Telemedicine in ultrasound: new solutions

Ultrasound Med Biol. 2001 Sep;27(9):1239-43. doi: 10.1016/s0301-5629(01)00420-3.

Abstract

The transport of dynamic ultrasound (US) pictures as video files or streams no longer presents a problem. Despite teleconferencing, this method of transfer provides no active influence on the data sent for the receiving expert. We are evaluating a software-based 3-D US system that provides the new opportunity of an active US re-evaluation of a virtual patient. The 3-D volumes can be reanalyzed, time- and examiner-independent, wherever the device is installed. To test the clinical feasibility of this virtual US investigation, we installed the device in a peripheral hospital and in our US unit. The transfer of the volume (about 10 to 15 MB) could be done with two parallel Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) lines with a conduction capacity of 128 KB/s. In this basic assessment, the transmission of US volumes of patients proved to be easy in the acquisition, quick in off-line transmission and reliable in off-line re-evaluation of the data.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Computer Communication Networks / instrumentation
  • Computer Communication Networks / trends
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Endometrial Hyperplasia / diagnostic imaging*
  • Feasibility Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Imaging, Three-Dimensional / instrumentation
  • Imaging, Three-Dimensional / methods
  • Imaging, Three-Dimensional / trends
  • Leiomyoma / diagnostic imaging*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Software / trends*
  • Telemedicine / instrumentation*
  • Telemedicine / methods*
  • Telemedicine / trends
  • Ultrasonography / instrumentation*
  • Ultrasonography / methods*
  • Ultrasonography / trends
  • Uterine Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Uterus / diagnostic imaging