SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING MEDICAL IMAGE DATA ONTO PORTABLE DIGITAL RECORDING MEDIA

Abstract

This application discloses a system for recording medical image data for production on a portable digital recording medium such as CDs and DVDs. This system includes a parsing software module operatively configured to: (i) receive medical data (ii) identify an end of a particular patient's data (iii) parse patient identification information and study information (iv) store the parsed patient identification information and parsed study information; a job processing software module configured to create a job containing medical data, medical data viewing software, and merge data; a disc writer to receive the job, comprising: a recorder configured to record the medical data viewing software and the medical data within the job; and a printer configured to print patient identification information and the study information on the disc.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/942,630, filed on Nov. 19, 2007, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/761,795, filed on Jan. 17, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,302,164, issued Nov. 27, 2007, and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application 60/181,985, filed on Feb. 11, 2000. The entire disclosure of these priority applications are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a system and method for the production of medical image data on portable digital recording media such as compact discs. More particularly, it relates to a system and method for receiving medical image data, processing medical image data, and transmitting medical image data to be recorded on a portable digital recording medium.

2. Description of the Related Art

Since the invention of the x-ray film, film has been the predominant multipurpose medium for the acquisition, storage, and distribution of medical images. However, the storage and distribution of film often requires considerable expenses in labor and storage space.

Today's modern hospitals utilize computer-aided imaging devices such as Computed Tomography (CT), Digital Subtracted Angiography, and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). These digital devices can generate hundreds of images in a matter of seconds. Many hospitals require these images to be printed on film for storage and distribution. To print complete sets of medical images from these digital devices, the cost in film material, storage space, and management efforts is often very high.

Some radiology departments have installed digital image storage and management systems known as PACS (Picture Archive Communication Systems). PACS are capable of storing a large amount of medical image data in digital form. PACS are made by manufacturers including GE, Siemens, and Fuji.

To ease the communication of data, the DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine) standard was developed by ACR-NEMA (American College of Radiology-National Electrical Manufacturer's Association) for communication between medical imaging devices and PACS. In addition to the examined images, patient demographics, and exam information such as patient name, patient age, exam number, exam modality, exam machine name, and exam date can also be stored and retrieved in DICOM compatible data format. A DICOM file stores patient and exam information in the header of the file, followed by the exam images. PACS store medical image data in DICOM format.

Digital medical image data can be stored on PACS and distributed using the Internet. However, many physicians' offices do not have the bandwidth suitable for fast download of medical image data. The concerns for medical data privacy and Internet security further reduce the desirability of Internet distribution.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The claimed system allows for digital medical image data to be produced on a portable digital recording medium such as a CD. A CD containing the medical image data can be distributed to physicians, hospitals, patients, insurance companies, etc. One embodiment of the claimed system allows for medical image data to be placed on a CD along with a viewing program, so that a user can use any computer compatible with the CD to view the medical image data on the CD. One embodiment of the claimed system allows for searching medical exam data that are related and placing such data on the same CD.

One embodiment of the claimed system comprises a receiving module configured to receive medical image data, a processing module configured to process the received medical image data, and an output module configured to transmit the processed medical image data to a production station configured to produce the transmitted medical image data on portable digital recording medium, such as a CD. In one embodiment, the output module transmits a viewing program configured to view medical image data to the production station so that the viewing program is produced on the same CD as the medical image data. In another embodiment, the CD already contains the viewing program before the medical image data is transmitted to the CD production station.

In one embodiment of the claimed system, the processing module is configured to create and store audit information of the portable digital recording medium produced by the production station.

In another embodiment of the claimed system, the processing module is configured to identify the originating image input device of the received medical image data, and determine, on the basis of the originating image input device, whether to transmit the received medical image data to a production station. The processing module also selects, on the basis of the originating image input device, one of multiple production stations as the target production station.

Yet another embodiment of the claimed system is configured to retrieve medical image data that are related to the received medical image data, and transmit the retrieved related image data to the production station. In one embodiment, exam images of the same patient are considered related. In another embodiment, exam images of the same patient and the same modality are considered related. For example, two x-ray exams on the left hand of the same patient are considered related. In yet another embodiment, exam images of the same patient, the same modality and taken within a specified date range are considered related. For example, two x-ray exams on the left hand of the same patient taken within a two-month period are considered related. A hospital may also determine other scenarios of relatedness.

One claimed method comprises the steps of connecting a browsing terminal to a computer database configured to store medical image data, selecting medical image data from medical image data stored on the database, and recording the selected medical image data on portable digital recording medium. In one embodiment, the claimed method also comprises a step of recording a viewing program configured to view medical image data on the portable digital recording medium.

One embodiment of the claimed method further comprises the steps of finding and retrieving medical image data that are related to the selected medical image data, and recording related image data to portable digital recording medium.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of an image production system comprising an application server and portable digital recording medium production stations.

FIG. 2 illustrates sample records of one embodiment of an image input device profile table.

FIG. 3 illustrates a process of receiving image data from image server, processing received image data, and transmitting such data to the production station. This process also retrieves and transmits related image data for production.

FIG. 4 illustrates a process of a user selecting and ordering the production of image data stored on the application server.

FIG. 5 illustrates a process of a user selecting and ordering the production of image data stored on the application server, with the option of selecting and ordering the production of related image data.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of an image production system 100 comprising an application server 110 and one or more portable digital recording medium production stations 300A, 300B and 300C. In the preferred embodiment, the production stations 300A, 300B and 300C are CD (Compact Disc) production stations. Digital portable recording medium comprises CDs and DVDs (Digital Versatile Disc or Digital Video Disc). CDs may comprise CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), CD-R (Compact Disc Recordable), and CD-RW (Compact Disc Recordable and Writable). DVDs may comprise DVD-ROM (DVD Read Only Memory), DVD-R (DVD Recordable) and DVD-RAM (a standard for DVDs that can be read and written many times). Thus, although the following description refers primarily to CDs, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that any suitable portable digital recording medium can be substituted for CDs.

The application server 110 is connected to one or more physician browsing terminals 400A, 400B and 400C through a computer network 600. Each physician browsing terminal 400A, 400B or 400C comprises a browsing program such as Internet Explorer or Netscape Communicator. Physicians or their assistants launch the browsing program to access the application server 110 through the network 600 in order to select medical image data stored on the application server database 114 to be produced by a production station 300A, 300B or 300C. In the preferred embodiment, the physician browsing terminals 400A, 400B and 400C are connected to the application server through an Intranet. One embodiment of the Intranet utilizes TCP/IP network protocol. The Intranet can connect one radiology department, multiple departments within a hospital, or multiple hospitals. In another embodiment the browsing terminals 400A, 400B and 400C are connected to the application server 110 through the Internet.

Still referring to FIG. 1, the application server 110 is also connected to an image server 200. The image server 200 is further connected to image input devices such as PACS 204, MRI machines 206, CT-scan machines 208, ultrasound machines 210, etc. In the preferred embodiment, the image server 200 is a DICOM image server configured to receive and store medical image data in DICOM format. In operation, the image server 200 receives medical image data from image input devices such as PACS 204, MRI machines 206, CT-scan machines 208 and ultrasound machines 210 and stores such image data in the image server database 202. A high-resolution image scanner 500 is also connected to the image server 200, so that medical image data stored on film can be scanned on the image scanner 500, transmitted to the image server 200 and stored in the image server database 202. In one embodiment, the image scanner 500 also converts the scanned image to DICOM format. The application server 110 receives input image data from the image server database 202, processes the received image data, and sends the image data to one of the production stations 300A, 300B or 300C to produce CDs.

The application server 110 comprises a viewing program 112, an application server database 114 that stores image data received from the image server 200, a production history database 116 that stores audit records on each CD produced, a display terminal 118 for programming and operating the application server 110 by a programmer or physician, and an image input device profile table 120.

Still referring to FIG. 1, the viewing program 112 is configured to allow users to read and manipulate medical image data. The viewing program 112 comprises multiple image manipulation functions, such as rotating images, zooming in and zooming out, measuring the distance between two points, etc. The viewing program 112 also allows users to read the patient demographics and exam information associated with the image data. The viewing program 112 used in the preferred embodiment is produced by eFilm Medical Inc. located in Toronto, Canada. The viewing program 112 used in the preferred embodiment is an abbreviated version with fewer functions and takes less storage space, in order to maximize the storage space for image data on a CD. The image server 200 used in the preferred embodiment is also made by eFilm Medical Inc.

The CD production stations 300A, 300B and 300C in the preferred embodiment are produced by Rimage Corporation in Edina, Minn. Details about the Rimage CD production stations can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,542,768, 5,734,629, 5,914,918, 5,946,276, and 6,041,703, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

The application server 110 in the preferred embodiment runs on a personal computer running a 400 MHz Celeron or Pentium II/III chip, with Windows 98 or NT as the operating system.

FIG. 2 illustrates sample records of one embodiment of an image input device profile table 120. The image input device profile table 120 contains a profile record for each image input device. Each image input device's profile record comprises: (1) an “auto-produce” logical field 250 indicating whether medical image data from this image input device should be produced on CD automatically by the image production system 100, (2) a “target production station” field 252 identifying one of the production stations 300A, 300B or 300C on which medical image data is to be produced, and (3) a “related data storage” 254 field identifying the medical image data storage units in which to search for the related image data. A medical image data storage unit is a storage unit that stores medical image data and is connected to the application server 110. In one embodiment, a medical image data storage unit is connected to the application server 110 through the image server 200. In the preferred embodiment, PACS 204 is such a medical image data storage unit.

In FIG. 2, the sample profile table 120 contains profile records for MRI Machine I, MRI Machine II, and Ultrasound Machine I. For MRI Machine I, the “auto-produce” field 250 contains a “yes” value, directing the image production system 100 to automatically produce image data originating from MRI Machine I on portable digital recording medium. Its “target production station” field 252 contains a “Production Station A” value, directing the image production system 100 to produce image data originating from MRI Machine I on production station A. Its “related data storage” field 254 is “PACS I”, directing the image production system 100 to retrieve related medical image data from PACS I. For MRI Machine II, the “auto-produce” field 250 is “no”, directing the image production system 100 to not automatically produce image data originating from MRI Machine II on portable digital recording medium. Since image data from MRI Machine II will not be automatically produced, the “target production station” field 252 and the “related data storage” field 254 are irrelevant. For Ultrasound Machine I, the “auto-produce” field 250 is “yes”, and its “target production” filed 252 is “Production Station B”. Its “related data storage” field 254 contains a value of “PACS I, PACS II”, directing the image production system 100 to search PACS I and PACS II for related medical image data.

FIG. 3 illustrates a process of the application server 110 receiving image data from the image server 200, processing the received image data, and transmitting such data to the production station 300A, 300B or 300C. The application server 110 continuously monitors the image server database 202 in step 122. In one embodiment, the application server continuously “pings” the network address corresponding to the image server 200 on the network that connects the application server 110 with the image server 200.

Still referring to FIG. 3, the application server 110 determines if the image server database 202 is changing, in step 124. In the preferred embodiment, the application server 110 makes that determination by detecting whether the image server database 202 is increasing in size. If there is no change in the image server database 202, then the application server 110 returns to step 122 to continue monitoring. If there is change in the image server database 202, then the application server 110 proceeds to step 126 and time-stamps the moment that the change started. The application server 110 then proceeds to step 128 and waits for an interval, typically 35 to 65 seconds. After the interval, the application server 110 checks whether the image server database 202 is still changing, in step 130. If the image server database 202 is still changing then the application server 110 returns to step 128 to wait for another interval. If the image server database 202 is no longer changing, then the application server 110 proceeds to step 132 and copies the data changed since the time-stamped moment. This changed data is copied from the image server database 202 to the application server database 114.

The application server 110 proceeds to step 134 and finds the input image device name or identification number from the newly received image data. In the preferred embodiment, image data from the image server database 202 are stored in DICOM format, and the input image device name or identification number is stored in the header of the DICOM format image data file. The input image device name/ID indicates the origin of the newly received data. The application server 110 proceeds to step 136 and uses the found input image device name/ID to find a corresponding profile record in the image input device profile table 120. If the profile record has an “auto-produce” field 250 with a “no” value, the application server 110 returns from step 138 to step 122 to continue monitoring the image server database 202. If the “auto-produce” field 250 contains a “yes” value, the application server 110 proceeds from step 138 to step 140, and determines the target production station 300A, 300B or 300C from the “target production station” field 252 of the profile record. In step 140, the application server 110 also determines the value in the “related data storage” field 254 of the profile record.

Still referring to FIG. 3, in step 142, the application server 110 sends a copy of the newly received data, along with a copy of the viewing program 112, to the target production station 300A, 300B or 300C identified in step 140. With the viewing program attached, the image data on each CD produced by the target production station 300A, 300B or 300C can be viewed on any computer that accepts the CD, regardless of whether that computer has its own viewing program installed. In one embodiment, the data received in step 132 is stored in the application server database 114 before it is transmitted to the target production station 300A, 300B or 300C in step 142. In another embodiment, the application server 110 transmits the data received in step 132 to the target production station 300A, 300B or 300C, without storing a copy of the data in the application server database 114.

In one embodiment, the application server 110 does not send a copy of the viewing program 112 to the target production station during step 142. Rather, the application server 110 sends a copy of the received medical image data to the production station 300A, 300B or 300C to be recorded on pre-burned CDs. Each pre-burned CD contains a viewing program already recorded onto the CD before step 142.

In step 142, the application server 110 also sends configuration data to the target production station 300A, 300B or 300C. The configuration data comprises a label-printing file comprising the specification for printing labels on top of the CDs, and a “number of copies” value indicating the number of copies of CDs to be produced. A typical specification in the label-printing file may specify information such as patient name, exam modality, hospital name, physician name, production date, etc. to be printed by the target production station as a label on the top of each CD produced.

Still referring to FIG. 3, in step 143, the application server 110 searches the application server database 114 for image data related to the newly received data. The application server 110 then searches the PACS systems identified in the “related data storage” field 254 in step 140 for data related to the newly received data. Some PACS systems each comprise a primary image data storage and an archive image data storage, and the application server 110 searches both the primary image data storage and the archive image data storage on these PACS systems. The application server 110 is connected to the PACS systems through the image server 200. The application server 110 retrieves found related data from the PACS systems and stores a copy of such found related data in the application server database 114. The application server 110 sends a copy of related data that are found from the application server database 114 or the PACS systems to the target production station 300A, 300B or 300C. The medical image data originally received in step 132 and the related medical image data are produced by the target production station 300A, 300B or 300C on the same CDs for comparative study.

For each CD to be produced, the application server 110 adds one audit record to the production history database 116 in step 144. The new audit record comprises the identification number of the CD and other relevant information about the CD, such as the physician who requested the production (if any), and the names of the patients whose exam images are on that CD.

Steps 142, 143 and 144 may be executed immediately before, concurrent with, or immediately after one another.

The target production station 300A, 300B or 300C produces the CDs containing the medical image data and the viewing program sent to it, and prints a label on top of every CD, corresponding to the specification in the label-printing file. The number of CDs produced corresponds to the “number of copies” number sent by the application server 110 in step 142. When the target production station has produced the CDs, the production station returns a “completed” signal to the application server 110. The application server 110 waits for this signal in step 146.

Still referring to FIG. 3, in step 148, the application server 110 updates the audit records in the production history database 116 that were created in step 144. For each CD produced, the application 110 server updates the date and time of production for that CD's audit record. The application server 110 also updates the status value for that CD's audit storage record from “processing” to “successful”. The application server 110 then continues monitoring the image server database 202 as in step 122.

FIG. 4 illustrates a process of a user selecting and ordering the production of image data stored on the application server 110. A user, typically a physician or physician's assistant, accesses the application server database 114 from a browsing terminal 400A, 400B or 400C connected to a network 600. In one embodiment, the user launches a browser such as Microsoft Internet Explorer or Netscape Communicator, and specifies a network address corresponding to the application server 110, in step 150. In another embodiment, the user clicks a pre-defined icon that directly launches a browser connecting to the application server 110. The application server 110 prompts the user to enter a password or an identification name coupled with a password, in step 152. The application server 110 checks if the entered identification/password is authorized in step 154. If the entered identification/password is not authorized the user is returned to step 152 to re-enter the identification/password, or disconnected from the application server 110. If the entered identification/password is authorized then the user is allowed access to the application server database 114 and the application server 110 proceeds to step 156.

Still referring to FIG. 4, in step 156 the user is prompted to select a patient from a list of patients with exam images in the application server database 114. The user is then shown a list of the selected patient's exams, and is prompted to select one or more exams of that patient, in step 158. When the user indicates that he/she has completed selecting all exams for that patient, the user is asked in step 160 whether to select another patient from the list of patients. If the user answers “yes”, the user is returned to step 156 to select another patient. If the user answers “no”, the user proceeds to step 162.

In another embodiment, when a user selects a patient, all exams belonging to that patient will be automatically selected without prompting for user selection. In yet another embodiment, the user is not prompted to select patients, but is only prompted to select exams from a list of all exams for all patients contained in the application server database 114.

When the user indicates that he/she has completed selecting, the user is prompted to select a production station from a list of production stations 300A, 300B and 300C in step 162. The user is also prompted to enter additional label text to be printed as labels on the CDs to be produced, to supplement the text printed according to the specification of the label-printing file. The user can advantageously select the production station located closest to his/her office. In one embodiment, only one production station is connected to the application server 110, and the lone production station will be the selected production station without prompting for user selection.

In one embodiment, the user is also prompted to select the number of copies of CDs to be produced. In another embodiment, the number of copies is set at one without prompting for user direction. As described above in connection with FIG. 3, in step 164, the application server 110 sends a copy of the image data of the selected exams for the selected patients to the selected production station, along with a copy of the viewing program 112, and configuration data comprising a label-printing file, additional label text, and a number indicating the number of copies of CDs to be produced. The production station 300A, 300B or 300C then produces one or more CDs containing the selected exams for the selected patients and the viewing program, with labels printed on top of the CDs according to the specification in the label-printing file and the user-entered additional label text.

In another embodiment, a user accesses the application server database 114 not from a browsing terminal 400A, 400B or 400C, but directly from the display terminal 118. In this embodiment the user directly proceeds from step 152. In this embodiment the user is typically a programmer or operator of the image production system 100.

FIG. 5 illustrates a process of a user selecting and ordering the production of image data stored on the application server 110, with the additional option of selecting and ordering the production of related data for comparative study. As described above in connection with FIG. 4, a user connects to the application server 110 from a browsing terminal 400A, 400B or 400C in step 170. The user enters identification information and a password in step 172. Step 174 determines whether the user is authorized to access the application server database 114. If authorized, the user is prompted to select a patient in step 176, and selects exams of the selected patient in step 178. The user is then asked in step 180 if he/she desires to find related data of that patient for comparative study.

If the user answers yes, the application server 110 then searches for related data. The application server 110 finds the image input device profile table 120 profile record corresponding to the image input device from which the selected data originates, identifies the list of PACS systems stored in the “related data storage” field 254, and searches these PACS systems for related data. In another embodiment, once the user has selected a patient/exam combination, the application server 110 automatically searches for related data without asking for user direction. In this embodiment, the application server 110 alerts the user if related data are found. In one embodiment, the application server 110 also searches the application server database 114 for related medial image data.

Still referring to FIG. 5, the user is then prompted to select all or some of the related data from the list of found related data for production, in step 184. In another embodiment, all found related data are automatically selected by the application server 110 for production, without prompting for user selection.

The user is then prompted to select another patient in step 186. After the user has completed selecting all patients, the user is prompted to select a CD production station 300A, 300B or 300C in step 188. The user is also prompted to enter additional label text. In step 190, the application server 110 then sends a copy of the original and selected related data, along with a copy of the viewing program 112, a number indicating the number of copies to be produced, additional label text, and a label-printing file to the selected production station 300A, 300B or 300C for production.

The above paragraphs describe the application server 110 with one database 114 for image data storage. In another embodiment, the application server 110 includes two databases for image data storage: a new data database and a storage data database. The new data database stores only the most recent batch of new data just received from the image server 200. After the data in the new data database is sent to a production station 300A, 300B or 300C, the application server 110 erases data in the new data database. The storage data database stores all data that has ever been received from the image server database 202. In the processes described by FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, a user selects images for production from the storage data database.

Several modules are described in the specification and the claims. The modules may advantageously be configured to reside on an addressable storage medium and configured to execute on one or more processors. The modules may include, but are not limited to, software or hardware components that perform certain tasks. Thus, a module may include, for example, object-oriented software components, class components, processes methods, functions, attributes, procedures, subroutines, segments of program code, drivers, firmware, microcode, circuitry, data, databases, data structures, tables, arrays, and variables. Modules may be integrated into a smaller number of modules. One module may also be separated into multiple modules.

Although the foregoing has been a description and illustration of specific embodiments of the invention, various modifications and changes can be made thereto by persons skilled in the art, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A medical data recording apparatus comprising:

means for receiving medical data information in DICOM format through a software module and parsing patient identification information and study information from the received medical data information, the medical data further comprising one or more files,

means for storing the parsed patient identification information and parsed study information, the stored parsed study information and patient information coming from the one or more files,

means for storing DICOM image information coming from the one or more files,

means for noting the end of the received medical data information through the software module for each patient,

means for creating a job containing medical data for a patient, and medical data image viewing software, and

means for providing print information for an autoloader control software, the print information having selected fields obtained from an automatic scan of the stored parsed patient identification information and the stored parsed study information,

means for submitting the job to the autoloader control software, and

means for recording said DICOM image information from the one or more files on a recording media,

means for recording other files as defined by DICOM on the recording media, means for recording, on said recording media in response to the job, the medical data image viewing software and the medical data and

means for automatically printing the selected fields of the automatic scan of the stored parsed patient identification information and the stored parsed study information on the recording media to label the recording media.

2. The medical data recording apparatus of claim 1, wherein the autoloader control software includes instructions for moving the recording media from a recording position to a print position in response to a software instruction; and moving the recording media to an output bin in response to a software instruction.

3. The medical data recording apparatus of claim 1, wherein the autoloader control software includes instructions for means for moving the recording media from a recording position to a print position in response to a software instruction; and means for moving the recording media to an output bin in response to a software instruction.

4. The medical data recording apparatus of claim 1 further comprising, means for backing up the medical data information on another recording media.

5. The medical data recording apparatus of claim 1 further comprising, means for storing the job after the job has been created.

6. The medical data recording apparatus of claim 5 further comprising, means for deleting the job after submitting the job to the autoloader control software.

7. The medical data recording apparatus of claim 1 wherein means for creating the job comprises means for utilizing a print file that includes a print template and print merge data.

8. The medical data recording apparatus of claim 1 wherein means for noting the end of the received medical data for a patient comprises means for utilizing a time out period.

9. The medical data recording apparatus of claim 1 wherein means for recording on the recording media includes a CD-R.

10. The medical data recording apparatus of claim 1 wherein means for recording on the recording media includes a disc having a format selected from a group consisting of: CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-R, DVD-RW, and DVDRAM.

11. The medical data recording apparatus of claim 1 wherein means for providing print information for autoloader control software includes information from the stored parsed study information, and wherein the means for automatically printing selected fields includes information from the stored parsed study information.

12. The medical data recording apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means for loading, moving and recording the recording media automatically.

13. The medical data recording apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means for automatically printing includes means for printing a template includes using the automatic scan, of the stored parsed patient identification information and the stored parsed study information from the print-information.

14. The medical data recording apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means for automatically deleting patient information upon job completion.

15. The medical data recording apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means for automatically keeping patient information when backup is enabled.

16. A medical data recording apparatus comprising: a processor; and

a printer operatively coupled to the processor, the processor providing instructions that, when executed by the processor, causes the medical data recording apparatus to perform operations comprising:

receiving medical data information in DICOM format through a software module and parsing patient identification information and study information from the received medical data information, the medical data further comprising one or more files, storing the parsed patient identification information and parsed study information, the stored parsed study information and patient information coming from the one or more files,

storing DICOM image information coming from the one or more files,

noting the end of the received medical data information through the software module for each patient,

creating a job containing medical data for a patient, and medical data image viewing software, and

providing print information for an autoloader control software, the print information having selected fields obtained from an automatic scan of the stored parsed patient identification information and the stored parsed study information,

submitting the job to the autoloader control software, and recording said DICOM image information from the one or more files on a recording media,

recording other files as defined by DICOM on the recording media,

recording on said recording media in response to the job, the medical data image viewing software and the medical data and

automatically printing the selected fields of the automatic scan of the stored parsed patient identification information and the stored parsed study information on the recording media to label the recording media.

17. The medical data recording apparatus of claim 16, wherein the autoloader control software includes instructions for moving the recording media from a recording position to a print position in response to a software instruction; and moving the recording media to an output bin in response to a software instruction.

18. The medical data recording apparatus of claim 16, wherein the processor provides instructions further causing the medical data recording apparatus to perform operations comprising moving the recording media from a recording position to a print position in response to a software instruction; and moving the recording media to an output bin in response to a software instruction.

19. The medical data recording apparatus of claim 16, wherein the processor provides instructions further causing the medical data recording apparatus to perform operations comprising backing up the medical data information on another recording media.

20. The medical data recording apparatus of claim 16, wherein the processor provides instructions further causing the medical data recording apparatus to perform operations comprising storing the job after the job has been created.

21. The medical data recording apparatus of claim 16, wherein the processor provides instructions further causing the medical data recording apparatus to perform operations comprising deleting the job after submitting the job to the autoloader control software.

22. The medical data recording apparatus of claim 16, wherein the processor provides instructions further causing the medical data recording apparatus to perform operations comprising utilizing a print file that includes a print template and print merge data.

23. The medical data recording apparatus of claim 16, wherein the processor provides instructions further causing the medical data recording apparatus to perform the operation of noting the end of the received medical data for a patient uses a timer to produce a time out period.

24. The medical data recording apparatus of claim 16, wherein the processor provides instructions further causing the medical data recording apparatus to perform the operation of recording on the recording media uses a CD-R.

25. The medical data recording apparatus of claim 16, wherein the processor provides instructions further causing the medical data recording apparatus to perform the operation of recording on the recording media uses a disc having a format selected from a group consisting of: CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-R, DVD-RW, and DVDRAM.

26. A medical data recording apparatus comprising:

means for receiving medical data information in DICOM format through a software module communicatively coupled to a network, and

means for extracting patient identification information and extracting study information from the received medical data information,

means for storing DICOM image information coming from the medical data information,

means for storing the extracted patient identification information and extracted study information, from the medical data information;

means for automatically scanning the stored extracted patient identification information and the stored extracted study information for selected fields from one or more files,

means for noting the end of the received medical data information through the software module for each patient,

means for creating a job for a patient containing medical data, and medical data image viewing software, and

means for providing print information for an autoloader control software, the print information having the selected fields obtained from the automatically scanning of the stored extracted patient identification information and the stored extracted study information,

means for submitting the job to the autoloader control software, and

means for recording at least one DICOM image on a disc, means for recording other files as defined by DICOM on the disc,

means for recording on the disc the job such that the medical data image viewing software is recorded on the disc along with the medical data, and

means for automatically printing the selected fields of the stored extracted patient identification information and the stored extracted study information, the selected fields used to label the disc.

27. The medical data recording apparatus of claim 26, further including means for loading and moving the disc automatically.

28. The medical data recording apparatus of claim 26, wherein the means for receiving medical data information includes means for receiving a plurality of files at different times.

29. The medical data recording apparatus of claim 26, wherein the means for noting the end of the received medical data uses a timer to produce a time out period.

30. The medical data recording apparatus of claim 26, wherein the means for receiving medical data information includes means for receiving a plurality of patient files for different patients at different times.

31. A medical data recording apparatus comprising:

a receiver to receive medical image information in DICOM format through a software module and to parse patient identification information and study information from the received medical data information, the medical data further comprising one or more files,

a first storage to store the parsed patient identification information and parsed study information, the stored parsed study information and patient information coming from the one or more files,

a first storage to store image information coming from the one or more files,

a notation to note an end of the received medical data information through the software module for each patient,

a creator to create a job containing medical data for a patient, and medical data image viewing software, and

an output to provide print information for an autoloader control software, the print information including selected fields obtained from an automatic scan of the stored parsed patient identification information and the stored parsed study information,

a submitter to submit the job to the autoloader control software, and

a first recorder to record said medical image information from the one or more files on a recording media,

a second recorder to record other files as defined by DICOM on the recording media,

a third recorder to record, on said recording media in response to the job, the medical data image viewing software and the medical data and

a printer to automatically print the selected fields of the automatic scan of the stored parsed patient identification information and the stored parsed study information on the recording media to label the recording media.

32. A non-transitory machine-readable medium providing instructions that, when executed by a machine, cause the machine to perform operations comprising:

receiving medical data information in DICOM format through a software module and extracting patient identification information and study information from the received medical data information, the medical data further comprising one or more files;

storing the extracted patient identification information and extracted study information, the stored extracted study information and patient identification information coming from the one or more files; storing DICOM image information coming from the one or more files;

noting the end of the received medical data information through the software module for each patient;

creating a job containing medical data for a patient, and medical data image viewing software; and

providing print information for an autoloader control software, the print information having selected fields obtained from an automatic scan of the stored extracted patient identification information and the stored extracted study information;

submitting the job to the autoloader control software; recording said DICOM image information from the one or more files on a recording media;

recording other files as defined by DICOM on the recording media;

recording on said recording media in response to the job, the medical data image viewing software and the medical data; and

automatically printing the selected fields of the automatic scan of the stored extracted patient identification information and the stored extracted study information on the recording media to label the recording media.

33. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 32 providing instructions that, when executed by a machine, cause the machine to perform operations comprising: associating a serial numbering device for associating a serial number with the recording media; and storing the medical information associated with the serial number and the associated recording media in a searchable format.

34. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 32 providing instructions that, when executed by a machine, cause the machine to perform operations comprising:

receiving medical information in the form of a DICOM file for a plurality of one or more patients, the medical information including images, patient identification information and study information;

sorting the medical information based on patient identity;

storing at least one DICOM file associated with a patient on the recording media; and

automatically labeling the recording media, the label including at least a portion of selected medical information, the portion of the selected medical information associated with the content of the at least one DICOM file stored on the recording media.

35. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 32 providing instructions that, when executed by a machine, cause the machine to perform operations comprising:

associate a serial numbering device for associating a serial number with the recording media; and

storing the medical information associated with the serial number and the associated recording media.

36. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 32 providing instructions that, when executed by a machine, cause the machine to perform operations comprising storing the information on said recording media at another memory location.

37. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 36 providing instructions that, when executed by a machine, cause the machine to perform operations comprising associating a unique identifier with the recording media and with the information at another memory location.

38. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 36 providing instructions that, when executed by a machine, cause the machine to perform operations wherein storing the information on said recording media at another memory location is part of backing up the medical data information.

39. A non-transitory machine-readable medium providing instructions that, when executed by a machine, cause the machine to perform operations comprising:

receiving medical data information in DICOM format through a software module and parsing patient identification information and study information from the received medical data information, the medical data further comprising one or more files,

storing the parsed patient identification information and parsed study information, the stored parsed study information and patient identification information coming from the one or more files,

storing DICOM image information coming from the one or more files,

noting the end of the received medical data information through the software module for each patient,

creating a job containing medical data for a patient, and medical data image viewing software, and

providing print information for an autoloader control software, the print information having selected fields obtained from an automatic scan of the stored parsed patient identification information and the stored parsed study information,

submitting the job to the autoloader control software, and recording said DICOM image information from the one or more files on a recording media,

recording other files as defined by DICOM on the recording media,

recording on said recording media in response to the job, the medical data image viewing software and the medical data and

automatically printing the selected fields of the automatic scan of the stored parsed patient identification information and the stored parsed study information on the recording media to label the recording media.

40. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 39 providing instructions that, when executed by a machine, cause the machine to perform operations wherein the recording media is loaded, and moved automatically.

41. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 39 providing instructions that, when executed by a machine, cause the machine to perform operations wherein the label for the recording media includes selected logos, trademarks or images.

42. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 39 providing instructions that, when executed by a machine, cause the machine to perform operations wherein the receiving medical data information includes receiving a plurality of files at different times.

43. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 39 providing instructions that, when executed by a machine, cause the machine to perform operations wherein the noting the end of the received medical data comprises utilizing a time out period.

44. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 39 providing instructions that, when executed by a machine, cause the machine to perform operations wherein the receiving medical data information includes receiving a plurality of patient files for different patients at different times.

45. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 39 providing instructions that, when executed by a machine, cause the machine to perform operations comprising storing the information on said recording media at another memory location.

46. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 45 providing instructions that, when executed by a machine, cause the machine to perform operations comprising associating a unique identifier with the recording media and with the information at another memory location.

47. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 45 providing instructions that, when executed by a machine, cause the machine to perform operations wherein storing the information on said recording media at another memory location is part of backing up the medical data information.

48. A non-transitory computer readable media formed by a method comprising:

receiving medical data information in DICOM format through a software module and parsing patient identification information and study information from the received medical data information, the medical data further comprising one or more files,

storing the parsed patient identification information and parsed study information, the stored parsed study information and patient identification information coming from the one or more files,

storing DICOM image information coming from the one or more files,

noting the end of the received medical data information through the software module for each patient,

creating a job containing medical data for a patient, and medical data image viewing software, and

providing print information for an autoloader control software, the print information having selected fields obtained from an automatic scan of the stored parsed patient identification information and the stored parsed study information,

submitting the job to the autoloader control software, and recording said DICOM image information from the one or more files on the computer readable media,

recording other files as defined by DICOM on the computer readable media,

recording on said computer readable media in response to the job, the medical data image viewing software and the medical data and

automatically printing the selected fields of the automatic scan of the stored parsed patient identification information and the stored parsed study information on the computer readable media to label the computer readable media.

49. The non-transitory computer readable media formed by the method of claim 48, wherein the autoloader control software includes instructions for moving the computer readable media from a recording position to a print position in response to a software instruction; and moving the computer readable media to an output bin in response to a software instruction.

50. A medical data recording apparatus comprising:

means for receiving medical data information in DICOM format through a software module and parsing patient identification information and study information from the received medical data information, the medical data further comprising one or more files,

means for storing the parsed patient identification information and parsed study information, the stored parsed study information and patient identification information coming from the one or more files,

means for storing DICOM image information coming from the one or more files,

means for noting the end of the received medical data information through the software module for each patient,

means for creating a job containing medical data for a patient, and medical data image viewing software, and

means for providing print information for an autoloader control software, the print information having selected fields obtained from an automatic scan of the stored parsed patient identification information and the stored parsed study information,

means for submitting the job to the autoloader control software, and

means for recording said DICOM image information from the one or more files on a recording media,

means for recording other files as defined by DICOM on the recording media,

means for recording, on said recording media in response to the job, the medical data image viewing software and the medical data

means for automatically printing the selected fields of the automatic scan of the stored parsed patient identification information and the stored parsed study information on the recording media to label the recording media and

means for storing information related to said DICOM image information from the one or more files recorded on said recording media at another storage location.

51. The medical data recording apparatus of claim 50 comprising means for associating a unique identifier with the recording media and with the information stored at another storage location.

52. The medical data recording apparatus of claim 50 wherein storing the information related to said DICOM image information recorded on said recording media is part of a back up system.

53. A medical data recording apparatus comprising:

means for receiving medical data information in DICOM format through a software module communicatively coupled to a network, and

means for extracting patient identification information and extracting study information from the received medical data information,

means for storing DICOM image information coming from the medical data information,

means for storing the extracted patient identification information and extracted study information, from the medical data information;

means for automatically scanning the stored extracted patient identification information and the stored extracted study information for selected fields from one or more files,

means for noting the end of the received medical data information through the software module for each patient,

means for creating a job for a patient containing medical data, and medical data image viewing software,

and means for providing print information for an autoloader control software, the print information having the selected fields obtained from the automatically scanning of the stored extracted patient identification information and the stored extracted study information,

means for submitting the job to the autoloader control software, and

means for recording at least one DICOM image on a disc,

means for recording other files as defined by DICOM on the disc,

means for recording on the disc the job such that the medical data image viewing software is recorded on the disc along with the medical data,

means for automatically printing the selected fields of the stored extracted patient identification information and the stored extracted study information, the selected fields used to label the disc, and

means for storing information related to said DICOM image information from the one or more files recorded on said disc at another storage location.

54. The medical data recording apparatus of claim 53 comprising means for associating a unique identifier with the disc and with the information stored at another storage location.

55. The medical data recording apparatus of claim 53 wherein storing the information related to the information recorded on said disc at another storage location is part of a back up system.

56. A medical data recording apparatus comprising:

a receiver to receive medical data information in DICOM format through a software module and to parse patient identification information and study information from the received medical data information, the medical data further comprising one or more files,

a first storage to store the parsed patient identification information and parsed study information, the stored parsed study information and patient identification information coming from the one or more files,

a second storage to store image information coming from the one or more files,

a notation to note an end of the received medical data information through the software module for each patient,

a creator to create a job containing medical data for a patient, and medical data image viewing software, and

an output to provide print information for an autoloader control software, the print information including selected fields obtained from an automatic scan of the stored parsed patient identification information and the stored parsed study information,

a submitter to submit the job to the autoloader control software, and

a first recorder to record said medical data information from the one or more files on a recording media,

a second recorder to record other files as defined by DICOM on the recording media,

a third recorder to record, on said recording media in response to the job, the medical data image viewing software and the medical data

printer to automatically print the selected fields of the automatic scan of the stored parsed patient identification information and the stored parsed study information on the recording media to label the recording media, and

a third storage where information related to the information recorded on said recording media is stored.

57. The medical data recording apparatus of claim 56 further comprising a number generator for producing a serial number and associating the serial number with the information recorded on the recording media and associating the serial number with the information stored at the third storage.

58. The medical data recording apparatus of claim 56 wherein the third storage is remote from the recording media.

59. The medical data recording apparatus of claim 56 further comprising a serial numbering device for associating a serial number with the recording media, the medical data recording apparatus including a memory for associating a serial number with the information stored on the recording media having the serial number.

60. The medical data recording apparatus of claim 59 wherein the memory stores the serial number and information associated with the serial number is a searchable database.

61. The medical data recording apparatus of claim 56 further comprising: a serial numbering module for associating a serial number with the recording media; and a memory for associating a serial number with the information stored on the recording media having the serial number as a searchable database.

62. A medical data recording system for use with a disc writer comprising:

parsing software module operatively configured to: (i) receive medical data on a network, (ii) identify an end of the received medical data for a patient, (iii) parse patient identification information and study information from the received medical data, (iv) store the parsed patient identification information and parsed study information;

job processing software module operatively configured to create a job containing medical data, medical data viewing software, and merge data having the stored parsed patient identification information and the stored parsed study information;

and autoloader control software module operatively configured to instruct the disc writer to: (i) record a disc based on the job such that the medical data viewing software is recorded on the disc along with the medical data within the job, and (ii) print the stored parsed patient identification information and the stored parsed study information on the disc based on the merge data within the job.

63. The medical data recording system of claim 62 wherein the received medical data comprises DICOM formatted information.

64. The medical data recording system of claim 62 wherein the parsing software module comprises instructions for processing the received medical data to comply to DICOM standards

65. The medical data recording system of claim 62 wherein the parsing software module comprises instructions utilizing a time out period to identify the end of the received medical data for the patient.

66. The medical data recording system of claim 62 wherein the parsing software module comprises instructions to store the parsed patient identification information and the parsed study information in a database.

67. The medical data recording system of claim 65 wherein the job processing software module comprises instructions for: (i) retrieving the parsed patient identification information and the parsed study information stored in the database when creating the job, and (ii) storing job information in the database.

68. The medical data recording system of claim 62 wherein the job processing software module comprises instructions for storing the job after the job has been created.

69. The medical data recording system of claim 62 wherein the job processing software module comprises instructions for deleting the job after the autoloader control software module has completed instructing the disc writer to record the disc.

70. The medical data recording system of claim 62 wherein the autoloader control software module comprises instructions to print the stored parsed patient identification information and the stored parsed study information on the disc by printing a label for the disc containing the stored parsed patient identification information and the stored parsed study information on the label.

71. The medical data recording system of claim 62 wherein the autoloader control software module comprises instructions to print on the disc indicia identifying the producer of the disc.

72. The medical data recording system of claim 62 further comprising a backup software module operatively configured to backup the medical data on a backup disc.

73. A medical data recording system comprising:

a computer operatively coupled to a medical imaging device through a communication network, the computer comprising:

a parsing software module operatively configured to: (i) receive medical data from the medical imaging device through the network, (ii) identify an end of a particular patient's data within the received medical data, (iii) parse patient identification information and study information from the received medical data, (iv) store the parsed patient identification information and parsed study information; and

a job processing software module operatively configured to create a job containing medical data, medical data viewing software, and merge data having the stored parsed patient identification information and the stored parsed study information; and

a disc writer operatively coupled to the computer to receive the job, comprising:

a recorder operatively configured to record a disc based on the job such that the medical data viewing software is recorded on the disc along with the medical data within the job; and

a printer operatively configured to print the stored parsed patient identification information and the stored parsed study information on the disc based on the merge data within the job.

74. The medical data recording system of claim 73 wherein the disc writer further comprises an autoloader operatively configured to place the disc in the recorder and move the disc to the printer in response to receiving a job from the computer.

75. The medical data recording system of claim 74 wherein the autoloader comprises a mechanism to place the disc in an output tray after the disc recording and printing operations are complete.

76. The medical data recording system of claim 73 wherein the recorder of the disc writer utilizes a CD as the disc.

77. The medical data recording system of claim 73 wherein the recorder of the disc writer utilizes a format for the disc selected from a group consisting of: CDR, CDRW, DVD-R, DVD-RW, and DVDRAM.

78. The medical data recording system of claim 73 wherein the printer of the disc writer comprises a label printing mechanism operatively configured to print the stored parsed patient identification information and the stored parsed study information on a label on the disc based on the merge data within the job.

79. The medical data recording system of claim 73 wherein the printer of the disc writer comprises a mechanism operatively configured to print on the disc indicia identifying the producer of the disc.

80. The medical data recording system of claim 73 wherein the received medical data comprises DICOM formatted information.

81. The medical data recording system of claim 73 wherein the parsing software module of the computer comprises instructions for processing the received medical data to comply to DICOM standards.

82. The medical data recording system of claim 73 wherein the parsing software module of the computer comprises instructions utilizing a time out period to identify the end of the received medical data for the patient.

83. The medical data recording system of claim 73 wherein the parsing software module of the computer comprises instructions to store the parsed patient identification information and the parsed study information in a database.

84. The medical data recording system of claim 83 wherein the job processing software module of the computer comprises instructions for: (i) retrieving the parsed patient identification information and the parsed study information stored in the database when creating the job, and (ii) storing job information in the database.

85. The medical data recording system of claim 73 wherein the job processing software module of the computer comprises instructions for storing the job after the job has been created.

86. The medical data recording system of claim 73 wherein the job processing software module of the computer comprises instructions for deleting the job after the autoloader control software module has completed instructing the disc writer to record the disc.

87. The medical data recording system of claim 73 wherein the computer further comprises a backup software module operatively configured to create a backup job including the medical data and send the backup job to the disc writer such that the backup job may be utilized by the disc writer to generate a backup disc.

88. A non-transitory machine-readable medium providing instructions that, when executed by a machine, cause the machine to perform operations comprising:

receiving medical data information in DICOM format through a software module and extracting patient identification information and study information from the received medical data information, the medical data further comprising one or more files;

storing the extracted patient identification information and extracted study information, the stored extracted study information and patient identification information coming from the one or more files;

storing DICOM image information coming from the one or more files;

noting the end of the received medical data information through the software module for each patient;

creating a job containing medical data for a patient, and medical data image viewing software; and

providing print information for an autoloader control software, the print information having selected fields obtained from an automatic scan of the stored extracted patient identification information and the stored extracted study information;

submitting the job to the autoloader control software;

recording said DICOM image information from the one or more files on a recording media; recording other files as defined by DICOM on the recording media; and

automatically printing the selected fields of the automatic scan of the stored extracted patient identification information and the stored extracted study information on the recording media to label the recording media.