Objective
The main objective is to demonstrate the potential of IBC for medical image and data transmission, management and control in order to allow clinical and research staff to cooperate on diagnostic and therapeutical methods and techniques using multimedia workstations.
The main objective is to demonstrate the potential of integrated broadband communications (IBC) for medical image and data transmission, management and control in order to allow clinical and research staff to cooperate on diagnostic and therapeutical methods and techniques using multimedia workstations.
The communication bearers employed by the project include 2 Mbit/s, 140 Mbit/s, local area network (LAN) and video networks. These are used to support audio, real time video, multimedia patient records and digital image data.
Demonstrator equipment and broadband network accesses have been installed on each of the application sites. 2 Mbit/s terrestrial and satellite links have been tested and recommendations were made concerning their use to support the applications on each site. The use of videoconferencing in radiology in trials between Berlin, Heidelberg, Geneva, Lund and Tromsoe has been evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Communication trials between Leeds and Berlin have been made to examine the quality assurance of medical modalities. The project has developed application programmes for remote expert consultation and begun local operation of image reference data bases in both Montpellier and Florence. Personal computer (PC) based videoconferencing equipment (working at 2 Mbit/s) has been developed and installed at Guy's Hospital in London. A pilotprovision of telemedical services to general practitioners has commenced in Dublin.
Technical Approach
The technical approach consists of bringing together medical staff, telecommunications professionals, computer scientists and experimental psychologists in a multi-disciplinary team. These experts have identified their requirements, and are currently installing the project's international demonstrators, with a view to performing an evaluation of each pilot system.
The communication bearers employed by the project include 2 Mbit/s, 140 Mbit/s, LAN and video networks. These will be used to support audio, real-time video, multimedia patient records, and digital image data.
Key Issues
. Remote expert consultation in radiology, requiring on-line, synchronised image manipulation on workstations.
. Medical codification and radiological image reference data bases, for use in care and teaching
. Patient data and images in cardiology including cine transmission and remote quality assurance of modalities.
. Remote neuro-radiology diagnoses by on-line transmission of MRI images.
. Usage of PC based videoconferencing equipment in mental health care and teaching.
Achievements
Demonstrator equipment and broadband network accesses have been installed on each of the application sites. 2 Mbit/s terrestrial and satellite links have been tested, and recommendations were made concerning their use to support the applications on each site.
The use of videoconferencing in radiology in trials between Berlin, Heidelberg, Geneva Lund and Tromsoe has been evaluated by ROC analysis. Communication trials between Leeds and Berlin have been made to examine the quality assurance of medical modalities. The project has developed application programmes for remote expert consultation, and begun local operation of image reference data bases in both Montpellier and Florence. PC based videoconferencing equipment (working at 2 Mbit/s) has been developed and installed at Guy's Hospital in London. A pilot provision of telemedical services to general practitioners has commenced in Dublin.
Expected Impact
This work will not only stimulate the development of medical applications based on the pilot studies, but will also determine the generic requirements for the provision of an IBC service throughout Europe.
Fields of science
- social sciencesmedia and communicationsgraphic design
- engineering and technologymechanical engineeringvehicle engineeringaerospace engineeringsatellite technology
- medical and health sciencesclinical medicineradiology
- medical and health sciencesclinical medicinecardiology
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringinformation engineeringtelecommunications
Programme(s)
Topic(s)
Data not availableCall for proposal
Data not availableFunding Scheme
Data not availableCoordinator
13355 Berlin
Germany