System for remote evaluation of ultrasound information obtained by a programmed application-specific data collection device

Abstract

A system which includes at least one ultrasound data collection device which is programmable to carry out a specific ultrasound procedure. The resulting ultrasound data is transmitted via a local server to the internet and from there to a web database server which processes the raw ultrasound data and provides application-specific information, such as a three-dimensional model, which can be used for diagnostic interpretation of the body part imaged by the ultrasound.

1 . A system for financial tracking and billing of ultrasound procedures, comprising the steps of; 
 performing an ultrasound diagnostic scan by a system user on a patient at a given location and for obtaining unprocessed ultrasound information therefrom;    transmitting the unprocessed ultrasound data to a location which is remote from the given location for analysis by a system provider, wherein the remote location is not physically accessible by a medical practitioner who carries out treatment of the patient;    determining the status of the user's account with the system provider;    providing an opportunity for the user to clear the user's account, in the event that the user's account has been blocked for any reason;    transmitting analyzed ultrasound information back to the user when the user's account is not blocked, wherein the analyzed ultrasound data includes information suitable for use in the treatment of the patient by the medical practitioner; and    creating a billing for the ultrasound diagnostic procedure and transmitting the billing to a selected party.    
     
     
         2 . A system of claim  6 , wherein the selected party is a third part insurer.  
     
     
         3 . A system of claim  6 , wherein the selected party is the system user.