Remote medical image analysis

• US 20020164059A1
• Filed: 05/04/2001
• Published: 11/07/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Greatbatch Limited (Greatbatch Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: BIOMEC, Inc. (Integer Holdings Corporation Inc)
• Inventors: Sivashankaran, Arun, Cottrill, Benjamin A., Behm, Stephen M., DiFilippo, Frank P.
• Granted Patent: US 6,829,378 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 382/128
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/0012 Biomedical image inspection
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 30/40 for processing medical images, e.g. editing
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation

Abstract

The Remote Medical Image Analysis System implements a process for providing computerized medical image analysis for medical service providers using an Application Service Provider [ASP] model. To analyze a medical image, the system accepts a medical image file from a remotely located user. The medical image file is transferred over a computer network, such as the Internet, wherein the system analyzes the medical image file. The analysis results (which may include transformed images, reports, and diagnoses) are then transferred by the system to the user over the computer network. To accomplish this task, the system implements web servers, application servers, and processing servers, with data servers utilizing a database for data storage and retrieval, coordinating data flows among the various servers and system users and archiving data for longer-term storage.

Claims

1. A process of providing a computerized medical image analysis system comprising the steps of:

transferring a medical image file from a user, said transfer occurring over a computer network via computer operations;

analyzing said medical image file via computer operations; and

transferring an analysis result to a user, said transfer occurring over a computer network via computer operations.

2. The process according to claim 1 wherein said medical image file is transferred from a user computer and further wherein said analysis result is transferred to the user computer.

3. The process according to claim 2 wherein said computer network is the Internet.

4. The process according to claim 2 further comprising the steps of

allowing the user to login to the computerized system, wherein only authorized users are allowed access to the system;

and allowing the user to log off said medical imaging system;

wherein

said medical image file is a medical image of the brain; and

even further wherein

said analysis result includes numerical diagnostic measures which include an indication of atrophy of the brain.

5. The process according to claim 2 further comprising the steps of:

allowing the user to login to the computerized system, wherein only authorized users are allowed access to the system; and

allowing the user to log off said medical imaging system.

6. The process according to claim 5 wherein said computer network is the Internet.

7. The process according to claim 1 wherein said computer network is a wide area network.

8. The process according to claim 1 wherein said computer network is the Internet.

9. The process according to claim 1 wherein said analysis result includes numerical diagnostic measures.

10. The process according to claim 9 wherein

said medical image file is a medical image of the brain;

and further wherein

said numerical diagnostic measures indicate atrophy of the brain.

11. The process according to claim 1 wherein said medical image file is a magnetic resonance image.

12. The process according to claim 1 wherein said medical image file is a medical image of a brain.

14. The process of claim 13, further comprising the steps of:

(I) allowing a user to login to the computerized system, said login comprising the steps of;

(A) processing a user login request,

(B) providing system access to the user only if the user is authorized to access the system; and

(II) allowing the user to log off said medical imaging system.

15. The process according to claim 14 wherein said medical image file is transferred from a user computer and further wherein said analysis result is transferred to the user computer.

16. The process according to claim 15 wherein

said medical image file is a medical image of the brain;

and further wherein

said analysis result includes numerical diagnostic measures which include an indication of atrophy of the brain.

17. The process according to claim 13 wherein said computer network is the Internet.

18. The process according to claim 13 wherein said medical image file is transferred from a user computer and further wherein said analysis result is transferred to the user computer.

19. The process according to claim 13 wherein said computer network is a wide area network.

20. The process according to claim 13 wherein said computer network is the Internet.

21. The process according to claim 13 wherein said analysis result includes numerical diagnostic measures.

22. The process according to claim 21 wherein

said medical image file is a medical image of the brain;

and further wherein

said numerical diagnostic measures indicate atrophy of the brain.

23. The process according to claim 13 wherein said medical image file is a magnetic resonance image.

24. The process according to claim 13 wherein said medical image file is a medical image of the brain.

25. The process according to claim 13 wherein

said medical image file is transferred from a user computer;

and further wherein

said analysis result is transferred to the user computer; and

still further wherein

said medical image file is a medical image of the brain; and

even further wherein

said analysis result includes numerical diagnostic measures which include an indication of atrophy of the brain.

26. The process according to claim 25 wherein said computer network is the Internet.

28. The process of claim 27 further comprising the steps of:

(I) processing a user login request, said login request comprising the steps of;

(A) providing the user with a login prompt;

(B) accepting a user login input; and

(C) processing the user login input;

(II) allowing the user to log off said medical imaging system; and

further wherein said notifying the user that said analysis is complete can occur either when the user is logged on or when the user is logged off the system.

29. The process of claim 28 wherein said notifying the user that said analysis is complete is done by using email.

30. The process of claim 27, wherein:

(I) said analyzing of said medical image file further comprises the steps of;

(A) generating a re-run report, wherein said re-run report contains suggested modifications to said processing parameters for a re-analysis of said medical image file; and

(B) storing said re-run report in said database, wherein said re-run report is linked to said job identifier;

(II) said providing the user with a set of system options for processing said medical image further comprises the step of notifying the user of a suggested re-analysis of said medical image file if said re-run report recommends a re-analysis.

(III) said providing the user with a set of system options for processing said medical image further comprises an image re-analysis request; and

further comprising the step of;

(IV) re-analyzing said medical image file if the user selected said re-analysis request, said re-analyzing comprising the steps of;

(A) prompting the user for the job identifier of the medical image to be re-analyzed;

(B) accepting the updated job identifier input by the user;

(C) prompting the user for an update to said processing parameters;

(D) accepting the updated processing parameters from the user;

(E) re-processing said medical image information, said re-processing comprising the steps of;

(i) linking said medical image parameters and said medical image file to an updated job identifier; and

(ii) linking said updated job identifier to said user ID;

(F) analyzing said medical image file; and

(G) notifying the user that said re-analysis is complete; and

(V) transferring re-analysis results to the user if the user selected said analysis results retrieval request.

31. The process of claim 30 wherein:

(I) said providing the user with a set of system options for processing said medical image further includes the option of allowing a user to choose a user information update request; and

(II) further comprising the step of performing a user information update request if the user selected said user information update request.

32. The process of claim 27 further comprising the steps of:

(I) processing a user login request, said login request comprising the steps of;

(A) providing the user with a login prompt;

(B) accepting the user login input; and

(C) processing the user login input;

(II) allowing the user to log off said medical imaging system; and

further wherein said notifying the user that said analysis is complete can occur either when the user is logged on or when the user is logged off the system.

33. The process of claim 27 wherein:

(I) said providing the user with a set of system options for processing said medical image further includes the option of allowing a user to choose a user information update request; and

(II) further comprising the step of performing a user information update request if the user selected said user information update request.

34. The process according to claim 27 wherein said medical image file is transferred from a user computer over a computer network and further wherein said analysis result is transferred to the user computer over the computer network.

35. The process according to claim 34 wherein said computer network is a Wide Area Network.

36. The process according to claim 34 wherein said computer network is the Internet.

38. A process according to claim 37 further comprising the steps of:

(I) logging in a user, said login comprising the steps of;

(A) processing a user login request, said login request comprising the steps of;

(i) providing the user with a login prompt;

(ii) accepting a user login input, said login input comprising;

(a) a user ID; and

(b) a user password; and

(iii) processing the user login input, said processing comprising the steps of;

(a) comparing said user ID against a verified user list, wherein the user is prohibited from access to the system if said user ID is not on said verified user list;

if said user ID is verified, then;

(b) comparing said user password against a stored password corresponding to said user ID, wherein the user is prohibited from access to the system if said password does not match said password corresponding to said user ID;

if said user password is verified then;

(c) permitting user access to the system;

(iv) preventing the user not verified from accessing system features; and

(II) allowing the user to log off said medical imaging system.

39. The process according to claim 37 wherein said medical image file is transferred from a user computer over a computer network and further wherein said analysis result is transferred to the user computer over the computer network.

40. The process according to claim 39 wherein said computer network is a wide area network.

41. The process according to claim 39 wherein said computer network is the Internet.

13. A process of providing a remote computerized medical image analysis system comprising the steps of:

(I) connecting a user to the system over a computer network;

(II) prompting the user to select a system option, said prompting comprising the steps of;

(A) providing the user with a set of system options for processing said medical image;

(B) requesting that the user select at least one of said system options; and

(C) accepting said user selected system options;

(III) processing said medical image file, said processing comprising the steps of;

(A) requesting that the user provide a location of said medical image file;

(B) transferring said medical image file from the location given by the user;

(C) analyzing said medical image file with a computer to obtain analysis results; and

(D) notifying the user that said analysis is complete;

(IV) transferring said analysis results to the user, said transferring comprising the steps of;

(A) the user requesting an analysis results retrieval;

(B) accepting said analysis results retrieval request by the user; and

(C) transferring said analysis results to the user.

27. A process of providing a computerized medical image analysis system comprising the steps of:

(I) prompting a user to select a system option, said prompting comprising the steps of;

(A) providing the user with a set of system options for processing said medical image, said system options comprising;

(i) an image analysis request; and

(ii) an analysis results retrieval request;

(B) requesting that the user select at least one of said system options; and

(C) accepting said user selected system options;

(II) analyzing a medical image file if the user selected said image analysis request, said analyzing comprising the steps of;

(A) requesting that the user provide medical image information, said image information comprising;

(i) a location of a medical image file;

(ii) a job identifier; and

(iii) processing parameters for analyzing said image file;

(B) processing said medical image information, said processing comprising the steps of;

(i) saving said medical image information in a database; and

(ii) transferring said medical image file to said database, wherein said medical image file is obtained from said location of said medical image file;

(C) analyzing said medical image file, said analyzing comprising the steps of;

(i) transforming said image file, wherein said transforming creates a transformed image file;

(ii) storing said transformed image file in said database, wherein said transformed image file is linked to said job identifier;

(iii) generating an analysis report, wherein said analysis report contains a medical interpretation of said transformed image file; and

(iv) storing said analysis report in said database wherein said analysis report is linked to said job identifier; and

(D) notifying the user that said analysis is complete;

(III) transferring analysis results to the user if the user selected said analysis results retrieval request, said transferring comprising the steps of;

(A) requesting analysis results retrieval transfer information from the user, said analysis results retrieval transfer information comprising;

(i) a job identifier; and

(ii) an transfer options list, wherein the user can select one or more transfer options from said transfer options list;

(B) accepting the analysis results retrieval transfer information provided by the user;

(C) performing an analysis results transfer to the user.

37. A process of providing a computerized medical image analysis system comprising the steps of:

(I) prompting a user to select a system option, said prompting comprising the steps of;

(A) providing the user with a set of system options for processing said medical image, said system options comprising;

(i) an image analysis request;

(ii) an analysis results retrieval request;

(iv) an image re-analysis request; and

(iii) a user information update request;

(B) requesting that the user select at least one of said system options; and

(C) accepting said user selected system option;

(II) analyzing a medical image file if the user selected said image analysis request, said analyzing comprising the steps of;

(A) requesting that the user provide medical image information, said image information comprising;

(i) a location of a medical image file;

(ii) a job identifier for said image; and

(iii) processing parameters for processing said image; and

(B) processing said medical image information, said processing comprising the steps of;

(i) saving said medical image information in a database;

(ii) transferring said medical image file to the database, wherein said medical image file is obtained from said location of said medical image file; and

(iii) linking said medical image parameters and said medical image file to said job identifier;

(C) analyzing said medical image file, said analyzing comprising the steps of;

(i) transforming said image file, wherein said transforming creates a transformed image file;

(ii) storing said transformed image file in said database, wherein said transformed image file is linked to said job identifier;

(iii) generating an analysis report, wherein said analysis report contains a medical interpretation of said transformed image file;

(iv) storing said analysis report in said database wherein said analysis report is linked to said job identifier;

(v) generating a re-run report, wherein said re-run report contains suggested modifications to said processing parameters for a re-analysis of said medical image file; and

(vi) storing said re-run report in said database, wherein said re-run report is linked to said job identifier; and

(D) notifying the user that said analysis is complete, wherein said notification can occur either when the user is logged on or when the user is logged off;

(III) transferring an analysis to the user if the user selected said analysis results retrieval request, said transferring comprising the steps of;

(A) requesting analysis transfer information from the user, said analysis transfer information comprising;

(i) a job identifier;

(ii) an transfer location;

(iii) an transfer option list, said transfer option list comprising;

(a) an analysis report file transfer option;

(b) a transformed image file transfer option,

(c) a view transformed image option; and

(d) a view analysis report option;

wherein the user can select one or more transfer options from said transfer option list;

(B) accepting said analysis transfer information provided by the user, wherein said transfer information is saved in the database linked to said job identifier;

(C) performing the requested analysis transfer, said performing comprising the steps of;

(i) transferring said analysis report file to the transfer location if the user selected said analysis report file transfer option;

(ii) transferring said transformed image file to the transfer location if the user selected said transformed image file transfer option;

(iii) sending said transformed image to the user for display if the user selected said view transformed image option;

(iv) sending said analysis report to the user for display if the user selected said view analysis report option; and

(D) notifying the user of a suggested re-analysis of said medical image file if said re-run report recommends a re-analysis;

(IV) re-analyzing said medical image file if the user selected said re-analysis request, said re-analysis comprising the steps of;

(A) prompting the user for the job identifier of the medical image to be re-analyzed;

(B) accepting the updated job identifier input by the user;

(C) prompting the user for an update to said processing parameters;

(D) accepting the updated processing parameters from the user;

(E) re-processing said medical image information, said re-processing comprising the steps of;

(i) linking said medical image parameters and said medical image file to an updated job identifier; and

(ii) linking said updated job identifier to said user ID;

(F) re-analyzing said medical image file, wherein said re-analysis generates analysis results; and

(G) notifying the user that said re-analysis is complete, wherein said notifying can occur either when the user is logged on or when the user is logged off. and

(V) performing a user information update request if the user selected said user information update request.

42. A process of providing a computerized medical image analysis system comprising the steps of:

(I) connecting a user computer to the system over a computer network;

(II) logging in the user computer, said login comprising the steps of;

(A) processing a user login request, said login request comprising the steps of;

(i) providing the user with a login prompt;

(ii) accepting a user login input, said login input comprising;

(a) a user ID; and

(b) a user password; and

(iii) processing the user login input, said processing comprising the steps of;

(a) comparing said user ID against a verified user list, wherein the user is prohibited from access to the system if said user ID is not on the verified user list;

if said user ID is verified, then;

(b) comparing said user password against a stored password corresponding to said user ID, wherein the user is prohibited from access to the system if said password does not match said password corresponding to said user ID;

if said user password is verified then;

(c) permitting user access to the system;

(iv) preventing the user not verified from accessing system features; and

(B) providing the user with a set of system options for processing said medical image, said system options comprising;

(i) an image analysis request;

(ii) an analysis result transfer request;

(iv) an image re-analysis request; and

(iii) a user information update request;

(C) requesting that the user select at least one of said system options; and

(D) accepting said user selected system option, wherein said user selected system option is stored in said database;

(III) analyzing a medical image file if the user selected said image analysis request, said analyzing comprising the steps of;

(A) requesting that the user provide medical image information, said image information comprising;

(i) a location of a medical image file;

(ii) a job identifier for said image; and

(iii) processing parameters for processing said image;

(B) processing said medical image information, said processing comprising the steps of;

(i) saving said medical image information in a database;

(ii) transferring said medical image file to said database, wherein said medical image file is obtained from said location of said medical image file;

(iii) linking said medical image parameters and said medical image file to said job identifier; and

(iv) linking said job identifier to said user ID;

(C) analyzing said medical image file, said analyzing comprising the steps of;

(i) transforming said image file, wherein said transforming creates a transformed image file;

(ii) storing said transformed image file in said database, wherein said transformed image file is linked to said job identifier;

(iii) generating an analysis report, wherein said analysis report contains a medical interpretation of said transformed image file; and

(iv) storing said analysis report in said database wherein said analysis report is linked to said job identifier, wherein said analysis report may include a re-run report containing suggested modifications to said processing parameters for a re-analysis of said medical image file if said analysis determines that a re-analysis would be beneficial; and

(D) notifying the user that said analysis is complete, wherein said notification can occur either when the user is logged on or when the user is logged off;

(IV) transferring an analysis result to the user if the user selected said analysis result transfer request, said transferring comprising the steps of;

(A) requesting analysis transfer information from the user, said analysis transfer information comprising;

(i) a job identifier;

(ii) a transfer location;

(iii) a transfer option list, said transfer option list comprising;

(a) a view transformed image option;

(b) a transformed image file transfer option,

(c) a view analysis report option; and

(b) an analysis report file transfer option;

wherein the user can select one or more analysis result transfer options from the transfer option list;

(B) accepting the analysis result transfer information provided by the user, wherein said transfer information is saved in the database linked to said job identifier;

(C) performing the requested analysis result transfer, said transfer comprising the steps of;

(ii) transferring the analysis report file to the transfer location if the user selected said analysis report file transfer option;

(iii) transferring the transformed image file to the transfer location if the user selected said transformed image file transfer option;

(iv) sending said transformed image to the user for display if the user selected said view transformed image option; and

(v) sending said analysis report to the user for display if the user selected said view analysis report option; and

(D) notifying the user of a suggested re-analysis of said medical image file if said re-run report recommends a re-analysis;

(V) re-analyzing said medical image file if the user selected said re-analysis request, said re-analysis comprising the steps of;

(A) prompting the user for the job identifier of the medical image to be re-analyzed;

(B) accepting the updated job identifier input by the user;

(C) prompting the user for an update to said processing parameters, wherein said prompting may include an option to use suggested parameters obtained during the initial analysis if such parameters were generated;

(D) accepting the updated processing parameters from the user;

(E) re-processing said medical image information, said re-processing comprising the steps of;

(i) linking said medical image parameters and said medical image file to an updated job identifier; and

(ii) linking said updated job identifier to said user ID;

(F) analyzing said medical image file; and

(G) notifying the user that said re-analysis is complete, wherein said notification can occur either when the user is logged on or when the user is logged off;

(VI) performing a user information update request if the user selected said user information update request; and

(VII) allowing the user to log off said medical imaging system.

43. A computerized medical image analysis system comprising:

means for allowing the user to login to the computerized system, wherein only authorized users are allowed access to the system

means for transferring a medical image file from a user, said transfer occurring over a computer network via computer operations;

means for analyzing said medical image file via computer operations;

means for transferring an analysis result to a user, said transfer occurring over a computer network via computer operations; and

means for logging off the user from said medical imaging system.

44. A computerized medical image analysis system according to claim 43 wherein

said medical image file is a medical image of the brain;

and even further wherein

said analysis result includes numerical diagnostic measures which include an indication of atrophy of the brain.

45. A computerized medical image analysis system according to claim 43 wherein said computer network is the Internet.

46. A computerized medical image analysis system according to claim 43 wherein said medical image file is a magnetic resonance image.

48. A computerized medical image analysis system according to claim 47 further comprising:

(I) means for allowing a user to login to the system, said login means comprising;

(A) means for processing a user login request,

(B) means for providing system access to the user only if the user is authorized to access the system; and

(II) means for allowing the user to log off said medical imaging system.

49. A computerized medical image analysis system according to claim 47 wherein said analysis result includes numerical diagnostic measures.

50. A computerized medical image analysis system according to claim 47 wherein

said medical image file is a medical image of the brain;

and further wherein

said numerical diagnostic measures indicate atrophy of the brain.

51. A computerized medical image analysis system according to claim 47 wherein said medical image file is a magnetic resonance image.

52. A computerized medical image analysis system according to claim 47 wherein said medical image file is a medical image of the brain.

47. A computerized medical image analysis system comprising:

(I) means for connecting a user to the system over a computer network;

(II) means for prompting the user to select a system option, said prompting means comprising

(A) means for providing the user with a set of system options for processing said medical image;

(B) means for requesting that the user select at least one of said system options; and

(C) means for accepting said user selected system options;

(III) means for processing said medical image file, said processing means comprising;

(A) means for requesting that the user provide a location of said medical image file;

(B) means for transferring said medical image file from the location given by the user;

(C) means for analyzing said medical image file with a computer to obtain analysis results; and

(D) means for notifying the user that said analysis is complete;

(IV) means for transferring said analysis results to the user, said transferring means comprising;

(A) means for allowing the user to request an analysis results retrieval;

(B) means for accepting said analysis results retrieval request by the user; and

(C) means for transferring said analysis results to the user.

53. A computerized medical image analysis system comprising:

(I) means for prompting a user to select a system option, said prompting means comprising;

(A) means for providing the user with a set of system options for processing said medical image, said system options comprising;

(i) an image analysis request; and

(ii) an analysis results retrieval request;

(B) means for requesting that the user select at least one of said system options; and

(C) means for accepting said user selected system options;

(II) means for analyzing a medical image file if the user selected said image analysis request, said analyzing means comprising;

(A) means for requesting that the user provide medical image information, said image information comprising;

(i) a location of a medical image file;

(ii) a job identifier; and

(iii) processing parameters for analyzing said image file;

(B) means for processing said medical image information, said processing means comprising;

(i) means for saving said medical image information in a database; and

(ii) means for transferring said medical image file to said database, wherein said medical image file is obtained from said location of said medical image file;

(C) means for analyzing said medical image file, said analyzing means comprising;

(i) means for transforming said image file, wherein said transforming creates a transformed image file;

(ii) means for storing said transformed image file in said database, wherein said transformed image file is linked to said job identifier;

(iii) means for generating an analysis report, wherein said analysis report contains a medical interpretation of said transformed image file;

(iv) means for storing said analysis report in said database wherein said analysis report is linked to said job identifier; and

and

(D) means for notifying the user that said analysis is complete;

(III) means for transferring analysis results to the user if the user selected said analysis results retrieval request, said transferring means comprising;

(A) means for requesting analysis results retrieval transfer information from the user, said analysis results retrieval transfer information comprising;

(i) a job identifier; and

(ii) an transfer options list, wherein the user can select one or more transfer options from said transfer options list;

(B) means for accepting the analysis results retrieval transfer information provided by the user;

(C) means for performing an analysis results transfer to the user.

54. A computerized medical image analysis system according to claim 53 further comprising:

(I) means for processing a user login request, said login means comprising;

(A) means for providing the user with a login prompt;

(B) means for accepting a user login input; and

(C) means for processing the user login input;

(II) means for allowing the user to log off said medical imaging system; and

further wherein

said notifying the user that said analysis is complete can occur either when the user is logged on or when the user is logged off the system.

55. A computerized medical image analysis system according to claim 53, wherein:

(I) said analyzing means of said medical image file further comprises;

(A) means for generating a re-run report, wherein said re-run report contains suggested modifications to said processing parameters for a re-analysis of said medical image file; and

(B) means for storing said re-run report in said database, wherein said re-run report is linked to said job identifier;

(II) said means for providing the user with a set of system options for processing said medical image further comprises means for notifying the user of a suggested re-analysis of said medical image file if said re-run report recommends a re-analysis.

(III) said means for providing the user with a set of system options for processing said medical image further comprises an image re-analysis request; and

further comprising;

(IV) means for re-analyzing said medical image file if the user selected said re-analysis request, said re-analyzing means comprising;

(A) means for prompting the user for the job identifier of the medical image to be re-analyzed;

(B) means for accepting the updated job identifier input by the user;

(C) means for prompting the user for an update to said processing parameters,

(D) means for accepting the updated processing parameters from the user;

(E) means for re-processing said medical image information, said re-processing means comprising;

(i) means for linking said medical image parameters and said medical image file to an updated job identifier; and

(ii) means for linking said updated job identifier to said user ID;

(F) means for analyzing said medical image file; and

(G) means for notifying the user that said re-analysis is complete; and

(V) means for transferring re-analysis results to the user if the user selected said analysis results retrieval request.

56. A computerized medical image analysis system according to claim 55 further comprising:

(I) means for processing a user login request, said login request means comprising;

(A) means for providing the user with a login prompt;

(B) means for accepting a user login input; and

(C) means for processing the user login input;

(II) means for allowing the user to log off said medical imaging system; and

further wherein said notifying the user that said analysis is complete can occur either when the user is logged on or when the user is logged off the system.