Ge Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC

Ge Medical Technology Services, Inc.

General Electric Company

Ge Medical Systems

Lawrence E Ploetz

Paul Edgar Licato

Josef P Debbins

Graeme Colin McKinnon

Hubert Anthony Zettel

Richard J Prorok

Sunil Melepatt Palliyal

Roshy James Francis

Naja S Robinson

Joseph K Maier

Xiaohong Zhou

William James Balloni

Karamjeet Singh

Thomas Leroy Lamoureux

Henry John Hummel, Jr

David Thomas Mehring

Robert H Haworth

Frederick H Epstein

Mark T Radick

Bo Pettersson

Dave Mehring

Qing Tan

Rick Frowein

Michael E Kelly

Jie Xue

A method and a system for monitoring the regular collection of operational data from a multiplicity of remotely located medical imaging systems by a central service facility, and starting a corrective action process if the collection of operational data deviates from a historical norm based on the frequency of reception and the volume of the data received from the data source. The system automatically determines, on a per scanner basis, when either the amount of data in the most recent reception or the time between the two most recent data receptions has changed in a way that requires remedial action. In particular, corrective action is taken if the data volume or the time between receptions deviates from a historical mean by a predetermined percentage.

Automated monitoring of collection of operational data from medical imaging devices

A system and method are disclosed for providing access over a computer network to system documentation at an online central service facility. A user is required to enter identifying indicia prior to accessing the online central service facility, the facility having at least one documentation database containing product and/or service data therein. The identifying indicia can include a user identification and a password, for example, and are matched with user data stored in a user database in the online central service facility to authenticate the user before providing user access into a document management system. Also, the user is checked to further determine what particular product and/or service data the user is entitled to. Such particular product or service data is then delivered to the user.

Method and apparatus for limited online access to restricted documentation

A method and a system for delivery of protected software applications to remote systems from a central service facility wherein delivery is managed on the basis of the community membership of the remote system user. Business rules are utilized to determine whether a particular authenticated user seeking access to a protected software application from a particular remote site should be authorized. A multiplicity of web servers are programmed to allow selective access to one or more resident software applications by remote system users via a network. Access is managed by a central policy server based on user and system information and community definitions stored in a database. The policy server communicates with each web server via an agency module incorporated in the web server. The agency module intercepts requests for access from remote system users and then interfaces with the policy server. If the remote system user has input an authentic identification code, the policy server then applies the business rules to determine whether the requesting remote system user is authorized to access the protected software being requested.

Method and apparatus for community management in remote system servicing

A method and a system for automatically activating and deactivating a data logging function on a remotely located medical imaging device from a central service facility in response to acquisition of updated service contract information. Customer profiling and service contract data are automatically processed at a central facility to detect that a medical imaging device is now under contract to receive regular scanner utilization reports. The scanner data logging function is then automatically turned on from the central facility. The central facility then monitors the receipt of scanner data log files to ensure that the first data log file has been successfully transmitted from activated medical imaging device, for processing and subsequent utilization report delivery. In the case of an expired service contract, the data logging feature on the medical imaging device is automatically deactivated from the central facility.

Automated activation and deactivation of operational data logging on medical imaging device

A magnetic resonance (MR) imaging system equipped with real-time imaging capability and method of interactively prescribing image contrast are disclosed herein. The MR imaging system includes a sequence controller for constructing MR imaging pulse sequences and a waveform memory for storing waveform segments. The MR imaging system allows an operator to interactively prescribe image contrast mechanism prior to and/or during real-time imaging. The use of image contrast waveform segments, only as needed, minimizes unnecessary MR scan time.

System and method for interactive image contrast control in a magnetic resonance imaging system

An interactive magnetic resonance (MR) imaging system includes a MR imaging device, a network coupling the MR imaging device and a remote facility, an operator interface coupled to the MR imaging device and the network, a memory coupled to the MR imaging device, and a sequence controller coupled to the memory. The MR imaging device is configured to acquire and reconstruct MR data in real-time of a current imaging section and display a MR image in real-time of the current imaging section. The network provides remote services to the MR imaging device. The operator interface permits an operator to select from a plurality of image contrast mechanisms. The memory stores a plurality of image contrast waveform segments and at least one imaging waveform segment. Each of the plurality of image contrast waveform segments and the at least one imaging waveform segment is distinctly addressable such that each waveform segment can be independently accessed from the memory. The sequence controller dynamically links the selected image contrast waveform segments and one imaging waveform segment, causing the MR imaging device to acquire a new image with the selected waveform segment mechanisms.

MR imaging system with interactive image contrast control over a network

A medical imaging system includes a workstation for receiving operator inputs that prescribe a scan and a plurality of servers which control the acquisition of image data and the reconstruction of prescribed images. The workstation is programmed in Java&trade; to produce scan descriptions that are downloaded to the servers prior to run time using a serialization mechanism.

System architecture for medical imaging systems

A technique is described for programming multiple axes or channels of a system, such as an MRI system. Modular component time masks are defined including information for activity on at least one axis and a time boundary for execution of the activity. The modular components may be stored in a library, and assembled to define desired control sequences. Activity may include pulse sequences for coils in the imaging system. The modular components facilitate definition of complex multi-axis control sequences while respecting inherent physical constraints of the system. Time optimized control sequences may be developed from the modular components by reference to beginning and ending times of a series of components, or to anchor time points associated with the components.

Modular timemasking sequence programming for imaging system

An off-center NMR image is produced using an EPI pulse sequence. The offset along the readout gradient axis is achieved by shifting the frequency of an RF reference signal used to demodulate the received NMR echo signals. Phase errors produced by the NMR system and by the shifts in reference signal frequency are corrected in 'real time' by also shifting the phase of the RF reference signal.

Method for producing an off-center image using an EPI pulse sequence

Growing community of inventors

Brookfield, WI, United States of America

Lawrence E Ploetz