Second opinion network
First Claim
1. A system for facilitating delivery of digital slide image analysis information, comprising:
- one or more referral source devices each having a digital slide scanning means, wherein a referral source device is configured to scan a glass slide and create a digital slide image that is the subject of the digital slide image analysis, the referral source device further configured to send the digital slide to a scanning center via a data communication network;
one or more scanning centers each having a data storage area configured to store a plurality of digital slides and associated information regarding the plurality of digital slides, the one or more scanning centers each having a digital slide viewing means configured to provide image data from a digital slide to one or more remote viewers, the one or more scanning centers further configured to receive and store digital slide image analysis information and provide said digital slide image analysis information to a referral source device upon request;
one or more remote viewers communicatively coupled with the scanning center via the communication network, wherein a remote viewer is configured to receive an image of a digital slide from the scanning center and provide the image on a display and send digital slide image analysis information to a scanning center; and
wherein the scanning center further comprises a timing means configured to engage a consultant for the digital slide image analysis.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods are provided to facilitate consultations between a referral source (e.g., labs, pathologists and patients) and a consultant (e.g., pathologist, radiologist, or other digital image analyst). Links between the various referral sources and consultants are established through a scanning center via a data communication network such as the Internet. The referral source sends a slide to the scanning center where the corresponding digital slide is posted for review and analysis by the consultant. Upon completion of the analysis and report, a digital slide conference is conducted through the scanning center that provides a venue for direct communication regarding the consultation. The scanning center may also facilitate payment from the referral source to the consultant.
19 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A system for facilitating delivery of digital slide image analysis information, comprising:
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one or more referral source devices each having a digital slide scanning means, wherein a referral source device is configured to scan a glass slide and create a digital slide image that is the subject of the digital slide image analysis, the referral source device further configured to send the digital slide to a scanning center via a data communication network; one or more scanning centers each having a data storage area configured to store a plurality of digital slides and associated information regarding the plurality of digital slides, the one or more scanning centers each having a digital slide viewing means configured to provide image data from a digital slide to one or more remote viewers, the one or more scanning centers further configured to receive and store digital slide image analysis information and provide said digital slide image analysis information to a referral source device upon request; one or more remote viewers communicatively coupled with the scanning center via the communication network, wherein a remote viewer is configured to receive an image of a digital slide from the scanning center and provide the image on a display and send digital slide image analysis information to a scanning center; and wherein the scanning center further comprises a timing means configured to engage a consultant for the digital slide image analysis. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A computer implemented method for facilitating delivery of digital slide image analysis information, comprising:
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receiving a digital slide image from a referral source device via a communication network; storing the digital slide image in a data storage area; sending access information to one or more consultants, wherein said access information permits access to the digital slide image; receiving a request for the digital slide image from the consultant device; providing the digital slide image via the communication network to a remote viewer associated with at least one of said one or more consultants; receiving digital slide image analysis information via the communication network from a remote viewer associated with a first of said one or more consultants; and engaging said first of said one or more consultants in response to receiving said digital slide image analysis information. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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16. A system for facilitating delivery of digital slide image analysis information, comprising:
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one or more referral source devices each having a digital slide scanning means, wherein a referral source device is configured to scan a glass slide and create a digital slide image that is the subject of the digital slide image analysis, the referral source device further configured to send the digital slide to a scanning center via a data communication network; one or more scanning centers each having a data storage area configured to store a plurality of digital slides and associated information regarding the plurality of digital slides, the one or more scanning centers each having a digital slide viewing means configured to provide image data from a digital slide to one or more remote viewers, the one or more scanning centers further configured to receive and store digital slide image analysis information and provide said digital slide image analysis information to a referral source device upon request; one or more remote viewers communicatively coupled with the scanning center via the communication network, wherein a remote viewer is configured to receive an image of a digital slide from the scanning center and provide the image on a display and send digital slide image analysis information to a scanning center; and wherein the scanning center further comprises a timing means configured to send access information to a plurality of consultants and engage only one consultant for the digital slide image analysis. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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Specification