Methods and systems for transferring secure data and facilitating new client acquisitions
Inventors
Rosenberg, Michael • BENITZ, MALCOLM • BALLARD, CHASE • SUTTLES, JASON • WOODLIEF, CHRIS
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10305869-B2
Publication Date
2019-05-28
Expiration Date
Abstract
Methods and systems for directly and securely transferring encrypted medical data between two remote locations, such as an imaging site and a diagnostic site, wherein the diagnostic site is not within a data transfer network utilized by the imaging site. The invention allows the diagnostic site to receive medical data and view the data using a thin client viewer, and allows the diagnostic site to register as an in-network site.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to secure transfer of encrypted medical image data and patient data between a subscriber device and a non-subscriber device using an electronic message that includes an electronic link. The electronic link launches a thin-client viewer that is a virtual picture archiving and communication systems (PACS), so the non-subscriber device accesses the viewer through the link without downloading it as an executable program.
The subscriber device retrieves medical image data from a database, encapsulates the medical image data with patient data, and encrypts the encapsulated medical image data and patient data into a data package using a hash. The subscriber device transmits the data package to the non-subscriber device via a peer-to-peer communication channel that is not communicatively coupled to the server, and the non-subscriber device unpacks and decrypts the data package to permit displaying of the medical image data and patient data via the thin-client viewer.
The server stores an audit trail related to the data package, while the subscriber device, the non-subscriber device, and the server are not capable of accessing the audit trail without an encryption key. The server does not transmit, store, or access the data package, and the thin-client viewer is no longer available upon closing of the peer-to-peer communication channel. The system supports exchanging Interactive Connectivity Establishment (ICE) candidates so that the peer-to-peer communication channel selects data transfer protocols that provide the greatest throughput and the shortest latency.
Claims Coverage
The document includes two independent claims, one method and one system. They center on secure encrypted transfer of medical image data and patient data using an electronic link that launches a thin-client virtual PACS viewer, direct peer-to-peer communication not coupled to the server, and a server-stored audit trail protected by an encryption key, with ICE candidate exchange for throughput and latency.
Electronic link launching thin-client PACS viewer
Transmitting an electronic message including an electronic link, receiving the electronic message, and launching a thin-client viewer as a virtual PACS by accessing the electronic link.
Direct peer-to-peer communication channel not coupled to the server
Establishing a peer-to-peer communication channel with the non-subscriber device, where the peer-to-peer communication channel is not communicatively coupled to the server.
Encapsulating and encrypting medical image data with patient data into a data package using a hash
Retrieving medical image data from a database, encapsulating the medical image data with patient data, and encrypting the encapsulated medical image data and patient data into a data package using a hash.
Server-stored audit trail requiring encryption key without access to audit trail
The server is configured to store an audit trail related to the data package, and the subscriber device, the non-subscriber device, and the server are not capable of accessing the audit trail without an encryption key.
Server does not transmit, store, or access the data package; viewer availability tied to peer-to-peer channel
The server does not transmit, store, or access the data package, and the thin-client viewer is no longer available upon closing of the peer-to-peer communication channel.
ICE candidate exchange for throughput and shortest latency over the peer-to-peer communication channel
The subscriber device and non-subscriber device exchange Interactive Connectivity Establishment (ICE) candidates to select data transfer protocols that provide the greatest throughput and the shortest latency over the peer-to-peer communication channel.
Across the independent claims, the inventive concept is secure transmission of encrypted medical image data and patient data to a non-subscriber device using an electronic link that launches a thin-client virtual PACS viewer, direct peer-to-peer transfer not coupled to the server, and server-stored audit trail protection with an encryption key, with ICE candidate exchange for throughput and latency.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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