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Frequently Asked Questions about the HEYEXTM DICOM Interface

  1. What is DICOM?
  2. What is the DICOM Interface for SPECTRALIS?
  3. What DICOM-compatibility does SPECTRALIS offer and what does this mean?
  4. Can I import patient demographics into my SPECTRALIS instrument?
  5. Can I send SPECTRALIS OCT scans to my PACS?
  6. Can I send SPECTRALIS Anterior Segment images to my PACS?
  7. Can I send SPECTRALIS fundus images to my PACS?
  8. Can I send SPECTRALIS reports to my PACS?
  9. Is the DICOM Interface backward-compatible with my older SPECTRALIS images?
  10. How does the DICOM Interface protect my database from duplicate or mismatched records?
  11. Can I use the DICOM Interface to convert external images into DICOM?
  12. Is SPECTRALIS IHE-compliant?
  13. Can the SPECTRALIS instrument fully operate if the DICOM Interface is not active?
  14. Can the DICOM Interface be installed on my SPECTRALIS viewing stations?
  15. Is it safe to delete the images off the SPECTRALIS instrument after I send them to the PACS?
  16. When will the DICOM Interface for HRT and HEP instruments be available?
  17. Which EMR and PACS systems can SPECTRALIS interface with?
  18. Is SPECTRALIS an approved DICOM Modality for the VA VistA Imaging System?
  19. How do I find out whether my EHR or PACS system is DICOM-compatible?
  20. Do you have sample DICOM images I can test in my PACS system?
  21. My EHR/PACS system is not DICOM-compatible. Can it still interface with SPECTRALIS?
  22. What OCT image manipulation features will I have in my PACS?
  23. Which OCT image manipulation features are not yet available in PACS systems and why?
  24. What are the technical requirements for the DICOM Interface?
  25. Do I need to prepare for the installation of the DICOM Interface?
  26. Which documentation is provided with the DICOM Interface for SPECTRALIS?
  27. Can I install the DICOM Interface myself?
  28. Who can I contact if I have any questions or need support?

If you do not see the question you are looking for above, please ask. For technical support please visit our support page.

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  1. What is DICOM?

    DICOM stands for Digital Imaging and Communication in Medicine. It is a standard in medical imaging, 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.

  2. What is the DICOM Interface for SPECTRALIS?

    The DICOM Interface for SPECTRALIS is a software module, which allows SPECTRALIS to interface with DICOM-compatible PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System) and EHR (Electronic Health Record) for the purpose of data and image exchange.

  3. What DICOM-compatibility does SPECTRALIS offer and what does this mean?

    The DICOM Interface for SPECTRALIS supports the following DICOM standards:

    • DICOM Modality Worklist
    this means, SPECTRALIS can query the worklist and import patient demographics
    • DICOM Encapsulated PDF
    this means, SPECTRALIS can send reports to a PACS for storage and review
    • DICOM Ophthalmic Photography
    this means, SPECTRALIS can send fundus images to a PACS for storage and review
    • DICOM Ophthalmic Tomography
    this means, SPECTRALIS can send OCT images to a PACS for storage and review

  4. Can I import patient demographics into my SPECTRALIS instrument?

    Yes, patient demographics are automatically imported when you select the patient from the DICOM Modality Worklist.

  5. Can I send SPECTRALIS OCT scans to my PACS?

    Yes, any SPECTRALIS OCT scans can be sent to a DICOM-compatible PACS, including single-line scans, volume scans, star scans, circle scans, and anterior segment scans.

  6. Can I send SPECTRALIS Anterior Segment images to my PACS?

    Yes, any SPECTRALIS OCT scans can be sent to a DICOM-compatible PACS, including volume scans, circle scans, star scans, etc.

  7. Can I send SPECTRALIS fundus images to my PACS?

    Yes, any Fundus (cSLO) images can be sent to a DICOM-compatible PACS. This includes exams of any SPECTRALIS/HRA2 modality (RF, IR, AF, FA, ICG) and any imaging mode (stereo, simultaneous, movies, tomographies, composites, mean, ART).

  8. Can I send SPECTRALIS reports to my PACS?

    Yes, any reports can be sent to a DICOM-compatible PACS, except for RegionFinderTM reports, a software module for the SPECTRALIS BluePeakTM application. The support of RegionFinder reports will be available with the next release of the DICOM Interface.

  9. Is the DICOM Interface backward-compatible with my older SPECTRALIS images?

    Yes, you can send any images that have ever been acquired on your SPECTRALIS or HRA2 to your PACS.

  10. How does the DICOM Interface protect my database from duplicate or mismatched records?

    Before a patient’s demographics are imported into the SPECTRALIS database, the data is verified against the existing patient records in the SPECTRALIS database.
    If any mismatches or duplicates are found, a warning message will be displayed along with options to reconcile the patient records.

  11. Can I use the DICOM Interface to convert external images into DICOM?

    Yes, with the “DICOM Conversion Tool” you can import external images into the SPECTRALIS database and then send those images to the PACS for storage and review.

    The DICOM Conversion Tool is most useful for images from instruments which are not DICOM-compatible or for other image files you want to add to the patient’s record in your PACS.

  12. Is SPECTRALIS IHE-compliant?

    Yes, the DICOM Interface for SPECTRALIS has been implemented according to IHE’s guidelines. You can find the IHE Integration Statement for SPECTRALIS here.

  13. Can the SPECTRALIS instrument fully operate if the DICOM Interface is not active?

    Yes, the instrument remains fully operational if the DICOM Interface is not enabled or in use, e.g. due to a network problem.

  14. Can the DICOM Interface be installed on my SPECTRALIS viewing stations?

    Yes, the DICOM Interface for SPECTRALIS can be installed on your SPECTRALIS viewing stations as well. This is especially useful if you would like to query the Modality Worklist or send images and reports to the PACS from a viewing station rather than from the instrument.

  15. Is it safe to delete the images off the SPECTRALIS instrument after I send them to the PACS?

    No, you should never delete images from your SPECTRALIS instrument or database.
    The original images contain a lot of details which are required to review and manipulate images on the SPECTRALIS instrument or viewing stations. These details are not stored within DICOM Images.

  16. When will the DICOM Interface for HRT and HEP instruments be available?

    We expect the DICOM Interface for HRT and HEP instruments to be available in 2012.

  17. Which EMR and PACS systems can SPECTRALIS interface with?

    The DICOM Interface for SPECTRALIS can interface with any system, which supports one or more of DICOM standards listed in question 3. Typical DICOM-compatible systems are EHR or PACS, but also EMR (Electronic Medical Record), IMS (Image Management System), RIS (Radiology Information System), PMS (Practice Management System) and others.

  18. Is SPECTRALIS an approved DICOM Modality for the VA VistA Imaging System?

    Yes, SPECTRALIS is listed as an approved modality 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

  19. How do I find out whether my EHR or PACS system is DICOM-compatible?

    Your IT or PACS administrator can check the system’s DICOM Conformance Statement or ask your system’s vendor.
    You can find a list of questions to ask your PACS or EHR vendor as well as an overview of common DICOM-compatible systems here.

  20. Do you have sample DICOM images I can test in my PACS system?

    Yes, you can download a set of sample images here. A quick guide with compatibility information and pictures of the expected test results is included as well.

  21. My EHR/PACS system is not DICOM-compatible. Can it still interface with SPECTRALIS?

    If your system is not DICOM-compatible, we offer custom interfaces for various systems. You can find an overview of supported systems here.

  22. What OCT image manipulation features will I have in my PACS?

    The kind of review and manipulation features available depends on your PACS and its viewing software. If your PACS fully supports the DICOM standards for Ophthalmic Tomography and Ophthalmic Photography, you will be able to:

    • Automatically load fundus images and corresponding B-scans side by side
    • Scroll through the B-scans
    • View position markers on the fundus image
    • Perform distance measurements on the fundus image
    • Use other common features like zooming, panning, annotations and markups, etc.

    We recommend that you check with your system's vendor for details.

  23. Which OCT image manipulation features are not yet available in PACS systems and why?

    Some advanced review features are currently not available, for example:
    • Creating thickness maps or thickness profiles
    • Planning or loading progression scans
    • 3D reconstructions (3D view, cube…)
    • Creating reports containing any of the above information
    • Any kind of calculations
    These features have not yet been incorporated into the official DICOM standard. Thus, instrument and system vendors cannot implement them.

  24. What are the technical requirements for the DICOM Interface?

    Your SPECTRALIS or HRA2 instrument must run operating system Windows XP or Windows 7.
    Your minimum network bandwidth should be 100 Mbps. A bandwidth of 1Gbps is recommended.

  25. Do I need to prepare for the installation of the DICOM Interface?

    The DICOM Interface for SPECTRALIS was designed for easy implementation and use, but it takes both ends of the interface for a smooth installation. We put together a Preparation Guide to help you prepare for the installation of the DICOM Interface and to prevent common bottlenecks.

    You will receive a copy of the Preparation Guide when you order the DICOM Interface for SPECTRALIS. You can also request a copy here.

  26. Which documentation is provided with the DICOM Interface for SPECTRALIS?

    With the DICOM Interface for SPECTRALIS, you will receive a comprehensive Administrator Manual and detailed User Manual, as well as User Quick Guides and copies of our DICOM Conformance and IHE Integration Statements. All documentation will be provided in hard copy and soft copy.

  27. Can I install the DICOM Interface myself?

    We recommend that your IT administrator installs and configures the DICOM Interface. The installation and configuration is very easy and straight forward, but requires a few networking parameters which your administrator needs to provide.

  28. Who can I contact if I have any questions or need support?

    You can submit your questions here or call our Product Support Hotline at (800) 931-2230, Option 2.

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