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Dissertation Information for Ricky K. Taira

NAME:
- Ricky K. Taira

DEGREE:
- Ph.D.

DISCIPLINE:
- Biomedical Physics

SCHOOL:
- University of California, Los Angeles (USA) (1988)

ADVISORS:
- None

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
- None

MPACT Status: Incomplete - Not_Inspected

Title: The design and implementation of a picture archiving and communication system for pediatric radiology

Abstract: The methods for viewing and managing radiological images have remained relatively unchanged for several decades. Inefficiencies in the current system result in mismanaged films and delays in medical reporting. This dissertation presents the design, implementation, and evaluation of a novel picture archiving and communication system (PACS) within the pediatric radiology section of a 500-bed teaching hospital. The system is composed of an integrated network of computerized devices used to digitally acquire, store, manage, display, and process radiological images. The key PACS issues covered in this dissertation include: (a) definition of data, processing, and user requirements, (b) software and hardware integration of various radiological imaging subsystems, (c) design of an efficient database structure which manages several thousand megabytes of information, (d) system performance tuning, (e) development of an acceptable user interface to a six-monitor 512 x 512 line CRT workstation, and (f) clinical evaluation.

Operationally, the PACS system is configured as a large queueing network. Image data are acquired automatically from computed radiography, magnetic resonance, and ultrasound systems. Conventional x-ray film images are digitized by a PACS technologist using a laser film scanner. Images are stored in a two-level hierarchy composed of high speed magnetic disks and slower access optical disks. A predictor algorithm pre-loads the highest access probability images onto the faster magnetic disks. A six-monitor 512 x 512 line CRT workstation with custom software provides for both easy display of acquired radiological images and basic image processing functions including magnification, contrast enhancement, and contrast reversal.

Since March 1987, the digital-based PACS system has operated concurrently with the film-based system. Since its introduction, over 32,000 images (135 Gbytes) have been archived, and over 12,000 cases have been displayed at the workstation. Radiographs, obtained digitally using a computed radiography system, were available at the six-monitor workstation within 8 minutes of acquisition. A comparison with the conventional film-based system shows the time delay from film development to alternator placement was 20 hours. The main advantages of the system over the conventional film system are efficient management and fast access to patient images originating from inherently digital imaging modalities. The disadvantages include the spatial resolution of the CRT display as compared with x-ray film and overall system reliability. Survey responses from sixteen clinicians evaluating seven basic workstation operations convey general system acceptance.

MPACT Scores for Ricky K. Taira

A = 0
C = 2
A+C = 2
T = 0
G = 0
W = 0
TD = 0
TA = 0
calculated 2012-07-28 14:45:02

Advisors and Advisees Graph