To demonstrate the feasibility of teleradiology across a residential DSL network using a VPN connection to a hospital based Apple PowerPC G5 workstation using Apple Remote Desktop and the OsiriX Application.
ARD v. 3.0 was installed on remote control G4 laptop and G5 PowerPC computers. OsiriX version 2.3.1 was installed at the hospital G5. Image data was encrypted on the G5 hard disc. Cisco VPNClient v. 4.8.00 was used with residental DSL. Wireless interaction was tested using the laptop computer and Airport Extreme Base Station. Image viewing speed was compared between a PC laptop using Centricity Web and Apple G5 desktop.
ARD v 3.0 via VPN accessed the target computer. The DSL speed was tested to be Download = 2.477 Mbps and Upload = 419.19 kbps. DICOM query/retrive operations were used remotely to view images from the enterprise PACS and to view DICOM data that were ambient at the hospital target computer. Routine tasks including window and level and zoom/pan operations were performed remotely. 2D and 3D reformations of source images were successfully performed using data on the remote target computer. A slight but noticable lag in display was apparent when windowing. DICOM secondary captures were saved at the target computer and sent to PACS by remote control. There was no visible difference in image quality between remotely viewed images and identical local control images. The hospital network transferred 3.12 images/sec to the OsiriX workstation. Remote viewing transfer rates were approximately 1 CT image/second for both ARD and Centricity Web.
ARD was successfully implemented to view DICOM data in a HIPAA compliant environment. The OsiriX application was used to perform image reformation and secondary capture operations, which were saved to PACS. Image loading time was similar for ARD and the PACS web viewer. ARD and OsiriX allowed multiplanar reformation and secondard captures with PACS upload that could not be performed using the web viewer.
The integration of PACS with ARD with OsiriX provides an excellent alternative to PC based web PACS viewing applications for users needing 2D viewing and 2D/3D reformation teleradiology capabilities.
Zaragoza, E,
Implementation of a VPN Secure HIPAA Compliant Teleradiology System Integrated with Enterprise PACS Using OsiriX and Apple Remote Desktop: Real-Time DICOM Viewing and 2D/3D Reconstruction Using a Controller/Target Paradigm. Radiological Society of North America 2006 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 26 - December 1, 2006 ,Chicago IL.
http://archive.rsna.org/2006/4427111.html
