Histology Image Viewer and Converter (HIVC): A High-Speed Freeware Software to View and Convert Whole Slide Histology Images.

Histology images are widely used to assess the microstructure of biological tissues, but scanners often save images in bulky SVS and multi-layered TIFF formats. These formats were designed to archive image blocks and high-resolution textual information and are not compatible with conventional image analysis software. Our goal was to create a freeware Histology Image Viewer and Converter (HIVC) with a graphical user interface that allows viewing and converting whole-slide images in batch. HIVC was developed using C# Language for Windows x64 operating system. HIVC's performance was assessed by converting 20 whole-slide images to a JPG format at 20x and 40x resolution and comparing the results to ImageJ, Cell Profiler, QuPath, Nanoborb, and Aperio ImageScope. HIVC was more than 8-times faster in converting images than other software packages. This software allows high-speed batch conversion of histology images to traditional formats, permitting platform-independent secondary analyses.

Performant web-based interactive visualization tool for spatially-resolved transcriptomics experiments.

High-resolution and multiplexed imaging techniques are giving us an increasingly detailed observation of a biological system. However, sharing, exploring, and customizing the visualization of large multidimensional images can be a challenge. Here, we introduce Samui, a performant and interactive image visualization tool that runs completely in the web browser. Samui is specifically designed for fast image visualization and annotation and enables users to browse through large images and their selected features within seconds of receiving a link. We demonstrate the broad utility of Samui with images generated with two platforms: Vizgen MERFISH and 10x Genomics Visium Spatial Gene Expression. Samui along with example datasets is available at https://samuibrowser.com.

Performant web-based interactive visualization tool for spatially-resolved transcriptomics experiments.

High-resolution and multiplexed imaging techniques are giving us an increasingly detailed observation of a biological system. However, sharing, exploring, and customizing the visualization of large multidimensional images can be a challenge. Here, we introduce Samui, a performant and interactive image visualization tool that runs completely in the web browser. Samui is specifically designed for fast image visualization and annotation and enables users to browse through large images and their selected features within seconds of receiving a link. We demonstrate the broad utility of Samui with images generated with two platforms: Vizgen MERFISH and 10x Genomics Visium Spatial Gene Expression. Samui along with example datasets is available at https://samuibrowser.com.

The Current State and Path Forward For Enterprise Image Viewing: HIMSS-SIIM Collaborative White Paper.

Clinical specialties have widely varied needs for diagnostic image interpretation, and clinical image and video image consumption. Enterprise viewers are being deployed as part of electronic health record implementations to present the broad spectrum of clinical imaging and multimedia content created in routine medical practice today. This white paper will describe the enterprise viewer use cases, drivers of recent growth, technical considerations, functionality differences between enterprise and specialty viewers, and likely future states. This white paper is aimed at CMIOs and CIOs interested in optimizing the image-enablement of their electronic health record or those who may be struggling with the many clinical image viewers their enterprises may employ today.

A Foundation for Enterprise Imaging: HIMSS-SIIM Collaborative White Paper.

Care providers today routinely obtain valuable clinical multimedia with mobile devices, scope cameras, ultrasound, and many other modalities at the point of care. Image capture and storage workflows may be heterogeneous across an enterprise, and as a result, they often are not well incorporated in the electronic health record. Enterprise Imaging refers to a set of strategies, initiatives, and workflows implemented across a healthcare enterprise to consistently and optimally capture, index, manage, store, distribute, view, exchange, and analyze all clinical imaging and multimedia content to enhance the electronic health record. This paper is intended to introduce Enterprise Imaging as an important initiative to clinical and informatics leadership, and outline its key elements of governance, strategy, infrastructure, common multimedia content, acquisition workflows, enterprise image viewers, and image exchange services.

Influence of image-viewers and artifacts on implant length measurements in cone-beam computed tomography: an in vitro study.

This preclinical in vitro study compared the accuracy of implant lengths measured in two different image-viewers, and examined whether implant-induced artifacts affected the implant length measurements on CBCT images. A resin edentulous mandibular model, with multiple adjacent implants in the posterior segments, was acquired with a CBCT machine. In two different image-viewers, two observers independently measured the implant length. Vertical measurements on CBCT images were carried out twice at each session, and repeated one week later. The results demonstrated no significant differences between actual and measured implant lengths. The differences in the mean error for vertical measurements using the two different image-viewers (cross-sectional images: OsiriX viewer = -0.01 ± 0.03 mm, NewTom viewer = -0.05 ± 0.09 mm, p-value = 0.056; sagittal images: OsiriX viewer = -0.03 ± 0.04 mm; NewTom viewer = -0.04 ± 0.10 mm, p-value = 0.24) were not statistically significant. This in vitro investigation suggests that the accuracy of implant length measurements on CBCT images was not influenced by image-viewers or by the presence of implant-induced artifacts. The presence of multiple adjacent implants in the posterior segments of the mandible is not likely to impact the measurements made between the implant apex and vital structures on CBCT images.

Web based tools for visualizing imaging data and development of XNATView, a zero footprint image viewer.

Advances in web technologies now allow direct visualization of imaging data sets without necessitating the download of large file sets or the installation of software. This allows centralization of file storage and facilitates image review and analysis. XNATView is a light framework recently developed in our lab to visualize DICOM images stored in The Extensible Neuroimaging Archive Toolkit (XNAT). It consists of a PyXNAT-based framework to wrap around the REST application programming interface (API) and query the data in XNAT. XNATView was developed to simplify quality assurance, help organize imaging data, and facilitate data sharing for intra- and inter-laboratory collaborations. Its zero-footprint design allows the user to connect to XNAT from a web browser, navigate through projects, experiments, and subjects, and view DICOM images with accompanying metadata all within a single viewing instance.

A patient-centric distribution architecture for medical image sharing.

Over the past decade, rapid development of imaging technologies has resulted in the introduction of improved imaging devices, such as multi-modality scanners that produce combined positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) images. The adoption of picture archiving and communication systems (PACS) in hospitals have dramatically improved the ability to digitally share medical image studies via portable storage, mobile devices and the Internet. This has in turn led to increased productivity, greater flexibility, and improved communication between hospital staff, referring physicians, and outpatients. However, many of these sharing and viewing capabilities are limited to proprietary vendor-specific applications. Furthermore, there are still interoperability and deployment issues which reduce the rate of adoption of such technologies, thus leaving many stakeholders, particularly outpatients and referring physicians, with access to only traditional still images with no ability to view or interpret the data in full. In this paper, we present a distribution architecture for medical image display across numerous devices and media, which uses a preprocessor and an in-built networking framework to improve compatibility and promote greater accessibility of medical data. Our INVOLVE2 system consists of three main software modules: 1) a preprocessor, which collates and converts imaging studies into a compressed and distributable format; 2) a PACS-compatible workflow for self-managing distribution of medical data, e.g. via CD USB, network etc; 3) support for potential mobile and web-based data access. The focus of this study was on cultivating patient-centric care, by allowing outpatient users to comfortably access and interpret their own data. As such, the image viewing software included on our cross-platform CDs was designed with a simple and intuitive user-interface (UI) for use by outpatients and referring physicians. Furthermore, digital image access via mobile devices or web-based access enables users to engage with their data in a convenient and user-friendly way. We evaluated the INVOLVE2 system using a pilot deployment in a hospital environment.

Screening and dotting virtual slides: A new challenge for cytotechnologists.

Digital images are increasingly being used in cytopathology. Whole-slide imaging (WSI) is a digital imaging modality that uses computerized technology to scan and convert entire cytology glass slides into digital images that can be viewed on a digital display using the image viewer software. Digital image acquisition of cytology glass slides has improved significantly over the years due to the use of liquid-based preparations and advances in WSI scanning technology such as automatic multipoint pre-scan focus technology or z-stack scanning technology. Screening cytotechnologists are responsible for every cell that is present on an imaged slide. One of the challenges users have to overcome is to establish a technique to review systematically the entire imaged slide and to dot selected abnormal or significant findings. The scope of this article is to review the current user interface technology available for virtual slide navigation when screening digital slides in cytology. WSI scanner vendors provide tools, built into the image viewer software that allow for a more systematic navigation of the virtual slides, such as auto-panning, keyboard-controlled slide navigation and track map. Annotation tools can improve communication between the screener and the final reviewer or can be used for education. The tracking functionality allows recording of the WSI navigation process and provides a mechanism for confirmation of slide coverage by the screening cytotechnologist as well as a useful tool for quality assurance. As the WSI technology matures, additional features and tools to support navigation of a cytology virtual slide are anticipated.

Measurement of Femoral Anteversion in the PACS Image Viewer / 대한의료정보학회지

The measurement of the femoral anteversion is an important factor in the practice of orthopedic surgery. The anteversion is measured by means of the axis of head and neck of the femur. In this study, widely used computed tomography method of measuring anteversion was tested on femoral necks of patients. Measurement by the manual method and image viewer of computed tomography to determine the anteversion of femoral head were carried out on both femurs. In January and February 2001, 30 patients 3 to 6 years of age were randomly selected from Seoul National University Hospital. The purpose of this paper was to introduce a new method to measure femoral anteversion angle utilizing image viewer program. This new method was more accurate and convenient than the conventional manual method. In conclusion, PACS of image viewer program was statistically more reliable in determining the angle of the femoral anteversion.

Development of Asymmetric Satellite Data Communication System and Evaluation Compared to Conventional terrestrial Network / 대한의료정보학회지

We developed the Tele-PACS of radiology, which uses the communication network as asymmetric satellite data communication system. The asymmetric satellite data communication system uses receive-only satellite links for data delivery and PSTN(Public Switched Telephone Network) modem or N-ISDN(Narrow-band Integrate Services Digital Network) for communication. The satellite communication linking we implemented showed the very high-speed performance compared to the terrestrial linking such as 28.8 kbps modem linking or 56Kbps linking. The satellite linking was 5-10 times faster than the terrestrial linking on the average. We developed the down-link system of satellite and the medical collaborative tools and the Web-based Image-viewer. We concluded that 1) Satellite networking is currently the cheapest and fastest solution for internet access. 2) Web-based Image-Viewer enables small size hospitals in rural area to connect to the central PACS easily and to retrieve the image data reliably. 3) The suggested teleradiology system using satellite networking could be adequate to the fast telemedicine and telecare for rural hospitals especially located in geographically isolated areas such as islands.

Development of Asymmetric Satellite Data Communication System and Evaluation Compared to Conventional terrestrial Network / 대한의료정보학회지

We developed the Tele-PACS of radiology, which uses the communication network as asymmetric satellite data communication system. The asymmetric satellite data communication system uses receive-only satellite links for data delivery and PSTN(Public Switched Telephone Network) modem or N-ISDN(Narrow-band Integrate Services Digital Network) for communication. The satellite communication linking we implemented showed the very high-speed performance compared to the terrestrial linking such as 28.8 kbps modem linking or 56Kbps linking. The satellite linking was 5-10 times faster than the terrestrial linking on the average. We developed the down-link system of satellite and the medical collaborative tools and the Web-based Image-viewer. We concluded that 1) Satellite networking is currently the cheapest and fastest solution for internet access. 2) Web-based Image-Viewer enables small size hospitals in rural area to connect to the central PACS easily and to retrieve the image data reliably. 3) The suggested teleradiology system using satellite networking could be adequate to the fast telemedicine and telecare for rural hospitals especially located in geographically isolated areas such as islands.