Philips Medical Systems
Philips will showcase its modular EasyAccess PACS concept, which includes three configurations. EasyAccess Modality is a single- or dual-modality system, while EasyAccess Entry is designed as an entry-level PACS for hospitals performing fewer than 50,000 exams per year. EasyAccess Enterprise is an enterprise PACS aimed at facilities that handle more than 50,000 exams per year, according to the Bothell, WA-based vendor.
With EasyAccess, image data is stored either on distributed or centralized ImageServer digital archives, without a limit on the number of storage systems. As a result, EasyAccess allows for relevant information and images to be located close to users, conferring speedy access to data, according to Philips. Philips will also discuss its "high availability" system architecture, which includes clustering and disaster-tolerant technology to achieve a guaranteed 99.99% uptime, according to the company.
Also set to debut is release 8.0 of the company's EasyVision workstation family. EasyVision 8.0 offers features such as unique user privileges, dynamic worklist management, default display protocols, integrated voice recognition, and decision support tools for 3-D/MPR/orthopedic packages.
In addition, the workstations can accommodate color and gray-scale monitors, cine display for multiframe studies, and biometrics login and other security measures, according to Philips, which partners with Swedish PACS firm Sectra-Imtec for its Inturis for Radiology PACS family.
EasyVision is available in several versions: EasyVision DX (radiologist primary interpretation); EasyVision CL (high-end referring physician/clinician); EasyVision RG (technologist QC); and EasyWeb (enterprise image and report distribution). In other news, the company has integrated Philips Speech Processing's SpeechMagic voice recognition engine 5.0 into Inturis for Radiology.
RadInfo Systems
PACS and teleradiology provider RadInfo Systems will put its emphasis on CD PowerPACS, a product designed to distribute DICOM images with patient medical records on one CD. CD PowerPACS includes the Herndon, VA-based firm's DICOM viewer, and can be viewed on any Microsoft Windows-powered PC without the need for additional software. RadInfo Systems, formerly known as Radiology Information Systems, debuted CD PowerPACS in October.
RadVault
RadVault, the sister company of MRI digital upgrade provider Image Enhancement Systems, will unveil its ASP-powered electronic delivery and storage (EDS) service. Targeted at the imaging center market, the Hayward, CA-based firm's service features what it calls "smart delivery" of images and reports, along with a lifetime storage guarantee. In addition, RadVault can store images on a CD-ROM, complete with a viewer for referring physicians and patients.
RealTimeImage
San Bruno, CA-based digital image management provider RealTimeImage will unwrap its newest line of features, called Prism. Prism adds short-term storage, DICOM query/retrieve, and DICOM acquisition capability to the firm's iPACS product line.
Designed for clinics and hospitals that don't have PACS archives, iPACS Prism can make images available for local reading, or stream them over the Internet to other locations, according to RealTimeImage. It can be connected directly to imaging modalities and DICOM workstations.
Another new introduction, Mega iPACS, adds support for large institutions that typically have distributed archives with a central database, according to the company. The software combines image streaming capabilities and data integration for facilities with multiple distributed servers.
Rogan Medical Systems
Rogan of Zeist, the Netherlands, will release HyperPACS 4.0, as well as a multiple archive storage server (MASS). MASS, which was shown as a work-in-progress at last year's RSNA meeting, is designed to increase delivery speed of images to viewing stations. MASS makes use of a redundant array of inexpensive servers (RAIS), which send images from a study in parallel to a viewing station.
In other introductions, HyperOrtho is a new software package for measuring and examining orthopedic images. The software consists of three modules: Template (for measurement with digital templates in order to determine the right implant); Wear (for accurate measuring of implant wear); and Outcome (a data management system with standardized report items). Already available in Europe, HyperOrtho is expected to be released in the U.S. in the first quarter.
Another new software release, HyperPublisher, works with CD burning hardware from Rimage to store images on a CD-R in DICOM part 10-compatible format. The CDs are equipped with a DICOM viewer.
Samsung Raypax
Raypax will focus on its new ability to support multisite server sharing. With this feature, servers in different sites can share image and patient information, according to the San Jose, CA-based company.
Other introductions include a new teaching file system for teaching and university hospitals, and a new teleradiology system that can be used as a standalone unit or in conjunction with the Raypax PACS network.
In work-in-progress demonstrations, Raypax will highlight its work in developing integrated 3-D and voice recognition capabilities. The company expects to release these features in 2002. Raypax is also planning to add thumbprint login capability as a security enhancement, another feature slated for release next year.
Sectra-Imtec
The Swedish PACS developer will introduce a new Web-based workstation on the exhibit floor. The new software will provide a consistent user interface, whether a physician is accessing images using the Internet or on-site with Sectra's IDS5 workstation, according to the vendor.
The company will emphasize the ability of its PACS software to support plug-ins. On the floor, Sectra will show a number of third-party applications integrated on the desktop. In addition to its own booth, Sectra's technology will be visible through its longtime OEM partnership with Philips Medical Systems.
Siemens Medical Solutions
Siemens will offer a glimpse into Siemens Vision, the essence of the company's strategy to integrate data captured by PACS, RIS, and EPR, and for providing clinicians with real-time access to patient information.
Specific products to meet this goal will be shown as works-in-progress, including "deep" integration of PACS with healthcare IT, which would optimize workflow and offer radiologists access to contextual data such as the EPR. The Iselin, NJ, firm will demonstrate these features in a PACS workplace, integrated with RIS, voice recognition, and EPR.
Also on Siemens' agenda: enhancements for the distribution of images, reports, and clinical data in the hospital, including mechanisms for moving information from the point of origin to the point of need, according to the vendor. Wireless, Web-based image distribution will be shown.
Siemens will also present its ASP services, including remote archiving of imaging studies. In developments related to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), Siemens will demonstrate security enhancements, including the use of biometrics as a log-in mechanism.
A specific redundant architecture for PACS workstations will be highlighted. Siemens said it will also introduce specific PACS and RIS products for community hospitals and imaging centers.
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Aurora through Data-Ray
DeJarnette through eRad/Image Medical
Fuji through IMCO
InSiteOne through Mitra
Philips through Siemens
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