Telemedicine in ultrasound: new solutions.
The transport of dynamic ultrasound (US) pictures as video files or streams no longer presents a problem. Despite teleconferencing, this method of transfer provides no active influence on the data sent for the receiving expert. We are evaluating a software-based 3-D US system that provides the new opportunity of an active US re-evaluation of a virtual patient. The 3-D volumes can be reanalyzed, time- and examiner-independent, wherever the device is installed. To test the clinical feasibility of this virtual US investigation, we installed the device in a peripheral hospital and in our US unit. The transfer of the volume (about 10 to 15 MB) could be done with two parallel Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) lines with a conduction capacity of 128 KB/s. In this basic assessment, the transmission of US volumes of patients proved to be easy in the acquisition, quick in off-line transmission and reliable in off-line re-evaluation of the data.
Heer
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Ludwig Maximilians University Munich, Klinikum Grosshadern, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Munich, Germany.
Strauss
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Müller-Egloff
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Hasbargen
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D003195:Computer Communication Networks / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000639:trends; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004714:Endometrial Hyperplasia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D007889:Leiomyoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012984:Software / Q000639:trends*; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014599:Uterus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging