User-definable morphers for medical data and graphical user interface for the same

1. A method of processing images to unify image data attributes of the images stored in an image repository using user-configurable morphers, the method comprising:

generating, by a processor, a graphical user interface for display to a user;

receiving, by the processor, a matching condition from the user through the graphical user interface;

receiving, by the processor, a morphing action from the user through the graphical user interface, the morphing action including an action to perform on a data attribute associated with image data when the image data satisfies the matching condition;

automatically creating, by the processor, executable code based on the morphing action and the matching condition and storing the executable code;

for each new image received for storage in the image repository,

automatically executing the stored executable code to compare the new image to the matching condition, and

when the new image satisfies the matching condition, automatically performing the morphing action on the new image to generate a morphed version of the new image and store the morphed version of the new image to the image repository;

receiving, by the processor, an update through the graphical user interface, the update including at least one of an updated matching condition and an updated morphing action;

automatically creating, by the processor, updated executable code based on the update and storing the updated executable code; and

for each new image received for storage in the image repository after receiving the update, automatically executing the stored updated executable code.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein receiving the morphing action includes receiving an action to perform on a data attribute including at least one selected from the group consisting of a patient identifier attribute, a patient name attribute, and an issuer of a patient identifier attribute.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein automatically performing the morphing action on the new image includes automatically modifying a value of a data attribute of the new image.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein automatically executing the stored executable code to compare the new image to the matching condition includes automatically executing the stored executable code to determine if a data attribute of the new image has a value.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein automatically executing the stored executable code to compare the new image to the matching condition includes automatically executing the stored executable code to determine if a value of a data attribute of the new image falls within a predetermined range of values.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein automatically executing the stored executable code to compare the new image to the matching condition includes automatically executing the stored executable code to determine if a value of a data attribute of the new image matches a predetermined value.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the new image includes a medical image.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein automatically creating the executable code includes automatically creating the executable code in a rules language.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein receiving the matching condition includes receiving a composite condition.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein receiving the update through the graphical user interface includes

displaying the executable code to a user, and

allowing the user to modify the executable code.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein receiving the matching condition includes receiving a selection of the matching condition from a list of available matching conditions displayed as part of the graphical user interface.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein receiving the morphing action includes receiving a selection of the morphing action from a list of available morphing actions displayed as part of the graphical user interface.

13. The method of claim 1 , further comprising receiving a selection from the user through the graphical user interface to disable the executable code and, in response to the selection, preventing the executable code from being executed against each new image received for storage in the image repository without deleting the executable code.

14. The method of claim 13 , further comprising receiving a second selection from the user through the graphical user interface to enable the disabled executable code and, in response to the second selection, allowing the executable code to be executed against each new image received for storage in the image repository.

15. The method of claim 1 , further comprising, for each image output from the image repository, automatically executing the stored updated executable code.

16. The method of claim 1 , further comprising automatically executing the stored updated executable code as part of performing a search query on the image repository.

17. The method of claim 1 , further comprising receiving a selection through the graphical user interface to simulate the executable code and automatically executing the executable code against sample images.

18. The method of claim 1 , further including assigning a priority to the executable code based on user input.

19. A system for processing images to unify image data attributes of the images stored in an image repository using user-configurable morphers, the system comprising:

at least one processor configured to;

generate a graphical user interface for display to a user,

receive a matching condition from the user through the graphical user interface,

receive a morphing action from the user through the graphical user interface, the morphing action including an action to perform on a data attribute associated with image data when the image data satisfies the matching condition,

automatically create executable code based on the morphing action and the matching condition and store the executable code,

for each new image received for storage in the image repository,

automatically execute the stored executable code to compare the new image to the matching condition, and

when the new image satisfies the matching condition, automatically perform the morphing action on the new image to generate a morphed version of the new image and store the morphed version of the new image to the image repository,

receive an update through the graphical user interface, the update including at least one of an updated matching condition and an updated morphing action,

automatically create updated executable code based on the update and store the updated executable code, and

for each new image received for storage in the image repository after receiving the update, automatically execute the stored updated executable code.

20. Non-transitory computer-readable medium containing executable instructions for:

generating a graphical user interface for display to a user;

receiving a matching condition from the user through the graphical user interface;

receiving a morphing action from the user through the graphical user interface, the morphing action including an action to perform on a data attribute associated with image data when the image data satisfies the matching condition;

automatically creating executable code based on the morphing action and the matching condition and storing the executable code;

for each new image received for storage in the image repository,

automatically execute the stored executable code to compare the new image to the matching condition, and

when the new image satisfies the matching condition, automatically perform the morphing action on the new image to generate a morphed version of the new image and store the morphed version of the new image to the image repository;

receiving an update through the graphical user interface, the update including at least one of an updated matching condition and an updated morphing action;

automatically creating updated executable code based on the update and storing the updated executable code; and

for each new image received for storage in the image repository after receiving the update, automatically executing the stored updated executable code.