The DICOM-based radiation therapy information system

摘要

Similar to DICOM for PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System), standards for radiotherapy (RT) information have been ratified with seven DICOM-RT objects and their IODs (Information Object Definitions), which are more than just images. This presentation describes how a DICOM-based RT Information System Server can be built based on the PACS technology and its data model for a web-based distribution. Methods: The RT Information System consists of a Modality Simulator, a data format translator, a RT Gateway, the DICOM RT Server, and the Web-based Application Server. The DICOM RT Server was designed based on a PACS data model and was connected to a Web Application Server for distribution of the RT information including therapeutic plans, structures, dose distribution, images, and records. Various DICOM RT objects of the patient transmitted to the RT Server were routed to the Web Application Server where the contents of the DICOM RT objects were decoded and mapped to the corresponding location of the RT data model for display in the specially-designed Graphic User Interface. The non-DICOM objects were first rendered to DICOM RT Objects in the translator before they were sent to the RT Server. Results: Ten clinical cases had been collected from different hospitals for evaluation of the DICOM-based RT Information System. They were successfully routed through the data flow and displayed in the client workstation of the RT Information System. Conclusion: Using the DICOM-RT standards, integration of RT data from different vendors is possible.