Collaborative cloud-based sharing of medical imaging studies with or without automated removal of protected health information

摘要

The present invention teaches a method wherein medical imaging studies are transformed from Identifiable Imaging Studies into Cleared Imaging Studies that can be legally and securely shared, either by automated removal of protected health information (PHI) or by verification that the studies belong to a Patient or Patient's Legal Representative and that a valid effective waiver, such as a HIPAA Waiver, is on file. Cleared Imaging Studies are shared by cloud-based storage and transmission to one or more Third Parties using one or more network-enabled devices. Methods are also provided for one or more users of network-enabled devices to view medical imaging studies simultaneously, with caching of imaging studies in local devices and separation of additional data streams used for collaborative image viewing to ensure that medical images are not degraded.