Cable modem access to picture archiving and communication system images using a web browser over the internet

Abstract

This presentation describes our experiences using a web-based viewing software and a browser to view our picture archiving and communication system (PACS) images at a remote site with cable modeminternet communications. Our testing shows that using a cable modem to access our radiology webserver produces acceptable transmission speeds to remote sites. The average time-to-display (TTD) for 16 computed tomography (CT) images on the web-based intranet system in our hospital was 7 to 8 seconds. Using a cable modem and comparable equipment at a remote site, the average TTD is 16 seconds over the internet. The TI'D does not significantly change during various hours of the day. Security for our hospitalbased PACS is provided by a firewall. Access through the firewall is accomplished using virtual private network (VPN) software, a secure ID, and encryption. We have found that this is a viable method for after-hours subspecialty radiology consultation. Copyright 9 2000 by W.B. Saunders Companysystem. Once connected by VPN software, browsing the hospital network acts justas if it were taking place at the hospital. The web server can then be accessed using the browser.A series of tests were pefformed over an 18-hour period (7 AM to midnight). A test of the hospital connection consisted of accessing three computed tomography (CT) scans (two head CTs and one abdominal CT), three computed radiograph (CR) images (five-view C-spine, portable chest, three-view acute abdominal series) anda magnetic resonance image (MRI) of the shoulder. The time-to-display (TI'D) is the time from the moment the display button is selected to the time the display of the images is complete. The TTD for each case was noted. The CTs and MRIs were viewed on a 16-on-1 formar and the CRs were on a 1-on-1 format. The memory was cleared after every test group. The images were stored on the web server with a lossless wavelet compression of 3-to-1. No postserver compression was used. In addition, general Intranet traffie was evaluated by accessing an Australian site to download a 3.7-MByte file, a California site to download a 25-MByte file, anda local site to display web page with graphics and text.

Novel methodology for the archiving and interactive reading of clinical magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging

“…Recent years have seen growing interest in using the Internet to transmit patient information and medical images beyond institutional local area networks (9, 16–19), and many commercial radiological image archival and viewing systems now provide web browser interfaces. In the United States, the transmittal of the medical information of individual patients by electronic (or any other) means is covered by federal regulations written in support of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) of 1996 (20).…”