Workflow template management for medical image data processing

Abstract

According to one embodiment, workflow templates are maintained, each workflow template including a predefined sequence of workflow stages associated with a particular type of medical diagnosis or process. In response to a request for processing medical image data from a user, a user identifier (ID) that identifies the user is automatically determined based on the request. At least one of the workflow templates that is specifically configured to process medical image data associated with the user is identified based on the user ID. One or more image processing operations defined by the identified workflow template are performed on the medical image data, generating a scene corresponding to an image view representing the medical image data. The scene associated with each of the workflow stages is stored in a persistent storage, where a scene includes metadata used to recreate a corresponding medical image view subsequently.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . An image processing system, comprising:
 an image capturing device that captures medical images;   a medical data storage system that stores medical data, which includes patient information and the captured medical images;   a workflow management system that manages creation, update and deletion of workflow templates, each workflow template being a template with a predefined set of workflow stages, each workflow stage being an activity of a workflow of image generation processing operations that generate images from the medical data stored by the medical data storage system; and,   a preprocessor that generates a workflow scene based on a workflow template, the workflow scene including one or more scenes, where each scene is the result of performance of one or more workflow stages.   
     
     
         22 . An image processing system as in  claim 21 , wherein image capturing device is an X-ray computed tomography device or a magnetic resonance imaging device. 
     
     
         23 . An image processing system as in  claim 21 , wherein the workflow template image generation procedure operations produce metadata as outputs that include image processing parameters that can be applied to medical image data to generate medical image views for diagnostic purposes. 
     
     
         24 . An image processing system as in  claim 21 , wherein workflow stages of the workflow template are performed based on dependencies between workflow stages. 
     
     
         25 . An image processing system as in  claim 21 , wherein the workflow scene stores results generated from processing the workflow template. 
     
     
         26 . An image processing system as in  claim 21 , wherein the one or more scenes provides a history of what is performed when generating the workflow scene. 
     
     
         27 . An image processing system as in  claim 21 , wherein the workflow management system allows a user to generate a workflow template. 
     
     
         28 . An image processing system as in  claim 21 , wherein the workflow management system allows a user to modify the workflow scene by adding, changing or deleting workflow stages. 
     
     
         29 . An image processing system as in  claim 21 , wherein the workflow management system includes a management server partition and a client partition. 
     
     
         30 . An image processing system as in  claim 21 , wherein the workflow management system is implemented on a web server that receive requests from multiple client-side partitions. 
     
     
         31 . An image processing system as in  claim 21 , wherein workflow stages of the workflow template are performed sequentially. 
     
     
         32 . An image processing system as in  claim 21 , wherein metadata generated by workflow stages can be applied to medical image data to produce medical image views. 
     
     
         33 . An image processing system as in  claim 32 , wherein the workflow management system caches the medical image views to allow quick response times for recalling recently created medical image views. 
     
     
         34 . A method for medical image processing, comprising:
 using an image capturing device to capture medical images;   storing medical data in a medical data storage system, the stored medical data including patient information and the captured medical images;   managing creation, update and deletion of workflow templates by a workflow management system, each workflow template being a template with a predefined set of workflow stages, each workflow stage being an activity of a workflow of image generation processing operations that generate images from the medical data stored by the medical data storage system; and,   generating a workflow scene based on a workflow template, the workflow scene including one or more scenes, where each scene is the result of performance of one or more workflow stages.   
     
     
         35 . A method as in  claim 34 , wherein the workflow template image generation procedure operations produce metadata as outputs that include image processing parameters that can be applied to medical image data to generate medical image views for diagnostic purposes. 
     
     
         36 . A method as in  claim 34 , wherein the workflow management system allows a user to modify the workflow scene by adding, changing or deleting workflow stages. 
     
     
         37 . A method as in  claim 34 , wherein the workflow management system is implemented on a web server that receive requests from multiple client-side partitions. 
     
     
         38 . A method as in  claim 34 , wherein metadata generated by workflow stages can be applied to medical image data to produce medical image views. 
     
     
         39 . A method as in  claim 34 , wherein the workflow management system caches the medical image views to allow quick response times for recalling recently created medical image views. 
     
     
         39 . A method as in  claim 34 , wherein the workflow management system allows a user to generate a workflow template.