Automated System and Method for Providing Radiological Second Opinions

Abstract

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.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A computer-implemented method for providing a radiological opinion comprising the steps of:
 uploading at least one radiological image provided by a user;   routing the uploaded at least one radiological image to a picture archiving communication system;   routing an order message to a radiology information system;   receiving a radiological opinion;   routing the radiological opinion to the user; and   receive electronic payment from the user following a successful upload of the radiological opinion, the electronic payment being governed by blockchain technology.   
     
     
         2 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one radiological image comprises a DICOM image and uploading the at least one radiological image provided by the user comprises uploading the DICOM image to a DICOM router. 
     
     
         3 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 2 , wherein routing an order message to a radiology information system comprises routing an HL7 order message to the radiology information system from the DICOM router. 
     
     
         4 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 2 , wherein receiving the radiological opinion comprises receiving an HL7 report message in the DICOM router. 
     
     
         5 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 4 , wherein routing the radiological opinion to the user comprises transforming the HL7 report message into an XML message viewable by the user and routing the XML message to the user. 
     
     
         6 . A system for providing a radiological opinion comprising: a processor configured to:
 (a) serve a web-based application to a user's electronic device;   (b) scan and parse a user-selected folder or drive for DICOM images and/or studies;   (c) upload the parsed DICOM images and/or studies;   (d) route the DICOM images and/or studies to a picture archiving communication system;   (e) generate and transmit an HL7 radiology order to a radiology information system;   (f) receive an HL7 message from the radiology information system including the radiological second opinion;   (g) transform the HL7 message into a user-readable XML message;   (h) send the user-readable XML message to the user's electronic device; and   (r) receive electronic payment from the user following a successful upload of the DICOM images and/or studies.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the processor is configured to receive confirmation from the picture archiving communication system of receipt of the DICOM images and/or studies and send the user confirmation of the transmission of the DICOM images and/or studies to the picture archiving communication system.