IP Library Granted Patent US 9,730,670
Granted Patent B2
US 9,730,670 · App. 15/254,633 · Granted Aug 15, 2017

Remote diagnostic imaging

Inventor: Michael W. Ferro, Jr. (Chicago, IL)
Assignee: Merge Healthcare Incorporated
A61B6/548A61B6/06A61B6/4417A61B6/4429A61B6/463A61B6/465A61B6/566G06F19/321G06Q20/10G06Q50/22
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,730,670
App. No.
15/254,633
Granted
Aug 15, 2017
Kind
B2
Abstract

Systems and methods for performing remote diagnostic imaging. One system includes a stand-alone imaging station including a housing that includes a first housing module and a second housing module, a diagnostic imaging device, and a door. The first housing module and the second housing module are separate and configured to be assembled together. The diagnostic imaging device is contained within the housing and includes a radiation source and a radiation detector. The door is coupled to the housing and is configured to allow a patient to enter the housing. The door includes a lock configured to maintain the door in a locked state at least while the diagnostic imaging device captures the diagnostic image.

Claims (22)

1. A stand-alone imaging station comprising:

a first housing modules;

a second housing module, the first housing module and the second housing module being separate and configured to be assembled together;

a diagnostic imaging device contained within the first housing module, the diagnostic imaging device including a radiation source and a radiation detector;

a door coupled to the first housing module and configured to allow a patient to enter the first housing module, the door including a lock configured to maintain the door in a locked state at least while the diagnostic imaging device captures the diagnostic image; and

a device configured to receive payment information and including one selected from a group consisting of a magnetic stripe reader, a bill pay unit, a user identification card dispenser, and a scanner.

2. The stand-alone imaging station of claim 1 , wherein the first housing module includes a wall having a lead lining.

3. The stand-alone imaging station of claim 1 , wherein the lock is a remotely-controlled lock.

4. The stand-alone imaging station of claim 1 , further comprising a controller included in the stand-alone imaging station including a processing unit, the processing unit configured to receive a control signal from a remote device through a network to operate the diagnostic imaging device.

5. The stand-alone imaging station of claim 1 , wherein the device configured to receive the payment information is located on an external surface of the second housing module.

6. The stand-alone imaging station of claim 1 , wherein the first housing module has a length between eight and fourteen feet and a width between two and eight feet.

7. The stand-alone imaging station of claim 1 , wherein the first housing module and the second housing module each include a top portion and a bottom portion, the top portion and the bottom portion being separate from each other and configured to be assembled together.

8. The stand-alone imaging station of claim 1 , wherein the radiation source is supported by a first mounting portion and wherein the radiation detector is supported by a second mounting portion positioned opposite the first mounting portion.

9. The stand-alone imaging station of claim 8 , further comprising a first positioning device coupled to the first mounting portion, the first positioning device configured to move the radiation source along a length of the first mounting portion.

10. The stand-alone imaging station of claim 9 , further comprising a first motor coupled to the first positioning device to move the radiation source.

11. The stand-alone imaging station of claim 10 , further comprising a second positioning device coupled to the second mounting portion, and a second motor coupled to the second positioning device to move the radiation detector along a second length of the second mounting portion.

12. The stand-alone imaging station of claim 11 , wherein the first motor and the second motor are configured to synchronously adjust a position of the radiation source and the radiation detector in response to a single positioning command.

13. The stand-alone imaging station of claim 1 , further comprising a collimator configured to adjust a first field-of-view of the radiation source.

14. The stand-alone imaging station of claim 1 , further comprising a surveillance device coupled to the radiation source, and positioned above the radiation source.

15. The stand-alone imaging station of claim 14 , wherein the surveillance device is a camera, and wherein the radiation source has a first field-of-view that is smaller than a second field-of-view of the surveillance device.

16. The stand-alone imaging station of claim 1 , further comprising a device configured to determine a distance between the patient and the radiation source when the patient has entered the first housing module.

17. The stand-alone imaging station of claim 1 , further comprising a scale to determine a weight of the patient.

Assignments (4)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 1, 2025
From: MERATIVE US L.P.; MERGE HEALTHCARE INCORPORATED
To: TCG SENIOR FUNDING L.L.C., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 072808/0442 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 21, 2022
From: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
To: MERATIVE US L.P.
Reel/Frame 061496/0752 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 19, 2021
From: MERGE HEALTHCARE INCORPORATED
To: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 055661/0386 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 28, 2016
From: FERRO, MICHAEL W., JR.
To: MERGE HEALTHCARE INCORPORATED
Reel/Frame 039877/0392 →
Continuity (4)
Continuation 14016974 · Sep 3, 2013
Continuation 12953137 · Nov 23, 2010
Provisional Application 61264365 · Nov 25, 2009
Related Publication 20170000450A1 · Jan 5, 2017