System and method for prompt-radiology image screening service via satellite

A method of sending high resolution, medically related images from a remote transmitting and receiving station to a central transmitting and receiving diagnostic station within a predetermined time via satellite, the method comprising the following steps:

• packing digitized representations of an image into at least one block of digital data;
• transmitting the packed at least one block of digital data from said remote transmitting and receiving station utilizing an extended TCP/IP protocol via satellite;
• receiving the transmitted at least one block of digital data via satellite by said central transmitting and receiving diagnostic station utilizing said extended TCP/IP format;
• and
• converting the received at least one block of digital data into a readable format.

A satellite communication system for transmitting high resolution medically related images via satellite, said satellite communication system comprising:

• a remote transmitting and receiving station comprising:
• a remote station processor providing an extended TCP/IP protocol;
• a digitizing apparatus coupled to said remote station processor, said digitizing apparatus creating digital image data from said high resolution medically related images;
• a remote station satellite transceiver coupled to said remote station processor;
• and
• a remote station satellite antenna coupled to said remote station transceiver, said remote station satellite transceiver and said remote station satellite antenna transmitting said digital image data using said extended TCP/IP protocol;
• a central diagnostic station connected via said satellite to said remote transmitting and receiving station, said central diagnostic station comprising:
• a central station processor;
• a central station satellite transceiver coupled to said central station processor;
• a central station antenna coupled to said central station satellite transceiver, said central station satellite transceiver and said central station satellite antenna receiving said digital image data;
• an image viewing apparatus coupled to said central station processor, said image viewing apparatus displaying said high resolution medically related image processed from said digital image data by said central station processor.

A method for transmitting via satellite high resolution, medically related images from a remote transmitting and receiving station to a central transmitting and receiving station, said method comprising the steps of:

• packing digitized representations of said images into at least one block of digital data;
• compressing said digital data without introducing compression errors;
• transmitting said compressed digital data from said remote transmitting and receiving station via satellite using an extended TCP/IP protocol;
• receiving said transmitted digital data via said satellite at said central transmitting and receiving station;
• decompressing said received digital data without introducing decompression errors;
• and
• converting said decompressed digital data into a readable format.