The Development Of PACS Based Medical Imaging Network Teaching Software

PurposeMedical image is a special subject which make use of the characteristics of X-ray MRI and Ultrasound to research the appearance and functional changes of human organs and structures,aggregate analysis these changes and make diagnosis.In the teaching of Medical Image,it is important to train the student to understand the normal and abnormal appearance.Therefore establishing a consummate pool of medical imaging typical case is very important.Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS)is a system which convert the medical image to digital information,collecting handling transmistting storaging and managing the information by the use of high speed computer device and network.Not only it makes good service to medical treatment,but also provide a better technical method to the teaching of medical imaging.The purpose of this study is to develop the PACS based medical imaging network teaching software then to serve the teaching of medical teaching.Methods and MaterialsThe PACS based network teaching system is composed of hardware part and software part.The hardware part contains the new PACS for teaching and the multi-media classroom.The software is composed of several functional modules.1.Hardware equipment(1)The construction of PACS specially for teaching:establish independent teaching PACS service,teaching PACS is connected with the PACS of China Medical University ShengJing Hospital by high speed network.The volume of the medical image storage service is temporarily 1T(1000G),the volume can be infinitily enlarged.(2)Found the multi-media classroom:There is a multi-media classroom in the Department of Medical Imaging of China Medical University,which is compose of 30 high performance computers.The network of multi-media classroom is connected with the PACS of ShengJing hospital.2.The development tools of teaching softwaresC++/VC/Delphi3.The source of teaching data(1)Image:Various kinds of typical case images come from accumulative films and digital images from PACS of ShengJing Hospital.Transfer the image to the teaching PACS,and making notation in the image for teaching.(2)Words:theorial knowledge come from the authorities of medical imaging,Practice of Radiology and Medical Imaging,etc.(3)Test modular:the medical imaging experts make up the subject databases,the test software choose the subject from the databases automaticly.ResultsWe successly developed the PACS based medical imaging teaching software,it is composed with several functional modules.1.Image management function(1)Typical case image transmissing and storage function.(2)Typical case image classification function.(3)Management of image service volumn.(4)Manege the user's information and the limit of authority.2.Postprocessing software function(1)Display the image and make sign and notation in the image.(2)Films can be digitalized and transferred to the data service.3.The development of the software for case-display and testing.(1)Can find case by genealogical classification.(2)Can find case by name.(3)Can find the case by the date,equipment,ID etc.(4)Can accommodate the image brightness and contrast,window width and window level,convert the image,measure the CT value and length,measure angle etc.(5)The display of the teacher's compter and student's computer are synchronized.(6)There are two parts in test software,the subjective examination questions,the objective examination questions.The examination questions can be automaticly chosed, the objective examination questions can be examd automaticly. (7)In addition the teaching files can be find in the software by the means of FTP.Discussion1.PACS and multi-media teachingWith the develop of the PACS,some medical colledge start network teaching lesson at the foundation of its affiliated hospital.The new teaching mode can raise the teaching quality.It can make good service to the teaching.2.Compared with the old practice mode,there are many advantages in this kind of practice lesson.(1)The images are clear,the quantity of the image is large.(2)The efficiency of education is elevated.Students can operate at computers which are connectd with PACS,students can search the cases image from the system by themselves.(3)It is convenient for teacher to make multi-media courseware.(4)The software is suitable for student to learn by themselves and review,especially for PBL.(5)The storage of teaching data is independent from the hospital's PACS.(6)The digital image of hospital' PACS can be saved only for 3-5years,the new system's data can be saved permanantly,forever on-line.(7)The teaching data service is abundant,precious film can be digitalized,and saved into the storage service.(8)Important content,key image,typical signs can be easily shown.3.The perspective and weak-pointsMedical colledge start network teaching lesson at the foundation of its affiliated hospital.The new teaching mode can raise the teaching quality.It can make good service to the teaching.We can furtherly build the world-wide-web medical imaging teaching services.Establishing the PACS based medical imaging teaching software needs a great quantity of funds and professionals to managed the PACS service.Conclusion(1)Establishing PACS based medical imaging network teaching software thoroughly changed the traditional medical imaging teaching mode. (2)Establishing the PACS based medical imaging network teaching software provide a systematical,allround,permanent,adcanced teaching multi -media resources.(3)The software can serve other subjects,such as ultrasonic diagnostics and pathology etc,it will be widely used.