Network Image Review In Clinical Hematology

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention provide techniques for using digital imaging and networked communications in clinical hematology. An Area of Interest (AOI) on a slide is determined. A high resolution image of the AOI is analyzed for sample integrity and adjusted and rescanned based on programmable parameters. Sensitive HIPAA information is removed from the AOI image stored on a server. The server includes Web 2.0 software applications. A remote user reviews the image and adds metadata to the server. The server manages the work flow between the stored AOI images and the available users. A technician accesses information about a particular image file, as well as other topics, through knowledge management and social network applications. Lab reports are generated based on the metadata. The quality of the metadata is subject to quality control processes. The stored images and associated metadata can be mined for subsequent medical research.

1 . A computer implemented method for reviewing an image of a cell of interest in a blood smear sample, comprising:
 receiving information associated with a low magnification image of the blood smear sample;   determining the dimensional boundaries of a monolayer within the low magnification image;   generating, by at least one computer, an area of interest within the monolayer;   receiving information associated with a plurality of high magnification images of at least a portion of the area of interest;   assigning a reviewer to analyze one or more of the high magnification images; and   receiving and storing analysis information from the reviewer.   
     
     
         2 . The computer implemented method of  claim 1  further comprising storing a Quality Assurance (QA) rating variable that is associated with the reviewer. 
     
     
         3 . The computer implemented method of  claim 2  wherein the QA rating is used to assign a reviewer to analyze one or more of the high magnification images. 
     
     
         4 . The computer implemented method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 assigning a Quality Assurance (QA) reviewer to analyze the one or more of the high magnification images; and 
 receiving and storing QA analysis information from the QA reviewer. 
 
     
     
         5 . The computer implemented method of  claim 4  further comprising;
 comparing the analysis information received from the reviewer with the QA analysis information received from the QA reviewer; 
 calculating a QA rating score for the reviewer based on the comparison; and 
 storing the QA rating score. 
 
     
     
         6 . The computer implemented method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 receiving a cropped image of an individual cell of interest in the one or more of the high magnification images; 
 receiving a cell classification associated with the individual cell of interest in the cropped image; and 
 storing the cropped image and associated cell classification in a reference cell library table. 
 
     
     
         7 . A system for reviewing an image of a blood smear sample, comprising
 at least one storage device; and   at least one processor programmed to:
 receive an image file including a cell of interest location information associated with a blood smear sample; 
 identify a list of possible reviewers to review the image file; 
 select a reviewer based on a predetermined criteria; 
 receive review information from the reviewer; and 
 update a review status field associated with the image file. 
   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7  wherein the processor is programmed to generate a billing statement based on billing rate associated with the reviewer. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 7  wherein the review information includes a cell classification associated with at least one position in the cell of interest location information. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 7  wherein the review information includes the identification of a rare event present in the image file. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 7  wherein the review information includes red blood cell morphology. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 7  wherein the processor is programmed to select a second reviewer if the review information is not received within a predetermined time limit. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 7  wherein the list of possible reviewers is based on a quality rating associated with each of the possible reviewers. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 7  wherein the list of possible reviewers is based on a variable associated with each of the possible reviewers, wherein the variable is selected from the group consisting of speed, pricing, affiliation, and specialty. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 7  wherein the processor is programmed to receive bids from a plurality of possible reviewers and select a reviewer based on the bids. 
     
     
         16 . A hematology services outsourcing application embodied on a computer-readable medium for enabling a distributed computer system, comprising:
 a web server code segment for residence on a server computer coupled to a plurality of networks to enable the web server to receive, store and disseminate a plurality of blood smear image files;   a client computer code segment including a user interface to enable a user of a computer connected to at least one of the networks to view a blood smear image and enter a white blood cell count, wherein the white blood cell count is stored on the web server;   a scheduling code segment which executes on the web server and controls access to the blood smear image files by the user based on a plurality of workflow parameters;   a quality assurance code segment which executes on the web server and enables a quality technician to review information stored on the web server and enter a quality score, wherein the quality score is stored on the web server; and   a billing code segment which executes on the web server and enables a collection of information on the number of blood smear images viewed by the user, and a computation of costs associated with the user.   
     
     
         17 . The hematology services outsourcing application of  claim 16  wherein the client computer code segment is further configured to enable the user to identify and enter a description of at least one nucleated red blood cell, and to store a location information and the description of the at least one nucleated red blood cell on the web server. 
     
     
         18 . The hematology services outsourcing application of  claim 16  wherein the client computer code segment is further configured to enable the user to enter a description of the RBC morphology, and the description is stored on the web server. 
     
     
         19 . The hematology services outsourcing application of  claim 16  further comprising an auction code segment which executes on the web server and enables the user of the client computer code segment to enter a price for their services, wherein the web server is configured to disseminate the blood smear image based on the price.