True 12-Bit Grayscale Mammographic Images Display Developed

A new mammographic display system is a 21.3-inch, five megapixel, Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine- (DICOM)-compliant diagnostic display. The ME551i2 display is able to interface with the new 64-bit version of OsiriX, the most advanced open-source picture archiving and communications system (PACS) workstation DICOM viewer on the market.

Quest International, Inc. (Irvine, CA, USA) announced they will show true 12-bit, grayscale mammographic images, utilizing an Apple Mac system (Cupertino, CA, USA), OsiriX (Rochester, NY, USA), and the Totoku (Tokyo, Japan), ME551i2, medical liquid crystal display (LCD) display, at the upcoming Society for Imaging Informatics in Medicine (SIIM) meeting, to be held in Seattle, WA, USA.

Quest will be demonstrating the imaging breakthrough using the Apple Mac Pro 8-Core workstation with two ME551i2 medical LCD displays. The project began in early 2007 when Quest was asked about displays that could be used with Mac systems for the medical market. Immediately, Quest's research and development team, lead by Medical Imaging product manager, Herb Berkwits, began researching the hardware and software requirements. "Our team learned that with some software changes, the ME551i2 would be able to display a true 12-bit image,” commented Mr. Berkwits.

Upon being notified by their integrators of Quest's discovery, Apple approached the company with the idea of working together to develop a software solution. Quest International's vice president Kaye Katouzian said, "Apple approached us with interest in the project. They were looking for display solutions, and we were happy to cooperate by supplying the ME551i2 displays they required. Because of our commitment to excellence in medical imaging, we were very excited to be involved with the project.”

In an effort to minimize any delays, Apple suggested that the OsiriX software development team get involved. "Quest is pleased to be working with the European OsiriX developers, providing technical assistance and support, our expertise in both software and hardware engineering inspire us to look for areas for which we can bring new technologies and benefits,” said Shawn Arshadi, president of Quest International.
"As a leading provider of medical displays we have worked together with OEMs [original equipment manufacturers] and distributors on many integration projects. To be selected to work with both Apple and OsiriX developers from around the world is proof of the trust industry leaders have in Quest,” said Bill Greenblatt, vice president of sales and marketing at Quest International. "We are pleased to be part of the development team responsible for this breakthrough. As Apple and OsiriX continue to evolve and develop medical applications, Quest will be here to support developers and users.”

Totoku is a leading manufacturer of medical image displays and touch panels.

OsiriX provides an open-source, intuitive, and user-friendly interface customized for physicians. The platform has been designed to support peer-to-peer technology as an alternative to conventional PACS architecture.


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