Internet2/NLM infoRAD
Demos and Tutorials at RSNA

Around 30,000 radiologists, healthcare administrators, technologists and scientists, plus another 30,000 imaging and information system vendors from all over the world, are expected to attend the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) annual meeting, November 30-December 5, in Chicago, making it one of the world's largest medical meetings. RSNA supports the exchange of scientific progress in radiology, radiologic education, and in the integration of information and communication systems in radiology practice. The Annual Meeting provides workshops, training, and conference sessions for health professionals. In addition, nearly 500,000 square feet of exhibit space – feature product demonstrations and a broad range of exhibits. The Internet2/NLM tutorials and demos will be part of the infoRAD exhibit space. The infoRAD area is designed to showcase the most innovative technology solutions in an interactive, educational environment. Hands-on demonstrations are encouraged. Computer-aided instruction, digital imaging and communications in medicine, new technologies, computer-assisted diagnosis, and literature searches are just some of the topics featured in infoRAD exhibits.

Featured Demos for infoRAD

The following demos will be featured at the Internet2/NLM tutorials in the infoRAD exhibit area at RSNA.

• Advanced Biomedical Collaboration
• Immersive Real-Time Tele-Collaboration of Complex Volumetric Medical Imaging for Surgical Planning
• Immersive 3D Visualization and Collaboration for Anatomical Education
• Remote Treatment Planning for Radiation Therapy

Internet2/NLM infoRAD Tutorial Schedule

Thanks to Our Sponsors!

Internet2 and NLM would like to thank the following organizations for sponsoring our tutorials and demos.

Radiological Society of North America (RSNA)
Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA)
Metropolitan Research and Education Network (MREN)
U.S. Army Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center (TATRC)
SBC
Prous Science
Stewart Filmscreen Corporation
Barco

Live Webcast of Sunday Afternoon Image Session
30 November 2003, 4:00 - 5:45 pm CST (UTC -6)

RSNA's annual image session (known informally as the "Radiology Superbowl") features a team of distinguished panelists who will demonstrate how to identify abnormal findings on imaging studies, how to construct a list of differential diagnoses based on the imaging findings, and how to make recommendations for further procedures or treatment, if necessary. For the first time ever, this session will be multicast live over Internet2 networks, in cooperation with Northwestern University's International Center for Advanced Internet Research (iCAIR) and with support from Video Furnace.

Advanced Biomedical Collaboration

http://cci.uchicago.edu/abc/
http://www.accessgrid.org/

Developed at:
University of Chicago
Argonne National Laboratory

Demonstrators:
Jonathan Silverstein
Fred Dech
Stephen Small
Mike Papka
Rick Stevens

Contact:
Jonathan Silverstein
jcs@uchicago.edu
(773) 834-8200

Funded by:
NLM

Description:
Advanced Biomedical Collaboration (ABC) is a technical framework based on the Access Grid (AG), a suite of high-end video/audio technologies that brings together collaborators at multiple sites and provides a sense of “presence” enhancing interaction. This ABC demonstration uses AG and 3D immersive technology. An important aspect is to extend AG technologies to devices such as stereo or head-mounted displays, PDAs, and laptops, and integrate its collaboration tools with complex instrumentation and wireless transmission so biomedical specialists can remain connected to colleagues and visual data seamlessly regardless of location. Grid middleware, multicasting, and bandwidth management are some of the Internet2 high performance networking features that enable these activities. AG technologies and advanced networks are leveraged to provide relatively inexpensive, high-quality command and control tools enhancing teamwork.

Role of Internet2:
The wide bandwidth, multicast networking capability, and grid middleware infrastructure available using Internet2 high-performance networks are critical features that enable this application.

Immersive Real-Time Tele-Collaboration of Complex Volumetric Medical Imaging for Surgical Planning

http://www.immersivemedical.com/

Developed at:
University of Kentucky

Demonstrators:
Michael J. Mastrangelo, Jr., M.D.
Michael Sheetz, Ph.D.
Cody Bumgardner
Ivan George
Paul Mylniec
Jeff Bellinghausen

Contact:
Michael J. Mastrangelo, Jr.
m1789@mac.com
(859) 536-1789

Partners:
Immersive Medical
Digital ArtForms, Inc.
Advanced Surgical

Description:
This demonstration uses commercial data manipulation tools to render 3D models from DICOM datasets of actual patient CT scans. Tracked pinch gloves and stereo projection provide an immersive environment that allows collaborators to navigate, manipulate and view data from any perspective. Pointers, measurement tools, markers and devices for examining the data in magnified detail facilitate interaction between the viewer and the dataset. Internet2’s advanced network capabilities allow these interactions with the datasets to occur in real-time between physicians at distant sites using video and audio. Volumetric imaging provides intuitive and flexible visualizations for minimally invasive surgical planning and for education. The system frees physicians and students from having to mentally generate 3D representations from a series of two-dimensional images and offers views of anatomical structures that are not possible with other imaging modalities or by live or cadaveric dissection.

Role of Internet2:
Internet2 will allow us to distribute large working datasets in real-time to participating sites. In the past data was shipped on tapes or CD, which would allow sites to view data but not interactively manipulate it. Using Internet2 high-performance networks, multiple sites can participate in the creation of a 3D model using multicast-enabled audio and video conferencing tools like VIC and RAT. After the model is created users can then load the model data from a networked file system and all view the same 3D information. Internet2 provides a high-speed, feature rich platform to launch emerging 3D technologies from the single lab to research facilities all over the country in a low latency environment conducive to medical collaboration.

Immersive 3D Visualization and Collaboration for Anatomical Education

http://ngi.stanford.edu/
http://visu.uwlax.edu/NGI/NGI.html

Developed at:
Stanford University
University of Wisconsin, La Crosse

Demonstrators:
Parvati Dev
Steven Senger

Contact:
Parvati Dev
parvati@stanford.edu
(650) 723-8087

Funded by:
NLM Next Generation Internet Initiative

Description:
This demonstration of 3D visualization and segmentation applications uses the advanced network capabilities of Internet2 to allow users at remote sites to collaboratively visualize and control anatomical structures in an immersive environment. Haptic feedback allows users “touch” and “feel” the data in virtual space and also to sense each other’s movements. Real-time demonstrations of surgical techniques can be stored and then retrieved on demand, allowing users not only to view the procedure but also use the haptic interface to practice the technique. A nomadic version provides access to large volumetric data sets through a wireless handheld computer interface. A virtual 3D world representing a hospital emergency room supports “face-to-face” interaction by remote users. Client applications at Stanford University, the University of Wisconsin—La Crosse, and RSNA enable users at each site to interact with each other and data streams from a server located in La Crosse. The applications can be used with cryosection data, such as the Visible Human dataset, or with radiological data.

Role of Internet2:
The applications proposed for this demonstration cover a spectrum of bandwidth and latency requirements that cannot be supported by the commercial internet. Each visualization stream produced by the Immersive Segmentation application can produce brief bursts at data rates of 70Mbps and sustained rates up to 40Mbps, depending on the mode of operation. Each stream can be transported either by unicast udp or multicast. In addition to the visualization stream, the server also supplies the client with a stream of data used to produce a haptic feedback response at the client station. The Nomadic Anatomy application has modest bandwidth requirements but does require low latency connections to multiple remote servers to provide a seamless, intuitive interaction model.

Remote Treatment Planning for Radiation Therapy

Developed at:
Johns Hopkins University

Demonstrators:
Lee Myers
Ray Gaudette
Sunita Munjal
Dan Green
Dave White

Contacts:
Lee Myers
myersle@jhmi.edu
(410) 614-6068

Ray Gaudette
gaudera@jhmi.edu
(410) 614-6024

Funded by:
NLM

Description:
This demonstration allows several users to interactively collaborate to develop treatment plans for radiation therapy. Videoconferencing enables physicians and/or physicists to interactively discuss, develop, and review treatment plans. Treatment planning is done on an ADAC Pinnacle-3 workstation, and shared with multiple users working on PC's.

Role of Internet2:
The advanced network capabilities of Internet2 provide the guaranteed bandwidth necessary to support the multimedia content, videoconferencing, and application sharing that the system employs. Since the applications rely on well-established standards, institutions that are able to route IP traffic appropriately via the networks comprising Internet2 can connect to and use them seamlessly, with minimal investment in equipment or personnel. Before the advent of high-performance networking, the system was tested on a high-cost private/leased network between the central and remote sites.