Road to RSNA 2007: Advanced Visualization Preview

The big trend in advanced visualization at this year's RSNA show will be thin-client software platforms designed to support the diffusion of 3D visualization throughout the healthcare enterprise.

What's a thin client? (It's OK to ask if you don't know.) Basically, thin-client platforms put much of the heavy lifting required for image rendering in the hands of a powerful central server. Clinicians access the data from less powerful computers, frequently off-the-shelf PCs, that are distributed throughout a healthcare institution. This approach frees facilities from a reliance on expensive standalone 3D workstations that often become silos of data that can interrupt workflow.

While walking the halls of McCormick Place this year, check in with 3D vendors on their efforts to roll out thin-client versions of their software. Also look for parallel efforts to integrate 3D with PACS software from other companies, another initiative that makes it easier than ever to access 3D images across the healthcare enterprise.

Computer-aided detection (CAD) is getting increased attention, particularly as it breaks out of its niche in breast imaging and spreads into other clinical applications, fueled in part by the growing use of digital imaging modalities. CAD and AV vendors have discovered that they are birds of a feather, and have been busy signing technology integration deals that enable users to launch CAD and 3D tools from within the same software platform.

Click on the links below for AuntMinnie's overview of the latest software to be on display at this month's RSNA conference.