Algotec Introduces Significant Upgrade
Options to ImagiNet PACS at RSNA 2000

Algotec Systems, Ltd., the innovative PACS and radiology image processing company, introduces significant upgrades to its ImagiNet family of Web-based products as well as two new tools for referring physicians at the Annual Meeting of the Radiology Society of North America in Chicago, November 26 to December 1.

New at RSNA 2000 is version 4 of MediSurf, Algotec’s full-featured display engine, which offers complete primary diagnostic reading capabilities. The new software enables radiologists to view simultaneously two x-ray films or two series of studies in any digital modality.

“By enabling side-by-side comparison of related images, this feature allows doctors to work digitally as they always have with film,” comments Kobi Margolin vice president of marketing for Algotec’s Duluth, Ga.-based U.S. subsidiary. Most competing PACS systems take up valuable screen real estate with permanent buttons and tools. Using Algotec’s software system, the clinician can view full-screen-size images with the click of a mouse, as the tool bar and other screen objects disappear on demand.”

MediSurf version 4 also offers enhanced compression technology that enables 3-dimensional image transmission via ordinary telephone lines to remote locations. Accompanied by MediSurf’s image manipulation tools made available through JAVA, the images may then be viewed from numerous angles.

“Three-dimensional viewing adds a new level of sophistication to teleradiology for referring physicians, enabling doctors such as cardiologists and neurosurgeons who want to look at a study in detail to do so,” comments Margolin.

Also new at RSNA is MediStore version 3 with DVD jukebox capabilities that speeds access to data previously had been stored on tape. “More recent images are stored on a high-speed, high-capacity hard disc and accessible within minutes. When the new DVD replaces tape for second-tier storage of older studies, access speed is increased dramatically,” comments Margolin.

In addition to ImagiNet software upgrades, also being introduced at RSNA is Med-e-Mail software that automatically combines radiology reports with thumbnails of key images and e-mails them via the Internet to referring physicians. “Including images with a report is useful in helping other physicians understand the radiologist’s conclusions,” said Margolin. “But, typically referring doctors do not want or need to see the full radiology study.”

Those preferring more detail can use a software link to pull up the complete study through the Internet. These physicians will be sent full diagnostic-quality data and all necessary viewing and processing tools through JAVA. No special software is required. If desired, radiologists can also send 3-dimensional images and tools for detailed viewing using the new version of MediSurf.

For referring physicians not yet online, Algotec’s new complementary product, CD Surf, will automatically store these illustrated reports as well as the entire study on self-playing CD-ROMs, which can be supplied to doctors. This represents a significant cost savings over film because the price of a CD-ROM is about one-third that of a sheet of film. A CD can store up to 650 MB of data, more than enough for an entire imaging study, while the same study may require two to 10 sheets of film. Moreover, the CD will contain original data, while the film would be second-generation.

For freestanding clinics, in particular, these significant new communications tools represent an excellent way to enhance communication with referring physicians and build additional referrals.

Algotec has been a recognized leader in the medical imaging information management, processing, teleradiology and PACS arena since 1993. Until recently, it developed components for major PACS manufacturers as well as marketing them under its own name. In 1997, Algotec was the first company to receive FDA approval for Web-based PACS supplier.

With headquarters in Israel and fully owned marketing and sales subsidiaries in the US (Duluth, GA), France (Paris), Germany (Wiesbaden) and Italy (Milan), the company's products are installed in more than 800 healthcare institutions worldwide.

Algotec's ImagiNet family of solutions also includes ProVision, a 3D multi modality processing workstation; MediPrime, a radiology reading and reporting station; MediFlow, image management software; MediLink, a configurable interface to healthcare information systems. For further information about Algotec, call 770-291-2022 or visit their website at www.algotec.com.