Systems and methods for enhancing the viewing of medical images
View Patent ↗The present invention provides systems and methods for enhancing the delivery and display of medical images over a network. Authorized users may access and view images by accessing a secure server and selecting images for viewing. Various characteristics of the image or images being viewed may be manipulated. Additionally, measuring devices, such as a goniometer, may be placed on an image to measure distances, angles and the like. In one embodiment, one or more templates, for example of medical devices, may be placed on an image and manipulated. In another embodiment, two or more users may view the same image simultaneously, while also viewing a template, measuring device, image manipulations and the like simultaneously. In yet another embodiment, two or more users may discuss one or more images via a discussion board.
1. A method for facilitating the transmission and display of a medical image, via a server and a network, the method comprising:
acquiring and digitizing said medical image using an acquiring device;
transmitting said medical image to said server via said network;
assembling a web page, including said medical image, at said sewer;
transmitting said web page to an authorized user, wherein said authorized user inputs a unique identifier;
displaying a template on said web page, wherein said template comprises an image which said authorized user incorporates into said medical image; and,
facilitating real time interaction by a plurality of authorized users to place and manipulate at least one of said template and said medical image, wherein interaction by a first authorized user with at least one of said template and said medical image is viewable by said plurality of authorized users in real time.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
providing a list of templates; and
allowing said authorized user to select said templates from said list of templates.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein said list of templates includes at least two different sizes of a same medical device.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein said template includes at least one image of a medical device.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising enabling said authorized user to move said template to a plurality of locations on a viewing device.
6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising enabling said authorized user to move said said medical image to a plurality of locations on a viewing device.
7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising allowing said authorized user to choose whether said template includes at least one of a black and white color.
8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising allowing said authorized user to adjust the gamma correction for said medical image.
9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising enabling said authorized user to manipulate display characteristics of said said medical image.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein said display characteristics include at least one of contrast, gamma settings, image magnification, image size reduction and image rotation.
11. The method of claim 1 , further comprising allowing said authorized user to access a database of information while viewing said medical image.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein said information includes general medical information and patient information.
13. The method of claim 1 , further comprising facilitating real time interaction by a plurality of authorized users to place and manipulate at least one of said template and said medical image, wherein interaction by said plurality of authorized users with at least one of said template and said medical image is viewable by said plurality of authorized users in real time.
14. A method for facilitating the transmission and display of a medical image, via a server and a network, the method comprising:
acquiring and digitizing said medical image using an acquiring device;
transmitting said medical image to said server via said network;
assembling a web page, including said medical image, at said server;
transmitting said web page to an authorized user, wherein said authorized user inputs a unique identifier;
allowing said authorized user to place two connected lines on said medical image;
measuring an angle formed by the junction of said two connected lines; and
displaying said measurement of said angle to said authorized user;
displaying a template on said web page according to said measurement, wherein said template comprises an image which said authorized user incorporates into said medical image; and,
facilitating real time interaction by a plurality of authorized users to place and manipulate said template and said medical image, wherein said interaction by said first authorized user with at least one of said template and said medical image is viewable by a plurality of authorized users in real time.
15. A method for facilitating the transmission and display of a medical image, via a server and a network, the method comprising:
acquiring and digitizing said medical image using an acquiring device;
transmitting said medical image to said server via said network;
assembling a web page, including said medical image, at said server;
transmitting said web page to a first authorized user, wherein said first authorized user inputs a first unique identifier;
transmitting said web page to a second authorized user, wherein said second authorized user inputs a second unique identifier;
displaying a message area;
accepting messages input by said at least one of said first authorized user and said second authorized user;
displaying said messages in said message area; and,
facilitating interaction by at least one at said first authorized user and said second authorized user to place and manipulate a template and said medical image, wherein said interaction by said first authorized user with at least one of said template and said medical image is viewable by said second authorized user in real time.
16. The method of claim 15 , further comprising displaying a list including the names of said first and second authorized users.
17. The method of claim 15 , further comprising storing said messages on said server.
18. A method for facilitating the transmission and display of a medical image for viewing, via a server and a network, the method comprising:
receiving said medical image on said server from at least one uploading locations;
storing said medical image on said server;
accepting a log-on request from a user to log onto said server, wherein said log-on request includes inputting a unique identifier;
accepting a viewing request from said user to view said medical image;
determining, based on said unique identifier and said viewing request, whether said user is authorized to view said at least one of said medical image;
displaying said medical image to said authorized user, based on said determining step and said viewing request;
facilitating real time interaction by a plurality of authorized users to place and manipulate a template and said medical image;
allowing said plurality of authorized users to place said template on said medical image;
allowing said plurality of authorized users to move said template to another location on said medical image;
accepting a message from said authorized user;
displaying said message; and
displaying said medical image, said template and said message to said plurality of authorized users to facilitate interaction among said plurality of users to place and manipulate said template and said medical image, wherein interaction by a first authorized user with said template and said medical image is viewable by said plurality of authorized users in real time.
19. A system for facilitating the display of a medical image comprising:
a server for receiving said medical image from an uploading site;
a processor for processing requests of a plurality of users to log onto said server and view said medical image; p 1 a database for storing a template, wherein said template is configured to be displayed with said medical image; and, for storing information associated with said template; and,
a network for delivering said medical image, said template and said information to said plurality of users and to facilitate interaction by said plurality of users to place and manipulate said template and said medical image, wherein said interaction by a first authorized user with said template and said medical image is viewable by said plurality of authorized users in real time.
20. The system of claim 19 , wherein said server is further configured to store said medical image.
21. The system of claim 19 , wherein said processor comprises;
a storage module for storing unique user identifiers;
an comparison module for comparing said stored unique user identifiers with input unique user identifiers input by users; and
an authorization module for analyzing results from said comparison module and at least one of authorizing and denying user log-on requests based on said results.
22. The system of claim 19 , further comprising a second database for storing general medical information and patient information.