Integrated system to access medical images in the intranet and the extranet

This article presents the architecture and implementation of an information system for medical data and images. Thanks to a modular and flexible design, it can be implanted in hospital environments with various kinds of communication infrastructures (going from very low bandwidth lines (RTC of 56 Kb) to high capacity lines (ATM of 155 Mb)). Both its design and combination of small functional modules with a well defined entry/exit interface allows us to implement the functionalities required by the users. A database stores not only the information but also the specialist's reports and notes concerning patients and diagnoses. We have incorporated tools that are not found in conventional systems (image segmentation, advanced visualization, etc.) but which allow us to incorporate new data to the decision-making process. The user accesses the system with all its information and functionalities via a user-friendly web interface.