PACS workstation design

Abstract

This paper covers some of the recent concepts in designing a digital imaging workstation in a multimodality Picture Archiving and Communications Systems (PACS) network. A workstation in a multimodality PACS network must access, display, and analyze digital images from different imaging modalities with very different formats. The user interface should allow clinicians with minimal or no computer manipulation skills to use complex analysis tools. General guidelines of a graphics oriented user interface, based on windows and icons, are proposed. Instantaneous (real-time) response in the primary display and processing functions is vital for user acceptance. The hardware architectural concepts to achieve such a performance speed are described. Finally, a workstation environment conducive to comfortable viewing by the radiologists is discussed.