Imaging protocol review management system

1 . A system comprising:

one or more processors and one or more storage devices in a cloud;

a cloud-based imaging protocol manager leveraging the one or more processors and the one or more storage devices, the imaging protocol manager comprising:

a library storing imaging protocols; and

wherein the one or more processors review and standardize the imaging protocols stored in the library, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to assign the imaging protocols to one or more review groups, each review group having a predefined review schedule, to automatically calculate a review due date for each imaging protocol based on the review schedule, to assign a plurality of reviewers to each imaging protocol, to track review status for each reviewer independently via a web browser-based application, and to prevent publication of an imaging protocol to the library until all assigned reviewers have completed review and approval;

a user interface device includes the web browser-based application to access imaging protocols stored in the library, the web browser-based application to enable creation, editing, and review of the imaging protocols stored in the library, wherein the imaging protocols are approved using the web browser-based application prior to being published in the library; and

a plurality of imaging systems, wherein the plurality of imaging systems accesses the imaging protocols from the library.

2 . The cloud-based imaging protocol manager of claim 1 , wherein the web browser-based application is accessible using any device having a web browser.

3 . The cloud-based imaging protocol manager of claim 1 , wherein the web browser-based application enables management of the imaging protocols without interrupting service of the imaging systems.

4 . The cloud-based imaging protocol manager of claim 1 , wherein the web browser-based application includes a simulated interface similar to a terminal of an imaging system.

5 . The cloud-based imaging protocol manager of claim 4 , wherein editing the imaging protocols stored in the library includes editing clinical details using the simulated interface.

6 . The cloud-based imaging protocol manager of claim 1 , wherein reviewing the imaging protocols includes creating groups of imaging protocols to be reviewed on a similar schedule.

7 . The cloud-based imaging protocol manager of claim 6 , further comprising setting the review schedule of the imaging protocols according to regulations for accreditation.

8 . The cloud-based imaging protocol manager of claim 1 , wherein editing the imaging protocols includes obtaining approval of the edited imaging protocols before the imaging protocols are added to the library.

9 . A method performed by an imaging protocol manager in a cloud for reviewing imaging protocols, the method comprising:

storing imaging protocols in the cloud;

acquiring machine-specific details in a standard imaging protocol format;

reviewing imaging protocols, using one or more processors and a web browser-based application, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to assign the imaging protocols to one or more review groups, each review group having a predefined review schedule, to automatically calculate a review due date for each imaging protocol based on the review schedule, to assign a plurality of reviewers to each imaging protocol, to track review status for each reviewer independently via a web browser-based application, and to prevent publication of an imaging protocol to the library until all assigned reviewers have completed review and approval;

uploading imaging protocols to a cloud-based imaging protocol manager; and

updating imaging systems with the uploaded imaging protocols.

10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein reviewing imaging protocols includes editing imaging protocols.

11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein reviewing imaging protocols includes approving edited imaging protocols.

12 . The method of claim 10 , wherein uploading imaging protocols includes uploading approved imaging protocols.

13 . The method of claim 10 , wherein editing imaging protocols includes editing clinical details using a simulated interface.

14 . The method of claim 9 , further including optimizing X-ray dose for CT imaging protocols.

15 . The method of claim 9 , further including deleting pre-existing imaging protocols from the imaging protocol manager.

16 . A system comprising:

one or more processors and one or more storage devices in a cloud;

a cloud-based imaging protocol manager leveraging the one or more processors and the one or more storage devices, the imaging protocol manager comprising:

a library storing imaging protocols;

wherein the one or more processors review and standardize the imaging protocols stored in the library, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to assign imaging protocols to one or more review groups, each review group having a predefined review schedule, to automatically calculate a review due date for each imaging protocol based on the review schedule, to assign a plurality of reviewers to each imaging protocol, to track review status for each reviewer independently via a web browser-based application, and to prevent publication of an imaging protocol to the library until all assigned reviewers have completed review and approval; and

edit the imaging protocols stored in the library;

a user interface device includes the web browser-based application to access imaging protocols stored in the library, the web browser-based application to enable creation, editing, and review of the imaging protocols stored in the library, wherein the imaging protocols are approved using the web browser-based application prior to being published in the library; and

a plurality of imaging systems, wherein the plurality of imaging systems accesses the imaging protocols from the library.

17 . The cloud-based imaging protocol manager of claim 16 , wherein the web browser-based application is accessible using any device having a web browser.

18 . The cloud-based imaging protocol manager of claim 16 , wherein the web browser-based application enables management of the imaging protocols without interrupting service of the imaging systems.

19 . The cloud-based imaging protocol manager of claim 16 , wherein the web browser-based application includes a simulated interface similar to a terminal of an imaging system.

20 . A method performed by an imaging protocol manager in a cloud for reviewing imaging protocols, the method comprising:

storing imaging protocols in the cloud;

acquiring machine-specific details in a standard imaging protocol format;

reviewing imaging protocols, via one or more processors and a web browser-based application, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to assign imaging protocols to one or more review groups, each review group having a predefined review schedule, to automatically calculate a review due date for each imaging protocol based on the review schedule, to assign a plurality of reviewers to each imaging protocol, to track review status for each reviewer independently via a web browser-based application, and to prevent publication of an imaging protocol to the library until all assigned reviewers have completed review and approval;

editing imaging protocols, via the one or more processors, in a web browser-based application;

uploading imaging protocols to a cloud-based imaging protocol manager;

updating imaging systems with the uploaded imaging protocols.