Readings for the PACS lectures on reserve in the Dept. of Radiology
Links to information and other resources on the world wide web
Lecture Outline:
I. Introduction to PACS
1. What is it supposed to do?
2. Types of PACS
a. Remote Printing
b. Mini-PACS
c. Teleradiology
d. Full-scale filmless
II. Key Components
1. Image Acquisition
2. Storage and Retrieval
3. Local and Wide Area Transmission Networks
4. Display and Interpretation
5. Quality Control
III. Key Considerations in Planning for PACS
1. Statement of Goals
2. Cost analysis
a. Monies allocated
b. Payback Analysis or Deficit Justification
3. Personnel
4. Interaction with vendors
a. Imaging modality vendors
b. Information system vendors
IV. Image Characteristics
1. Digital Images
a. Spatial Resolution
b. Bit Depth / Contrast Resolution
2. Video
3. Data Compression
V. Telecommunications
1. Regulatory Authority
2. Existing Applications
a. Telephone
b. AM and FM Radio
c. Television (VHF and UHF)
d. Cellular Telephone and Personal Communications
e. Digital Satellite for Audio and Video
3. Transmission Modalities
a. Twisted Pair (base-T)
b. Co-axial Cable
c. Optical Fiber
d. Microwave Relay
e. Radio Relay
f. Satellite (C and K band)
VI. Cost of PACS Systems
1. Transmission
2. Image Capture
3. Workstations
4. Gateway or Fielserver
5. Service
6. Storage
VII. Archive Strategies
1. Local Storage
2. Optical Jukebox
3. Tape Library
4. Redundant Array of Independent Disks (RAID)
VIII. Standardization
1. Interface vendors: e.g.,Merge,Dejarnette
2. Open Systems Philosophy and Interface Standards
3. American College of Radiology National Electrical (Equipment) Manufacturer's
Association Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine Standard (ACR-NEMA:
DICOM)