Abstract: A system for storing NDMA data is scalable to handle extreme amounts of data. The system allows components to be added or deleted to meet current demands. The system processes data in independent steps, providing processor level independence for every subcomponent. The system uses parallel processing and multithreading within load balancers that direct data traffic to other nodes and within all processes on the nodes themselves. The system utilizes host lists to determine where data should be directed and to determine which functions are activated on each node. Data is stored in queues which are persisted at each processing step.

Abstract: A WallPlug (interface) connects DICOM devices located at a hospital to external storage and retrieval systems. The external storage and retrieval systems can be part of the National Digital Mammography Archive. The WallPlug allows secure communications within the hospital setting, and allows only selected data to be transferred between the hospital devices and the archive. The WallPlug enables cross-enterprise distribution of medical content with proper authentication and logging of transfers. The WallPlug includes two portals connected together by a private secure network. The use of two separate devices greatly enhances the security, redundancy, and manageability of the combined device.

Abstract: A translation scheme translates DICOM content into a format compatible for storage in an NDMA relational database. The translation scheme employs a schema for indexing the DICOM content, and employs a mechanism for translating queries embedded in XML into SQL. The translation scheme translates DICOM compatible data into a tab delimited flat representation of the DICOM content. The flat representation is then translated into data compatible with a relational database format, such as SQL, and then into database insert commands. The schema enables capture of the DICOM information into relational tables. Methods are also provided to service XML formatted research and clinical queries, to translate XML queries to optimized SQL and to return query results to XML specified destinations with record de-identification where required. Methods are also provided to interface to NDMA WallPlugs, secured query devices, or GRID devices.

Abstract: Data transferred between devices 12/16 is formatted in accordance with a multi-layered data structure. One layer 66 of the multi-layered data structure includes a socket protocol. A layer 68 within the layer 66 includes a header. A payload layer 72 is included within the layer 68. The header includes information indicative of the type of data in the payload layer 72 and enables multiple data types to be transferred in their original format without conversion. This multi-layered data structure may provide DICOM interactions with medical devices within a hospital secure network 14 to be coupled with external communications mechanisms 16 that can acquire or store NDMA content while maintaining the integrity of the hospital/clinic network security and incorporating strong firewall-like protections. The layer 66 of the multi-layered data structure may further include routing information used to route data received at a destination port 5007 to another port 5005.

Abstract: A retrieval system for retrieving medical images is provided. The retrieval system includes an archive for storing medical images, a routing device for determining selected medical images stored in the archive and for routing the selected medical images based on routing rules, and a plurality of end-user devices for use with the medical images for medical diagnosis, the selected medical images stored in the archive being automatically routed via the routing device from the archive to respective one or ones of the end-user devices.

Abstract: A method of backing up medical records stored as electronic record in a system that includes a network interface device and a remote archive. The method includes routing a selected medical record to the network interface device linking the selected medical record and a backup copy thereof, stored at first and second locations, respectively, the first and second locations being remote from each other; and establishing one or more further backup copies of the selected medical record at one or more respective further backup locations, when at least one of the selected medical record or the backup copy thereof are to be removed from a respective one or ones of the first and second locations, each further backup location being remote from other further backup locations and from the first and second locations.