Abstract
This article details our experience in developing and operating an ultrasound mini-picture archiving and communication system (PACS). Using software developed in-house, low-end MacIntosh computers (Apple Computer Co, Cupertino, CA) equipped with framegrabbers coordinate the entry of patient demographic information, image acquisition, and viewing on each ultrasound scanner. After each exam, the data are transmitted to a central archive server where they can be accessed from anywhere on the network. The archive server also provides web-based access to the data and manages pre-fetch and other requests for data that may no longer be on-line. Archival is fully automatic and is performed on recordable compact disk (CD) without compression. The system has been filmless now for over 18 months. In the meantime, one film processor has been eliminated and the position of one film clerk has been reallocated. Previously, nine ultrasound machines produced approximately 150 sheets of laser film per day (at 14 images per sheet). The same quantity of data are now archived without compression onto a single CD. Start-up costs were recovered within six months, and the project has been extended to include computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Key words: Ultrasound, PACS, filmless radiology, recordable CD
Full Text
The Full Text of this article is available as a PDF (606.3 KB).
References
- 1.Cox RD, Henri CJ, Bret PM: CD-based image archival and management on a hybrid radiology intranet. Presented at the 14th Symposium for Computer Applications in Radiology, 1997 [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed]
- 2.Henri CJ, Cox RD, Rubin R, et al: Design and implementation of WWW-based tools for image management in CT, MRI and ultrasound. Presented at the 14th Symposium for Computer Applications in Radiology, 1997