SIIM 2008 - Carestream Health, Inc., has re-deployed the advanced 3D capabilities integrated with its KODAK CARESTREAM PACS platform into a new turnkey 3D solution for healthcare facilities that have not yet implemented PACS and for current PACS users with limited or no 3D capabilities.

Carestream Health, Inc., has re-deployed the advanced 3D capabilities integrated with its KODAK CARESTREAM PACS platform into a new turnkey 3D solution for healthcare facilities that have not yet implemented PACS and for current PACS users with limited or no 3D capabilities. The new CARESTREAM Virtual 3D Solution is available as either a standalone workstation or as a workgroup configuration that permits multiple user access to server-based software from existing workstations.

Carestream Health has redeployed the advanced 3D capabilities of its PACS platform into turnkey standalone and workgroup solutions. Radiologist Eric V. Jelinger, MD, of Joint Township District Memorial Hospital, St. Marys, Ohio, evaluates a 3D CT angiogram on a CARESTREAM PACS workstation.

The virtual 3D solution delivers advanced 3D processing and comparative viewing of MR and CT studies. It also provides display protocols that optimize image review and streaming technology that speeds image delivery even in low-bandwidth environments. The virtual 3D solution will be available for order in the United States in June and can be purchased by customers outside the U.S. later this summer.

"We are filling a unique need in the healthcare market by providing an advanced 3D solution that can either serve as a stepping stone to a fully featured PACS or smoothly integrate 3D capabilities into an existing PACS environment," said Michael W. Jackman, President, Healthcare Information Solutions, Carestream Health. "Our virtual 3D solution offers significant workflow and image comparison advantages over dedicated 3D workstations."     

The company's virtual 3D solution delivers exceptional functionality for non-PACS sites because its specialized viewing capabilities can improve radiologists' productivity and it contains PACS software that can be easily expanded into a fully featured CARESTREAM PACS.
 
In a non-PACS location, 3D imaging studies are routed to either a virtual 3D server or standalone workstation. With a standalone configuration, users can view 3D imaging studies and then print selected images, burn the study to a CD or e-mail images to other users or destinations. In a workgroup configuration, remote users would access the virtual 3D application from any workstation and then perform desired viewing and distribution tasks.

When compared to a dedicated 3D workstation, Carestream Health's virtual 3D solution offers several advantages: support for concurrent users; access from any onsite or remote location; and customized preferences that follow users. When deployed in a workgroup environment with both internal and external users, the 3D solution provides a significant workflow advantage because of its streaming technology.   

The new virtual 3D solution can be integrated into most vendors' PACS environments. When an exam is complete, it can be automatically pushed to both the virtual 3D solution and the existing PACS. Prior studies can be automatically pre-fetched from the PACS for comparison. Measurements, annotations, key 3D images, and structured reports created on the 3D solution can be transmitted to the PACS for use during report dictation and for long-term storage and distribution. Varying levels of desktop integration are available to launch the 3D solution from an existing PACS. 

Carestream Health's advanced processing tools include: MPR/MIP, MinIP, tissue definition, volume rendering, vessel tracking, automatic bone removal, PET-CT viewing of pre-registered images, cardiac review and analysis tools, cardiac multi-phase display and cardiac cine. The virtual 3D solution also supports advanced study comparison capabilities such as automatic linking of current and multiple prior studies, taking into account possible differences in slice thickness as well as automatic application of processing functions as the images are being displayed to the user's screen. The solution also provides intuitive step-by-step wizards for more complex reconstruction functions and structured vessel and cardiac analysis reports.

The CARESTREAM Virtual 3D Solution supports flexible configurable options including: full desktop integration with existing RIS and PACS systems, an email server for report distribution, and desktop integration with third-party applications.