modem to connect to other sources of information, and the network also has a network modem 306 for communications inside and outside the network 300.

In the example of Figure 2, the reference image library 400 is available for both ultrasound systems 200 and 202 which are connected to the network 300, and other systems can access the reference image library 400 by means of the library modem 402 or network modem 306. The library may be protected by access passwords to allow access only to users who provide the approved access passwords. Once you have access, the 400 library presents the HTML pages with different categories of exams, such as obstetric, abdominal, cardiology, etc., in the user's search engine. By taking an examination category, more detailed hierarchies of examinations, pathologies and conditions are branched for the operator, or an operator can simply classify them into a series of identifiers to take directly to the type of images sought, such as "obstetric-fetal-head" -quarter 3". In this way, the user of the library follows an even more sterile selection approach until an image of the desired condition or condition is found or one has direct access to the type of images needed. The operator of the ultrasound system picks up the desired ultrasound image within the ultrasound system where it can be copied and pasted, either manually or automatically, onto the screen 70 along an ultrasound image of the patient. The operator can compare the patient's image with the reference image of the library, to support in the elaboration of a diagnosis of the patient's condition.

It is also possible to store a local reference image library in the ultrasound system to have access to the system finder as described above. The reference image library can be stored in any medium of the ultrasound system that is accessible to the search engine. In Figure 1, the reference image library can be stored in a device that is part of a storage medium 24 and which allows the searcher 100 to access the reference image library by logging in to the server 30. In In the example of Figure 3, the reference image library is stored in a removable magneto-optical disk that is used in the M-0 80 disk drive. By locating the library on removable disk media, a library can be loaded new or updated images in the system at any time. As before, the searcher 120 is used to access the image library in the ultrasound system through the server, and a branched path of choices is followed or there is direct access to a type of image, leading to the image desired reference.

The reference image is then used as a comparative image to assist in the elaboration of a diagnosis of the images obtained by means of an ultrasound system: the ability to display the reference images in the system is also useful in the training of new users. of ultrasound systems.

The search engine 100 has a variety of other uses that are important for the ultrasound practitioner. The user of the system can use the finder 100 to observe the ultrasound images previously stored in the system. The search engine does it in the same way as the questions from external terminals, registering chronologically on the server 30 to display the directory of patient images of the system on the monitor of the system 70. When connecting the remote sites by means of the modem 32 or the 50 network connection, you can operate the search engine to send images and reports to a remote location. The search engine can also be used to access hospital and radiology 500 information systems within the hospital or network to observe laboratory reports, doctors' schedules and the like.

The search engine 100 can be used for training and retrieval of operating information. You can store useful tips, "help" messages for the system and even the operator's manual for the ultrasound system, electronically on the system such as on disk or CD-ROM and can be accessed through the search engine 100 to guide to the operator in the use of the ultrasound system.

It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known by the applicant to carry out the present invention is that which is clear from the present description of the invention.

Having described the invention as above, property is claimed as contained in the following

Claims (13)

1. An ultrasound system for medical diagnosis, which produces and stores diagnostic images by ultrasound or diagnostic reports, characterized in that it comprises: a user interface for the ultrasound system; a memory device for storing digital information; a computer program of a search engine, stored in the memory device and operable from the user interface; and an electronic interface for operably connecting the searcher's computer program to a database external to the ultrasound system, where the images or information stored are remotely accessible through the search engine's computer program.

2. The ultrasound system for medical diagnosis according to claim 1, characterized in that the electronic interface comprises means for operably connecting the search program of the search engine to a network.

3. The ultrasound system for medical diagnosis according to claim 2, characterized in that the means for operably connecting the computer program of the search engine to a network also comprise a modem.

4. The ultrasound system for medical diagnosis according to claim 1, characterized in that the electronic interface comprises means for operably connecting the searcher's computer program to a source of reference images external to the ultrasound system, of which the reference images stored externally are remotely accessible through the search engine's program.

5. The ultrasound system for medical diagnosis according to claim 4, characterized in that the ultrasound system additionally includes a screen for displaying ultrasound images produced by the ultrasound system; and further comprises means for displaying a reference image on the screen adjacent to an ultrasound image produced by the ultrasound system.

6. The ultrasound system for medical diagnosis according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises: a computer program for electronic messages installed in the memory device and operable from the user interface; and an electronic interface for operably connecting the computer program of electronic messages to send or receive electronic messages to or from sources external to the ultrasound system.

7. The ultrasound system for medical diagnosis according to claim 6, characterized in that the electronic interface further comprises means for operably connecting the computer program of electronic messages to a network, by which the ultrasound system can send or receive electronic messages about network.

8. The ultrasound system for medical diagnosis according to claim 1, characterized in that the electronic interface comprises means for connecting the search engine computer program to the Internet, where images or information stored externally are remotely accessible by the computer program of the computer. search engine on the Internet.

9. The ultrasound system for medical diagnosis according to claim 8, characterized in that the search engine software is compatible with the Internet World Wide Web, and where the images or information stored externally are remotely accessible through the computer program of the search engine on the World Internet Network.

10. An ultrasound system for medical diagnosis that produces and stores diagnostic images by ultrasound or diagnostic reports, characterized in that it comprises: a storage device, connected as part of the ultrasound system, for storing the ultrasound images or reports; a digital memory for storing the search engine software on the ultrasound system; and means for operating the search engine software to access the information stored in the storage device, whereby the images or reports stored in the storage device are accessible through the search engine's computer program.

11. The ultrasound system for medical diagnosis according to claim 10, characterized in that the means for operating the search engine software comprise a server.

12. The ultrasound system for medical diagnosis in accordance with claims 1, 4, 6, 8 or 9, characterized in that the user interface includes an image screen.

13. The ultrasound system for medical diagnosis according to claims 1, 4, 6, 8 or 9, characterized in that the user interface includes a keyboard.