PACS Hardware Enhancements Developed for Multimodality Viewing

New picture archive communication systems (PACS) enhancements comprise a modular designed solution with applications ranging from imaging modality viewing stations to multi-facility, enterprise-wide implementations with load balancing, redundancy, and remote backup archives, allowing healthcare facilities to build systems with components that meet their needs.

Matrox Graphics, Inc. (Montreal, QC, Canada), a manufacturer of specialized graphics systems, reported that Aspyra Diagnostic Solutions, Inc. (Calabasas, CA, USA) is incorporating hardware-based image-processing support in its PACS solutions using the advanced features of the Matrox Xenia Series display controller boards.

The Aspyra AccessNET PACS features include flexible licensing, built-in web server for image and report access, flexible storage (archive) solutions, user-definable search lists and work lists, a full featured MedVIEW Viewer with intuitive human interface, and built-in dictation and transcription functions based on common medical communication standards such as Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) and HL7, which integrates with healthcare systems, protecting investments, and streamlining workflow.

"We were amazed by the impressive performance using the Matrox Xenia Series,” stated Bill Culton, product manager, Aspyra. "The ability to window and level large image data quickly and smoothly on high resolution monitors are critical to medical imaging workflow and optimum patient care. By implementing Xenia's new advanced hardware features we were able to significantly improve the response to changes on our viewer which will further enhance the user experience.”

Matrox Xenia is the first native PCI (periperhal component interconnect) Express single-slot board with an all-digital, triple-monitor output and the flexibility to drive practically any known display configuration. Xenia Series supports resolutions from under 1 MP (megapixel) up to 8 MP, with up to 1 GB of on-board memory, and features new technology to ensure optimum display calibration (via Matrox DLC and 8/10/13-bit gamma LUTs [look up tables]).

"Our goal was to quickly demonstrate the enhanced hardware functionality to Aspyra, an important development partner who has contributed to our initial specification of the Matrox Xenia Series design,” said George Rigas, business development manager for medical imaging, Matrox Graphic. "Ease of development was paramount for Aspyra developers to incorporate performance enhancements for efficient workflow and a better end-user experience.”

With the development potential for increasing hardware-accelerated performance via hardware LUTs, multiple hardware window IDs, and additional hardware features, Xenia Series is a flexible and expandable solution for medical imaging developers and integrators looking for cutting-edge technology.

Aspyra is a global provider of health care information technology (HCIT) solutions and services to the healthcare industry. The company specializes in clinical information systems (CIS), PACS, and clinical image management systems (CIMS) for hospitals, multi-specialty clinics, clinical laboratories, imaging departments and centers and orthopedic environments. Aspyra's highly scalable systems can be installed standalone or integrated to provide a single-vendor, enterprise-wide solution.

Matrox Graphics is a manufacturer of graphics solutions for professional markets.

Related Links:
Matrox Graphics
Aspyra Diagnostic Solutions