IMAGING SCIENCE AND INFORMATICS (4)

A Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) is a medical imaging technology

used primarily in healthcare organizations to securely store and digitally transmit electronic
images and clinically-relevant reports.
Components of PACS
 Imaging Modalities: These include various types of imaging equipment such as X-
ray, Ultrasound, MRI, CT, and Nuclear Imaging
 Secure Network: This is used for the transmission of patient information and images
 Workstations: These are used by radiologists and physicians to view and interpret the
images
 Storage Archives: These are used for the long-term storage and retrieval of images
and reports
Functions of PACS
 Image Acquisition: PACS captures images from various imaging modalities and
converts them into a digital format
 Storage: It securely stores these digital images in an archive, making them easily
retrievable
 Retrieval: Authorized users can quickly access and retrieve stored images as needed
 Distribution: PACS allows for the distribution of images to different workstations
within the network, facilitating easy sharing among healthcare professionals
 Display: The system provides tools for viewing and analyzing images, including
zoom, pan, and measurement tools.

Types of PACS
 Mini-PACS: These are smaller systems typically used in specific departments like
radiology or cardiology. They are ideal for smaller healthcare facilities or specialized
clinics.
 Enterprise PACS: These systems are designed for larger healthcare organizations and
integrate with various departments across the entire enterprise. They support a wide
range of imaging modalities and provide comprehensive image management.
 Web-Based PACS: These systems allow for remote access to images and reports via
the internet. They are particularly useful for telemedicine and for healthcare providers
who need to access images from multiple locations.
 Cloud-Based PACS: These systems store images and data in the cloud, offering
scalability, flexibility, and cost savings. They also facilitate easy sharing and
collaboration among healthcare professionals.
 Vendor Neutral Archive (VNA): While not a PACS per se, a VNA is often used in
conjunction with PACS. It allows for the storage and management of images from
different PACS systems, making it easier to integrate and access data across various
platforms.
CHAPTER 2 BASIC COMPUTER PRINCIPLES
Computer - is a programmable electronic device that can store, retrieve, and process data.

Has two (2) principal parts:

 Hardware - is everything about the computer that is visible; the physical components of
the system. that include the various input, output, and processing devices
 Software - consists of computer programs that tell the hardware what to do and how to
store and manipulate data (Application Softwares, Operating System and Middleware
Software)
 input, output, and processing devices
 Input devices - any hardware device that sends data to a computer, allowing
you to interact with and control it
 Keyboards
 Mice
 Microphone
 barcode readers
 Touchscreens
 image scanners,
 output devices - any piece of computer hardware equipment which converts
information into human readable form. It can be text, graphics, tactile,
audio, and video.
 Monitors
 Printers
 speakers
 Processing devices - used to process data using program instructions
 Motherboard
 Microprocessor
 BIOS
 Bus
 Memory
 Ports
 CMOS
 processing of information is done in the central processing unit (CPU)

 binary code - computer takes data from the user and processes it using a machine
language of 1s and 0s
 computer processing is performed by a series of transistors, which are switches that are
either on or off
 If the transistor circuit is closed and current passes through, it is assigned a
value of 1.
 If no current passes because of the circuit being open, it is assigned a value
of 0.
 can be switched on and off millions of times in a second.
 Each 1 and 0 represents a bit. (single unit of data)
  byte is made up of eight bits and is the amount of memory needed to store
one alphanumeric character
 memory is generally talked about in
 Kilobytes
 Megabytes
 Gigabytes
 Terabytes
 Binary Number System - way of writing number using two symbols 0 and 1 only
 BIT is a single unit of data
 BYTE is made up of eight bits
 WORD constituted by 2 bytes
 NIBBLE is half a byte
 CHOMP is two words

Hardware Components:
 basic personal computer consisting of a CPU, keyboard, mouse, and LCD monitor.

1. Box - the encasement

- For holding all the other components
- To shield the outside environment from radiofrequencies being emitted by the
electronic components of the computer.
2. Motherboard - largest circuitry board inside the computer, and it contains many important
small components to make the computer function properly
 Components:
i. central processing unit (CPU), or microprocessor, is a small chip
found on the motherboard
- The brain of the computer which consists a series of
transistors arranged to manipulate data
ii. BIOS (basic input/output system) - contains a simple set of
instructions
- Used by the microprocessor for booting up the
computer to life
- Simply, the intermediary between the Operating
system and the Hardware
iii. Bus - is a series of connections, controllers, and chips that creates the
information highway of the computer
- Provides the connections for the information to
flow within the computer
iv. Memory - used to store information currently being processed in the
CPU
RAM - a short-term storage for open programs
 DIFFERENT TYPES OF "RAM"
1. DRAM - Dynamic Random Access Memory
2. EDO-RAM -Extended Data Out- Random Access
3. VRAM - Video Random Access Memory
4. SRAM - Static Random Access Memory
5. SDRAM - Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory
6. SIMM - Single In-line Memory Module
7. DIMM - Dual In-line Memory Module
8. EDO - Extended Data Out

v. Port - collection of connectors sticking out of the back of the PC that

link adapter cards, drives, printers, scanners, keyboards, mice, and other
peripherals that may be used.

TYPES OF PORTS
1. Parallel - a 25-pin connector found on the back of most
modern PCs
- can send 8-bits of data through the connection
2. Serial - can be used universally for many components
plugged into the computer, such as a mouse
- mostly of this type of port is a 9-pin variety, but
some can have up to 25-pin connectors
- can only send 1 bit of data down on a single wire
3. USB (Universal Serial Bus) - common interface
connection; can connect up to 127 devices to one single USB
port
- Offers many possible connection
4. integrated drive electronics (IDE) - can be found on the
motherboard and connects the hard drive, floppy drive, and
CD-ROM drive to the board
5. Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) - fastest and
most versatile way for a PC to communicate with its
peripherals.
- can mange up to seven (7) devices through a daisy chain
connection
vi. Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) - a special
type of memory chip that uses a small rechargeable or lithium battery to
retain information about the PC's hardware while the computer is
turned off.
- Also, the location of the system clock that keeps track of the
date and time
3. Sound Card - Contains all circuitry for recording and reproducing sound on the PC
 interprets many different file types such as
 1. Waveform audio (WAV) files
2. moving picture experts group audio layer 3 (MP3) files
3. musical instrument digital interface (MIDI) files

4. Network Card - enable this PC to connect to other PCs that are on the same network
 Network card Have an RJ-45 jack at the rear o the PC for the
acceptance of a twisted pair wire with RJ-45 connector
5. Power supply - Delivers all the electricity to the PC and contains a fan to help keep the
inside of the computer cool.
 contains a transformer that converts the wall outlet alternating current
(AC) to direct current (DC) in the voltages appropriate for each
powered device.
6. Hard drive - the main repository for programs and documents on a PC.
7. CD/DVD Drive - found on the front of the encasement of a computer.
 reads and writes all common CD and DVD formats

PHERIPHERALS - refers to the devices that connects to a computer and enhance its
functionality
 Keyboard
 Mouse
 Scanners
 Speakers
 Microphones
1. Keyboard - It is used to input text, characters, and other commands into a computer
2. Mouse - It allow the user to move the computer's cursor to activate and perform
functions within the computer's software
three common types:
 Mechanical - This mouse uses a hard rubber ball inside an opening on the
bottom that is surrounded by sensing devices.
 Optical - This mouse has a high-intensity diode that bounces light off
surfaces and back to a receiver inside the mouse.
 Optomechanical - This mouse is a hybrid of mechanical and optical mouse.
It uses a rubber ball that interacts with rollers that trigger the optical sensors
within the mouse. Light is reflected back to the sensors based on the
movement of the rollers.
3. Scanners - devices that capture drawings or written paper documents and convert them
into a digital image or document that can be edited.
 Radiology Department - it is used to convert analog (film) into a digital
film
4. Speakers - receive sound data from a sound card that is either built into the motherboard
or is an expansion card.
5. Microphone - are used to record voice or to use voice dictation software.
Monitors - most important elements in a PACS display station
- A computer hardware that displays the images, videos, and/or any graphics
information

 CRT monitors (cathode ray tube) - most popular monitors on the market; consists
of a cathode and anode within a vacuum tube.
 LCD monitors ( Liquid crystal display) - produces images by shining or reflecting
light through a layer of liquid crystal and a series of color filters
 Plasma Display monitors - are still new to the consumer market and were most
commonly used in government and military applications in the late 1960s
 Made up of many small fluorescent lights that are illuminated to form the
color of the image