Medical Imaging Gets a Modern Upgrade: The Role of Applications in Revolutionizing Diagnostic Practices

In the ever-evolving world of healthcare, mobile applications have played a significant role in transforming radiology from version 1.0 to the current 3.0. These innovative tools have revolutionised the way radiological processes are planned and implemented, making them more efficient, secure, and convenient.

One such application is ASTRA Mobile, which empowers users to receive, view, download, print, and share their medical reports and encrypted DICOM images with anyone across the globe. Similarly, Ambra Health App allows medical and healthcare providers to access current and prior digital images instantly on their devices, enabling seamless communication and collaboration with other physicians and patients.

Mobile applications in Radiology have made it easier for radiologists to gather, edit, analyze, and share digital images anywhere and anytime. For instance, Carestream's Vue Motion application empowers users to access images across multiple platforms, such as PC, MAC, mobile phones, and more.

Big Data and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are also playing pivotal roles in the field of Radiology. They help in performing various actions on data, such as scheduling of scans, writing patient-focused personalised scanning protocols, emergency reporting, radiologist decision support, and more. AI is also transforming healthcare by automating repetitive tasks and providing customised and intelligent routes for radiologists and other healthcare service providers.

An example of AI's role in Radiology is HeadXNet, developed by Stanford University. This system, based on artificial intelligence, is regarded as impressive by the medical community. Another application, Monster Anatomy Lite-Knee, provides healthcare professionals and medical students with detailed information about the knee via images, serving as an instructional tool.

Moreover, the Internet of Things (IoT) is integrating with Machine Learning and Cloud technology to optimise workflow, predict possible failures, collect data on standalone X-ray, Ultrasound, and CT, and enable a 360-degree view of their current status. This integration is facilitating the collection, analysis, and sharing of radiological data more effectively and efficiently.

MobileRad is a HIPAA-approved application integrated with NovaPACS® system to display data on third-party devices. It offers features such as viewing, analysing, editing, distributing, and archiving digital medical images. Another application, SnapView, captures non-DICOM images in various departments and shares them directly to Ncompass Universal Archive™, without leaving any PHI (Patient Health Information) on the device.

In emergency situations, Radiology 2.0: One Night in ED acts as an mHealth solution, simulating reading CT scans in an ED setting. Mobile MIM, a FDA-approved diagnostic radiology app, offers real-time viewing, fusion, registration, and exhibition of digital medical images from various modalities such as PET, CT, X-Ray, SPECT, MRI, and Ultrasound.

When a radiologist or medical doctor logs into the application and requests for a medical image, the centralised server requests a copy of the data from the database and sends it to the device being used. The data is erased out after 48 hours of download to protect PHI (private health information).

iClarity Lite is a medical image viewing app that allows users to receive and view images stored on clarity PACS with a distinct iClarity Server module installed. Lastly, Mobile applications in Radiology work by setting up a common database for both DICOM and non-DICOM images, mostly on Cloud, which is used to deliver scalable and functional services.

In conclusion, the world of Radiology has undergone a significant transformation in the past few years, driven by new technologies, techniques, and tools, with mobile apps leading the way. These innovations are making radiological processes more efficient, secure, and convenient, ultimately improving patient care.

Medical Imaging Gets a Modern Upgrade: The Role of Applications in Revolutionizing Diagnostic Practices