Frequently Asked Questions about HEYEX^TM Networking Solutions

1. Can Heidelberg Engineering instruments be networked?
2. What is HEYEX?
3. What is Heidelberg Eye Explorer?
4. What features do HEYEX Networking Solutions offer?
5. What is central data management?
6. Can I review images remotely?
7. What is dynamic image review?
8. Is there a limit to how many viewing PCs I can have?
9. How many viewing licenses do I need?
10. What are floating licenses?
11. Do I need to purchase the viewing station hardware from Heidelberg Engineering?
12. Do viewing stations require dedicated PCs?
13. Where can I find the hardware and network requirements for viewing stations?
14. Can I use HEYEX to view images from other manufacturer’s instruments?
15. What is the HEYEX Image Capture Module?
16. Can multiple Heidelberg Engineering instruments be networked together?
17. What are the benefits of networking multiple instruments together?
18. Can Heidelberg Engineering instruments interface with EHR and IMS systems?
19. Which EHR and IMS systems can Heidelberg Engineering instruments interface with?
20. Are Heidelberg Engineering instruments DICOM-compatible?
21. What is DICOM?
22. What are the main functions and benefits of DICOM?
23. Is SPECTRALIS an approved DICOM modality for the VA VistA Imaging system?
24. Where can I find more information about HEYEX Networking Solutions?

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1. Can Heidelberg Engineering instruments be networked?

   Yes. All Heidelberg Engineering instruments can be networked, including SPECTRALIS, HEP and HRT instruments. All instruments run on the HEYEX (Heidelberg Eye Explorer) software, which is designed to operate in a networked environment.

2. What is HEYEX?

   HEYEX is the acronym for Heidelberg Eye Explorer, which is the operating software for all Heidelberg Engineering instruments. HEYEX also manages the patient data and images.

3. What is Heidelberg Eye Explorer?

   Heidelberg Eye Explorer (HEYEX) is the operating software for all Heidelberg Engineering instruments. Heidelberg Eye Explorer also manages the patient data and images.

4. What features do HEYEX Networking Solutions offer?

   The HEYEX platform provides the fundamental components for an optimal practice workflow:

   • Remote image review and modification
   • Centralized data management
   • Interface to Electronic Health Records (EHR) and Image Management Systems (IMS)
   • Import of external images

5. What is central data management?

   HEYEX uses the central data management concept in which patient data and images from multiple instruments can be stored and managed in a single database. This eliminates the creation of duplicate patient records across multiple instruments. Central data management is also the key technology for remote image review, allowing you to review and modify images at your instrument(s) and from networked PCs in your department.

6. Can I review images remotely?

   You can review images from a networked PC in your department, for example in the doctor’s office or the exam lanes.^* You have full access to HEYEX and all patient images, along with the tools for a fully dynamic image review.

   ^* Requires HEYEX Network License(s) and network configuration according to specified requirements.

7. What is dynamic image review?

   Dynamic image review is the ability to manipulate images, rather than just viewing them. Since the software and review tools on the HEYEX viewing stations are identical to those on the instrument, you have full access to tools like 3D image display, report creation, measurements, scan planning and more.

8. Is there a limit to how many viewing PCs I can have?

   You can configure as many viewing stations as your network can support. Please see the Hardware and Network Guide for HEYEX Viewing Stations for information on hardware and networking requirements.

9. How many viewing licenses do I need?

   SPECTRALIS instruments typically include two (2) viewing licenses with purchase, referred to as HEYEX Network Licenses. Because HEYEX Network Licenses are floating licenses, the number of licenses you need equals the maximum number of users who will review images simultaneously.

10. What are floating licenses?

    Floating licenses are licenses that can be shared among multiple users. Therefore, it is not necessary to purchase a license for every viewing PC or user in your department. Instead, the number of licenses you need equals the maximum number of users who will review images simultaneously.

11. Do I need to purchase the viewing station hardware from Heidelberg Engineering?

    You do not need to purchase the viewing station hardware from Heidelberg Engineering. We provide hardware and network requirements for viewing stations to ensure optimal viewing performance. Many customers find that they can use their existing PCs as viewing stations. For more information, please see the Hardware and Network Guide for HEYEX Viewing Stations.

12. Do viewing stations require dedicated PCs?

    No. You can use the PC that is utilized in your practice to review images. However, the PC should meet our minimum hardware requirements.

13. Where can I find the hardware and network requirements for viewing stations?

    Our Hardware and Network Guide for HEYEX Viewing Stations is available here.

14. Can I use HEYEX to view images from other manufacturer’s instruments?

    Yes. You can add images from third-party instruments to the patient record in HEYEX, by using the HEYEX Image Capture Module. The Image Capture Module is included with each SPECTRALIS instrument.

15. What is the HEYEX Image Capture Module?

    The HEYEX Image Capture Module is a tool that allows you to import standard image files (e.g. jpg, bmp, png, tiff) into your HEYEX patient record, for example images from other instruments, notes and photographs.

    The Image Capture Module is included with the SPECTRALIS instrument.

16. Can multiple Heidelberg Engineering instruments be networked together?

    Yes. Heidelberg Engineering instruments can be networked together to share a database. This allows you to store a patient’s exams from different instruments in the same, central patient record and review all exams at once.

17. What are the benefits of networking multiple instruments together?

    - Multi-instrument image review: Because the images and data from all instruments are stored in the same, central patient record, you can access and review all your patient's exams at once.
    - Combined reports: You can view reports with data and images acquired by two different Heidelberg Engineering instruments. An example is the structure-function report, which is based on the data and images from the SPECTRALIS and the HEP instrument.
    - Centralized scan planning: If you own multiple SPECTRALIS OCT instruments, you can use the Scan Planning Tool to set scan parameters for future exams from any of your SPECTRALIS OCT instruments or viewing stations. The scan parameters will be available on any of your SPECTRALIS OCT to perform the exam.
    - Instrument-independent follow-up exams: If you own multiple SPECTRALIS OCT instruments, you can perform follow-up scans on any of those instruments. Precise follow-up scanning with the AutoRescan™ feature is available no matter which SPECTRALIS OCT instrument was used to acquire the baseline scan.

18. Can Heidelberg Engineering instruments interface with EHR and IMS systems?

    Heidelberg Engineering instruments can be interfaced to EHR (electronic health record) and IMS (image management system). Depending on the capabilities of your EHR or IMS, the interface may provide the following capabilities:
    - Import of patient demographics from an EHR into HEYEX
    - Launch of the HEYEX application for image review from within an EHR or IMS
    - Export of images and reports from HEYEX into an EHR or IMS

    Note: Not all EHR and IMS systems provide instrument interfaces

19. Which EHR and IMS systems can Heidelberg Engineering instruments interface with?

    Heidelberg Engineering instruments can interface with a variety of electronic health records (EHR) and image management systems (IMS). Examples are Medflow, NextGen, Forum, OIS, EyeRoute, Synergy and others. Interfaces are available via the DICOM standard or in proprietary format.

    You can find an overview of compatible EHR and IMS here. Please check back regularly for updates.

20. Are Heidelberg Engineering instruments DICOM-compatible?

    All instruments in the SPECTRALIS family are DICOM-compatible, allowing the interface with EHR, IMS, and PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System).

    DICOM support for HEP and HRT instruments is expected to be available in late 2012.

    Please click here for more information on the DICOM standard and the HEYEX DICOM Interface.

21. What is DICOM?

    DICOM stands for Digital Imaging and Communication in Medicine. It is an industry standard for medical imaging management, which has been developed to enable systems and instruments to interface with one another, independent of the manufacturer. Offering DICOM-compatible systems and instruments eliminates the need for proprietary interfaces which require custom development and support. Although the implementation of the DICOM standard is optional for system and instrument manufacturers, many large institutions now require new equipment to be DICOM-compatible.

    Please click here for more information on the DICOM standard and the HEYEX DICOM Interface.

22. What are the main functions and benefits of DICOM?

    DICOM is all about enhancing and optimizing clinical workflow.

    One important function is the exchange and synchronization of patient information and orders between information systems and instruments. The benefit is the elimination of data entry into multiple systems, and the access to the most up-to-date patient information on your instruments.

    Another important function is the export of images, reports and related information to a PACS or image management system. Such systems allow the storage of images from all the instruments in your department in a single application for easy image review.

23. Is SPECTRALIS an approved DICOM modality for the VA VistA Imaging system?

    Yes. Heidelberg Engineering is listed as an approved modality vendor on “VistA Imaging Approved DICOM Modality Interfaces”. The document is available on the Department of Veterans Affairs website at http://www1.va.gov/imaging/docs/VistA_Imaging_DICOM_Modality_Interfaces.pdf

    The VistA Imaging system is the image management system used in Department of Veterans Affairs healthcare facilities nationwide.

24. Where can I find more information about HEYEX Networking Solutions?

    Please click here for more information about HEYEX Networking Solutions.