Fort Lauderdale, Florida-based Modular Computer Systems Inc has launched the Novis Family of networked optical video imaging systems designed for medical practitioners. The company says the personal computer-based system can be configured to meet a wide variety of requirements such as multi-office practices, multi-professional practices, multiple examination rooms, networks of specialists and general practitioners, or it can stand alone. The system requires a minimum of an 80486 machine although a Pentium is better; 12Mb of memory; back-up can be to tape or CD-ROM. It runs under Windows for Workgroups and sends data via either 28.8Kbps or 14.4Kbps modems. Digital printers from either Eastman Kodak Co or Nikon Corp can be attached to the system. The video system consists of a beam splitter, camera adaptor and camera. The camera connection is through a video capture board from Sony Corp. Once captured, images can then be previewed, annotated, stored in the database, reproduced on photo-realistic printers and transmitted to and from remote locations. When patient images are previewed, multiple images can be viewed simultaneously for comparison and there is the ability to zoom in and out on individual images. Images can be annotated using a combination of multi-colour graphics, speech and text.
Hacker-proof
In addition, transcribed patient examination information to be attached and stored along with the appropriate image. The original and annotated images can be stored in the database without suffering any image quality degradation, according to the company. ModComp – a subsidiary of AEG Daimler-Benz Industrie, has chosen not to use image compression protocols in the system because while it does not claim that the system offers diagnostic quality images, image compression standards alter the final images too much for them to be of medical use. Instead the company has plumped for PKZip to compress the images. This transmits 24-bit true colour images. ModComp assures customers that the system is hacker-proof: when images are sent to another modem, unless it is on a Novis system, no connection is made. This specificity is provided by the software that runs the system. Novis also offers a database that supports an unlimited number of patients, images and health care providers. As multiple systems are networked, the database automatically accounts for patient information as it is transferred from one system to another. Retrieval of patient information can be done using patient name, doctor’s name, date and so on. Through the network connections with other medical care practitioners, patient images can be transmitted for referral and consultation. Once an image has been transmitted for consultation, additional annotations and information can be added to the image then transmitted back to the referring medical care practitioner. The transmission of images between multiple systems takes less than one minute using standard phone lines, say the firm.
