The integration of PACS with radiology information systems will predominate once again this year, as companies continue to add functionality to their product lines. But RSNA 2001 brings an important difference: While PACS firms once touted the ability to integrate their products with RIS networks from other vendors, several companies this year will be introducing their own RIS/PACS offerings. In addition, several traditional RIS players will be highlighting their entry into the PACS domain.
Meanwhile, workstation software continues to become more feature-rich, with 3-D making a notable advance in the market. It's Year 3 of the RSNA's and HIMSS' Integrating the Healthcare Enterprise (IHE) initiative, and many vendors will showcase their IHE functionality in their booths, as well as in the IHE exhibit area. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) has also clearly drawn the attention of the PACS industry, as many vendors have beefed up the security component of their software.
CD viewers are another popular source of product introductions this year, enabling healthcare institutions to provide clinicians and patients with images and associated information on a CD-ROM. In the monitor market, look for incremental improvements in contrast and resolution, and growing prominence for flat-panel displays.
Agfa HealthCare
Agfa will unveil version 4.5 of its Impax PACS software as a work-in-progress. With an eye to clinical needs outside the radiology department, Agfa has added tools such as departmental extensions, teaching file management, and multimedia results distribution. Featuring the "look and feel" of the Windows 2000 operating system, Impax v.4.5 also includes an automated exam worklist and a study display management system. User customization tools are available.
Options include a CD viewer, and image processing options such as multiplanar reformation (MPR) and 3-D. Suitable for small clinics to large institutions with integrated healthcare delivery networks, Impax v.4.5 is backward-compatible with existing Impax networks, according to the Ridgefield Park, NJ-based vendor. Agfa expects to release Impax v.4.5 in early 2002.
Also on Agfa's agenda is the work-in-progress version 3.2 of its Web1000 enterprise Web server for the distribution of images and patient information. Also a work-in-progress, Web1000 v.3.2 includes features such as desktop customization, a split-screen for simultaneous viewing of images and/or reports, conference mode, thumbnail review, and an EPR integration module.
In security enhancements, the new version requires a unique user log-in and password, encryption, "teams" creation to limit viewing to authorized clinicians, and auto logoff after periods of inactivity. Web1000 v.3.2 operates on Windows 2000 and the Web Logic Tengah Server, and its release is pending, according to Agfa.
In other introductions, the company's OT3000 orthopedic display station is targeted for bone and joint replacement specialists. An extension of Agfa's DS3000 diagnostic workstation, OT3000 offers orthopedic measurement, calibration, and surgical planning tools. Orthopedists can review all of their patients imaging records on the multimodality display station, according to Agfa. A work-in-progress, OT3000 is expected to be released in early 2002.
Algotec
This Israeli PACS firm has enhanced the reading capabilities of its MediSurf Web-based PACS access engine. MediSurf 4.0 features integrated workflow tools, including configurable worklists and worklist management. In addition, MediSurf 4.0 supports both single and dual-head high-resolution displays using a standard Web browser, according to the Raanana-based vendor.
The company's MediPrime radiology reading and reporting station has been enhanced by the addition of 3-D image postprocessing capabilities. The use of MPR and other similar techniques in the primary reading process make MediPrime 2.0 well-suited for high-volume, multidetector CT and high-resolution MRI scanners, according to Algotec. The vendor will also display upgrades to its Med-e-Mail and CD-Surf image distribution tools.
ALI Technologies
The Canadian PACS developer will show enhancements to its UltraPACS GX workstation. Users will now be able to view patient history/indications, reports, and images from any modality across the enterprise, according to the Richmond, BC-based firm.
Other GX additions include: a new "In-Box" that provides study priority information (for stat and high-priority cases) along with detailed study information, access to scheduled studies to review a patient's previous studies and reports, and an unviewed images warning to aid in viewing large studies.
ALI has also added options to GX such as document scanning, its Jot annotation tool, integration with third-party dictation systems, and voice clips. The firm's NuMed Tool nuclear medicine viewing application is also available on GX.
WebGX is a new teleradiology and image distribution companion to UltraPACS. Designed for image-intensive users such as on-call radiologists -- and clinicians and specialists who perform diagnostic image review from a secondary or remote location -- WebGX provides the same user interface and nearly the same functionality available with the company's UltraPACS GX primary diagnostic review workstation, according to the vendor.
ALI is also introducing the third version of its reporting application, featuring access to a library of prepared reports for frequently dictated normal and abnormal findings. The company is also rolling out DiscView, an exportable viewer that allows for viewing of images and reports on any PC with a CD drive.
In other introductions, ALI is debuting i-BEAM (Internet-based enterprise administration manager), a virtual terminal that allows an administrator to manage the UltraPACS network over the Web. The company's Video Streaming technology provides real-time ultrasound image review of reference quality.
American Medical Sales
AMS will add an archive to its product line at the show. Called Catella Archive, the RAID-based archive is capable of holding two years' worth of images for a medium-sized imaging institution, according to the firm. The archive, which lists for about $60,000, also features redundant online copies and removable media backup.
The Hawthorne, CA-based company will also introduce Catella Web Browser, a Web-based image access application. The transfer of image and report data to referring physicians is available as an option.
AMS will also make its Catella Workstation software available on 17-inch and 21-inch color portrait flat-panel displays for use as clinical workstations. In work-in-progress developments, AMS will discuss its voice recognition software, which is currently being tested.
Go to page:
Agfa through American Medical Sales
Aurora through Data-Ray
DeJarnette through eRad/Image Medical
Fuji through IMCO
InSiteOne through Mitra
Philips through Siemens
Siemens Display through WebMedx
