Thin-client processing comes of age at RSNA 2007 with TeraRecon's iNtuition platform architecture for the Aquarius suite of products.

Thin-client processing comes of age at RSNA 2007 with TeraRecon's iNtuition^TM platform

Q: What products, updates or innovations are you announcing or launching at RSNA?

Thin-client processing comes of age at RSNA 2007 with TeraRecon's iNtuition^TM platform architecture for the Aquarius suite of products. The new Aquarius iNtuition client, the evolution of the Aquarius Workstation, delivers workstation-class applications to regular PCs or PACS stations throughout the department and enterprise.

iNtuition^TM workflow architecture is designed to provide a customizable workflow with personalized preferences activated upon user log-in. You can use the workstation or server on their own -- the whole package is not mandatory -- but when you put them together, you get more than the sum of the parts and a greatly enhanced workflow through Scene sharing. Add in our automated pre-processing server AquariusAPS and you can realize a whole new level of efficiency.

AquariusNET Server

The AquariusNET Server delivers distributed 3D visualization capabilities throughout an entire hospital or group of hospitals. To activate 3D functionality on any number of PCs, users simply download a small client application from the server's web interface. 3D functionality can then be accessed anywhere on the hospital's network from physician reading rooms to the surgery suite. Physicians can access the system outside the hospital by connecting to the server via an SSL or VPN link when available.

AquariusAPS Server

Upon receipt of images from the CT scanner, AquariusAPS searches its internal "directory" of anatomy and automatically applies various processing "filters". AquariusAPS can automatically segment bones and vessels, remove the CT table or rib cage, extract luminal centerlines of vessels, apply parametric maps, and automatically detect and label various parts of the anatomy.

AquariusGATE

AquariusGATE transfers and automatically routes AquariusGATE data quickly between multiple offices and remote sites. Image routing can be controlled using rules based on a combination of DICOM tags such as the modality type, name of the referring physician, or time of day.

Q: What are the benefits of using your product?

Aquarius iNtuition delivers any advanced clinical tool anywhere in the enterprise over a thin client. This key innovation blurs the line between advanced 3D workstations and thin-client 3D, so it is no longer necessary to choose between the two and accept compromises. iNtuition delivers the specific high end tools and defined workflow steps wherever they are needed using portable scene sharing and customized workflow templates. The iNtuition architecture enables Aquarius to be configured as an advanced, procedural workstation for the 3D technologist, a powerful reading tool for the diagnosing physician, and a fast, simple review tool for the referring MD. Such capabilities are possible in a fully client-server mode without sacrificing advanced image processing capabilities, because iNtuition includes automated pre-processing (AquariusAPS) which can be programmed to automatically perform a variety of image processing steps such as bone removal and detection of centerlines, among others.

iNtuition then enables optional validation and correction of the automatically processed data by a specialist such as a 3D technologist, allowing the reading physician to focus more time directly on diagnosis, and allowing the referring physician to directly access the 3D results for therapy planning or patient consultation without having to deal with complex and time-consuming editing or presentation tasks. The ability to pre-process enormous CT datasets automatically upon loading in a customized fashion provides a much better starting point to the reading physician with zero clicks.  By providing workstation-class applications enterprise wide over thin clients, a whole new level of efficiency is realized for radiologists, technologists, and referring physicians.

Q: What are you hoping to achieve from this year's RSNA?

At RSNA 2007, TeraRecon will be the first vendor to demonstrate full workstation-class 3D functionality over a client.  By offering a comprehensive 3D capability over a client, our Aquarius iNtuition solution can deliver any tool, anywhere. This has opened up a new world of workflow possibilities.  For the first time, an entire 3D workup can be saved, restored and/or archived to PACS which includes all of the views, centerlines and measurements.  Utilizing the Aquarius APS (Advanced Pre-processing Server), an entire workflow can be prepared ahead of time with zero clicks.

The study is already processed to have the specified orientations made, bone and table removed and centerlines placed as desired.  This empowers the radiologist to work with much greater efficiency when working up 3D studies -- even without a 3D technologist available.  The work of the AquariusAPS is fully adjustable and is then marked with a 'V' for validated.  This validated package of images, result and prior work can then be sent to a referring physician for review and/or archival to PACS for possible later restoration.  TeraRecon's intent at RSNA 2007 is to show how the combination of having powerful 3D servers that can deliver any tool anywhere and exclusive Automate-Validate-Read workflow delivers unparalleled efficiency and collaboration.

Q: What key messages do you have for RSNA attendees?

TeraRecon's 3 key Aquarius iNtuition messages at RSNA:

a) Thin-client advanced visualization comes of age.

b) Workstation-class applications over a thin-client.

c) Any Tool. Anywhere.

Q: How do you see the year ahead in clinical and business terms?

We see 2008 as the year of broad market adoption of thin-client 3D and the demand of advanced clinical applications enterprise wide. Due to the effect of the DRA, it has been widely reported that many healthcare enterprises are looking for ways to reduce costs and increase the efficiency of its radiology staff.  Healthcare institutions will demand unconstrained access to powerful clinical tools wherever they are needed in the enterprise, affordably and without compromise. As the pioneer of thin-client 3D solutions and the acknowledged technology leader of thin-client 3D workflow, we see a very bright future for our products and company in the coming years.

---

Company profile

TeraRecon, Inc. is an imaging technology company that develops, markets, and supports systems and subsystems for professional imaging applications, with special emphasis on medical imaging. Its mission is to develop and deploy innovative products that deliver high performance and superior image quality based on unique technologies for professional imaging applications in medical, geophysical, industrial, and scientific markets. TeraRecon is a privately-held company employing approximately 300 people, with headquarters in San Mateo, CA and offices in Concord, MA; Houston, TX; Tokyo and Osaka, Japan; and Trondheim, Norway.

---

Contact details

Name: TeraRecon Inc
Interviewee: Steve Sandy, VP Marketing
Telephone: +1-650-653-4243
Website: Click here for the TeraRecon site.