Utilizing multi-layer caching systems for storing and delivering images

A dynamic multi-layer caching system useful for providing diagnostic image renderings to a healthcare provider for viewing of one or more medical images, the system comprising:

• a least recently used (LRU) memory cache;
• a local database comprising a disk cache;
• a remote image storage;
• an application;
• one or more processors;
• and
• a storage device storing a computer program product comprising computer instructions that, upon execution by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations comprising:
• receiving a first request from a first user, via an application, for a first medical image comprising medical image data;
• in response to the first request, accessing each of the LRU memory cache, the local database, and the remote image storage to determine a location of the medical image data for the first medical image requested, wherein the accessing comprises:
• accessing the LRU memory cache, the local database, and the remote image storage in sequence in response to the first medical image not being located in the LRU memory cache and the local database until the first medical image is located in the remote image storage;
• in response to the first medical image being located in the remote image storage, retrieving the medical image data for the first medical image from the remote image storage, wherein the medical image data retrieved is in a compressed format;
• decompressing the retrieved medical image data for the first medical image received;
• after the decompressing, transmitting the decompressed medical image data for the first medical image to the first user, via a first user interface, for review by the first user;
• storing the decompressed medical image data for the first medical image at one of the LRU memory cache and the local database in which the first medical image was not located;
• receiving a second request for the first medical image from a second user;
• accessing and retrieving the medical image data for the first medical image from one of the LRU memory cache and the local database;
• and
• transmitting the first medical image to the second user, via a second user interface, for review by the second user.

A method carried out by a server to utilize a dynamic multi-layer caching system useful for providing diagnostic image renderings to a healthcare provider for viewing of one or more medical images, the method comprising:

• receiving a first request from a first user using an image viewing application for a first medical image comprising medical image data;
• in response to the first request, accessing a plurality of storage devices in sequence in response to not locating the first medical image in one or more of the plurality of storage devices including a LRU memory cache, a local database, and a remote image storage to determine a location of the first medical image requested;
• in response to the first medical image being located in the remote image storage, retrieving the medical image data for the first medical image from the remote image storage, wherein the medical image data retrieved is in a compressed format;
• decompressing the retrieved medical image data for the first medical image received;
• after the decompressing, transmitting the first medical image comprising the decompressed medical image data to the first user, via a first user interface, for review by the first user;
• after the transmitting, storing the decompressed medical image data for the first medical image at one of the LRU memory cache and the local database in which the first medical image was not located to be available for a second request;
• receiving the second request, subsequent to the first request, to view the first medical image from a second user;
• retrieving the first medical image from one of the LRU memory cache and the local database;
• and
• transmitting the first medical image comprising the decompressed medical image data, via a second user interface, for review by the second user.