Local Area Network Of Personal Computers Research Articles

Development of a toxicologic pathology system using personal computer network.

An integrated toxicologic pathology system named “MacMic” has been developed and expanded for use in toxicological studies. By utilizing a personal computer Local Area Network (LAN), high user interface and easy data sharing were achieved at low cost. The studies covered by this system are all of the general toxicological studies including carcinogenicity studies. It was designed for the purpose of easy handling from the standpoint of pathologists, and it offers high usability. At histopathological examinations, screeners can refer to the data entered from other subsystems: body/organ weight measurement, urinalysis, hematology, and blood chemistry, and also those data summaries, which clarify the differences at a given rate from controls by different color. Entry of gross and histological findings is done by referring to the specialized dictionaries, which are maintained routinely, and the selection of the findings and copy from those entered before are easy. Movement to the next step is quick with function keys, and the proceeding status of histological examinations is obvious with a key for fixing and color distinction. There is a memo function for communication between screeners and exclusive control function to allow multiple access to the same study but not to the same organ at a time for protection of data. “MacMic” was originally the system using personal computer LAN for a certain laboratory, but it was found to be applicable to other laboratory/institute.

Computerized tracking of mammography patients: value of a radiology information system integrated with a personal-computer data base.

OBJECTIVE. We investigated the advantages of using a radiology information system as the primary data source for a mammographic patient-tracking system that is based on a personal-computer local-area network and that requires almost no data entry. HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE. Our mammographic data base is maintained on a file server that provides cross-platform access to both Macintosh and IBM-compatible personal computers. Locally developed software automatically transfers mammographic data from our radiology information system to the file server's mammographic data base. The data transferred include patients' demographics (e.g., hospital identification number, address, referring physician) and the complete mammographic report. With the use of specific terminology, the need for follow-up can be automatically gleaned from the mammographic report and coded within the data base. Graphically oriented, commercially available software provides easy access to this information from any personal computer on our department's network. The software provides considerable flexibility for searching and manipulating the data without the need for customized data-base programming. Redundant data entry and associated errors are drastically reduced, as are personnel requirements for maintaining the system. Relative to most commercial radiology information systems, a personal computer facilitates the steps involved in tracking patients and obtaining highly customized analyses of the mammographic data base. The data in the mammographic data base exactly match those in the hospital's registration data and are easily transferred to other personal-computer programs for ancillary processing. CONCLUSION. This technique is ideal for departments that use a general-purpose radiology information system for mammographic reporting, yet need a more powerful but user-friendly and low-cost method for tracking their mammography patients.

Integrating a personal-computer local-area network with a radiology information system: value as a tool for clinical research.

We investigated a method for increasing the utility of a radiology information system by connecting it to a personal-computer network and transferring radiologic data to a more user-friendly, familiar computing environment. We have developed a personal-computer local-area network that is linked to our radiology information system. Our software periodically transfers data from the radiology information system to a file server on our network that supports cross-platform access for Macintosh and IBM PC--compatible computers. Data are stored in formats compatible with inexpensive personal-computer software. These capabilities facilitate any research that requires a tailored, retrospective analysis of radiologic data. The need for ancillary personnel to perform paper-based searches or redundant data entry is decreased. Radiologists and administrators also have user-friendly access to information that might facilitate other projects dealing with education or analysis of clinical efficacy. The ever-growing power of personal computers, combined with inexpensive yet sophisticated software for these machines, frequently provides a more useful method for retrospective analysis of radiologic data than does a proprietary radiology information system running on a minicomputer.

LAN interconnect using X.25 network services

The use of X.25 for medium-speed applications (<56 kb/s) in personal computer local area networks (LANs) is considered, focusing on a number of popular LAN-based applications that are appropriately matched for X.25 services. For architectural reasons, they are broadly classified into two categories: PC-to-host access (terminal emulation), as in token ring, to synchronous data link control (SDLC) hosts using host gateways; and client-server applications, such as distributed databases that are bridged or routed. For each class of applications, the traffic characteristics are discussed, it is explained how an efficient interconnection can be accomplished, and some insight is provided into how LAN internetworking devices (routers and gateways) function in an X.25 environment

Digital imaging in the radiation oncology environment: A personal computer local area network solution

Personal computer (PC) driven digital imaging devices are now becoming available in the market place for use in radiation oncology to produce what are known as real time portal images. These limited contrast images are used to verify the patient anatomy under treatment by megavoltage x-rays and are a vital part of the patient treatment. The current generation of devices can produce both single and movie loop images in real time for physician review and approval. To disseminate these images and other digital images used in the planning and delivery of radiation therapy, a PC-based picture archiving and communications system has been developed that is tailored to the special needs of radiation oncology.

Broad-Band Personal Computer LAN's

Broad-band technology provides several advantages for personal computer local area networks (PC LAN's) including mature readily available transmission technology, large total bandwidth, support for multiple services, and cost-effective expansion from very small to very large systems. This paper presents an overview of basic broad-band technology, hardware, software, and protocols needed for PC LAN's. Gateways and network management are also considered. Recent PC LAN products are compared, with a more detailed case study of the PC LAN developed by IBM and Sytek.