Streaming video network system

Abstract

A distributed, digital, network-based, streaming video allows users to view live streaming digital video from multiple video sources in operating rooms at any location connected to a network. One or more video sources in an operating room are connected to a streaming video encoder capable of converting the video to a network packet stream. Once the digital video stream is available on the network, it may be accessed and routed through the use of a streaming video control server. The streaming video control server is responsible for user authentication and access for remote viewing and video source selection. The control server also provides audit logging services, operating room selection and overall system resource allocation. The video control server also provides a network-based remote control interface, which enables other systems to communicate on the streaming video network, and allows for remote control of visualization from an integrated operating room control system.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A streaming managed medical video network system for enabling access on a medical network to live video data captured from a plurality of locations, the system comprising:
 at least one streaming device associated with at least one medical treatment location, the at least one streaming device configured to receive live video data from at least one of a plurality of sources located in the at least one medical treatment location and convert the data received from the at least one source of the plurality of sources into a network packet stream;   a first medical video source that views a procedure that is performed at the medical treatment location, the first medical video source being on of the plurality of sources located in the at least one medical treatment location and that is used during the procedure in which medical personnel are present at the medical treatment location to provide a first network packet stream;   a second medical video source that views the procedure that is performed at the medical treatment location, the second medical video source being one of the plurality of sources located in the at least one medical treatment location and that is used during the procedure in which medical personnel are present at the medical treatment location to provide a second network packet stream;   a network switch in communication with the at least one streaming device to receive at least one of the first network packet stream and the second network packet stream;   a streaming video control server that authenticates at least one of a plurality of users to the managed streaming medical video network system;   a communication channel that is established by the streaming video control server to route the at least one of the first network packet stream and the second network packet stream;   wherein the at least one streaming device captures video and metadata information, by collecting metadata information from a network-based software service and transmitting metadata information with the video as it is being viewed by the at least one user at a remote location.   
     
     
         2 . The video network system of  claim 1  wherein the transmitted metadata includes one of patient vita signs information, date of birth of patient, patient anesthesia status, patient presence in an operating, cut skin status and closing. 
     
     
         3 . The video network system of  claim 1  further comprising a video wall and at least one decoder associated with the video wall and in communication with the network switch, the at least one decoder configured to receive and decode the at least one packet streams routed by the streaming video control server for display on the video wall. 
     
     
         4 . The video network system of  claim 1  wherein the at least one streaming device is selected from the group consisting of standalone video encoders, video encoding and streaming computers, digital streaming cameras, and camera processors. 
     
     
         5 . The video network system of  claim 1  wherein the streaming video control server is configured to provide for point-to-point bi-directional video communications.