Second opinion network
First Claim
1. A system for linking referral sources and consultants, the system comprising:
- at least one hardware processor; and
at least one executable module that is configured to, when executed by the at least one hardware processor of a hosting center, at the hosting center,at a first time, receive metadata for a digital slide image from a device of a referral source over at least one network, wherein a size of the digital slide image is at least a plurality of gigabytes,after receiving the metadata and prior to receiving the digital slide image, identify one or more consultants for analysis of the digital slide image and store an electronic address to the digital slide image stored remotely from the hosting center at the referral source,at a second time that is subsequent to the first time and during off-peak network usage hours, receive the digital slide image, corresponding to the electronic address stored at the hosting center, from the device of the referral source over the at least one network, such that the digital slide image is received separately from the metadata and after the metadata,store the digital slide image, wherein the digital slide image comprises an image of a specimen from a patient,provide access to at least a portion of the digital slide image to a device of at least one of the one or more consultants over the at least one network for analysis, andinitiate payment to the at least one consultant for the 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.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A system for linking referral sources and consultants, the system comprising:
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at least one hardware processor; and at least one executable module that is configured to, when executed by the at least one hardware processor of a hosting center, at the hosting center, at a first time, receive metadata for a digital slide image from a device of a referral source over at least one network, wherein a size of the digital slide image is at least a plurality of gigabytes, after receiving the metadata and prior to receiving the digital slide image, identify one or more consultants for analysis of the digital slide image and store an electronic address to the digital slide image stored remotely from the hosting center at the referral source, at a second time that is subsequent to the first time and during off-peak network usage hours, receive the digital slide image, corresponding to the electronic address stored at the hosting center, from the device of the referral source over the at least one network, such that the digital slide image is received separately from the metadata and after the metadata, store the digital slide image, wherein the digital slide image comprises an image of a specimen from a patient, provide access to at least a portion of the digital slide image to a device of at least one of the one or more consultants over the at least one network for analysis, and initiate payment to the at least one consultant for the analysis. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for linking referral sources and consultants, the method comprising using at least one hardware processor of a hosting center to:
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at the hosting center, at a first time, receive metadata for a digital slide image from a device of a referral source over at least one network, wherein a size of the digital slide image is at least a plurality of gigabytes; at the hosting center, after receiving the metadata and prior to receiving the digital slide image, identify one or more consultants for analysis of the digital slide image and store an electronic address to the digital slide image stored remotely from the hosting center at the referral source; at the hosting center, at a second time that is subsequent to the first time and during off-peak network usage hours, receive the digital slide image, corresponding to the electronic address stored at the hosting center, from the device of the referral source over the at least one network, such that the digital slide image is received separately from the metadata and after the metadata; at the hosting center, store the digital slide image, wherein the digital slide image comprises an image of a specimen from a patient; at the hosting center, provide access to at least a portion of the digital slide image to a device of at least one of the one or more consultants over the at least one network for analysis; at the hosting center, initiate payment to the at least one consultant for the analysis. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification