Second opinion network

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided to facilitate consultations between a referral source (e.g., labs, pathologists and patients) and a consultant (e.g., pathologist, radiologist, or other digital image analyst). Links between the various referral sources and consultants are established through a scanning center via a data communication network such as the Internet. The referral source sends a slide to the scanning center where the corresponding digital slide is posted for review and analysis by the consultant. Upon completion of the analysis and report, a digital slide conference is conducted through the scanning center that provides a venue for direct communication regarding the consultation. The scanning center may also facilitate payment from the referral source to the consultant.

1 - 63 . (canceled) 
     
     
         64 . A system for communicating digital slide image analysis information, comprising:
 a memory; and   at least one hardware processor coupled to the memory and transceiver and configured to:
 receive metadata regarding a digital slide image from a source computer, 
 obtain the digital slide image based on the metadata from the source computer, 
 provide the digital slide image to a remote computer, 
 receive digital slide image analysis information related to the digital slide image from the remote computer, 
 store the received digital slide image analysis information in the memory, and 
 in response to receiving a request from the source computer, provide the digital slide image analysis information to the source computer. 
   
     
     
         65 . The system of  claim 64 , wherein the at least one hardware processor is further configured to:
 determine an amount of time between providing the digital slide image to the remote computer and receiving the request from the source computer,   wherein the providing of the digital slide image analysis information to the source computer is further in response to the amount of time being less than a threshold amount of time.   
     
     
         66 . The system of  claim 65 , wherein the at least one hardware processor is further configured to:
 provide the digital slide image to a second remote computer in response to the amount of time being greater than the threshold amount of time.   
     
     
         67 . The system of  claim 64 , wherein the metadata comprises reference information regarding a location of the digital slide image stored in the source computer. 
     
     
         68 . The system of  claim 64 , wherein the at least one hardware processor is further configured to:
 receive a request for the digital slide image from the remote computer,   wherein the providing the digital slide image to the remote computer is performed in response to receiving the request.   
     
     
         69 . The system of  claim 64 , wherein the obtaining of the digital slide image comprises:
 scanning a physical slide received from a facility associated with the source computer.   
     
     
         70 . The system of  claim 64 , wherein the obtaining of the digital slide image comprises:
 receiving the digital slide image from the source computer over a communication network.   
     
     
         71 . The system of  claim 64 , wherein the at least one hardware processor is further configured to:
 host a digital slide conference between the source computer and the remote computer including providing at least a portion of the digital slide image to both the source computer and the remote computer.   
     
     
         72 . The system of  claim 64 , wherein the at least one hardware processor is further configured to:
 send access information for accessing a stored copy of the digital slide image to the remote computer, wherein the access information comprises a link for accessing the stored copy of the digital slide image at the system for communicating digital slide image analysis information.   
     
     
         73 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions that, when executed by a hardware processor, cause the hardware processor to:
 receive metadata regarding a digital slide image from a source computer;   obtain the digital slide image based on the metadata from the source computer;   provide the digital slide image to a remote computer,   receive digital slide image analysis information related to the digital slide image from the remote computer,   store the received digital slide image analysis information in the memory, and   in response to receiving a request from the source computer, provide the digital slide image analysis information to the source computer.   
     
     
         74 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 73 , wherein the instructions are further configured to cause the hardware processor to:
 determine an amount of time between providing the digital slide image to the remote computer and receiving the request from the source computer,   wherein the providing of the digital slide image analysis information to the source computer is further in response to the amount of time being less than a threshold amount of time.   
     
     
         75 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 74 , wherein the instructions are further configured to cause the hardware processor to:
 provide the digital slide image to a second remote computer in response to the amount of time being greater than the threshold amount of time.   
     
     
         76 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 73 , wherein the metadata comprises reference information regarding a location of the digital slide image stored in the source computer. 
     
     
         77 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 73 , wherein the instructions are further configured to cause the hardware processor to:
 receive a request for the digital slide image from the remote computer,   wherein the providing the digital slide image to the remote computer is performed in response to receiving the request.   
     
     
         78 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 73 , wherein the instructions are further configured to cause the hardware processor to:
 scan a physical slide received from a facility associated with the source computer.   
     
     
         79 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 73 , wherein the instructions are further configured to cause the hardware processor to:
 receive the digital slide image from the source computer over a communication network.   
     
     
         80 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 73 , wherein the instructions are further configured to cause the hardware processor to:
 host a digital slide conference between the source computer and the remote computer including providing at least a portion of the digital slide image to both the source computer and the remote computer.   
     
     
         81 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 73 , wherein the instructions are further configured to cause the hardware processor to:
 send access information for accessing a stored copy of the digital slide image to the remote computer, wherein the access information comprises a link for accessing the stored copy of the digital slide image at the system for communicating digital slide image analysis information.   
     
     
         82 . A method, comprising:
 receiving metadata regarding a digital slide image from a source computer;   obtaining the digital slide image based on the metadata from the source computer;   providing the digital slide image to a remote computer,   receiving digital slide image analysis information related to the digital slide image from the remote computer,   storing the received digital slide image analysis information in the memory, and   in response to receiving a request from the source computer, providing the digital slide image analysis information to the source computer.   
     
     
         83 . The method of  claim 82 , further comprising:
 determining an amount of time between providing the digital slide image to the remote computer and receiving the request from the source computer,   wherein the providing of the digital slide image analysis information to the source computer is further in response to the amount of time being less than a threshold amount of time.