Secure network system and method for transfer of medical information

• US 7,028,182 B1
• Filed: 01/26/2000
• Issued: 04/11/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/19/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Nexsys Electronics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nexsys Electronics, Inc.
• Inventors: Killcommons, Peter M.
• Primary Examiner(s): MOISE, EMMANUEL LIONEL
• Application Number:
  US09/491,459
• Time in Patent Office: 2,267 Days
• Field of Search: 713/153, 713/154, 713/161, 713/182, 713/201, 705/2, 705/3, 707/1, 707/3, 707/10, 707/100, 707/104, 380/277, 709/203, 709/217, 709/229, 709/245, 709/249, 709/200, 709/201, 709/231, 370/474, 370/476, 370/394, 370/470, 714/748, 714/749
• US Class Current: 713/161
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/04 for providing a confidential data exchange among entities communicating through data packet networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/06 for supporting key management in a packet data network cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for key management H04L9/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/123 received data contents, e.g. message integrity
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/164 at the network layer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99931 Database or file accessing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99933 Query processing, i.e. searching
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99945 Object-oriented database structure processing

Abstract

The assembly and communication of medical information from a variety of modalities to remote stations through a public network is provided for by the combined use of a transmitter and disassembly structure. The transmitter includes an assembly unit for gathering data into packets and a processing unit to provide security for transfer. The disassembly structure reconfigures the data for relay to a receiving station. Mechanisms are provided for conserving the transfer time from transmitter to disassembly structure.

Claims

1. Stored in a computer readable format, computer executable instructions which when executed cause a method to be performed, the method comprising:

recognizing the identity of a receiving station that is to receive medical data;

identifying a disassembly structure from the identity of the receiving station; and

,

preparing packets containing the medical data and causing the packets to be sent via a network to the disassembly structure, the preparing comprising attempting to secure the medical data for its transportation over the network by applying to the medical data at least one security technique selected from the group consisting of

encryption;

authentication; and

,

key management.

2. The stored computer readable and executable instructions of claim 1 wherein the recognizing comprises recognizing the identity of the receiving station based upon the medical data'"'"'s content.

3. The stored computer readable and executable instructions of claim 1 wherein the medical data and the identity of the receiving station is to be received by the disassembly structure.

4. The stored computer readable and executable instructions of claim 3 wherein the identity of the receiving station comprises an IP network address.

5. The stored computer readable and executable instructions of claim 4 wherein the IP network address is a private IP network address.

6. The stored computer readable and executable instructions of claim 3 wherein the identity of the receiving station comprises an AE title.

7. The stored computer readable and executable instructions of claim 1 wherein the medical data is in a DICOM compatible format prior to the applying.

8. The stored computer readable and executable instructions of claim 1 wherein the applying further comprises applying an IPSec security technique.

9. The stored computer readable and executable instructions of claim 1 wherein the applying further comprises applying an SSL security technique.

10. The stored computer readable instructions of claim 1 wherein the preparing further comprises preparing between 0.1 megabyte and 5.0 megabyte portions of medical data into each of the packets.

11. The stored computer readable instructions of claim 1 where the method further comprises receiving confirmation of completed packet transfers from the disassembly structure within a threshold time.

12. The stored computer readable instructions of claim 11 wherein the method further comprises causing a resend of those portions of the medical data to which no acknowledgments are received within the threshold time.

13. A method, comprising:

recognizing the identity of a receiving station that is to receive medical data;

identifying a disassembly structure from the identity of the receiving station; and

,

preparing packets containing the medical data and causing the packets to be sent via a network to the disassembly structure, the preparing comprising attempting to secure the medical data for its transportation over the network by applying to the medical data at least one security technique selected from the group consisting of

encryption;

authentication; and

,

key management.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the recognizing comprises recognizing the identity of the receiving station based upon the medical data'"'"'s content.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein the medical data and the identity of the receiving station is received by the disassembly structure.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the identity of the receiving station comprises an IP network address.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the IP network address is a private IP network address.

18. The method of claim 15 wherein the identity of the receiving station comprises an AE title.

19. The method of claim 13 wherein the medical data is in a DICOM compatible format prior to the applying.

20. The method of claim 13 wherein the applying further comprises applying an IPSec security technique.

21. The method of claim 13 wherein the applying further comprises applying an SSL security technique.

22. The method of claim 13 wherein the preparing further comprises preparing between 0.1 megabyte and 5.0 megabyte portions of medical data into each of the packets.

23. The method of claim 13 further comprising receiving confirmation of completed packet transfers from the disassembly structure within a threshold time.

24. The method of claim 23 further comprising causing a resend of those portions of the medical data to which no acknowledgments are received within the threshold time.