MEDICAL IMAGING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING HEALTHCARE SERVICE

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The subject matter disclosed herein relates to a medical imaging system. More specifically the subject matter relates to a medical imaging system and a method for providing healthcare service.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Medical imaging systems are used in different applications to image different regions or areas (e.g. different organs) of patients or other objects. Medical imaging systems are present in different locations such as healthcare facilities, imaging laboratories, hospitals, and primary healthcare centers. Patients need to get appointment or fix a schedule for perform an imaging procedure using a medical imaging system. The appointment is required to determine the availability of the medical imaging system. For instance if there is a requirement for performing an ultrasound imaging on a patient then prior appointment needs to be taken after physically visiting a location where an ultrasound imaging device is located. Once the appointment is taken the patient needs to revisit the location and perform the imaging procedure. This procedure needs to be followed for subsequent schedules of performing ultrasound imaging on the subject which makes the task cumbersome. The patient may also need to follow some healthcare regime and require various healthcare information such as, available healthcare facilities, hospitals, medical professionals, and diet information which they may have to explore using different means such as online searching, and information from other people.

[0003] Due to these reasons an improved medical imaging system for providing healthcare service to the patient is desired.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The above-mentioned shortcomings, disadvantages and problems are addressed herein which will be understood by reading and understanding the following specification.

[0005] As discussed in detail below, embodiments of the invention include a medical imaging system for providing healthcare service to a subject is disclosed. The medical imaging system includes a communication module configured to communicate with a user device of the subject over a messaging channel. A subject registration module is communicably coupled to the communication module. The subject registration module is configured to receive one or more requests for registering the subject in the medical imaging system through the messaging channel. The one or more requests are scanned to obtain registration information of the subject. The registration information is associated with performing an imaging procedure for the subject in the medical imaging system. The medical imaging system includes one or more memory communicably coupled to the communication module and the subject registration module for storing the registration information. Based on the registration information the subject is registered with the medical imaging system.

[0006] In another embodiment a method of providing a healthcare service using a medical imaging system is disclosed. The method includes receiving a request for the healthcare service at the medical imaging system through a messaging channel; communicating registration information of the subject through the messaging channel for registering the subject with the medical imaging system; and registering the subject based on the registration information in the medical imaging system for providing the healthcare service to the subject.

[0007] In yet another embodiment a system for providing a healthcare service to a subject is disclosed. The system includes a medical imaging system capable of communicating with a user device of the subject. A communication infrastructure is present that is configured to manage communication between the user device and the
medical imaging system. The communication infrastructure includes a messaging channel for facilitating the communication. The medical imaging system is configured to receive one or more requests for registering a subject from the user device through the messaging channel. The one or more requests are scanned to obtain registration information of the subject. The registration information is associated with performing an imaging procedure for the subject in the medical imaging system. The subject is then registered based on the registration information which is then stored.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] FIGURE 1 illustrates an medical imaging system for performing an imaging procedure on a subject;

[0009] FIGURE 2 is a schematic representation of a medical imaging system communicating with a user device over a messaging channel in accordance with an embodiment;

[0010] FIGURE 3 is a schematic representation of a medical imaging system communicating with two user devices for providing healthcare service to a subject in accordance with an embodiment;

[0011] FIGURE 4 is a schematic illustration of a medical imaging system and the user device communicating over a communication infrastructure in accordance with an embodiment;

[0012] FIGURE 5 is a schematic illustration of a medical imaging system communicating with a user device to provide healthcare service in accordance with an embodiment;

[0013] FIGURE 6 is a schematic illustration of a medical imaging system communicating with a user device within a wireless range in accordance with another embodiment;

[0014] FIGURE 7 illustrates a flow diagram of a method of providing a healthcare
service using a medical imaging system in accordance with an embodiment;

[0015] FIGURE 8 illustrates a flow diagram of a method of providing a healthcare service using the medical imaging system in accordance with another embodiment; and

[0016] FIGURE 9 illustrates a flow diagram of a method of providing a healthcare service using the medical imaging system in accordance with yet another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments that may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical, mechanical, electrical and other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the embodiments. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken as limiting the scope of the invention.

[0018] To the extent that the figures illustrate diagrams of the functional blocks of various embodiments, the functional blocks are not necessarily indicative of the division between hardware circuitry. One or more of the functional blocks (e.g., processors or memories) may be implemented in a single piece of hardware (e.g., a general purpose signal processor or random access memory, hard disk, or the like) or multiple pieces of hardware. Similarly, the programs may be standalone programs, may be incorporated as subroutines in an operating system, may be functions in an installed software package, and the like. It should be understood that the various embodiments are not limited to the arrangements and instrumentality shown in the drawings.

[0019] As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and proceeded with the word "a" or "an" should be understood as not excluding plural of said elements or steps, unless such exclusion is explicitly stated. Furthermore, references to "one
embodiment" of the present invention are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. Moreover, unless explicitly stated to the contrary, embodiments "comprising" or "having" an element or a plurality of elements having a particular property may include additional such elements not having that property.

[0020] A medical imaging system for providing healthcare service to a subject is disclosed. The medical imaging system includes a communication module configured to communicate with a user device of the subject over a messaging channel. A subject registration module is communicably coupled to the communication module. The subject registration module is configured to receive one or more requests for registering the subject in the medical imaging system through the messaging channel. The one or more requests are scanned to obtain registration information of the subject. The registration information is associated with performing an imaging procedure for the subject in the medical imaging system. The medical imaging system includes one or more memory communicably coupled to the communication module and the subject registration module for storing the registration information. Based on the registration information the subject is registered with the medical imaging system. Although the various embodiments are described with respect to an ultrasound imaging system, the various embodiments may be utilized with any suitable medical imaging system, for example, X-ray, computed tomography, single photon emission computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, or the like.

[0021] Various embodiments of the invention provide a medical imaging system 100 as shown in FIG. 1. The medical imaging system 100 may be any type of system that uses an acquisition component 102 for acquiring images. The medical imaging system 100 may be for example, an ultrasound imaging system, X-ray system, a computed tomography imaging system, a magnetic resonance imaging system, a single photon emission computed tomography system, a positron emission tomography (PET) system or a multi-modal imaging system. However, the various embodiments are not limited to
medical imaging systems or imaging systems for imaging human subjects mentioned above.

[0022] The medical imaging system 100 includes the acquisition component 102 configured to acquire image data (e.g., ultrasound image data). The acquisition component 102 in case of an ultrasound imaging system may be an ultrasound probe 102 for scanning or otherwise imaging an object or volume of interest. An "ultrasound probe" includes a plurality of transducers for sending a plurality of ultrasound signals to a region of interest on a human subject to acquire images. In another example the acquisition component 102 may be an array of "X-ray detectors" in a gantry of a computed tomography imaging system. Now considering the case of a positron emission tomography system the acquisition component 102 may be "an array of image detectors" in a PET scanner. The acquisition component 102 is operatively connected to an image processing component 104. The image processing component 104 is any type of image processor capable of processing image data acquired using the acquisition component 102. The image processing component 104 is also operatively coupled to a display component 106. The display component 106, which may be a controller, configures or formats the processed image data for display on a display screen 108. The display screen 108 may be any type of screen capable of displaying images, graphics, text, etc. For example, the display screen 108 may be a cathode ray tube (CRT) screen, a liquid crystal display (LCD) screen or a plasma screen, among others.

[0023] A processor 110 (e.g., computer) or other processing unit controls the various operations within the medical imaging system 100. For example, the processor 110 may receive user inputs from a user interface 112 and display requested image data or adjust the settings for the displayed image data. For example, a user may provide inputs or settings to change the image displayed or the display properties of the display screen 108.

[0024] FIG. 2 illustrates a medical imaging system 200 communicating with a user device 202 over a messaging channel in accordance with an embodiment. The messaging channel facilitates communication between the medical imaging system 200 and the user device 202. The messaging channel may be capable of supporting communications in the
form of for example but not limited to short messaging service (SMS) messages, multimedia messages, voice mail, visual voice mail, email messages, and push messages. The user device 202 may include a mobile device, a laptop, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a desktop and any computing device. The user device 202 may be used by a patient who needs to schedule an appointment for performing an imaging procedure in the medical imaging system 200. The user device 202 may be also operated by any other user on behalf of the patient. The medical imaging system 200 includes a communication module 204 that facilitates communication with the user device 202 over a wireless network. The wireless network may include for example a wireless personal area network (WPAN), a wireless local area network (WLAN), a wireless metropolitan area network (WMAN), a wireless wide area network, a mobile network, a 3rd Generation communication (3G) network, a 4th Generation communication (4G) network, and a Long Term Evolution communication (4G LTE) network. In an embodiment the communication module 204 may be a mobile communication circuitry or any communication application that may be present in any mobile device for facilitating communication with the user device 202.

[0025] The user device 202 sends one or more requests for registering the subject to the medical imaging system 200. The medical imaging system 200 may have an identification number (similar to a phone number of the user device 202) and the requests may be sent using this identification number. The subject using the user device 202 may be present in a remote location. The one or more requests may be send in the form of for example a SMS, an email message and a push message. A subject registration module 206 receives and scans these requests to gather registration information of the subject. The registration information may include at least one of personal information and health state information of the subject, and information associated with an imaging procedure to be performed on the subject. In a scenario the registration information may include the personal and health state information of the subject. The subject may be allowed to send a separate communication including the information associated with the imaging procedure. In an example when the user device 202 contacts the medical imaging system 200, a communication may be send along with a format in which the personal information and the health state information needs to be submitted to the user device 202. The format may be a form that needs to be filled by the subject. The format may be also a link to a webpage for submitting the personal and health state information. The user device 202 may have the capability of presenting the webpage. In another embodiment the health state information and personal information may be obtained from an external storage device. The external storage device may be dedicated to a hospital or a group of hospitals and thus stores the health state information and personal information of the patients. However this information may be transferred to the medical imaging system 200 pursuant to obtaining consent from the subject. The consent may be obtained through the messaging channel.

[0026] Thereafter the subject may be requested to select an imaging procedure of subject's choice. It may be envisioned that the personal and health state information of the subject, and information associated with the imaging procedure may be obtained in any other methodology or format through the messaging channel.

[0027] The personal information includes a name of the subject, a number of the user device 202 (for example a phone number), and any demographic information of the subject. The health state information includes but not limited to current health condition, past health history, past treatment history and health parameters of the subject. The health parameters include heart rate, blood pressure, blood sugar level and other body part conditions. Further the information associated with the imaging procedure indicates a type of imaging procedure to be performed and imaging parameters associated with the selected imaging procedure. The type of the imaging procedure may include an ultrasound imaging, X-ray imaging, a computed tomography imaging, a magnetic resonance imaging, a single photon emission computed tomography imaging, a positron emission tomography imaging and a multi-modal imaging. The medical imaging system 200 may be capable of performing one type imaging procedure or may be capable of performing one or more imaging procedures. Imaging parameters and their values also vary for different types of imaging procedures. The subject registration module 206 stores the personal information and the health state information of the subject, and the
information associated with the imaging procedure in a memory 208 and registers the subject with the medical imaging system 200. In an embodiment once registered the number of the user device 202 of the subject may be assigned an identification number and all communications over the messaging channel from the user device 202 may be recognized by the medical imaging system 200 using this identification number. The subject registration module 206 is configured to send a communication to the user device 202 confirming that the subject is registered. For instance a message indicating "customer is registered successfully" may be send to the user device 202. However it may be envisioned that the confirmation may be communicated to the user device 202 in any other format.

[0028] The medical imaging system 200 may be also configured to safeguard the personal information of the subject from being available to any third party. This is accomplished by an encryption module 210 that encrypts the personal information of the subject. For example a phone number of the subject's user device may be encrypted by obscuring few digits of the phone number using other values such as alphabets or any alpha numerals. However it may be envisioned that the encryption module 210 may use any other encryption techniques known in the art for encrypting the personal information. , Similarly in an embodiment the encryption module 210 may be configured to encrypt the health state information of the subject. This process of obscuring ensures that no third party is in possession of the personal information and health information of the subject.

[0029] When the subject is registered, the subject can check for the availability of the medical imaging system 200 for performing the imaging procedure. A services module 212 of the medical imaging system 200 may be configured to send a schedule of its availability as a communication (in the form of for example a SMS, an email message and a push message) to the user device 202. The schedule may be send because the subject confirmed a need for performing the imaging procedure. The schedule indicates the time and days on which the medical imaging system 200 is available for performing the imaging procedure. In an embodiment while registering the user device the subject views the schedule and decides on a date and time, and communicates this to the medical
imaging system 200 through the messaging channel. The services module 212 accordingly allocates the medical imaging system 200 for performing the imaging procedure on the date and time communicated by the subject. This process of getting an appointment of the medical imaging system 200 is accomplished by a remotely located subject through the messaging channel which eliminates the need of the subject travelling to the location of the medical imaging system to get the appointment.

[0030] The services module 212 may be also configured to analyze the health state information of the subject and select a health schedule applicable to the subject. The health schedule includes multiple events and their timeline to be followed such as for example date and time for future appointments with a medical expert, a date and time for future appointments for performing the imaging procedures, medications to be taken by the subject, and dietary information. The health schedule may be selected from multiple health schedules stored in the memory 208. Explaining by way of an example, if the subject needs to perform ultrasound imaging as part of a pregnancy checkup then an appointment is taken with the medical imaging system 200 i.e. an ultrasound imaging system and all health state information associated with the subject is registered with the ultrasound imaging system. The ultrasound imaging system analyzes the health information and selects a health schedule associated with pregnancy from multiple health schedules. The health schedule indicates timelines when a mid-trimester ultrasound scan of fetus, a second and a third trimester ultrasound scan needs to be performed. The health schedule also includes timelines and stages to meet the medical expert, and medications to be taken by the subject. However it may be understood that the health schedule may include other information for taking care of the health of the subject. Based on the health state information of the subject an appropriate health schedule is selected.

[0031] The multiple health schedules vary from each other based on a health state of the subject and also different subjects (i.e. for different patients) as illustrated in FIG. 3. FIG. 3 illustrates the medical imaging system 200 communicating with two user devices (i.e. the user device 202 and a user device 300) in accordance with an embodiment. Now FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 will be explained hereinafter together. The user device 202 is used by
a subject 302 for communicating with the medical imaging system 200. Based on the health state information of the subject 302 a health schedule 304 may be selected from multiple health schedules (i.e. the health schedule 304, a health schedule 306 and a health schedule 308) stored in the medical imaging system 200. The user device 300 is used by a subject 310 to register with the medical imaging system 200. Similar to the subject 302 based on health state information supplied by the subject 310 an appropriate health schedule 306 may be selected from the multiple health schedules.

[0032] For instance if a health state information of the subject indicates that it is a case of complex pregnancy for the subject 302 as compared to the subject 310 which may be a case of normal pregnancy, then the health schedule 304 indicating a need for more frequent examinations and consultation with the medical expert is selected. Using the health schedule 304 the medical imaging system 200 communicates health check information such as timelines for performing imaging procedure, consultation with the medical expert, and taking medications. Moreover using the health schedules, reminders associated with these timelines may be communicated to the user device 300 through the messaging channel. These reminders may be sent based on a predefined time period set within the medical imaging system 200. Now in an event the health state information of the subject 302 and the subject 310 is same or substantially same then the health schedule 306 for a normal pregnancy case may be selected. Consequently the health checkup information and reminders may be sent to the subject 302 and the subject 310 based on the health schedule 306. For instance the health checkup information may indicate that an imaging procedure needs to be performed on a particular day or a consulting a medical professional on a particular day based on the selected health schedule. These reminders and communication of timelines assists the subject in following a scheduled health checkup plan defined by the health schedule.

[0033] Now referring back to FIG. 2 the services module 212 is configured to analyze the health state information and communicate multiple subscriptions for healthcare services to the user device 202. The healthcare services may be offered by several healthcare service providers such as but not limited to diagnostics centers, hospitals,
clinics, private medical professionals, governments for child care vaccination, and healthcare articles providers. The healthcare services may include various examination and tests facilities provided by the service providers, vaccinations, healthcare online articles, healthcare magazines, appointment for performing imaging procedure in a medical imaging system (such as the medical imaging system 200) and offers associated with these services. The subscriptions are communicated as a message (such as an SMS, an email, a voice mail, a multimedia message and a push message) to the user device 202. The subject or any other user can accept some subscriptions of their choice and may start using the healthcare services. The acceptance of the subscriptions is send as a confirmation from the user device 202. Thereafter the services module 212 sends content associated with the confirmed healthcare services to the user device 202 through the messaging channel in the form of one or more of an SMS, an email, a multimedia message and a push message. This is explained further in detail in conjunction with FIG. 5.

[0034] When all the events and the timeline are complete or expired the subject registration module 206 may deregister the subject. For instance if a health schedule allocated to a pregnant subject is expired or the pregnancy period is over then a medical imaging system (such as the medical imaging system 200) can deregister the subject automatically and also delete the registration information of the subject (i.e. personal and health state information). In an embodiment the subject may provide an input i.e. user input through the user device 200 for initiating the removal of the registration information. Once the registration information of the subject is removed an alert may be send to the user device 200 indicating the deletion over the messaging channel. In another embodiment the medical imaging system 200 stores the registration information of the subject in the memory 208. Alternatively registration information of subjects may be stored in a database remotely located from the medical imaging system 200. If the subject comes back again for registration then the registration of the subject can be renewed using the stored registration information of the subject. In this case the subject may be provided with a registration ID for future renewal of registration.

[0035] Turning now to FIG. 4 illustrating the medical imaging system 200 and the user device 202 communicating over a communication infrastructure 400 in accordance with an embodiment. The communication infrastructure 400 may be maintained by a service provider and a messaging channel is allocated for communication between the medical imaging system 200 and the user device 202. The communication infrastructure 400 may include a server 402 for managing the transfer of messages through the messaging channel. However it may be noted that multiple servers may be present to manage the transfer of messages. The communication infrastructure 400 may include any suitable infrastructure known in the art for transporting any message formats and can include both software and hardware components. The communication infrastructure 400 may be present in a remote location. The communications from the user device 202 and the medical imaging system 200 may be sent to the communication infrastructure 400 over a communication channel such as internet using standard internet protocols. The communication infrastructure 400, for example, may be implemented using public data networks and/or public switched telephone networks. The communication infrastructure 400 may also use different communication techniques such as Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) systems, Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) systems, North American Digital Cellular (NADC) systems, TDMA systems, Extended-TDMA (E-TDMA) systems, Narrowband Advanced Mobile Phone Service (NAMPS) systems, 3G systems such as Wide-band CDMA (WCDMA), CDMA-2000, and Universal Mobile Telephone System (UMTS) systems. Thus the medical imaging system 200 and the user device 202 may have capability of supporting the communication techniques given above.

[0036] FIG. 5 illustrates the medical imaging system 200 communicating with the user device 202 to provide healthcare service in accordance with an embodiment. The medical imaging system 200 as explained in conjunction with FIG. 2 is capable of communicating multiple subscriptions of the healthcare services to the user device 202. The healthcare services may be obtained from a healthcare ecosystem 500 by the medical imaging system 200. The medical imaging system 200 may be connected with the healthcare ecosystem 500 over a wireless network. In an embodiment the healthcare ecosystem 500 may be hosted by an owner for example a diagnostic center maintaining the medical imaging system 200. This healthcare ecosystem 500 may be a pool of healthcare services from different healthcare service providers. The healthcare services may include various examination and tests facilities provided by the service providers, vaccinations, healthcare online articles, healthcare magazines, appointment for performing imaging procedure in a medical imaging system (such as the medical imaging system 200) and offers associated with these services. The diagnostic center in this case may have obtained these healthcare services from these providers and communicate multiple subscriptions of the health services to the user device 202. The subscriptions are communicated in the form of messages to the user device 202. The subscriptions communicated depend on the health state information of the subject and if the subject specifically requests for a particular subscription of a healthcare service. When the subject provides approval for one or more subscriptions then the medical imaging system 200 may send the personal and health state information to the healthcare service providers. In another embodiment the personal and health state information may not be shared with the healthcare service providers. In an embodiment the subscriptions may be provided to the user device 202 as a pay per use model. For instance the subject may subscribe for some healthcare services by paying the diagnostic center or the healthcare service provider of the subscribed healthcare services. The healthcare services may be provided in different forms such as a package including multiple interrelated subscriptions.

[0037] In another embodiment the medical imaging system 200 may obtain healthcare services from a healthcare services ecosystem 502 hosted by a third party. The third party may be maintaining the ecosystem 502 including healthcare services from multiple healthcare service providers. The third party may be a healthcare service provider or any other entity capable of managing the ecosystem. The medical imaging system 200 may communicate with the healthcare services ecosystem 502 over a wireless network. Further the user device 202 may be also capable of communicating with the healthcare services ecosystem 502 over the wireless network. The wireless network may include for example, a wireless personal area network (WPAN), a wireless local area
network (WLAN), a wireless metropolitan area network (WMAN), a wireless wide area network, a mobile network, a 3rd Generation communication (3G) network, a 4th Generation communication (4G) network, and a Long Term Evolution communication (4G LTE) network. In an embodiment the healthcare services ecosystem 502 may be cloud based ecosystem. The cloud based ecosystem may be a private cloud, a public cloud, a hybrid cloud and a community cloud. During operation the medical imaging system 200 sends multiple subscriptions for the healthcare services through the messaging channel to the user device 202. The subject may select one or more subscriptions and send the confirmation through the messaging channel. For instance the user device 202 may receive a SMS for a healthcare service and a description of the service offered. The SMS may also include a link to be accessed for confirming the subscription of the healthcare service. So when a subject confirms the subscription, the medical imaging system 200 sends the confirmation to the healthcare services ecosystem 502. In addition the medical imaging system 200 may send one or more of the personal information and health state information to the healthcare services ecosystem 502 for completing the registration or confirmation of the subscription. Then a healthcare service provider of the subscribed healthcare service starts transmitting content associated with the healthcare service to the user device 202. The content is transmitted from the healthcare services ecosystem 502 to the user device 202 through the medical imaging system 200. The content may include webpage content, multimedia content, email, message, voice mail, and visual voice mail. In another embodiment the healthcare services ecosystem 502 may directly send the content to the user device 202 over the wireless network. It may be contemplated that the healthcare services ecosystem 500 and the healthcare services ecosystem 502 may be present and functional together. Thus the user device 202 may receive healthcare services from the healthcare services ecosystem 500 and a user device 504 may receive healthcare services from the healthcare services ecosystem 502. The healthcare services ecosystem 502 may also provide the subscriptions to the user device 502 as a pay per use model. For instance the subject may subscribe for some healthcare services by paying the diagnostic center or the healthcare service provider of the subscribed healthcare services. The healthcare services may be
provided in different forms such as a package including multiple subscriptions. Now referring to deregistering of the subject from the medical imaging system 200 as described in conjunction with FIG. 2, if deregistered the subject may continue to receive healthcare services already subscribed through the user device 202. However the subject may also send a request for cancelling the subscriptions through the medical imaging device 200 through the messaging channel. In another scenario the subject may send a request directly to a healthcare services ecosystem such as the healthcare services ecosystem 502 to cancel the subscriptions.

[0038] Turning now to FIG. 6 illustrating a medical imaging system 600 communicating with a user device 602 in accordance with another embodiment. The medical imaging system 600 includes a wireless communication module 604 communicating with the user device 602 through a wireless communication module 606. The wireless communication module 604 and the wireless communication module 606 may be configured to use wireless techniques such as but not limited to near field communication, bluetooth®, and zigbee®. During a registration process of the subject the user device 602 may need to be in a wireless range (i.e. proximal) of the medical imaging system 600 to initiate a transfer of registration information including at least one of personal information and health state information of the subject, and information associated with an imaging procedure to be performed on the subject. To initiate this process the medical imaging system 600 may receive a connection request from the user device 602. The wireless communication module 604 communicates with the wireless communication module 606 to detect that the user device 602 is within the wireless range. Then a communication link is established between the user device 602 and the medical imaging system 600. The wireless range indicates proximity between a user device and a medical imaging system to establish the communication link. The wireless range may vary for different wireless techniques used by the user device and the medical imaging system.

[0039] For instance the user device 602 may need to be tapped on the medical imaging system 600 for initiating the transfer of the registration information. Here the
action of tapping indicates a confirmation from the subject to transfer the registration information to the medical imaging system 600. The tapping action may also result in handshaking between the medical imaging system 600 and the user device 602. However it may be contemplated that any other types of actions or gestures may be performed for indicating a confirmation to transfer the registration information. Once the registration information is transferred then the subject is registered with the medical imaging system 600.

[0040] FIG. 7 illustrates a flow diagram of a method 700 of providing a healthcare service using a medical imaging system in accordance with an embodiment. The medical imaging system may be for example, an ultrasound imaging system, X-ray system, a computed tomography imaging system, a magnetic resonance imaging system, a single photon emission computed tomography system, a positron emission tomography (PET) system or a multi-modal imaging system. However, the various embodiments are not limited to medical imaging systems or imaging systems for imaging human subjects mentioned above.

[0041] At step 702 the medical imaging system receives a request for healthcare service from a subject through a messaging channel. The subject may use a user device for sending the request. The healthcare services may include various examination and tests facilities provided by the service providers, vaccinations, healthcare online articles, healthcare magazines, appointment for performing imaging procedure in the medical imaging system and offers associated with these services. However to use the healthcare services the subject may need to be registered with the medical imaging system. Therefore registration information of the subject may be communicated through the messaging channel for registering the subject with the medical imaging system at step 704. The registration information may include at least one of personal information and health state information of the subject, and information associated with an imaging procedure to be performed on the subject. In a scenario the registration information may include only the personal and health state information of the subject. Here the subject may be allowed to send a separate communication including the information associated
with the imaging procedure. Based on the registration information the subject is registered with the medical imaging system and then the healthcare service required for the subject is provided at step 706.

[0042] FIG. 8 illustrates a flow diagram of a method 800 of providing a healthcare service using the medical imaging system in accordance with another embodiment. At step 802 the medical imaging system receives a request for healthcare service from a subject through a messaging channel. Then registration information of the subject may be communicated through the messaging channel for registering the subject with the medical imaging system at step 804. Based on the registration information the subject is registered with the medical imaging system and then the healthcare service required for the subject is provided at step 806. The registration information may include at least one of personal information and health state information of the subject, and information associated with an imaging procedure to be performed on the subject. In a scenario the registration information may include only the personal and health state information of the subject. The personal information of the subject is important and thus may need to be protected. Hence the personal information of the subject may be encrypted at step 808. For example a phone number of the subject's user device may be encrypted by obscuring few digits of the phone number using other values such as alphabets or any alpha numerals. However it may be envisioned that any other encryption techniques known in the art may be used for encrypting the personal information. Similarly in an embodiment the health state information of the subject may be encrypted. This process of obscuring ensures that no third party is in possession of the personal information and health information of the subject. The health state information of the subject may be then analyzed at step 810. Based on this analysis multiple subscriptions for the healthcare service are sent to the user device at step 812. The subscriptions are communicated as a message (such as an SMS, an email, a voice mail, a multimedia message and a push message) to the user device of the subject. The subject or any other user can accept some subscriptions of their choice and may start using the healthcare services. The acceptance of one or more subscriptions required for the subject is sent as a confirmation from the user device to the medical imaging system at step 814. Subsequently content associated with the confirmed healthcare services are send to the user device through the messaging channel in the form of one or more of an SMS, an email, a multimedia message, a voice mail and a push message.

[0043] FIG. 9 illustrates a flow diagram of a method 900 of providing a healthcare service using the medical imaging system in accordance with yet another embodiment. At step 902 the medical imaging system receives a request for healthcare service from a subject through a messaging channel. Then registration information of the subject may be communicated through the messaging channel for registering the subject with the medical imaging system at step 904. Based on the registration information the subject is registered with the medical imaging system and then the healthcare service required for the subject is provided at step 906. The registration information may include at least one of personal information and health state information of the subject, and information associated with an imaging procedure to be performed on the subject. In a scenario the registration information may include only the personal and health state information of the subject.

[0044] The health state information is then analyzed by the medical imaging system and thereafter a health schedule is selected from multiple health schedules at step 908. A health schedule includes multiple events and their timeline to be followed such as for example date and time for future appointments with a medical expert, a date and time for future appointments for performing the imaging procedures, medications to be taken by the subject, and dietary information. The health schedules vary from each other based on a health state of the subject and also different subjects (i.e. for different patients). Thereafter communications including the health checkup information may be sent to the subject based on the health schedule at predefined time period at step 910. For instance the health checkup information may indicate that an imaging procedure needs to be performed on a particular day or a consulting a medical professional on a particular day based on the selected health schedule.

[0045] Once the selected health schedule expires or when all the events and the timeline in the health schedule are complete the subject may be deregistered at step 912.
For instance if a health schedule allocated to a pregnant subject is expired or the pregnancy period is over then a medical imaging system (such as the medical imaging system 200) can deregister the subject automatically. Then at step 914 the medical imaging system deletes the registration information of the subject (i.e. personal and health state information). In an embodiment the subject may provide an input i.e. user input through the user device for initiating the removal of the registration information. In another embodiment the medical imaging system stores the registration information of the subject in its memory. Alternatively registration information of subjects may be stored in a database remotely located from the medical imaging system. If the subject comes back again for registration then the registration of the subject can be renewed using the stored registration information of the subject. In this case the subject may be provided with a registration ID for future renewal of registration.

[0046] The various embodiments and/or components, for example, the modules, or components and controllers therein, also may be implemented as part of one or more computers or processors. The computer or processor may include a medical imaging device, a user device, an input device, a display unit and an interface, for example, for accessing the Internet. The computer or processor may include a microprocessor. The microprocessor may be connected to a communication bus. The computer or processor may also include a memory. The memory may include Random Access Memory (RAM) and Read Only Memory (ROM). The computer or processor further may include a storage device, which may be a hard disk drive or a removable storage drive such as a floppy disk drive, optical disk drive, and the like. The storage device may also be other similar means for loading computer programs or other instructions into the computer or processor.

[0047] As used herein, the term "computer" or "module" may include any processor-based or microprocessor-based system including systems using microcontrollers, reduced instruction set computers (RISC), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), logic circuits, and any other circuit or processor capable of executing the functions described herein. The above examples are exemplary only, and are thus not intended to limit in any
way the definition and/or meaning of the term "computer". The computer or processor executes a set of instructions that are stored in one or more storage elements, in order to process input data. The storage elements may also store data or other information as desired or needed. The storage element may be in the form of an information source or a physical memory element within a processing machine.

[0048] The methods described in conjunction with FIG. 7, FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 can be performed using a processor or any other processing device. The method steps can be implemented using coded instructions (e.g., computer readable instructions) stored on a tangible computer readable medium. The tangible computer readable medium may be for example a flash memory, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), any other computer readable storage medium and any storage media. Although the method of providing a healthcare service using the medical imaging system is explained with reference to the flow chart of FIG. 7, FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, other methods of implementing the method can be employed. For example, the order of execution of each method steps may be changed, and/or some of the method steps described may be changed, eliminated, divide or combined. Further the method steps may be sequentially or simultaneously executed for providing a healthcare service using the medical imaging system.

[0049] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any computing system or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.

We Claim:

1. A medical imaging system comprises:

a communication module configured to communicate with a user device of a subject over
a messaging channel;

a subject registration module communicably coupled to the communication module, wherein the subject registration module is configured to:

receive at least one request for registering a subject in the medical imaging system through the messaging channel;

scan the at least one request to obtain registration information of the subject, the registration information is associated with performing an imaging procedure for the subject in the medical imaging system;

register the subject based on the registration information; and at least one memory communicably coupled to the communication module and the subject registration module for storing the registration information.

2. The medical imaging system of claim 1, wherein communication between the user device and the medical imaging system over the messaging channel is in the form of at least one of a Short Messaging Service (SMS), a multimedia message, a voice mail, a visual voice mail, an email message, and a push message.

3. The medical imaging system of claim 1, wherein the subject registration module is further configured to send a confirmation of the registration of the subject to the user device.

4. The medical imaging system of claim 1, wherein the registration information comprises at least one of personal information and health state information of the subject, and information of the imaging procedure.

5. The medical imaging system of claim 4 further comprises an encryption module configured to encrypt the personal information of the subject.

6. The medical imaging system of claim 4 further comprises a services module communicably coupled to the communication module, wherein the services module is configured to:

analyze the health state information of the subject; and

communicate a plurality of subscriptions for healthcare services based on the health information to the user device;

receive a confirmation for at least one subscription for a healthcare service required for the subject; and

send content associated with the healthcare service required for the subject to the user device based on the at least one subscription.

7. The medical imaging system of claim 6, wherein the services module is further
configured to:

select a health schedule from a plurality of health schedules based on the health state information of the subject, wherein the health schedule is selected in response to user input; and

transmit at least one communication comprising health checkup information to the user device over the messaging channel based on the health schedule.

8. The medical imaging system of claim 7, wherein the at least one communication is transmitted at predefined time period based on the health schedule.

9. The medical imaging system of claim 7, wherein the subject registration module is further configured to deregister the subject based on one of a user input, and expiration of the health schedule associated with the subject.

10. The medical imaging system of claim 9, wherein the subject registration module is further configured to delete the registration information of the subject.

11. The medical imaging system of claim 1 further comprises a wireless communication module configured to:

receive a connection request from the user device located proximal to the medical imaging system; and

establish a communication link between the medical imaging system and the user device.

12. A method of providing a healthcare service using a medical imaging system, the
method comprising:

receiving a request for the healthcare service at the medical imaging system through a messaging channel;

communicating registration information of the subject through the messaging channel for registering the subject with the medical imaging system; and

registering the subject based on the registration information in the medical imaging system for providing the healthcare service to the subject.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprises sending a confirmation of the registration of the subject to a user device through the messaging channel.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the registration information comprises at least one of personal information and health state information of the subject, and information of an imaging procedure to be performed on the subject by the medical imaging system, the method further comprises:

encrypting the personal information of the subject; analyzing the health state information of the subject;

sending a plurality of subscriptions for healthcare service based on the health state information to the user device;

receiving a confirmation for at least one subscription for a healthcare service required for the subject; and

sending content associated with the healthcare service required for the subject to the user device based on the at least one subscription.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprises:

selecting a health schedule from a plurality of health schedules based on the health state information of the subject, wherein the health schedule is selected in response to user input; and

transmitting at least one communication comprising health checkup information to the user device over the messaging channel, wherein the at least one communication is transmitted at predefined time period based on the health schedule.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprises:

deregistering the subject based on one of a user input, and expiration of the health schedule associated with the subject; and

deleting the registration information of the subject.

17. The method of claim 12 further comprises:

receiving a connection request from the user device located proximal to the medical imaging system; and

establishing a communication link between the medical imaging system and the user device.

18. A system for providing a healthcare service to a subject, the system comprises:

a medical imaging system capable of communicating with a user device of the subject;

a communication infrastructure configured to manage communication between the user device and the medical imaging system, wherein the communication infrastructure comprises a messaging channel for facilitating the communication;

wherein the medical imaging system is configured to:

receive at least one request for registering a subject from the user device through the messaging channel;

scan the at least one request to obtain registration information of the subject, the registration information is associated with performing an imaging procedure for the subject in the medical imaging system;

register the subject based on the registration information; and

store the registration information.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the registration information comprises personal information and health state information of the subject, and information of the imaging procedure, wherein the medical imaging system is further configured to:

encrypt the personal information of the subject;

analyze the health state information of the subject;

communicate a plurality of subscriptions for healthcare services based on the health information to the user device;

receive a confirmation for at least one subscription for a healthcare service required for the subject; and

send content associated with the healthcare service required for the subject to the user device based on the at least one subscription.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the medical imaging system is further configured to:

select a health schedule from a plurality of health schedules based on the health state information of the subject, wherein the health schedule is selected in response to user input;

transmit at least one communication comprising health checkup information to the user device over the messaging channel based on the health schedule;

deregister the subject based on one of a user input, and expiration of the health schedule associated with the subject; and

delete the registration information of the subject.