Methods and apparatus for distributing digital medical images via a redirected system

• US 20060242159A1
• Filed: 03/10/2006
• Published: 10/26/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/10/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: James B. Weldy, Joseph A. Golkosky, Robert J. Bishop
• Original Assignee: James B. Weldy, Joseph A. Golkosky, Robert J. Bishop
• Inventors: Weldy, James B., Golkosky, Joseph A., Bishop, Robert J.
• Application Number:
  US11/372,658
• Publication Number:
  US 20060242159A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 30/20 for handling medical images, e.g. DICOM, HL7 or PACS
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation

Abstract

Methods and Systems for viewing, manipulating, transmitting and comparing digital image patient imaging studies. The methods and systems enable a user to take, receive, store and transmit digital imaging studies. The system allows the digital imaging studies to be stored locally and backed up at a remote server. The user is able to provide commands to provide for additional services or features to be performed on the imaging studies at the remote server and/or the local server. Users at local servers are able to grant access to selected images to third parties for collaboration. The user is able to compare a digital patient image with a digital image of an appropriate implant enabling the user to properly size, fit and locate the implant with respect to the digital image. Additionally, the system allows the user to compare digital images over time to determine implant movement with respect to its insertion, as well as changes within the bones.

Claims

1. A method of distributing digital medical images, the method comprising:

storing a first medical image in a compressed format and an uncompressed format on a first server, the first server being located at a first medical office;

receiving first login information at a central server from a first client device, the first login information being associated with the first server;

sending a first redirection message from the central server to the first client device, the first redirection message instructing the first client device to request information from the first server;

receiving a first image request at the first server from the first client device, the first image request being indicative of the first medical image, the first image request being associated with a first requested format, the first requested format being one of the compressed format and the uncompressed format;

sending the first medical image from the first server to the first client device in the first requested format;

storing a second medical image in the compressed format and the uncompressed format on a second server, the second server being located at a second medical office different from the first medical office;

receiving second login information at the central server from a second client device, the second login information being different than the first login information, the second login information being associated with the second server;

sending a second redirection message from the central server to the second client device, the second redirection message instructing the second client device to request information from the second server;

receiving a second image request at the second server from the second client device, the second image request being indicative of the second medical image, the second image request being associated with a second requested format, the second requested format being one of the compressed format and the uncompressed format; and

sending the second medical image from the second server to the second client device in the second requested format.

2. A method of storing digital medical images, the method comprising:

storing a first medical image on a first server and not storing a second medical image on the first server, the first server being located at a first medical office;

storing the second medical image on a second server and not storing the first medical image on the second server, the second server being located at a second medical office different from the first medical office; and

storing an index on the first server and storing the index on the second server, the index including information associated with the first medical image and the second medical image.

3. A method of retrieving digital medical images, the method comprising:

acquiring a new medical image at a first medical office;

sending the new medical image to a viewing station at the first medical office;

presenting a list of medical images at the viewing station, the list of medical images being associated with the new medical image, the list of medical images being acquired prior to the new medical image;

receiving a user selection indicative of a medical image in the list of medical images;

retrieving the medical image from a second different medical office via a computer network; and

sending the medical image to the viewing station at the first medical office.

4. A method of analyzing a plurality of digital medical images, the method comprising:

storing a first medical image of a portion of a patient at a first time;

storing first metadata associated with a first markup of the first medical image;

storing a second medical image of the portion of the patient at a second time subsequent to the first time;

storing second metadata associated with a second markup of the second medical image;

calculating a value based on the first metadata and the second metadata; and

displaying information indicative of the value.

5. A method of managing implant inventory, the method comprising:

displaying a first medical image;

selecting a first implant based on the first medical image;

storing data indicative of the first implant;

displaying a second medical image;

selecting a second implant based on the second medical image;

storing data indicative of the second implant;

aggregating at least a portion of the data indicative of the first implant and at least a portion of the data indicative of the second implant to create aggregated implant order information; and

sending the aggregated implant order information to a supplier associated with the first implant and the second implant.

6. A method of distributing digital medical images, the method comprising:

receiving first login information from a first user authorized to view a first medical image and a second medical image;

receiving a selection indicative of the first medical image located on a first server, the first server being located at a first medical office;

receiving a selection indicative of the second medical image located on a second server, the second server being locaed at a second medical office different from the first medical office;

receiving a request for temporary login information to be associated with the first medical image and the second medical image;

receiving the temporary login information at a central server from a client device;

sending a redirection message from the central server to the client device, the redirection message instructing the client device to request information from at least one of the first server and the second server;

sending an index to the client device, the index including information associated with the first medical image and the second medical image;

receiving an image request at the first server from the client device, the image request being indicative of the first medical image;

sending the first medical image from the first server to the client device; and

disabling the temporary login information.

7. A method of selecting an implant, the method comprising:

sending a first medical image from a first medical office to a third party implant selection service;

receiving first data at the first medical office from the third party implant selection service;

selecting a first implant based on the first data;

sending a second medical image from a second medical office to the third party implant selection service, the second medical office being different than the first medical office;

receiving second data at the second medical office from the third party implant selection service; and

selecting a second implant based on the second data.