Mr. Hafey is Chief Architect, Vital Images, Minnetonka, MN.

Bringing advanced visualization to the healthcare enterprise offers an incredible opportunity to enhance patient care and improve efficiency. A goal of this magnitude is not without challenges, however. To understand the challenges facing advanced visualization, it is essential to appreciate the rapid rate of change in computed tomography (CT) scanner technology. Next-generation scanners-those with >64 slices-represent only a tiny percentage of the CT market today, but they are expected to capture an increasingly larger market segment in the next few years.

The enormous amount of data generated by advanced CT scanners creates several issues that must be accounted for. First, advanced CT enables new applications that weren't possible before. Second, such applications are driving the need for enterprise-wide access. Third, distribution of data and clinical applications to the enterprise must be managed more efficiently than in the past. Otherwise, the data boom will overwhelm healthcare networks.

As new scanners bring more data to the picture archiving and communication systems (PACS) and to radiologists, there is an increasing need for advanced visualization, so that the data can be understood and interpreted. There is also a need to change the way data are handled on the back end and presented to the end-user.

One of the most significant ways to address these challenges is to transition from a sole focus on stand-alone workstations to enterprise deployment. Advanced imaging capabilities can be made accessible throughout the enterprise through a combination of thin-client, Web-based, and remote-access technologies, in addition to traditional thick-client workstations.

Key components

There are 5 key components of an effective enterprise-wide advanced visualization system: advanced technology, volumetric data management, partnerships, professional services, and performance.

Advanced technology

Several core technologies enable distribution of advanced visualization to the enterprise. The first is graphics processing unit (GPU)-based rendering. A few years ago, GPUs were available only on high-end workstations. Now they are a standard feature in virtually every PC. Graphics processing units are getting faster and better, with advances mainly driven by the gaming market. Harnessing this power is key to bringing advanced visualization to the enterprise.

Volumetric data management

To efficiently scale up to the enterprise level and provide the performance that users expect, it is necessary to stop handling data on a slice-by-slice basis. Rather, we must focus on volumetric representation. Volumetric representation makes the system more scalable, increases its speed, and provides a more consistent user experience.

Volumetric data management also influences how data are handled inside the computer itself. A key innovation in the microprocessor industry is the use of multiple cores. Today it is fairly common to buy a PC with 2 or 4 cores. In a few years, computers may have 64 or 128 cores.Through the use of optimized multicore algorithms, advanced visualization and volumetric imaging can harness the power of multicore technology as part of a volumetric data management strategy.

Partnerships

Partnerships and relationships are another key component in bringing advanced visualization to the enterprise. It is critical for vendors to partner with the technological leaders in each industry and to tie them together in a way that creates a high-performance, powerful solution. For example, Vital Images (Minnetonka, MN) has developed a number of technology partners. NVIDIA (Santa Clara, CA), a Forbes 2007 Company of the Year, is the leader in GPU technology. Intel (Santa Clara, CA) was the first microprocessor vendor to introduce multicore technology. Microsoft (Redmond, WA) offers the latest in Web services. HP (Palo Alto, CA) is the world leader in server technology.

Business relationships are also key. Toshiba America Medical Systems (Tustin, CA), for example, is a leader in developing volumetric CT scanning. McKesson (San Francisco, CA) is a recognized industry leader in medical information technology solutions.

Professional services

Access to professional services from the vendor is also critical to the success of advanced visualization. These services should maximize system performance and should include system planning, installation, integration, workflow optimization, and education. An advanced visualization vendor must have a professional services team dedicated to solving customers' problems, whether they purchase a turnkey solution or prefer a customized solution that necessitates system modifications before deployment.

Education is a key aspect of professional services. Not all advanced visualization techniques are intuitive; therefore, understanding the technology and how it works is essential. Vendors must commit to training users to make the most of advanced visualization. Users who can use the system effectively are essential for its successful deployment in the enterprise. Vendor educational services can come in many forms, including on-site learning, classroom learning, distance learning, and online learning. Education must be optimized to meet the customer’s needs.

Performance

This is the fifth component of an effective enterprise-wide advanced visualization system. Customers who want the best possible system performance must ask vendors several questions, including: How are systems installed? How are upgrades handled? Are there test systems? Is there access to engineers who can immediately resolve issues? These are all issues that must be addressed when considering taking advanced visualization to the healthcare enterprise.

Conclusion

Considering these key components when incorporating advanced visualization to the enterprise ensures a flexible solution that is supported by broad clinical applications, efficient data management, and consistent performance.