Automated Radiological Second Opinion Platform
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Solution Overview
Problem
Patients face difficulties in obtaining radiological second opinions due to geographical barriers, complexity of radiology as a specialty, and the need for specialized expertise, often requiring unnecessary and costly secondary examinations, especially for those in remote or disadvantaged locations.
Innovation Solution
An automated system and method utilizing blockchain technology for providing radiological second opinions, which includes a web-based application for uploading DICOM images, routing them to a picture archiving communication system, generating radiology orders, and receiving opinions through a radiology information system, with a middleware component handling user interactions and a back-end PACS/RIS system managing data and radiological reports.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a patient travels to a second radiologist for a second opinion, then the patient can obtain expert radiological opinion, but the patient incurs travel costs, time loss, and may require unnecessary secondary examinations
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates digital copies of radiological images and transmits them electronically to radiologists for remote review. Patients upload or have their radiological images transferred to a secure server, which then distributes digital copies to qualified radiologists, eliminating the need for patients to physically transport films or travel to radiologist offices.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an automated intermediary platform that facilitates the exchange between patients and radiologists. This web-based system with secure servers and automated routing acts as a mediator, matching patients with appropriate radiologists based on subspecialty expertise and automatically managing image transmission and report delivery.
2Adaptability or versatility
If patients in remote locales seek a second radiological opinion, then they can potentially obtain expert review, but they face geographical barriers and difficulty finding qualified radiologists
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a universal platform that serves multiple functions: it acts as a patient portal for uploading images, a radiologist matching system based on subspecialty expertise, a secure transmission network, and a report delivery system. This multi-functional platform makes the service universally accessible to patients regardless of their geographical location while automatically connecting them with appropriate radiologists.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions the radiological consultation process from a physical, location-bound dimension to a digital, network-based dimension. By moving images and communications into the electronic domain, patients in remote areas can access radiologists anywhere in the world without geographical constraints, effectively adding a spatial dimension to the service availability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If radiologists attempt to maintain expertise across all radiology subspecialties, then comprehensive knowledge is achieved, but the complexity and difficulty of keeping up with advances becomes unmanageable
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the radiology community into specialized subspecialties (musculoskeletal, neuroradiology, nuclear medicine, interventional, MRI, CT, PET, and pathology). Each radiologist is categorized by their specific expertise area, allowing the system to match cases with the most appropriate specialists rather than requiring each radiologist to maintain comprehensive knowledge across all subspecialties.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated system acts as an intelligent intermediary that handles the complexity of matching patients with appropriate radiologists based on subspecialty expertise. The system maintains and queries a database of radiologist qualifications, automatically routing cases to specialists with relevant expertise, thereby relieving individual radiologists of the burden of knowing which cases fall within their specific area of competence.
4Adaptability or versatility
If patients obtain radiological images and personally deliver them to identified radiologists, then they can seek second opinions, but the process becomes cumbersome and requires patient knowledge of finding qualified radiologists
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables patients to self-initiate the second opinion process by uploading their own radiological images through a web portal. Patients can autonomously start the process without requiring referral from their primary physician, and the system automatically handles image processing, radiologist matching, and report delivery, making the service as simple as uploading files online.
Solution Approach 2:
The web-based system serves as an intermediary that simplifies the complex tasks of finding and contacting qualified radiologists. Instead of patients needing to independently research and contact radiologists, the system automatically manages the entire workflow from image upload to radiologist assignment and report delivery, reducing the process to a simple user-friendly interface.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method for providing a radiological opinion includes the steps of: (a) receiving an order for a radiological opinion by means of a web-based application accessible to a user; (b) launching an upload/scan application accessible to the user; (c) scanning a user-selected folder or drive for DICOM images; (d) parsing the DICOM images found in step (c); (e) uploading the DICOM images parsed in step (d); (f) routing the uploaded DICOM images to a picture archiving communication system; (g) generating a radiology order; (h) routing the radiology order to a radiology information system; (i) receiving a radiological opinion; (j) routing the radiological opinion to the user and (k) receiving electronic payment from the user following a successful upload of the radiological opinion, the electronic payment being governed by blockchain technology.