GB2466948A

GB2466948A - Push messaging for images to mobiles

Info

Publication number: GB2466948A
Application number: GB0900541A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Robert Maddison; Havard Emil Danielsen
Original assignee: ROOM4 GROUP Ltd
Current assignee: ROOM4 GROUP Ltd
Priority date: 2009-01-14
Filing date: 2009-01-14
Publication date: 2010-07-21
Also published as: GB0900541D0

Abstract

Push messages are sent to clients mobile devices, such as smart phones, so that large microscopy images can be viewed for a case to be diagnosed, and stored by a central server may be accessed, by selecting areas of the image. The resulting work flow system allows for the efficient review of large microscopy scans. The system included use of multi-touch technology for navigation of microscopy image and messages may be sent to the pathologist using sms to inform the user that there is a case available, so that the user can access an image server and provide a diagnosis of the medical condition.

Description

System for efficient mobile pathology referrals

Background

The present invention relates to a system that allows the efficient use of a mobile device to perform efficient diagnosis of pathology images. System and methods to scan slides and produce virtual slide images have been described previously in EP-A-0 994 433, GB2383487 and US 7,457,46. There are several commercial systems available to complete the task such as from Aperio (US), Hamamatsu (JP) and Zeiss (Germany). Such system produce high resolution scans that cab have pixel dimensions in the order of 50,000 x 50,000 pixels, so a navigation method is required. Due to the limited screen area and input ability existing user clients are not suitable for use on a mobile device. Pathology referrals and requests for diagnosis take place sporadically and are not normally a timed event, a request may be made for a second opinion or specialist referral at an time.

Summary

In an aspect, the present invention relates to a system according to claim 1.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a mobile device according to claim 8.

Embodiments of the present invention allow for the user to effectively make a diagnosis using a mobile device. A microscope slide may first be scanned using a commercial or other slide scanner and the image placed on an image server.

Then, using an embodiment of the present invention, an SMS text message is then sent to the assigned pathologists mobile phone to inform that there is a case ready for diagnosis, although those skilled in the art will appreciate that an other method of push messaging can be used. The image server or an additional server contains a list of users and their telephone numbers and available cases. The SMS dispatching operator selects the user or users and case or cases to be reviewed.

The SMS messages are then dispatched to the user using a commercially available SMS gateway. The message that is sent contains forwarding information that provides a link that will launch the mobile viewing system. A typical SMS message would read "Case 123, Urgent review required.

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The pathologist reviews the SMS message and any associated detail then can go directly, using the link provided in the SMS message to the location, typically a web page where further information related to the case and a link to the diagnostic image can be seen.

The client for viewing the diagnostic images, as shown in Figure 1, employs multi-touch user input where the user can use two fingers to pan and zoom an image simultaneous allowing efficient navigation of the image. Only the image at the selected resolution is displayed to the user. When a new image selection is made by the user then the relevant area of the original image is retrieved from the server. First an overview of the case is shown and a navigation map,.using two fingers the user can then zoom and pan the selected image. Selecting a new area shows the overall position on the navigation map. Feedback on the diagnosis can be given verbally or using a web based feedback system.

Brief Description of drawings

Figure 1. Flow chart of the system operations Figure 2. Shows the interface for generating the web page that is refers to in the SMS link Figure 3. Shows the interface for sending SMS messages to the user Figure 4. Shows the user interface for the viewing application.

Figure 5. Shows the user interface for the viewing application where the user has zoomed into to an area of the image.

Description of the process

For the process as shown in Figure 1, the steps are as follows:- 1. The slide is scanned using an slide scanner.

2. The image is placed on the server 3. The system is used to generate a web page that is used to provide the link the image an other case information.

4. The system is used to send an SMS image the pathologist informing them that a case is available.

5. The SMS message is received on the users mobile phone, the user views this message and selects the link that is contained within it.

6. The user is directed by the link to a new page which contain more information related to this case is required and a link that will start the image viewing application locally.

7. The user reviews the image and provides feedback.

Claims

Claims 1. A system comprising: a server for storing large microscopy images corresponding to cases and a mobile device for accessing selected areas of the large microscopy images from the server; wherein the mobile device is arranged to receive a pushed message to notify the user that a case is available and the mobile device comprises a client to view images corresponding to the case notified by the pushed method, the client incorporating multi-touch technology.
2. A system according to claim 1 wherein the mobile device is arranged: to obtain and display a representation of a large microscopy image from the server in response to a link in the pushed message; to accept user input to select parts or all of the large microscopy image from user touch input on the displayed image; to retrieve from the remote server the selected parts of the user image not already retrieved on the mobile device; and to display the selected part or all of the large microscopy image on the touch sensitive display screen; wherein the mobile device client is arranged to accept simultaneous user input from two contacts with the touch sensitive screen to simultaneously accept input to pan the selected part of the large microscopy image and to zoom the selected part of the large microscopy image.
3. A system according to claim 2 wherein the mobile device client is arranged to display a plurality of navigation icons on the touch sensitive display screen together with the selected part of the large microscopy image and to accept simultaneous input from a plurality of the navigation icons.
4. A system according to any preceding claim wherein the server is arranged to store at least one large microscopy image for each of a plurality of cases and to notify the user by means of a pushed message to the user's mobile device including a link to the large microscopy image that a case is available for review.
5. A system according to any preceding claim where the mobile device is an Apple iPhone.
6. A system according to any preceding claim where the microscopy images are used for pathology use.
7. A system according to any preceding claim where the push technology used to inform the user there is a case available is SMS.
8. A mobile device for reviewing large microscopy images, comprising; a touch sensitive display screen; and a mobile device client arranged: to obtain and display a representation of a large microscopy image from a server in response to a link in the pushed message; to accept user input to select parts or all of the large microscopy image from user touch input on the displayed image; to retrieve from the remote server the selected parts of the user image not already retrieved on the mobile device; and to display the selected part or all of the large microscopy image on the touch sensitive display screen; wherein the mobile device client is arranged to accept simultaneous user input from two contacts with the touch sensitive screen to simultaneously accept input to pan the selected part of the large microscopy image and to zoom the selected part of the large microscopy image.
9. A mobile device according to claim 8 wherein the mobile device client is arranged to display a plurality of navigation icons on the touch sensitive display screen together with the selected part of the large microscopy image and to accept simultaneous input from a plurality of the navigation icons.