fundamental medical imaging informatics

informatics

• the use of computers to organize and process data into useful information

• combines computer technology, information systems, and communication networks to improve medical imaging practice and patient care.

diagnostic image

raw scan data > computer processing > ?

raw scan data

is acquired from imaging modalities as raw digital signals and represents the initial unprocessed information

computer processing

raw dara is processed, enhanced, reconstructed, and organized using computer systems and software to extract meaningful information.

diagnostic image

processed images are optimized for viewing, analysis, diagnosis, and decision-making by cinicians

imaging informatics

transform raw scan data into valuable diagnostic images that support accurate diagnosis and improved patient care.

viewing

acquisition > processing > storage (PACS/VNA) > ? > communication

medical imaging informatics

is the use of computers and communication technology to:

• acquire

• precess

• analyze

• store

• display

• share image data

x-ray fims

• for many years, radiology used _____

• had to be developed, filled, transferred, and stored manually.

• this process was slower and required more physical space.

electronic and digital systems

in the early 2000s, many radiology departments started moving from film-based systems to ?

PACS

stores and shares medical images

RIS

manages radiology workflow and reports

EPR/EHR

stores patient records electronically

erequesting

sends imaging requests digitally

data flow

the movement of patient information and medical images between different radiology systems

interface

• the connection that allows two systems to communicate with each other.

• example:
  - RIS sends patient details to the X-ray machine.

information technology (IT)

• commonly used in hospitals and medical departments

• the use of computers, networks, and digital systems to manage information

• very important because digital devices must communicate with each other.

• allows medical imags and patient information to be created, processed, stored, protected, exchanged or shared.

computer technology, communication technology

2 major components of information technology (IT)

computer technology

• hardware & software

• data processing

• image processing

communication technology

• networks & media

• data transmission

• image transmission

computer technology

• an electronic machine that helps solve problems.

• it receives data, processes it, and produces useful information

• includes the machines, programs and users that work together to process information.

hardware, software, users

computer system has 3 main parts:

hardware

the physical parts of the computer.

example: monitor, keyboard, mouse, CPU, storage device

software

the programs and instructions that tell the computer what to do.

example: operating system, PACS software, RIS software

users

the people who operate the computer system.

example: radiologic technologists, radiologists, IT staff

foot pedal

used in reporting or transcription workflows

output devices

are computer parts that show or produce information from the computer

memory stick

used to save or transfer images and files

floppy device

older storage device; rarely used today

magneto-optical disk

previously used for long-ter, storage of large image data

USB ports

• many devices connect to computers using it

• allow data transfer between devices

• newer USB versions transfer data faster than older ones

plain paper printer

used for:

• appointment letters

• printed lists

• documents

• forms

thermal printer

used for:

• labels

• patient wristbands

• CD/DVD labels

• stickers

film printer

used to print medical images on film. this is now less common because most hospitals use PACS for image viewing storage

uninterruptible power supply (UPS)

• a backup power device that gives temporary electricity when the main power supply fails.

• helps prevent sudden shutdown of computer and radiology department

• it allows staff to:
  - save important work;
  - finish sending images;
  - complete reports in progress;
  - safely shutdown the computer; and
  - protect equipment from power problems.

server

• a powerful computer that runs important systems used by many users at the same time.

in radiology, servers support systems such as
- PACS
- RIS
- image storage
- patient information access
- report management

server location

• kept in a special area called a server room, managed by the hospital IT department.

must have:
- proper cooling;
- enough power supply;
- network connections;
- backup systems; and
- physical security

dedicated server, virtual server

types of server

dedicated server

a physical server used for a specific system

virtual server

a server that runs using shared computer hardware

software

• refers to the programs and instructions that help the computer work

• it allows user to interact with the computer and perform specific tasks

operating system

the main software that runs a cmputer or workstation

examples:

• windows

• macOS

• linux

• iOS

application software

refers to programs used to perform specific tasks

examples:

• Microsoft word

• image processing software

• PACS viewer

• RIS software

microsoft word

used for writing documents and reports

image processing software

used to adjust, enhanced, or process images

PACS viewer

used to view medical images

RIS software

used to manage radiology requests and reports

data

is entered into the computer using hadware devices

processing

• the CPU processes the entered data

• converts raw data into useful information

• in radiology, this helps transform image data into information used for diagnosis

storage

• information can be stored temporarily or permanently

• internal storage: computer memory/ RAM

• external storage: hard drives, disks, archives, or other storage systems

• external storage can hold larger amounts of information

output

• processed information is displayed for users.

• examples:
  - monitor display
  - printed reports
  - radiographic image display

• in CR/DR, processed data is displayed as an image for interpretation

communication

• computer data and output information can be transmitted to other users

• the internet is commonly used as a communication vehicle

• in radiology, this supports PACS, image sharing. and teleradiology

communication technology

communication technology refers to tools and systems used to send and receive information

examples:

• telephone

• radio

• television

• cellphone

• internet

• wi-fi

• bluetooth

modem

• is a device that allows computers to send and receive signals

• digital signal > analog signal > digital signal

• modulate: changes digital signal into analog signal for transmission

• demodulate: changes analog signal back into digital signal for the computer to read

• acts like a translator that helps computers send and receive data

communication media

are the pathways used to send data from one device to another

examples of communication media:

• twisted pair cable

• coaxial cable

• fiber optic cable

• microwave transmission

• satellite transmission

• wireless signal

are the “roads” where data travel

network

• a connection between computers, servers, and imaging devices

• it allows data and medical images to move from one system to another

• connects different devices so they can share data and information

copper cables and fiber optic cables

network cable