Automatic Acquisition of CT, MR, and US images for PACS

Abstract

Existing radiological imaging devices are usually not designed for contemporary network communication. Thus special developments are necessary for their integration into a Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS). Requirements and concepts for such developments are discussed demonstrating automatic data acquisition from computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MR), and Ultrasound diagnostic (US) systems at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA). The operation of the data transmission depends on the networking capabilities of the imaging device and the accessibility of its internal data structure. While the main frame computers of advanced CT and MR scanners allow an automatic on-line data transfer during clinical operation current ultrasound devices need additional modules for digitizing and transmission of image data. Depending on the system design of the imaging device the on-line acquisition can interfere with the clinical operation whereas an off-line data transfer compromises the timely performance of the image communication system.