Cloud Medical Image Processing System with Anonymized Upload
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical image processing systems face limitations such as high costs, complex installations, and restricted accessibility due to their workstation-based and client-server-based architectures, which hinder efficient collaboration and scalability in medical imaging applications.
Innovation Solution
A cloud-based medical image processing system that enables multiple users to access and process medical images collaboratively, with advanced image processing services provided by a cloud server, allowing for anonymous data upload and download, and featuring a data gateway manager for secure and efficient data transfer and preprocessing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If workstation-based advanced image processing system is used, then image processing capability is improved, but hardware cost and installation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary between medical imaging devices and workstations. The server receives medical image data, performs preprocessing and advanced image processing, then transmits processed images to workstations. This mediator architecture allows sophisticated image processing capabilities to be accessed by standard workstations without requiring complex local hardware installations at each client site.
2Adaptability or versatility
If workstation-based system is used, then image processing capability is improved, but hardware cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The server acts as a centralized intermediary that consolidates expensive image processing hardware and software resources. Instead of each workstation requiring its own high-end processing equipment, multiple workstations can share the server's processing capabilities, significantly reducing overall hardware costs while maintaining advanced image processing functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The server provides universal image processing services that can be accessed by multiple different workstations and users simultaneously. This multi-functional approach allows a single hardware platform to serve multiple purposes and multiple clients, reducing the need for duplicate expensive hardware installations across the organization.
3Ease of operation
If client-server-based system is used, then user accessibility is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The server serves as a simplified intermediary that handles all complex data management, processing, and distribution tasks centrally. Clients can access the system through standard web browsers or simple client applications without needing to understand or configure complex system parameters. The server abstracts the complexity away from users, providing easy access to advanced image processing capabilities through intuitive interfaces.
4Reliability
If cloud-based system with anonymous data upload is used, then patient privacy is improved, but data management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and removes personally identifiable information (PII) from medical image data during the upload and processing workflow. By separating sensitive patient identifiers from the medical image content, the system can maintain patient privacy while still enabling effective data management, processing, and retrieval of medical images without handling sensitive personal information.
Data Source
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AI summary
According to one embodiment, a local device receives 3D medical image data captured by a medical imaging device. The 3D medical image is anonymized by removing certain metadata associated with the 3D medical image data based on an anonymization template. The local device automatically uploads the anonymized 3D medical image data to a cloud server over a network based on a set of one or more rules, using a network connection established via an internet port of the local device. The cloud server is configured to provide medical image processing services to a plurality of users using a plurality of image processing tools provided by the cloud server.