| The current study has as its objective to analyze and demonstrate the possibility of converting a structured document conforming to the DICOM standard, into an XML format.; The XML document is easier to interpret by the system, the developer as well as the machine, especially in this period where XML is emerging and its market is growing in a very remarkable fashion. This format permits to incorporate and reference different types of DICOM components like images and wave files.; To accomplish this analysis, we studied the DICOM standard and supplements as defined by NEMA, in order to get a deep understanding of lots of details.; At a concrete level, after the analysis of DICOM was complete, a diagram was built for a typical DICOM RS, (as defined in page 8 in Supplement 23, 2000) respecting the structure and hierarchy, and considering all aspects of the relationships. This diagram presents the nodes and trees of the document. It is annexed at the end of this document.; A research on XML and “XML Schema” was done before getting to design and code the scheme of an RS document in XML. The model considers many factors like the respect of DICOM standards, hierarchy, constraints and the possibility of converting it back to a pure DICOM format. A copy of the scheme is annexed with this document.; The integration of XML and DICOM opens a potential market in the medical industry of data and multimedia electronic transfers. Especially when growth of the DICOM market alone is slow, due to its complexity and its closed environment. |
