Patent Abstract:
The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus that streamlines the process of prescribing and acquiring medical imaging experiments and data processing applications. The present application provides a modular intuitive and guided workflow having a graphical user interface that may be tailored and made singular and unique for each individual application. The user interface implements a guided management tool that incorporates the general principle that user activity is more efficient when it begins in the upper left-hand portion of the screen and proceeds horizontally across the screen moving from left-to-right and top-to-bottom. The user interface incorporates a number of tabs wherein each tab corresponds to a major prescription step. The tabs are aligned vertically along the left side of the user interface and are used to modularize the application workflow.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to medical imaging data acquisition and graphical user interfaces and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for managing the prescription workflow of a medical imaging session and acquiring medical images in accordance with this managed workflow. 
     The present invention is directed to the management of workflow for the prescription, acquisition and post processing of medical imaging sessions. The invention is particularly useful in prescribing MR image acquisition. While known MR systems somewhat guide a user or MR technologist through the imaging session, there is a need for a workflow management tool that is more logical and intuitive than these known systems. Prescribing MR imaging sessions and/or experiments involves setting parameters that are used by the pulse sequence, in reconstruction, and the visualization systems to acquire MR imaging data. The number of parameters is often extensive and with these known systems there is insufficient logic, layout, and management to guide the user from one parameter to the next. These workflow tools are often singular, parameter intensive, not intuitive, complex, and not configurable. 
     Known workflow tools can take the form of a graphical user interface (GUI) that appears on the operating console of the MR system. These GUIs typically provide all the scan parameters to the user simultaneously, but with only a limited number of application-specific parameters. These parameters are grouped into logical clusters and presented to the user. However, the clusters of scan parameters are presented on the GUI in such a manner that does not generally support generalized, logical workflow. Further, these known systems often fail to provide a mechanism to logically guide the user from one set of parameters to the other. These systems tend to support workflow where the user input actions occur randomly over the screen instead of following a sequential, logical approach. In addition, since all of the scan parameters are presented to the user in a single window, the window often appears complex and congested which contributes to user confusion and potential input errors. These known workflow systems are commendable across the entire spectrum of MR applications however, there is a need for a GUI that is tailored to a particular clinical or research application. That is, there is a need for a GUI that reflects the MR application currently running. 
     Typically, the workflow for these MR systems is restricted to presenting all scan parameters and associated application features on a single GUI presentation. As a result, the GUI does not efficiently guide the user through application prescription or acquisition, does not provide application information, lacks modularity, is not configurable, and introduces unnecessary complexity for prescribing MR experiments and acquiring MR images. 
     Therefore, it would be desirable to design a method and apparatus for managing the workflow for prescribing MR imaging sessions and experiments that would be adaptable to a particular MR application and be intuitive and logical in the presentation of prescription parameters. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus that streamlines the process of prescribing and acquiring MR experiments and MR data processing applications. The present application further provides a modular intuitive and guided workflow having a graphical user interface (GUI) that may be tailored and made singular and unique for each individual application. The GUI recognizes the general principle that user activity begins in the upper left-hand portion of the screen and proceeds horizontally across the screen moving from left to right and top to bottom. The GUI incorporates a number of tabs wherein each tab corresponds to a major prescription or image post-processing step. The tabs are aligned vertically along the left side of the screen, although they may optionally be aligned horizontally across the top of the screen, and are used to modularize the application workflow. These tabs lead the user through the steps necessary to prescribe the application as well as give the user valuable information regarding the purpose of each step via a tab label. Status indicators corresponding to each tab are also provided to convey the state of the activities associated with each tab, whether or not the tab has been selected, or if the associated task was completed successfully or not. The GUI also makes available user messages, scan information, and a list of the components necessary for the user to quickly initiate scan activity. The GUI also conveys the state of the current application and allows for the user to determine if the current application is able to scan, if another application is currently scanning, scan times, as well as other important scan information. 
     Therefore, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a GUI is provided for prescribing medical imaging sessions, acquiring medical images, and processing imaging data. The GUI comprises a plurality of modularizing selectors configured to facilitate workflow through a medical imaging application. A plurality of status indicators are also provided wherein each status indicator corresponds with a modularizing selector and configured to display at least one of selection of the modularizing selector and completion of tasks associated with the modularizing selector. The GUI further includes a messaging module configured to automatically display messages regarding the medical imaging application. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a graphical workflow management tool is provided for prescribing an imaging scan. The tool includes a GUI configured to be visually displayed on a console of a medical imaging system. The tool further includes a plurality of prescription tabs aligned vertically on the GUI. A plurality of status indicators are also provided on the GUI wherein each indicator is configured to display a status of activities for a corresponding prescription step. The tool further includes a plurality of tabs aligned horizontally on the GUI that upon selection display a context-specific user interface. 
     In yet another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus includes a computer programmed to receive a launch application command and launch the application in response thereto. The computer is further programmed to receive a number of application steps identifier. The computer is further programmed to display a GUI on a console the GUI having a number of tabs equal to the number of identified application steps. Each tab corresponds to an interaction performed by a user, such as prescription, scanning, etc. The computer is also programmed to display the status of application steps. The computer is also programmed to receive another prescription command and acquire images in response to the received another application step. 
     In a further aspect of the present invention, a method of acquiring images is provided and includes receiving a launch application instruction and launching the application. The method further includes determining a number of prescription steps based on a received user input. The method also includes displaying a GUI for prescribing an imaging session. The GUI is configured to include a number of modularizing tabs wherein each modularizing tab represents a prescription step. 
     Various other features, objects and advantages of the present invention will be made apparent from the following detailed description and the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       The drawings illustrate one preferred embodiment presently contemplated for carrying out the invention. 
       In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic block diagram of an MR imaging system for use with the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a representation of a graphical user interface illustrating the allocation of screen space in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a representation of graphical user interface similar to that shown in  FIG. 2  illustrating allocation of screen space in an alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a representation of a graphical user interface for setting up initial scan application parameters for one representative medical imaging application in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a representation of a graphical user interface similar to that shown in  FIG. 4  for prescribing localizers for the representative medical imaging application in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a representation of a graphical user interface for the inputting of patient information in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a representation of a graphical user interface for prescribing and acquiring images in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a representation of a pop-up dialog for use with the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a representation of a graphical user interface for displaying images of a scan station. 
         FIG. 10  is a representation of a graphical user interface for displaying summary data for the representative medical imaging application in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  is a representation of a graphical user interface for prescribing a particular medical imaging application in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 12  is a representation of a graphical user interface for acquiring medical diagnostic image for the representative medical imaging application in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 13  is a representation of a pop-up dialog for use with the present invention. 
         FIG. 14  is a representation of a graphical user interface for setting up advanced scan settings for the representative medical imaging application in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 15  is a representation of a graphical user interface for displaying help topics for the representative medical imaging application in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 16  is a representation of a graphical user interface for displaying protocol information for the representative medical imaging application in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 17  is a representation of a graphical user interface for modifying scan time in accordance for the representative medical imaging application with the present invention. 
         FIG. 18  is a representation of a graphical user interface for modifying the resolution for the representative medical imaging application in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 19  is a representation of a graphical user interface for modifying the contrast for the representative medical imaging application in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 20  is a representation of a graphical user interface for modifying the signal to noise ratio for the representative medical imaging application in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 21  is a representation of a graphical user interface for modifying slice information for the representative medical imaging application in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the major components of a preferred magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system  10  incorporating the present invention are shown. The operation of the system is controlled from an operator console  12  which includes a keyboard or other input device  13 , a control panel  14 , and a display  16 . The console  12  communicates through a link  18  with a separate computer system  20  that enables an operator to control the production and display of images on the screen  16 . The computer system  20  includes a number of modules which communicate with each other through a backplane  20   a . These include an image processor module  22 , a CPU module  24  and a memory module  26 , known in the art as a frame buffer for storing image data arrays. The computer system  20  is linked to disk storage  28  and tape drive  30  for storage of image data and programs, and communicates with a separate system control  32  through a high speed serial link  34 . The input device  13  can include a mouse, joystick, keyboard, track ball, touch activated screen, light wand, voice control, or any similar or equivalent input device, and may be used for interactive geometry prescription. 
     The system control  32  includes a set of modules connected together by a backplane  32   a . These include a CPU module  36  and a pulse generator module  38  which connects to the operator console  12  through a serial link  40 . It is through link  40  that the system control  32  receives commands from the operator to indicate the scan sequence that is to be performed. The pulse generator module  38  operates the system components to carry out the desired scan sequence and produces data which indicates the timing, strength and shape of the RF pulses produced, and the timing and length of the data acquisition window. The pulse generator module  38  connects to a set of gradient amplifiers  42 , to indicate the timing and shape of the gradient pulses that are produced during the scan. The pulse generator module  38  can also receive patient data from a physiological acquisition controller  44  that receives signals from a number of different sensors connected to the patient, such as ECG signals from electrodes attached to the patient. And finally, the pulse generator module  38  connects to a scan room interface circuit  46  which receives signals from various sensors associated with the condition of the patient and the magnet system. It is also through the scan room interface circuit  46  that a patient positioning system  48  receives commands to move the patient to the desired position for the scan. 
     The gradient waveforms produced by the pulse generator module  38  are applied to the gradient amplifier system  42  having G x , G y , and G z  amplifiers. Each gradient amplifier excites a corresponding physical gradient coil in a gradient coil assembly generally designated  50  to produce the magnetic field gradients used for spatially encoding acquired signals. The gradient coil assembly  50  forms part of a magnet assembly  52  which includes a polarizing magnet  54  and a whole-body RF coil  56 . A transceiver module  58  in the system control  32  produces pulses which are amplified by an RF amplifier  60  and coupled to the RF coil  56  by a transmit/receive switch  62 . The resulting signals emitted by the excited nuclei in the patient may be sensed by the same RF coil  56  and coupled through the transmit/receive switch  62  to a preamplifier  64 . The amplified MR signals are demodulated, filtered, and digitized in the receiver section of the transceiver  58 . The transmit/receive switch  62  is controlled by a signal from the pulse generator module  38  to electrically connect the RF amplifier  60  to the coil  56  during the transmit mode and to connect the preamplifier  64  to the coil  56  during the receive mode. The transmit/receive switch  62  can also enable a separate RF coil (for example, a surface coil) to be used in either the transmit or receive mode. 
     The MR signals picked up by the RF coil  56  are digitized by the transceiver module  58  and transferred to a memory module  66  in the system control  32 . A scan is complete when an array of raw k-space data has been acquired in the memory module  66 . This raw k-space data is rearranged into separate k-space data arrays for each image to be reconstructed, and each of these is input to an array processor  68  which operates to Fourier transform the data into an array of image data. This image data is conveyed through the serial link  34  to the computer system  20  where it is stored in memory, such as disk storage  28 . In response to commands received from the operator console  12 , this image data may be archived in long term storage, such as on the tape drive  30 , or it may be further processed by the image processor  22  and conveyed to the operator console  12  and presented on the display  16 . 
     The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus of directing workflow for medical imaging experiments and sessions. The invention utilizes an hierarchical scheme to facilitate improved workflow. The workflow tool will be described with respect to a Peripheral Vascular (PV) application using MR imaging technology which is considered the “super” application because it is defined by the combination of multiple sub-applications. The teachings of this invention are not limited, however, to a PV application or MR technology. The PV application of the present invention varies from a traditional application of known MR systems. Specifically, the PV application is a combination of a 2D gradient echo application and a 3DSPGR (Three-Dimensional with Spoiled Gradient Echo Pulse Sequence) application. Therefore, the PV application GUI is a composition of the components that it defines as well as the components from other “sub” applications. The present invention includes a GU  100  designed to dynamically adjust the layout and distribution of screen space throughout the scan. The PV application GUI can generally be thought of as a collector. As a result, nothing prohibits the “sub” applications from similarly acting as a recursive collection of any number of other application GUIs. 
     The present invention improves workflow by increasing the intuitiveness of the application workflow, making the application more flexible, improving usability, decreasing the number of user interactions/steps, and incorporating fault tolerance. In one preferred embodiment, the PV application may be launched by “double clicking” an icon displayed on the console  16 ,  FIG. 1 . By launching the PV application, the user may create a new exam, edit an existing protocol, and/or enter patient information. 
       FIG. 2  is an illustration of a layout of a GUI in accordance with the present invention. GUI  100  is designed to dynamically adjust the layout and distribution of screen space throughout the scan. As illustrated, GUI  100  includes a generic control region  110  which occupies approximately 20% of the available screen space, whereas the remaining 80% of the screen space is reserved for control of a local or particular application  112 . In this embodiment, the region  110  will retain 20% of the total screen space and thereby limit the space available for region  112 . In this embodiment region  112  includes prescription area  114  and an operations area  116 . 
     However, in another embodiment as shown in  FIG. 3 , GUI  100 ( a ) includes space  112 ( a ) which is distributed to include region  114 ( a ) but region  116 ( a ) is reserved for generic control operation. This occurs when the generic control application has the scanner resources and the control for the prescription application is simply being used to prescribe a scan session. In this embodiment, space associated with the Lx application  110 ( a ) and  116 ( a ) retains an additional 10 15% of the screen space. Therefore, the local application may utilize only 65 70% of the total screen space for conveying information. 
       FIGS. 2 and 3  illustrate various embodiments for allocating finite screen space among several medical imaging applications. Distributing the screen space in a position similar to that shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3  facilitates ease of user interactions between applications. It should be noted that the present allocations described above are for illustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , GUI  118  is shown having an initial setup window. GUI  118  is displayed when the PV application is first launched or, alternatively, when the user selects “Initial Setup” tab  119 ( a ) of modularizing tab array  119 . This view presents the user with an “Initial Setup” window  120 . Window  120  allows the user to perform the initial setup for the PV application. The user may establish settings such as acquisition settings  121 . Included in the acquisition settings  121  are coil  122 , number of stations  124 , and triggering mode  126 . Corresponding to coil  122  is a drop-down menu  128  that allows a user to select a coil such as a PV array. The user may input the number of stations in field box  130  and select the triggering mode  126  by choosing fluro triggered radial button  132  or timing bolus radial button  134 . If the user inputs a number stations greater than three, GUI  118  automatically updates to add additional modularizing tabs to array  119 . 
     Array  119  not only includes “Modularizing” tab  119 ( a ) corresponding to initial setup, but also includes a “Localizers” tab  119 ( b ), a “Station One” tab  119 ( c ), a “Station Two” tab  119 ( d ), a “Station Three” tab  119 ( e ), a “Summary” tab  119 ( f ), a “2D Fluro” tab  119 ( g ), and a “RunOff” tab  119 ( h ). Modularizing tab array  119  is vertically arranged along a left side of window  120 . The tabs  119 ( a )–( h ) correspond to each prescription step of an medical imaging scan session. The nomenclature provided for each tab is for illustrative purposes as differing medical imaging applications would utilize different tab names. The tabs are arranged vertically and, in a preferred embodiment, in order of execution. That is, tabs  119 ( a )–( h ) are logically arranged to guide a user through prescription of the medical imaging scanning session. When a particular tab is selected by a user, the tab is highlighted in a known manner to indicate selection of the particular tab. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the appearance of GUI  118  is representative of that which appears upon user selection of “Initial Setup” tab  119 ( a ). 
     GUI  118  further facilitates user selection of image processing settings  136  such as identifying the proper auto subtraction processing  138 . In a preferred embodiment, the user may select one of arterial-mask  140 , venous-mask  142 , or venous-arterial  144 . The user may also indicate whether to create projection images by selecting check box  146  or create a collapsed image by selecting check box  148 . GUI  118  further includes a “Notes” button  150  that once selected by a user will cause a GUI or window to appear for entering of notes related to the instant medical imaging scanning session or protocol. A “Patient” button  152  is also provided that upon activation by a user will display information relating to the patient. A “Landmark” button  154  as well as an “Advanced Settings” button  156  are also provided and will be discussed shortly. Selection of “Landmark” button  154  causes another window (not shown) to appear which is configured to facilitate proper positioning of the scan subject. If the user has any questions or needs assistance relating to the prescription steps, the user may select “Help” button  158  to display various topics to assist the user with prescribing the imaging scan. “Scan Assistant” button  155  will be discussed with reference to  FIGS. 17–21 . 
     As indicated previously, GUI  118  includes a prescription region  114  and generic control regions  110 ,  116 . Region  116  includes an “Auto Pre-Scan” tab  160 , a “Manual Pre-Scan” tab  162 , a “Prep Scan” tab  164 , and a “Scan” tab  166 . User selection of these tabs  160 – 166  varies depending upon the particular application. Region  116  also includes status identifiers  168  that display the current scan time, completion status, and activation status. 
     Region  110  includes an Rx manager interface  170  that displays various information regarding the particular prescription. The Rx manager  170  includes a “View/Edit” tab  172 , a “Prepare To Scan” tab  174 , a “Save Rx As Protocol” tab  176 , an “Auto Scan” tab  178 , and an “Auto Step” tab  180 . Tabs  172 – 180  will display upon user selection thereof a corresponding window to facilitate user completion of the selected task or activity. A number of additionally status indicators and tabs are also provided in region  110  to provide information to the user as to the status of the scan session. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the user will make changes to the PV application settings when defining a new protocol. That is, a user may make selections in window  120  of GUI  118  and throughout other portions of the application, such as an “Advanced Settings” window (to be discussed shortly), and then save the settings as a new protocol. As a result, all subsequent executions of this PV application could utilize the created protocol and the user would typically only review the settings in the “Initial Setup” page and then click the next tab, the “Localizers” tab  119 ( b ), to begin the acquisition of data. When the user has entered all of the data for a particular tab, a check  181  will appear as a label to indicate that the necessary steps have been achieved. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 4 , there are three stations for this application as indicated in the “Number of Stations” text field  130 . This is important because the number of stations determines the number of corresponding steps/tabs  119  for this application. Specifically, there is one tab per station for the acquisition of the 3D volume mask images and there is one localizer image set acquired per station. For example, if there were only two stations defined there would be one fewer tab (i.e. “Station 3” tab  119 ( e ) would not be necessary), only two localizers listed under the “Localizers” tab  119 ( b ), and only two stations for arterial and venous images. If the user entered six stations on the “Initial Setup” page  118 , the number of tabs  119  would update to add three more (i.e. “Station 4”, Station 5”, and “Station 6”), there would be six localizers under the “Localizers” tab  119 ( b ), and six stations for arterial and venous images. 
     The “Arterial-Mask” option  140  specifies that after acquisition of the arterial run images a set of subtracted images should be automatically generated using the masks. It should be noted that the auto-subtraction option  138  should be an improvement over existing systems as it automates and simplifies this application. 
     Workflow within this application works in the following way. A user navigates an application through a series of steps as conveyed by the tabs  119  on the left side of the screen  114 . There is a one-to-one relationship between the number of tabs  119  and the number of steps in the PV application. Therefore, in this embodiment, the PV application has eight steps corresponding to the number of tabs  119 . Preferably, the user moves through these tabs  119  from top to bottom. This is expected to be the preferred manner of completing this application, however, the user may complete the steps in any order. As all the tasks with each tab  119  are completed (i.e. the “Localizer” tab  119 ( b ) is only considered complete when the task of acquiring the localizers is completed) each tab  119  displays a checkmark icon  181 . This icon will indicate to the user that the step has been successfully completed. If a step has not been completed, partially or not at all, the tab will not have a check. Also, all seven steps prior to the “RunOff” step (i.e. the last step) must have been successfully completed in order to acquire the arterial and venous runs. That is, the PV application requires that all steps prior to the final step of arterial and venous acquisition be performed. The user will be notified of this requirement, if they try to acquire the “runs” without completing all prior steps, via the “Scan” button  166  being disabled and a message being displayed in the “Application Message” area  116 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a representation of GUI  118  upon user selection of “Localizers” tab  119 ( b ) is shown. Window  184  appears within GUI  118  and allows the user to review and/or change the scan parameters for each of the station localizers (as defined in the “Initial Setup” mentioned earlier).  FIG. 5  is an illustration of how the user may multi-task effectively by “prescribing ahead” a local application while the system is busy scanning another generic series. The user may view “Patient Information” by clicking button  152  at the top of the screen in the “Global Information Access” area that contains the name and ID of the patient. A pop-up dialog will then be displayed on top of the PV application GUI  118  similar to that shown in  FIG. 6  (which will be described below). 
     Window  184  allows the user to review and/or change the scan parameters for each station. The user may adjust the FOV  186 , slice thickness  188 , slices per frame  190 , and slice spacing  192  for each station. The user may also review and/or edit scan parameters relating to the center of the FOV  194 . 
     Once the user inspects and verifies the scan parameters presented, the user may select “Prepare to Scan” button  198  to initiate a resource switch to transfer the scanning resources and download. The user can then select “Scan” to initiate a scan for the localizer application and perform any necessary Prescan operations and then scan the localizers. The resource switch is a very important difference between the present system and other known systems. In the present invention, one must consider the consequences of the first selection of a scanning operation. This will cause a scanning resource switch, whether it is the first selection of a scan operation in the localizer application when the scanner is “owned” by the global application, or vice versa. Therefore, when a user selects scan, the first thing that occurs is a resource switch. 
     A “Humanoid”  196  is displayed in a right portion of window  184 . When the “Scan” button  198  is selected, all three localizers are automatically scanned and images are displayed in the “Humanoid”. This is an important step in improving the user workflow by automating redundant steps and streamlining how the user moves through this system. In a preferred embodiment, one cannot scan localizers in any other fashion. If there are more or less stations defined, as part of the initial setup, then there will be fewer or more localizers to be acquired. In either case, the localizer acquisition will be done automatically. 
     After selecting “Scan” button  198 , the GUI  118  will set forth the progress being made towards completion of the resource switch and scan in one of three ways. 
     First, the “Humanoid”  196  displayed to the immediate right of the localizer scan parameters window  184  will display localizers from each station as they are being acquired. That is, when the first localizer image from the first station (most superior in this case) is acquired the middle sagittal image  200  will be displayed in the top viewer of the “Humanoid”  196 . Each subsequent image  202 ,  204  acquired for that station is also displayed. The “Humanoid”  196  provides the capability for the user to scroll through the images  200 – 204 . However, in one embodiment, the images displayed will only be sagittal images. As the system finishes acquiring the localizer from one station and then begins acquisition of a localizer at another station, the “Humanoid”  196  updates as necessary until the scanning completes. 
     The second way in which the user is made aware that the global application system is scanning is via progress bars  206  and a timer  208 , both of which indicate the progress towards the completion of the resource switch and localizer acquisition. Another bar (not shown) shows progress towards the completion of the resource switch on the scanner. Bar  206  indicates the percentage of the task completed based on images acquired versus total images. The “resource switch” progress bar will be displayed first and will be replaced by the “image acquisition” progress bar immediately after it completes. Timer  208  shows the count down of time for the image acquisitions. Timer  208  will be displayed when the “Scan” button  196  is selected, but will not begin counting down until the scanner actually begins the scan. 
     The final way in which the user is made aware that the global application system is scanning is via the desktop icon displaying the word “Scanning”  210 , the scan operation buttons being disabled, and, in most experiments, the user can hear the scanner as it is scanning. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , “Patient Information” window  212  appears upon user selection of patient tab  152 ,  FIG. 4 . Window  212  allows the user to view an accession number  214 , a patient ID  216 , name  218 , birth date  220 , sex  222 , weight  224 , age  226 , radiologist  228 , operator  230 , reference  232 , status  234 , exam description  236 , and history  238 . A “close” button  240  is also provided to allow the user to close window  212 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , once the user has acquired the localizers for the three specified stations, the user may select the next step, “Station 1” tab  119 ( c ), in order to display window  242  to prescribe and acquire the 3D mask images for the first station. The user may also proceed to the next step before acquisition of images. In this embodiment, the user cannot perform any further interactions associated with this step as the required localizer images have not been acquired. Alternatively, the user may select scan and move to the next step while the image acquisitions are occurring. In this embodiment, the user can begin the next step once the first localizer is acquired. Window  242  contains the same “Humanoid”  196  in the same location as in  FIG. 5 . However, instead of the localizer imaging parameters for each localizer being presented, there is a 3-pane GRx tool  244 . Directly above the GRx tool  244  is a toggle button  246  that allows the user to move between viewing the acquired 3D mask images  248 – 252  and interacting with the 3-plane GRx tool  244 . Below the GRx tool  244  is the “Prep Scan” combination button  199  and the “Scan” button  198  as shown in  FIG. 5 . These two buttons will not become active until after the user places the prescription on the image and no other application is scanning. 
     Once the 3D volume has been placed on the localizer images the user may interact with the 3D volume by dragging and rotating the 3D volume. Also, the user may use the tools located in GRx  244 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , most medical imaging applications employ policies for its scan and application parameters that prevent the user from entering invalid prescriptions. One tool that enforces these policies is referred to as “Scan Assistant” window  254 . In the PV application, the policy will be to “popup” a dialog  254  whenever a user enters parameters that are invalid. This dialog  254  will indicate to the user the error and force selection of another valid value. The user may choose between a default value 256 the system chooses, which is the next closest value to the invalid entry, or may enter another valid value 258. This tool  254  will prevent the medical imaging application from being in an invalid state. User may accept the changes by selecting “accept” tab  260  or cancel the change by selecting tab  262 . An alternate “Scan Assistant” tool will be described with respect to  FIGS. 17–21 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 7 , to acquire the 3D mask images for this station, the user would select “Scan” button  198 . As described earlier, the “image acquisition” progress bar  206  and timer  208  are displayed while acquiring the images. Also, once the “Scan” button  198  is selected, the area of the screen occupied by the GRx tool  244  is replaced with an image viewer,  FIG. 9 . Referring now to  FIG. 9 , the image viewer  263  associated with “Station 1” button  119 ( c ) is displayed can be used to scroll through the acquired images as well as performing basic image operations such as window level and pan/zoom. In addition, the “Humanoid”  196  displays the 3D volume that was prescribed on the associated localizer and a “GRx/Viewer” toggle button  246  becomes active. 
     The “Humanoid”  196  also enables the viewer to display the localizer images selected to gain focus and also allows for the images in these viewers to be scrolled, pan/zoomed, and window leveled. The “Humanoid”  196  enables viewers to be selected which causes the PV application to switch to the associated prescription. For example, if the user “double-clicks” the third viewer in the “Humanoid” (i.e. station 3), the window associated with “Station 3” tab  199 ( e ) will become selected and the user can move forward with this step. Further, “Humanoid”  196  displays information such as the iso-center, station number, station acquisition time, and the time for table motion. Because there are three stations defined there are three 3D masks to be prescribed and acquired. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 10 , after all mask image sets for each station have been acquired, the user may proceed to the “Summary” tab  119 ( f ). The purpose of “Summary” window  264  is to present the user with the option of reviewing the acquisition order, time to acquire the arterial and venous images, and to “skip” acquisition of any arterial or venous phase or to change number of phases. All of this is accomplished via the information panel  265  displayed to the left of the “Humanoid”  196 . 
     Window  264  clearly illustrates to the user everything that is scheduled to occur during the acquisition of the arterial and venous images. Things illustrated include: 
     Two columns indicating the arterial and venous acquisitions through the use of colored labels (i.e. red for arterial, blue for venous). 
     Colored labels contain the scan time for each series. 
     Check boxes next to the boxes allow the user to select or skip the acquisition. Therefore, in order to skip any step, the user only has to uncheck the check box associated with the particular acquisition. 
     Panel clearly shows the start of the acquisition as well as the total time listed for the acquisition. This number will dynamically update based on order selected and what is and is not being acquired. 
     In addition to the panel  265 , there are also two buttons  266 ,  268  that the user can choose from in order to define the order of arterial and venous acquisition. One selection, “Venous Up”  266  acquires the arterial images superior to inferior and then the venous images inferior to superior thus reducing table movement. The second option is “Venous Down”  268  which acquires both the arterial and venous images superior to inferior. In one embodiment, “Venous Down”  268  is selected by default. 
     In addition to all that can take place during the “Summary” step, the present invention allows the user to re-acquire the 3D mask images for a particular station. Since the user may change the prescription for the 3D masks for station two and then re-acquire the images, the user need follow the same steps mentioned above when they first prescribed and acquired the 3D masks for station two. That is, “Station 2” tab  119 ( d ) is selected and the GRx tool is used to fix the prescription. The user then presses the “Scan” button. Reacquisition of mask images for station 2 does not affect the previously acquired data for the other stations. Once this is completed, the user selects the “Summary” tab once again to again review a summary of the data acquisition. 
     Referring to  FIG. 11 , the present invention allows for prescribing of a fluoroscopy by selecting modularizing tab  119 ( g ) from GUI  118 . Upon selection of tab  119 ( g ), window  270  is displayed. Window  270  includes a GRx tool  272  for 2D prescription that enables the user to input various fluoroscopy parameters such as FOV  274 , slice thickness  276 , and number of slices per slab  278 . “Humanoid”  196  remains displayed in a right portion of the screen as well as localizer images  248 – 252 . 
     After prescribing the Fluoro acquisition, the user may then select “Runoff” tab  119  ( h ) to complete the final step in the imaging application. 
     Referring to  FIG. 12 , window  280  appears when tab  119 ( h ) is selected. From window  280 , the user can acquire arterial and venous images in one of two ways. First, the user may use a real-time fluoroscopy technique to acquire the images. To acquire the images the user will begin by pressing the “Start Flour” button  282 , which will cause the viewer on this page to present the user with a real-time image  284  of the location that was prescribed and the “Start Fluoro” button will change its label to read “Pause Fluoro”. At this point the user could do one, none or both of the following: 
     A.Select the “ROI” button  286  and draw a Region of Interest (ROI)  288  over the area of interest on the image in the viewer  284 . This step is not required as the user could also visually detect bolus arrival. In this particular case, an ROI is used and as soon as it is placed on the image, the  290  in the top of window  280  updates with pixel intensity information. 
     B.Enter a time manually into the “Acquisition delay” text field  292 . This can only be done if the “Auto Trigger”  294  is selected. In this case, the user leaves text field  292  at zero which tells the system that the user must manually press the “Go 3D” or “Scan” button  296  to initiate a scan. 
     After implementing the Fluoroscopy, the user may start the injector by pressing the “Start injector” button  298  which will essentially begin the injection of the contrast agent. If the “Acquisition Delay”  292  had a value greater than zero, the viewer would start a timer and would auto-scan when it reaches the same value displayed in the “Acquisition Delay” text field  292  if “Auto Trigger”  294  was selected. The user may watch the image  284  in the viewer as well as the graph  290  in order to detect the arrival of the contrast. Once the contrast is detected, it is time to begin the scan. The user may give any necessary instructions to the patient (i.e. hold breath) and press the “Scan” button  296 , which will cause the sequence of arterial and venous image acquisitions to occur as prescribed in the “Summary” step. As these images are being acquired, they will be automatically displayed in the viewer. The user may scroll, pan/zoom, and window level these images. 
     A second way in which the user may acquire arterial and venous images is through the use of a timing bolus. To do this, the user must first prescribe the location for the fluoro image. The user may then start the fluoro acquisition by pressing the “Start Fluoro” button  282 . As the fluoro acquisition is occurring in real-time, the user may prepare themselves and the patient and then press the “Timing Bolus” button  300 . This will cause a few things to occur. First, button  300  will change to read “Mark Time” and still be active. Second, the image will display a timer  302  that is incrementing in seconds from the time the “Timing Bolus” button  300  is pressed and will not stop until the “Mark Time” button  300  is pressed. The final change from pressing the “Timing Bolus” button  300  is that the injector will inject a small amount of bolus into the patient, which the user will use to time the arrival of contrast into the fluoro image. 
     After the “Timing Bolus” button  300  is pressed, the user will watch the image  284 , and possibly the graph  290 , for the contrast to arrive. When the contrast is detected, the user presses the “Mark Time” button  300 . This action will cause timer  302  on the image to stop incrementing. Further, a “Time to Start” text field (not shown) will become active with the same value as the timer on the image. Next, the user may decide to change the value of the “Time to Start” text field by simply highlighting the field and entering in a new value, or leave it as is. (Note: Throughout this process, the fluoro acquisition continues to occur.) Now the user may acquire the arterial and venous run images. 
     When “Start Injector” button  298  is pressed, the full amount of contrast agent is injected into the patient and the value in the text field and the timer on the image will begin counting down therefore functioning as a visual queue/reminder to the user. If the auto trigger  294  is selected, the value in the text field and on the image reaches zero and scanner automatically begins acquiring the arterial and venous images. The user may manually press the “Go 3D” button  296  before the timer in the viewer reaches the value displayed in the “Time to Start” text field, but not after. If the auto trigger is not selected, the value in the text field and on the image only serves as a “guide” to the user that they should manually select the “Go 3D” button  296  when it reaches a value of zero. However, when the value does equal the “Time to Start” text field, nothing happens. Therefore, it is up to the user in this case to initiate the scan. They may do it before, after, or when the times equal. When the scan is initiated, a scanning timing bar  304  is displayed as well as a scan time timer  306 . 
     After the user has completed the acquisition of the arterial and venous images the user may save this particular instance of the PV application as a protocol that may be implemented at a later date without reentering each parameter. This allows for buildup of a protocol database that may be accessed in the future. To save the protocol, the user selects the “Save Rx as Protocol” button  176  inside the Rx Manager  170  on left side of the GUI. 
     Next and referring to  FIG. 13 , the user may enter the identifying name for this protocol in text field  308  of the “Save Protocol Rx” dialog  310  that pops up and select the “Accept” button  312 . The user may also identify a protocol category using drill down menu  314 . To cancel “saving” of the protocol the user may select button  315 . 
     After this application is saved as a protocol, the user may want to close the exam as all series have been scanned. In order to end the exam, the user selects the “End Exam” button  171  on the left side of GUI  118 . This will cause the current contents of the scan window to be closed. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 4 , the present invention allows for viewing and/or editing a screen series by selecting the “View Edit” button  172 , or by double clicking a desired series  179 . Either of these actions will cause the currently displayed window (immediately to the right of the Rx Manager) to be hidden, and the window associated with the selected series to be shown. 
     Referring to  FIG. 14 , the present invention includes an “Advanced Settings” window  316  which allows the user access to all parameters, features, and tools associated with a particular application for viewing and/or editing. For example, window  316  allows the user to access parameters associated with image subtraction  318 , image projections  320 , as well as all scan and application parameters  322  that are not presented to the user throughout the steps of the application. The user may also view/edit advanced settings regarding patient information  324 . 
     Additionally, when the user launches the “Advanced Settings” window, the presentation within the dialog window will contain the parameters and advanced settings for the currently selected step in the application. This will be referred to as “context sensitive” behavior. For example, if the user has the “Initial Setup” window selected when the “Advanced Settings” button is clicked, the window that displays will be set to the parameters and advanced settings for the initial setup. Also, this dialog will contain the parameters and advanced settings for all components of the application, which can be reached via the scroll bar on the right-hand side of the dialog window. Note that the parameters and advanced settings are organized and listed in the dialog window in the same order that they appear in the application (i.e. “Initial Setup”, “Localizers”, . . . , “RunOff”). Once the user completes viewing/editing, window  316  may be closed by selecting button  326 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 15 , a “Help” window  328  appears upon selection of “Help” button  158 ,  FIG. 4 . A number of help topics  330  may be listed to help the user clarify any issue. The help topics  330  may be application specific or specific to the activities of a particular tab  119 ( a–h ). 
     Much like the “Advanced Settings” window,  FIG. 13 , the “Help” dialog is context sensitive. So, in this case when the dialog comes up the first choices presented to the user should relate directly to the currently selected step. Therefore, if the “Initial Setup” step was selected, the options in the “Help” window  328  should include projection and collapse images amongst other topics. Also, window  328  will allow the searching of all topics contained in the help system. The purpose of the help system, will be to answer user questions regarding how to complete an application, medical imaging physics questions, and serve as a place holder for user notes about a particular topic or application. The user may select close button  332  to close window  328 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 16 , a protocol window  334  may be viewed which displays the contents that are not “context sensitive”. That is, the protocol information window  334  will always contain the same options for each application. All that will change between instances of the application are the values and settings for these options. Also, in one embodiment, these options can only be viewed in window  334  as they are not editable. After viewing the protocol information, the user may close window  334  by selecting close button  336 . 
     As discussed above, the present invention includes an “Advanced Settings” window whose context is adaptive to display those parameters and settings associated with a particular tab. These settings allow access to all possible application parameters and features for users that have special needs. For example, the “Localizer” tab in the PV application only displays a few scan parameters for each station. These options have been determined to be the most important, but some users may want access to other options. If so, the user need only select the “Advanced Settings” button and a page will be presented with all available options and features of the specific imaging application. The information that will be displayed to the user when the “Advanced Settings” button is pressed will depend on the currently selected step in the application. Like the “Help” window, the “Advanced Settings” window will be context sensitive in that it will display the parameters and advanced settings for the particular step in the application that is selected when the “Advanced Settings” is pressed. However, the user can still access any of the other parameters and advanced settings available for other steps in the application. The Advanced Settings for each modularizing tab are set forth below:1. 
     Initial Setup: 
     Patient Height 
     Patient Position 
     Patient Entry 
     Magnitude Subtraction 
     Complex Subtraction 
     Collapse Projections 
     Projection Increment 
     19 projections @ 20 deg. Increments 
     38 projections @ 10 deg. Increments 
     User Specified 
     Axis of Rotation 
     2.Localizers: 
     FOV 
     Slice Thickness 
     Spacing 
     Frequency 
     Phase 
     NEX 
     Phase FOV 
     Auto Center Frequency 
     Autoshim 
     Contrast 
     Coverage; center of FOV (R/L, A/P, S/I) 
     Number of slices per plane 
     Scan controls (scan, prescan, manual prescan, auto prescan) 
     Different number of images per 3-plane 
     3.3D Rx: 
     Plane 
     Mode 
     TE 
     Flip Angle 
     Bandwidth 
     FOV 
     Slice Thickness 
     Locs per slab/no. of slices 
     Frequency 
     Phase 
     NEX 
     Phase FOV 
     Frequency direction 
     Auto center frequency 
     no. of slabs 
     It uses the following options: 
     Variable bandwidth 
     ZIP2 
     ZIP512 
     CV10→ Special (on/off) 
     CV12→ Elliptic Centric (on/off) 
     Referse elliptic centric 
     4.Summary: 
     None 
     5.Fluoro Rx: 
     Plane 
     Mode 
     TE/TI 
     Tr 
     Flip Angle 
     Bandwidth 
     FOV 
     Slice Thickness 
     Matrix Frequency 
     Matrix Phase/PFOV 
     NEX 
     Frequency Direction 
     Auto Center Frequency 
     As indicated previously, the present invention utilizes a “Humanoid” configured to function as a visual tool that allows the user to interact with and navigate the application, gather data about the exam, and view images. The “Humanoid” displays localizer images for each station and allows access to a station&#39;s GRx viewer by “double-clicking” on the corresponding image. Further, the images will display prescription overlap from one view image to the another. “Double-clicking” an image in the “Humanoid” will immediately take the user to the step corresponding to that station&#39;s GRx. For example, selecting the middle viewer on the “Humanoid” will cause the current window to change to the window that would appear as if the “Station 2” tab had been selected. The station label will change slightly when the user is prescribing that station to indicate to which is the active station. The scan times displayed on the “Humanoid” will be updated dynamically based on changes. A user can scroll through the selected images in a viewer. A user can window/level the selected images in a viewer. A user can select and view different localizer planes on the “Humanoid” as well. 
     The present invention allows for messages to be displayed to a user. The error messages may be separated into two categories: application level messages and system/safety messages. System and safety level messages may be displayed in the upper left hand side of the GUI  118 ,  FIG. 4 . There are a couple of ways in which application level messages will be presented to the user. First, text messages may be placed within the applications panel underneath the tabbed pane and above the “Scan Ops” area of the screen. Another way in which these messages may be presented is through pop-up displays to the user. In the former case, the messages will typically be informational. The messages in the latter case will be due to erroneous user input into scan parameter fields. 
     In a further embodiment, the present invention includes a series of graphical windows that for the purposes of this application will be collectively referred to as a “Scan Assistant”. In known systems, the mechanism for preventing erroneous input of scan parameters by a user is to present to the user change in scan parameter label colors indicates a specific scan parameter value is out of range and needs to be changed to a suggested value. While the user is shown a valid range of the value read scan parameter, these systems fail to provide any information to indicate that scan parameters are inter-related and can depend on one another. If the value of one scan parameter is changed, it most probably affects another parameter value but with these known systems the user is not made explicitly aware that such a change has occurred unless the change causes a value to go outside a valid min/max range of values. 
     During a typical prescription of a scan session, a user wants to accomplish a number of tasks, such as, reducing scan time, increasing resolution, increasing contrast, and increasing signal-to-noise ratio. Other common tasks the user may wish to accomplish during the scan prescription include increasing coverage (i.e. number of slices), entering values outside a current valid range, and providing guidance on scan parameter dependencies. Current systems are capable of assisting the user in accomplishing each of these tasks, but not easily. Further, the user must fully understand at a physics level the inter-dependencies between scan parameters and manually change these parameters in a way that accomplishes the intended result. 
     The present invention solves these drawbacks by demonstrating the relationship between scan parameters, notifying the user of scan parameter validity, as well as suggesting possible ways to achieve a pre-defined set of specific goals, such as reducing scan time, increasing resolution, increasing contrast, increasing signal-to-noise ration, and increasing coverage. 
     The present invention provides prescription guidance by notifying the user when the user changes a scan parameter value of those other scan parameters that have been automatically changed, are out of a valid range, and require the user to enter a new value. That is, if the user inputs a scan parameter value that causes another scan parameter value to be changed and the change to the other scan parameter is valid, the scan assistant will notify the user that the other scan parameter value is valid and has therefore been automatically changed. However, if the user changes a scan parameter value which causes another scan parameter to be out of the valid range, the scan assistant will notify the user that the other scan parameter is now out of a valid range and is therefore invalid. Further, if the user changes a scan parameter value, the scan assistant is also configured to notify and prompt the user to enter a new scan parameter value for another scan parameter value that is dependent upon the changed parameter value. 
     The present invention further provides prescription guidance by prioritizing all the scan parameters into three categories on a per scan session or experiment basis. The scan parameters are prioritized into a primary, secondary, and tertiary group. This ranking defines the relationship between parameters and provides guidance how their values may be affected based on user input. For example, change in the value of a primary parameter, such as FOV, may affect other primary parameters as well as secondary parameters, such as, resolution, and tertiary parameters, such as, timing. However, changing a secondary parameter value may affect other secondary parameters as well as tertiary parameters, but would not affect a primary parameter. Moreover, changing a tertiary parameter may only affect other tertiary parameter values. This ranking promotes the notion of driving the physics from the geometry to the timing, rather than from timing to geometry as is typically done in known systems. Because the scan assistant recognizes the parameter relationship, it may assist the user in achieving the desired timing by facilitating geometry trade-offs. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 17–21 , the Scan Assistant facilitates prescribing a scan session with reduced scan time, increased resolution, increased contrast, increased signal-to-noise ratio, and increased coverage by presenting the user with these options in a series of graphical windows. The user need only select the specific task option and the Scan Assistant will then display a list of possible ways to achieve the intended result as well as displaying trade-offs associated with achieving the intended result at the expense of other limitations of the system. The displayed trade-offs or consequences may be dynamically determined based on user input or, alternatively, include a list of canned or common trade-offs associated with modifying the particular trade option. 
     Now referring to  FIG. 17 , window  338  is displayed on GUI  118  when the user selects “Scan Assistant” button  155  followed by a selection of “Scan Time” tab  340 . “Scan Time” tab  340  is one of a number of tabs  342  that allows the user to complete a fixed set of tasks related to prescribing a scan session or scan experiment. The additional buttons include a “Resolution” tab  344 , a “Contrast” tab  346 , an “SNR” tab  348 , and a “Slices” tab  350 . As indicated previously, window  338  is displayed when tab  340  is selected. Window  338  displays a number of options that may be modified for the selected application that are associated with scan time. For example, the user may select reduce TR  352 , reduce NEX  354 , or select reduce phase-in-frequency matrix  356  to further modify scan time for the selected application. Each option further includes a checkbox  358  that the user may select to indicate to the system that an option is to be edited. The user may then input modified scan values in field  360  for each selected option. When the user inputs a scan parameter value for any option in field  360 , a number of the most common consequences associated with changing that parameter value appear in field  362 . This allows the user to determine, in real-time, the effects of changing a particular scan parameter value. 
     Window  338  further includes a number of scan parameter display fields to convey general scan parameter data to the user. These additional scan parameter values include time  364 , number of slices  366 , number of acquisitions  368 , SNR  370 , spatial resolution  372 , CNR  374 , DB/DT  376 , Peak SAR  378 , estimated SAR  380 , average SAR  382 , and FPS  384 . A message area  386  is also provided to be used to convey messages to the user. A “Saved Series” tab  388  may be used to save modified scan parameter values. 
     Referring to  FIG. 18 , when the user selects “Resolution” tab  344  window  390  is displayed that allows the user to modify the scan parameter values associated with resolution. Similar to window  338  of  FIG. 17 , window  390  includes a number of boxes  392  that may be selected to indicate to the system that a particular scan parameter is to be modified. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 18 , the options which may be modified for the selected application related to the resolution functions include increase phase in frequency matrix  394 , reduce slice thickness  396 , reduce slice spacing  398 , and reduce FOV (not shown). The user may input a new scan parameter value or modify an existing scan parameter for each option by entering data in fields  400  corresponding to each particular option. Inputting of a modified scan parameter value will again result in a number of consequences associated with modifying the scan parameter value to appear on window  390  in fields  402 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 19 , selection of “Contrast” tab  346  will result in window  406  being displayed. Window  406  allows the user to modify options related to the contrast for the selected application. Boxes  408  are provided that may be “checked” to indicate that a particular option is to be modified. In this embodiment, the options include reduce flip angle  410 , increase TR  412 , and increase TE  414 . The user may input modified data for each selected option in a corresponding field  416 . When the user inputs the modified scan parameter value in field  416 , the system automatically determines and displays a number of consequences associated with modifying the scan parameter value in field  418 . 
     Now referring to  FIG. 20 , window  420  is displayed when the user selects “SNR” tab  348 . Selection of “SNR” tab allows the user to modify options for the particular application related to signal-to-noise ratio. The user may indicate that a particular option is to be modified by marking box  422  corresponding to each available option. In this embodiment, the available options include increase NEX  424 , reduce phase and frequency matrix  426 , increase slice thickness  428 , and reduce bandwidth  430 . After selecting a particular option to be modified, the user may input modified scan parameter value for particular option in fields  432  which results in the system automatically determining and displaying in field  434  the consequences associated with modifying the SNR value to the value input by the user. The user may scroll window  420  using tabs  421 ( a ) and  421 ( b ). 
     Now referring to  FIG. 21 , selection of “Slices” tab  350  results in window  436  being displayed to the user. Window  436  allows the user to modify options related to coverage for the selected application. The user may do so by first selecting box  438  corresponding to a particular option to be modified. In this embodiment, the modifiable options include increase TR  440 , reduce TE  442 , increase bandwidth  444 , and reduce frequency matrix  446 . After selecting an option to modify, the user may input modified scan parameter values in a corresponding field  448  for each selected option. The system will then automatically determine based on the hierarchical nature of the scan parameter values, as discussed previously, display the consequences  450  of modifying the scan parameter value as input by the user. 
     In another preferred embodiment, the system automatically detects modification of a parameter rather than relying on a user to first select a “check box” signaling to the system that an option is to be modified. 
     Once the user has modified each option desired, the user may save the modified parameters for the particular application by depressing “Save Series” tab  388 . It should be noted, that the user need not view each window to save the series. That is, the user may elect to modify the options associated with scan time and contrast by viewing only those windows associated with those tabs but may elect not to modify the remaining tasks associated with a particular application. The user need not display each of the other tabs to save the series. 
     The present invention has been described with particular reference to a PV application implemented with an MR imaging system. However, the teachings of the present invention related to logical guidance of workflow for acquiring imaging data on a single GUI may be applicable to other medical imaging systems such as, CT, PET, X-ray, and ultra-sound. 
     Therefore, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a graphical user interface is provided for prescribing a medical imaging session, acquiring diagnostic images, and processing imaging data. The GUI comprises a plurality of modularizing selectors configured to facilitate workflow through a medical imaging application. A plurality of status indicators are also provided wherein each status indicator corresponds with a modularizing selector and configured to display at least one of selection of the modularizing selector and completion of tasks associated with the modularizing selector. The GUI further includes a messaging module configured to automatically display messages regarding the MR application. 
     In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a graphical workflow management tool is provided for prescribing a medical imaging scan. The tool includes a GUI configured to be visually displayed on a console of a medical imaging system. The tool further includes a plurality of prescription tabs aligned vertically on the GUI. A plurality of status indicators are also provided on the GUI wherein each indicator is configured to display a status of activities for a corresponding prescription step. The tool further includes a plurality of context-specific tabs aligned horizontally on the GUI. 
     In yet another embodiment of the present invention, an MR apparatus includes a computer programmed to receive a launch MR application command and launch the MR application in response thereto. The computer is further programmed to receive a number of application steps. The computer is further programmed to display a GUI on a console, the GUI having a number of tabs equal to the number of identified application steps. The computer is also programmed to initialize a localizer scan for at least one localizer application step and display status of the localizer scan on the GUI and receive a prescription command and acquire MR images in response to the received prescription command for an application step. The computer is also programmed to receive another prescription command and acquire MR images in response to the received prescription command for another application step. Alternatively, the computer may be programmed to conduct prescription workflow for a number of identified sub-applications. 
     In a further embodiment of the present invention, a method of acquiring diagnostic images is provided and includes receiving a launch application instruction and launching the application. The method further includes determining a number of stations based on a received user input, wherein each station includes a number of localizers. The method also includes acquiring imaging data and displaying the imaging data on a GUI, the GUI having a number of context-specific tabs and a number of modularizing tabs. 
     The present invention has been described in terms of the preferred embodiment, and it is recognized that equivalents, alternatives, and modifications, aside from those expressly stated, are possible and within the scope of the appending claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 6