Systems and methods for automatic routing and prioritization of exams based on image classification

• US 7,970,188 B2
• Filed: 11/22/2006
• Issued: 06/28/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/22/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Mahesh, Prakash, Morita, Mark, Kariathungal, Murali Kumaran
• Primary Examiner(s): ZARKA, DAVID PETER
• Application Number:
  US11/562,826
• Publication Number:
  US 20080118119A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,679 Days
• Field of Search: 382/128
• US Class Current: 382/128
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 30/20 for handling medical images, e.g. DICOM, HL7 or PACS
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 30/40 for processing medical images, e.g. editing
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 50/20 for computer-aided diagnosis, e.g. based on medical expert systems

Abstract

Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a method for automatic prioritization and routing of exams for patients in a medical center based on image classification. The method includes capturing an image and digitizing it, automatically classifying the image based on its content, prioritizing the image based on its classification, and routing the image based on its prioritization and classification to the appropriate medical practitioner.

Claims

1. A method for automatic routing of exams based on image classification, the method comprising:

determining a classification for an image that was acquired using a medical imaging device;

using a computer processor to retrieve rules associated with the determined classification;

using the computer processor to apply the retrieved rules to associate the image with a medical specialty and a medical condition severity;

using the computer processor to compare the medical specialty and the medical condition severity to information in a data source to identify one or more medical practitioners that are associated with the medical specialty and the medical condition severity;

using the computer processor to automatically route the image to the identified one or more medical practitioners; and

using the computer processor to add medical practitioner information to the data source, the medical practitioner information including a medical practitioner identifier and an identification of the medical practitioner'"'"'s associated medical specialty and medical condition severity.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the classification of the image is automatically determined based at least in part on a modality of the medical imaging device used to acquire the image.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the classification of the image is automatically determined based at least in part on a body part depicted in the image.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the classification of the image is automatically determined based at least in part on a disease associated with the body part depicted in the image or a condition associated with the body part depicted in the image.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the classification for the image is automatically determined using the computer processor.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising acquiring the image using the medical imaging device.

7. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium including a set of instructions for execution on a computer, the set of instructions including:

a first routine configured to retrieve rules associated with a classification determined for an image that was acquired using a medical imaging device;

a second routine configured to apply the retrieved rules to associate the image with a medical specialty and a medical condition severity;

a third routine configured to compare the medical specialty and the medical condition severity to information in a data source to identify one or more medical practitioners that are associated with the medical specialty and the medical condition severity

a fourth routine configured to automatically route the image to the identified one or more medical practitioners; and

a fifth routine configured to add medical practitioner information to the data source, the medical practitioner information including a medical practitioner identifier and an identification of the medical practitioner'"'"'s associated medical specialty and medical condition severity.

8. The medium and instruction of claim 7, wherein the first routine is configured to automatically determine the classification for the image based at least in part on a modality of the medical imaging device used to acquire the image.

9. The medium and instruction of claim 7, wherein the first routine is configured to automatically determine the classification for the image based at least in part on a body part depicted in the image.

10. The medium and instruction of claim 7, wherein the first routine is configured to automatically determine the classification for the image based at least in part on a disease associated with the body part depicted in the image or a condition associated with the body part depicted in the image.

11. The medium and instruction of claim 7, wherein the first routine is configured to automatically determine the classification for the image.

12. The medium and instruction of claim 7, further comprising a fifth routine configured to acquire the image using the medical imaging device.

13. A system for automatic routing of exams based on image classification, the system comprising:

a computer processor configured to receive an image that was acquired using a medical imaging device, the computer processor configured to retrieve rules associated with a classification determined for the image, the computer processor configured to apply the retrieved rules to associate the image with a medical specialty and a medical condition severity, the computer processor configured to compare the medical specialty and the medical condition severity to information in a data source to identify one or more medical practitioners that are associated with the medical specialty and the medical condition severity, the computer processor configured to automatically route the image to the identified one or more medical practitioners, and the computer processor configured to add medical practitioner information to the data source, the medical practitioner information including a medical practitioner identifier and an identification of the medical practitioner'"'"'s associated medical specialty and medical condition severity.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the computer processor is configured to automatically determine the classification for the image based at least in part on a modality of the medical imaging device used to acquire the image.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the computer processor is configured to automatically determine the classification for the image based at least in part on a body part depicted in the image.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein the computer processor is configured to automatically determine the classification for the image based at least in part on a disease associated with the body part depicted in the image or a condition associated with the body part depicted in the image.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein the computer processor is configured to automatically determine the classification for the image.

18. The system of claim 13, further comprising an image capturing device that acquires the image using the medical imaging device.