Contact-free control of medical imaging systems
The present invention pertains to a method and apparatus for contactless control of a medical imaging system. A medical image can be acquired and displayed, and an aspect of the image can be altered based on a tracked position of a user body part. The user can be sensed by a sensing device, and the user body part tracked by a tracking unit in a first processing unit. A second processing unit can be coupled to the first processing unit and can have a control unit for controlling the medical imaging system.
1. A method of contactless control of a medical imaging system comprising:
acquiring a medical image from said medical imaging system;
displaying said medical image;
tracking a first position of a first body part of a user; and
altering a first aspect of the medical image based on said first position.
2. The method of contactless control of a medical imaging system of claim 1 further comprising:
determining an altered acquisition parameter for said medical imaging system based on alteration of said first aspect; and
implementing said altered acquisition parameter in said medical imaging system.
3. The method of contactless control of a medical imaging system of claim 1 further comprising defining a control zone.
4. The method of contactless control of a medical imaging system of claim 3 further comprising:
selecting a body reference point on said user;
tracking said body reference point; and
positioning said control zone a fixed distance from said body reference point.
5. The method of contactless control of a medical imaging system of claim 4 wherein said body reference point is chest of said user.
6. The method of contactless control of a medical imaging system of claim 4 wherein said body reference point is head of said user.
7. The method of contactless control of a medical imaging system of claim 4 wherein said body reference point is a midpoint between two shoulders of said user.
8. The method of contactless control of a medical imaging system of claim 1 wherein said first body part is a hand of said user.
9. The method of contactless control of a medical imaging system of claim 1 wherein said first body part is a wrist of said user.
10. The method of contactless control of a medical imaging system of claim 1 wherein said first aspect is a location of a region of interest in said medical image.
11. The method of contactless control of a medical imaging system of claim 1 further comprising:
defining a control zone;
establishing a set of image options for said medical image;
monitoring said first position with respect to said control zone; and
switching between image options of said set if said first position touches said control zone.
12. The method of contactless control of a medical imaging system of claim 11 wherein said image options are shapes for a region of interest in said medical image.
13. The method of contactless control of a medical imaging system of claim 1 further comprising:
tracking a second position of a second body part of said user; and
altering a second aspect of the medical image based on said first position and said second position.
14. The method of contactless control of a medical imaging system of claim 13 wherein said second aspect is a size of a region of interest in said medical image.
15. A contactless control system for medical imaging comprising:
a sensing device configured to sense a user;
a first processing unit coupled to said sensing device;
a tracking unit in said first processing unit for determining a first position of a first body part of said user;
a second processing unit coupled to said first processing unit;
a medical imaging system coupled to said second processing unit;
a display coupled to said medical imaging system for displaying a medical image; and
a control unit in said second processing unit for controlling said medical imaging system.
16. The contactless control system of claim 15 further comprising a second tracking unit for determining a second position of a second body part of said user.
17. The contactless control system of claim 15 wherein said second processing unit is configured to define a control zone within a field of view of the sensing device.
18. The contactless control system of claim 17 further comprising a second display configured to show said first position and said control zone.
19. The contactless control system of claim 15 further comprising a second tracking unit configured to track a body reference point on said user.
20. The contactless control system of claim 15 wherein said medical imaging system comprises a radiation source configured to deliver higher radiation flux to a region of interest than to other regions.