infoRAD
V*WU
a
Informatics
at infoRA.D V. Ackerman,
A Look Laurens
19921 MD,
in
Radiology
PhD
Although infoRM) is a relatively recent addition to the scientific assembly and annual meeting of the Radiological
istence
Society
for only
of North
4 years),
exponential den ascent;
rate. One the answer
technology
being
radiology chiving
other the
computer RSNA
in the
in ex-
at an almost
practice
systems
of radiology:
(RIS), picture systems
applications.
Board
(being
grown
might wonder why this sudlies in the nature of the new
used
information and communication
America
it has
anand
(PACS),
In December
of Directors
created
1986,
the
Electronic
Communications Committee (ECC) to help advise it in the use of electronic methodologies for its educational mission. This group consisted of radiologists, physicists, and computer scientists under the leadership of Edward V. Staab, MD, and spent considerable time discussing possible directions. 5ev-
eral
new
from
the
features
for the annual
committee’s
assembly
suggestions:
on neuronadiology
(1988);
refresher
computer-assisted instruction (1989), teleradiology (1989), videodisks of selected scientific
elements ofthe 1989, and hands-on exhibits
arose
a pilot
videodisk
courses
on
The
(CAl) systems and PACS (1991); exhibits and other and 1991 meetings;
1990, of electronic
aids
to radiol-
education and practice (at the 1989-199 1 meetings), an exhibit area now known as infoRAD. In 4 years, infoRAD has grown in sophistication, offering a wider array of educational programs and it easier
for
them.
In computer
the
visitor
to navigate
A small control
among
terms:
Computers
communication
lea,
78th
scientific
RadioGraphics
#{149} Editorials
system assembly 1992;
(PACS) and
#{149} Education #{149} Radiological
annual
meeting
#{149} Picture
Society #{149} Video
From
the
terian-St 60612. the
Department
Amer.
systems
12:979-980
Luke’s
Medical
Received
September
Center, acceptedjuly
and
1653
Nudear
W Congress
2, 1992.
Address
Medicine, Pkwy,
Rush-PresbyChicago,
reprint
requests
1992
1992
on the network
diverse to them.
that
commercial The images
and will be supplied
1992
its final
IL to
fnfoRAD
stration Perhaps
author.
C RSNA,
and
of Radiology
running protocol
transmission (TCP/IP) will
will accept
images
devices and also send will be in ACR-NEMA
by members
imfor-
of the Radiol-
Information Systems Consortium. Members of the Society of Computer Aided Radiology will also assist in the exhibit. Although the total ACR-NEMA version 3.0 standard will not be demonstrated at
the I
a few
ogy
archiving of North
was recognized
Ethernet backbone protocol-internet
computer from ages mat
and
of connectivity
connect equipment from different manufacturers, who will demonstrate transmission and receival of images on the network with use of a common standard. An academic institution under the direction of the RSNA will write software to support a server
parlance, infoRAD has moved N interactive educational center. It can be expected that much of the technol. ogy demonstrated in the infoRAD area will eventually find its way into the other aspects of the RSNA assembly.
from a level I to a level
Index
issue
years ago by two organizations that joined to create a connectivity standard from both image format and network points ofview. The American College of Radiology and the National Electrical Manufactuners Association joined to create the ACR-NEMA standard. At RSNA ‘92, some of the elements of that standard will be demonstrated in the infoRM) area.
ogy
making
The Technical Exhibits at the RSNA assembly encompass a diverse set of commercial equipment that represents the majority ofwhat is used in radiology departments. Because much of the new equipment displayed is digital, the ECC thought that connectivity should also be demonstrated at the annual meeting. Many radiology departments are beset by the problems created when equipment from different vendors cannot be connected to a computer network. Connectivity is an essential element of PACS: Ifone cannot send an image created on brand A machine to be stored on brand B optical jukebox, print it on brand C laser film printer, and finally view it on brand D workstation, PACS as envisioned will not work. Imagine the problems one might have if each electrical device purchased for the home came with a different shaped electrical plug and used a different voltage and if each home had a different wiring plan. It would be very difficult to Install a simple toaster in one’s kitchen. Currently, PACS implementation is in a similar predicament, but there is light at the end of the tunnel.
meeting draft
(the
stage),
1992
will
of connectivity in 1993 the
Ackerman
standard
it is hoped be
is currently that
the beginning
the
ofthe
in exhibit
at
demon-
at future RSNA meetings. network can extend beyond
U
RadioGraphics
U
979
the local demonstration in the infoRAD area into a larger arena. Another area of recent development that reflects the implementation of PACS is the workstation, a computer-based digital display that is used pnimarily by
the
radiologist
to view
images
in a filmless
radiology department. A number of academic institutions have written programs that support local reading and distant reading of images, a form of slow PACS referred to as teleradiology. Some of these programs have matured to a point where they are being used clinically. The ECC has invited such institutions
to display
their
workstations
in a com-
mon area at infoRM) so that the various techniques can be compared by both the developers and meeting attendees. The intent of these exhibits is to demonstrate advances in workstation technology, not connectivity; thus, the workstations will not be connected to a network. However, a common set of ACR-NEMA-format workstation
can
images participant
be compared
on the basis
so
by the
of a common
will
be
that
quality
attendees
given
and
to each of display
participants
standard.
While the preceding exhibits and their technologies have immediate applications, projects that exp!ore future technologies and different ways of looking at images will be presented in the New Technologies section. In a small viewing room, computer-generated images will be back-projected
on each
wall;
the attendee
will be equipped
with
colored glasses attached to a positional radio that will allow him or her to interact with the computergenerated reality, that is, virtual reality. The entire project will be driven by an off-site super computer located at the University of Illinois at Chicago and connected to McCormick Place by a high-speed network (another demonstration of connectivity) The viewer will be able to see images, interact with them, and even be inside of an object, perhaps the human brain. Among the other unusual types of image display demonstrated in the New Technologies section will be compressed video images transmitted over telephone lines-another form of connectivity that allows interaction between in.
dividuals
who
are
simultaneously
viewing
images The
the
same
but who are separated by long distances. original ECC demonstration project that eventually evolved into infoRAD was the 1988 CAl
980
U
RadioGrapbics
U
Ackerman
project on neuronadio!ogy presented by Anne Osborn, MD. CAL exhibits constituted the majority of the first infoRAD exhibits and will remain predominant among the 1992 infoRAD exhibits. As CAL technology matured and as more CAL exhibits were submitted for presentation at infoRAD, it became evident to both the Scientific Exhibits Committee and the ECC that some of the CAL exhibits might migrate from the infoRM) area into the Scientific Exhibits
area.
A joint
subcommittee
was
formed
to
ensure that methodologic exhibits are displayed in the infoRAD area and content-oriented exhibits with the Scientific Exhibits. Two other exhibit centers in the infoRAD area will demonstrate connectivity in the form of larger nationwide and worldwide computer networks. Many RSNA members think that as the Society evolves, it should be connected to its members through electronic means. Accordingly, the RSNA Board of Directors has approved a proposal to connect the RSNA to Internet, a global, cooperative, virtual network. To achieve the connection, a Sun computer will be installed at RSNA Headquarters in Oak Brook, Illinois. To demonstrate Internet and its potential
at RSNA
‘92,
a commercial
networking
(which is an outgrowth of CICnet, a network consortium of the Big Ten universities), will connect a set of computers to Internet and show its high-speed worldwide connectivity and utility. The second connection to a remote system will be demonstrated by the National Library of Medicine, which will teach individuals how to use the Med!ine medical data base to search the medical literature. Finally, to tie the various exhibits in infoRAD together, three theaters will be constructed adjacent to the exhibits. Among other presentations scheduled for these theaters, invited department chairpersons will relate their experiences with computens in their respective departments. In infoRAD ‘92, we continue to provide attendees with opportunities for hands-on experience in a wide range of computer applications in radiology firm,
ANS
education and information management-from on-line literature searches to interactive programs to PACS and more. The unifying theme of all these efforts is connectivity and the need for cooperation among all manufacturers, standards committees, and institutions. In this spirit, we bring the latest technology to RSNA members and invite all to panticipate.
Volume
12
Number
5
V*WU
a
Informatics
at infoRA.D V. Ackerman,
A Look Laurens
19921 MD,
in
Radiology
PhD
Although infoRM) is a relatively recent addition to the scientific assembly and annual meeting of the Radiological
istence
Society
for only
of North
4 years),
exponential den ascent;
rate. One the answer
technology
being
radiology chiving
other the
computer RSNA
in the
in ex-
at an almost
practice
systems
of radiology:
(RIS), picture systems
applications.
Board
(being
grown
might wonder why this sudlies in the nature of the new
used
information and communication
America
it has
anand
(PACS),
In December
of Directors
created
1986,
the
Electronic
Communications Committee (ECC) to help advise it in the use of electronic methodologies for its educational mission. This group consisted of radiologists, physicists, and computer scientists under the leadership of Edward V. Staab, MD, and spent considerable time discussing possible directions. 5ev-
eral
new
from
the
features
for the annual
committee’s
assembly
suggestions:
on neuronadiology
(1988);
refresher
computer-assisted instruction (1989), teleradiology (1989), videodisks of selected scientific
elements ofthe 1989, and hands-on exhibits
arose
a pilot
videodisk
courses
on
The
(CAl) systems and PACS (1991); exhibits and other and 1991 meetings;
1990, of electronic
aids
to radiol-
education and practice (at the 1989-199 1 meetings), an exhibit area now known as infoRAD. In 4 years, infoRAD has grown in sophistication, offering a wider array of educational programs and it easier
for
them.
In computer
the
visitor
to navigate
A small control
among
terms:
Computers
communication
lea,
78th
scientific
RadioGraphics
#{149} Editorials
system assembly 1992;
(PACS) and
#{149} Education #{149} Radiological
annual
meeting
#{149} Picture
Society #{149} Video
From
the
terian-St 60612. the
Department
Amer.
systems
12:979-980
Luke’s
Medical
Received
September
Center, acceptedjuly
and
1653
Nudear
W Congress
2, 1992.
Address
Medicine, Pkwy,
Rush-PresbyChicago,
reprint
requests
1992
1992
on the network
diverse to them.
that
commercial The images
and will be supplied
1992
its final
IL to
fnfoRAD
stration Perhaps
author.
C RSNA,
and
of Radiology
running protocol
transmission (TCP/IP) will
will accept
images
devices and also send will be in ACR-NEMA
by members
imfor-
of the Radiol-
Information Systems Consortium. Members of the Society of Computer Aided Radiology will also assist in the exhibit. Although the total ACR-NEMA version 3.0 standard will not be demonstrated at
the I
a few
ogy
archiving of North
was recognized
Ethernet backbone protocol-internet
computer from ages mat
and
of connectivity
connect equipment from different manufacturers, who will demonstrate transmission and receival of images on the network with use of a common standard. An academic institution under the direction of the RSNA will write software to support a server
parlance, infoRAD has moved N interactive educational center. It can be expected that much of the technol. ogy demonstrated in the infoRAD area will eventually find its way into the other aspects of the RSNA assembly.
from a level I to a level
Index
issue
years ago by two organizations that joined to create a connectivity standard from both image format and network points ofview. The American College of Radiology and the National Electrical Manufactuners Association joined to create the ACR-NEMA standard. At RSNA ‘92, some of the elements of that standard will be demonstrated in the infoRM) area.
ogy
making
The Technical Exhibits at the RSNA assembly encompass a diverse set of commercial equipment that represents the majority ofwhat is used in radiology departments. Because much of the new equipment displayed is digital, the ECC thought that connectivity should also be demonstrated at the annual meeting. Many radiology departments are beset by the problems created when equipment from different vendors cannot be connected to a computer network. Connectivity is an essential element of PACS: Ifone cannot send an image created on brand A machine to be stored on brand B optical jukebox, print it on brand C laser film printer, and finally view it on brand D workstation, PACS as envisioned will not work. Imagine the problems one might have if each electrical device purchased for the home came with a different shaped electrical plug and used a different voltage and if each home had a different wiring plan. It would be very difficult to Install a simple toaster in one’s kitchen. Currently, PACS implementation is in a similar predicament, but there is light at the end of the tunnel.
meeting draft
(the
stage),
1992
will
of connectivity in 1993 the
Ackerman
standard
it is hoped be
is currently that
the beginning
the
ofthe
in exhibit
at
demon-
at future RSNA meetings. network can extend beyond
U
RadioGraphics
U
979
the local demonstration in the infoRAD area into a larger arena. Another area of recent development that reflects the implementation of PACS is the workstation, a computer-based digital display that is used pnimarily by
the
radiologist
to view
images
in a filmless
radiology department. A number of academic institutions have written programs that support local reading and distant reading of images, a form of slow PACS referred to as teleradiology. Some of these programs have matured to a point where they are being used clinically. The ECC has invited such institutions
to display
their
workstations
in a com-
mon area at infoRM) so that the various techniques can be compared by both the developers and meeting attendees. The intent of these exhibits is to demonstrate advances in workstation technology, not connectivity; thus, the workstations will not be connected to a network. However, a common set of ACR-NEMA-format workstation
can
images participant
be compared
on the basis
so
by the
of a common
will
be
that
quality
attendees
given
and
to each of display
participants
standard.
While the preceding exhibits and their technologies have immediate applications, projects that exp!ore future technologies and different ways of looking at images will be presented in the New Technologies section. In a small viewing room, computer-generated images will be back-projected
on each
wall;
the attendee
will be equipped
with
colored glasses attached to a positional radio that will allow him or her to interact with the computergenerated reality, that is, virtual reality. The entire project will be driven by an off-site super computer located at the University of Illinois at Chicago and connected to McCormick Place by a high-speed network (another demonstration of connectivity) The viewer will be able to see images, interact with them, and even be inside of an object, perhaps the human brain. Among the other unusual types of image display demonstrated in the New Technologies section will be compressed video images transmitted over telephone lines-another form of connectivity that allows interaction between in.
dividuals
who
are
simultaneously
viewing
images The
the
same
but who are separated by long distances. original ECC demonstration project that eventually evolved into infoRAD was the 1988 CAl
980
U
RadioGrapbics
U
Ackerman
project on neuronadio!ogy presented by Anne Osborn, MD. CAL exhibits constituted the majority of the first infoRAD exhibits and will remain predominant among the 1992 infoRAD exhibits. As CAL technology matured and as more CAL exhibits were submitted for presentation at infoRAD, it became evident to both the Scientific Exhibits Committee and the ECC that some of the CAL exhibits might migrate from the infoRM) area into the Scientific Exhibits
area.
A joint
subcommittee
was
formed
to
ensure that methodologic exhibits are displayed in the infoRAD area and content-oriented exhibits with the Scientific Exhibits. Two other exhibit centers in the infoRAD area will demonstrate connectivity in the form of larger nationwide and worldwide computer networks. Many RSNA members think that as the Society evolves, it should be connected to its members through electronic means. Accordingly, the RSNA Board of Directors has approved a proposal to connect the RSNA to Internet, a global, cooperative, virtual network. To achieve the connection, a Sun computer will be installed at RSNA Headquarters in Oak Brook, Illinois. To demonstrate Internet and its potential
at RSNA
‘92,
a commercial
networking
(which is an outgrowth of CICnet, a network consortium of the Big Ten universities), will connect a set of computers to Internet and show its high-speed worldwide connectivity and utility. The second connection to a remote system will be demonstrated by the National Library of Medicine, which will teach individuals how to use the Med!ine medical data base to search the medical literature. Finally, to tie the various exhibits in infoRAD together, three theaters will be constructed adjacent to the exhibits. Among other presentations scheduled for these theaters, invited department chairpersons will relate their experiences with computens in their respective departments. In infoRAD ‘92, we continue to provide attendees with opportunities for hands-on experience in a wide range of computer applications in radiology firm,
ANS
education and information management-from on-line literature searches to interactive programs to PACS and more. The unifying theme of all these efforts is connectivity and the need for cooperation among all manufacturers, standards committees, and institutions. In this spirit, we bring the latest technology to RSNA members and invite all to panticipate.
Volume
12
Number
5
