Visualization Software Integrated into PACS for More Streamlined Imaging Workflow

Advanced three-dimensional (3D) visualization software has been integrated into a picture archiving and communication system (PACS), resulting in a streamlined imaging workflow, enabling physicians to read and report their studies faster and more efficiently.

Medical imaging specialist Barco (Kortrijk, Belgium) has released a new version of its Voxar 3D advanced visualization software suite that is integrated in Agfa's (Mortsel, Belgium) Impax PACS. The new Voxar 3D suite is available with a full set of integrated clinical applications, including VesselMetrix for quantitative 3D vessel analysis, CardiaMetrix for computed tomography (CT) cardiac analysis, ColonMetrix for CT colonography, and positron emission tomography-CT (PET-CT) Fusion for the interpretation of whole body oncology studies.

Barco's Voxar 3D version 6.3 enhances Impax with advanced visualization that maximizes productivity. "It combines speed, easy access, and advanced functionality in a package that is efficient, reliable and cost-effective. A single mouse click at the PACS workstation is enough to move from cineing 2D images to creating MIP [maximum intensity projection], MPR [multiplanar reformatting], 3D, or 4D reconstructions,” commented Eric Maurincomme, vice president marketing and business development.

As one would expect from a real PACS integration, Voxar 3D and Impax share the patient demographics. Moreover, captures taken in Voxar 3D are stored in Impax as live images that allow clinicians to save and restore all their advanced visualization work. In fact, even Live Images from the previous IMPAX integration can be restored in this way.

Voxar 3D has been specifically designed to optimize the ease-of-use and productivity of the daily imaging workflow. It makes advanced visualization accessible on any Impax workstation over a standard 100 Mbps hospital network. Voxar 3D also delivers fast loading. With the client-server ‘Enterprise' version, loading an entire 1,000-slice series in full diagnostic quality takes around 10 seconds, while a 2000-slice series takes about 13 seconds. As a tool for daily use, the suite operates effectively with any CT, magnetic resonance (MR), or PET data, even data of sub-optimal quality.

With the introduction of version 6.3, Barco has also put more emphasis on cost-efficiency. Therefore, the new product only incorporates the features and functionalities that are clinically relevant, with a special focus on reimbursable procedures. It makes use of powerful, off-the-shelf server technology and graphics cards, allowing users to benefit from the latest information technology (IT) developments at a low cost.

Voxar 3D 6.3 can be complemented with a full set of clinical applications for specific medical disciplines. Voxar 3D VesselMetrix provides all the necessary tools for quantitative vascular analysis and stent-graft planning of CT angiography (CTA) and MR angiography (MRA) studies on one easy screen. Voxar 3D CardiaMetrix analyzes multi-phase cardiac CT studies and provides 2D, 3D, and 4D visualization for quantitative evaluation of cardiac anatomy and function. Voxar 3D ColonMetrix is optimized to visualize supine and prone image studies simultaneously in 2D and 3D. Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) reports are automatically generated on the fly as the user diagnoses. Lastly, Voxar 3D PET/CT Fusion supports the effective interpretation of whole body FDG oncology studies and provides real-time interaction with PET/CT images.

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