Protocol-driven ultrasound examination

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system and method for performing a protocol-driven ultrasound examination for generating an image of moving cardiac structure and blood of a heart. One embodiment comprises a front-end and at least one processor. The front end is arranged to transmit ultrasound waves into the moving cardiac structure and blood, generating received signals in response to the ultrasound waves backscattered from the moving cardiac structure and blood. The at least one processor, responsive to the received signals, acquires at least one image of the structure in at least one of a predetermined order and a predefined protocol, and selects at least one of the acquired images taken along at least one of a given view and study.

1 . A method for performing an examination on a structure using an ultrasound system, the method comprising: 
 acquiring at least one image of the structure in at least one of a predetermined order and a predefined protocol; and    selecting at least one of said acquired images taken along at least one of a given view and study.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  comprising displaying said at least one acquired image on a display of the ultrasound system.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2  comprising displaying said at least one acquired image simultaneously with at least one stored image.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 2  comprising displaying said at least one acquired image simultaneously with at least one icon associated with said acquired image.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein at least said predefined protocol is user configurable.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein said configurable predefined protocol comprises at least one view.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1  comprising labeling at least one selected image.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1  comprising storing at least one selected image.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8  comprising retrieving said at least one stored image using a label.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1  comprising arranging two or more icons in a predetermined scanning order.  
   
   
       11 . A method for performing an examination on moving cardiac structure and blood in a heart, said method comprising: 
 selecting at least one of a predetermined order and predefined protocol for acquiring at least one image of the moving cardiac structure and blood in the heart;    acquiring said at least one image in at least one of a predetermined order and a predefined protocol, forming at least one clip;    selecting at least one clip; and    labeling and storing said at least one clip.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11  comprising displaying said at least one acquired image on a display.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12  comprising displaying said at least one acquired image simultaneously with said at least one clip.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13  comprising displaying said at least one acquired image simultaneously with at least one icon associated with said acquired image.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 11  wherein at least said predefined protocol is user configurable.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 11  comprising retrieving said at least one stored image using at least said label.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 11  comprising arranging two or more icons in a predetermined scanning order.  
   
   
       18 . In an ultrasound machine for generating an image responsive to moving cardiac structure and blood within a heart of a subject, an apparatus comprising: 
 a front-end arranged to transmit ultrasound waves into the moving cardiac structure and blood, generating received signals in response to the ultrasound waves backscattered from the moving cardiac structure and blood; and    at least one processor responsive to the received signals, acquiring at least one image of the moving cardiac structure and blood in at least one of a predetermined order and a predefined protocol, and selecting at least one of said acquired images taken along at least one of a given view and study.    
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 18  further comprising a display processor and monitor for displaying said at least one acquired image.  
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 18  wherein said at least one processor is adapted to label said at least one acquired image.