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SCAR Annual Meeting 2004SCAR Annual Meeting 2004

Public meeting of Public meeting of

NEMA CT-MR TaskforceNEMA CT-MR Taskforce

Saturday, May 22nd, 7:30 – 9:00 AM

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Introducing the new StandardsIntroducing the new Standards

Presented by Martin von RodenSiemens Medical Solutions

Co-Chair CT-MR Taskforce

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A new CT Standard

ImplementationImplementation

After 10+ years of effective DICOM After 10+ years of effective DICOM connectivity in MRI and CT introducing a connectivity in MRI and CT introducing a new Image Object poses three challenges:new Image Object poses three challenges:

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– Avoid user confusionAvoid user confusionInform about the benefits of the enhanced multi-frame image standard and need to manage coexistence.

– Synch-up industrySynch-up industryFacilitate availability of compatible PACS and Workstations along with the release of the MRI and CT scanners.

– Reduce incompatibilitiesReduce incompatibilitiesProvide to interested vendors testing tools and opportunities to quickly retire misinterpretations or bugs.

ChallengesChallenges

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How to manage the transition ...How to manage the transition ...

• The DICOM Working groups for CT and MR The DICOM Working groups for CT and MR and the DICOM Standards Committee felt the and the DICOM Standards Committee felt the need for an educational program for users and need for an educational program for users and vendors to facilitate the introduction of the vendors to facilitate the introduction of the new objects.new objects.

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Constitution of CT-MR TaskforceConstitution of CT-MR Taskforce

• ““Enhanced CT-MR Taskforce” was established in Enhanced CT-MR Taskforce” was established in January 2004 by NEMAJanuary 2004 by NEMA

• Three NEMA Sections sponsor the effort:Three NEMA Sections sponsor the effort:– Medical Imaging and Informatics (MII) Section – MR Section– X-ray Section (CT Group)

• Supported by DICOM Working Groups:Supported by DICOM Working Groups:– WG 16 (MR)– WG 21 (CT)

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Members of the CT-MR TaskforceMembers of the CT-MR Taskforce• Co-Chairs:Co-Chairs:

– MR: Kees Verduin, Philips Medical Systems– CT: Martin von Roden, Siemens Medical Solutions

• NEMA secretary: NEMA secretary: – Stephen Vastagh

• So far the following companies are involved:So far the following companies are involved:– GE – Hitachi– Philips– Siemens– Toshiba– Vital Images

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Planned activitiesPlanned activities

• Development of CT-MR ToolDevelopment of CT-MR Tool– Application for display of images and DICOM

header tags– Contains sample Enhanced MR Image sets– Contains sample Enhanced CT Image sets– Validation tool for new image sets

• Test and Demonstration sessions at SCAR 2005Test and Demonstration sessions at SCAR 2005

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Current Status for SCAR 2005Current Status for SCAR 2005

• SCAR Board has approved cooperation with SCAR Board has approved cooperation with NEMA for SCAR 2005NEMA for SCAR 2005

• Dedicated education session (1,5 hours)Dedicated education session (1,5 hours)

• SCAR overseeing and hosting a testing session SCAR overseeing and hosting a testing session open to interested vendors (June 1open to interested vendors (June 1stst and 2 and 2ndnd))

• A one day demonstration is under consideration A one day demonstration is under consideration (June 3(June 3rdrd))

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Current Status of MR ToolCurrent Status of MR Tool

• Contract for development of an MR Tool Contract for development of an MR Tool awarded to PixelMed after a public RFPawarded to PixelMed after a public RFP– development costs funded by:

• ConVis GmbH• Esaote S.p.A.• GE Healthcare• Hitachi Medical Systems• Philips Medical Systems• Siemens Medical Solutions• Toshiba America Medical Systems

• Tool is validated and approved by WG16 membersTool is validated and approved by WG16 members

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NEMA CT/MR Test-toolNEMA CT/MR Test-tool

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Current Status of CT-MR ToolCurrent Status of CT-MR Tool• CT-MR Taskforce specified a RFP for the CT-MR toolCT-MR Taskforce specified a RFP for the CT-MR tool• Contract for development of the CT extension to the MR Tool Contract for development of the CT extension to the MR Tool

was awarded to PixelMedwas awarded to PixelMed• Companies committed to support the development: Companies committed to support the development:

– Agfa– GE – Infinitt – Philips– Siemens– Toshiba– Vital Images

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Commitments for CT tool extensionCommitments for CT tool extension

• Commitment includes a $ 3,000 Commitment includes a $ 3,000 participation fee + guidance for the creation participation fee + guidance for the creation of test images and active partnership for the of test images and active partnership for the acceptance process of the toolacceptance process of the tool

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Milestones for the Tool (CT part)Milestones for the Tool (CT part)• June 2004: define test planJune 2004: define test plan

– gathering of necessary input images for contractor– specify acceptance test

• August / September 2004: review by WG 21: CT August / September 2004: review by WG 21: CT – test images will be scrutinized for DICOM compliance

• October, 1October, 1stst 2004: contractor delivers CT Tool 2004: contractor delivers CT Tool• October 2004: evaluation by taskforce membersOctober 2004: evaluation by taskforce members• October, 27October, 27thth – 28 – 28thth 2004: acceptance testing at NEMA 2004: acceptance testing at NEMA

– face to face meeting at NEMA headquarter

• November 2004: final versionNovember 2004: final version– tool available for demonstration participants

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Test and DemonstrationTest and Demonstration

• Preliminary Commitment for participation at test Preliminary Commitment for participation at test and demonstration at SCAR 2005 by:and demonstration at SCAR 2005 by:– Agfa– GE – Infinitt – Kodak– McKesson– Philips – Siemens– Vital Images

• Final Commitment is due December, 15Final Commitment is due December, 15thth

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Test and DemonstrationTest and Demonstration

• Similar to IHE Connect-a-thon, however Similar to IHE Connect-a-thon, however focused on CT and MR images onlyfocused on CT and MR images only

Test Session ... Test Session ... ... and Demonstration... and Demonstration

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Test and Demonstration - CostsTest and Demonstration - Costs

• To be expected costs:To be expected costs:

– $1,000 - $2,000 per system for vendors who contributed to the tool development

– $3,000 - $ 5,000 per system for other vendors

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Test and Demonstration - CostsTest and Demonstration - Costs

• Costs covered by participation feeCosts covered by participation fee– project management for coordination of test and

demonstration activities

– IT infrastructure (network switches, network drops, ...)

– educational materials

• Costs to be covered by participantsCosts to be covered by participants– Own development costs

– delivery and setup of equipment

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Test definitionsTest definitions

• ActorsActors– Acquisition Modalities / Image Creators

– Image Managers

– Image Displays

• TransactionsTransactions– send enhanced image (storage & storage commitment)

– query / retrieve enhanced image

– display enhanced image

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Test definitions (2)Test definitions (2)

• Supported options Supported options to be stated by participantsto be stated by participants : :– dimensions

– concatenations

– color images

– real world mapping

– Added graphics (in Softcopy Presentation States)

• Supported Image types Supported Image types to be stated by participantsto be stated by participants : :– CT Cardiac, Perfusion, Whole Body, Localizer, ...

– MR Cardiac, Diffusion, Functional Imaging

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Application for Test and Application for Test and DemonstrationDemonstration

• Vendors will apply for different test-scenarios and Vendors will apply for different test-scenarios and the options supported in their implementation(s)the options supported in their implementation(s)

• Prior to test session vendors have to:Prior to test session vendors have to:– test their implementation against CT/MR test tool

– exchange images between creators and display participants

– provide screenshots of display screen to project manager

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Additional promotion at RSNAAdditional promotion at RSNA

• RSNA 2004: RSNA 2004: – announcement of preliminary participants,

educate on benefits

• RSNA 2005: RSNA 2005: – possible repeat of SCAR demonstration (no

new testing session)– hold educational session

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How can vendors get involved ?How can vendors get involved ?

To get involved in the proposed NEMA InitiativeTo get involved in the proposed NEMA Initiative

Contact Stephen VastaghContact Stephen Vastaghat NEMA: at NEMA: ste_vastagh@nema.orgste_vastagh@nema.org

Detailed information:Detailed information:See the Flyer in the back of the roomSee the Flyer in the back of the room