Archiving/retrieval of research medical images : a working solution

We present an efficient and daily used solution to archive the whole research image data set produced in our Multi-Modality Medical Imaging Research Laboratory. It is divided into two parts, (1) the IMASERV project whose purpose is to backup and distribute the data generated by the acquisition devices (3 PET scanners, 2 MRI, 3 SPECT systems and 1 phosphor imager system) and (2) the SILO project whose purpose is to archive and retrieve data issued from processing softwares available on the 80 Unix Workstations of the local area network. The two main technical difficulties were the computer architecture differences and to permit a uniform access to the data in the image formats available on our site. A database system was used to store information related to the description of the archived data. Softwares developments were necessary to push and pull data towards and from the archiving system. Automatic data transfer procedures between the imaging devices and the archiving system were implemented with a high quality control level. Data consulting and retrieval are available through suitable web interfaces.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.