Integrating a Novel Eye Imaging System into Clinical Practice: An Open-Source DICOM Simulation Platform.

BACKGROUND: The integration of innovative imaging technologies into clinical workflows requires the utilization of a standardized data exchange format. The "Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine" (DICOM) standard is widely used in healthcare to process and transfer medical images. However, no simulation environment is ready to use for development. The objective of this paper is to provide an open-source DICOM platform for integrating a novel ocular photography system into a clinical setting.

METHODS: After a thorough analysis of the available open-source tools, a subset was selected and aligned with the U-Eyecare Profile of Integrating the Healthcare Enterprise (IHE).

RESULTS: Orthanc served as a PACS with a modality worklist and the OHIF-Viewer for image retrieval. Minimal interfaces for the electronic health record and image modality were created. Docker-compose further integrates all components and simulates the network protocols DICOM Message Service Element and DICOMWeb.

DISCUSSION: The platform was used to develop and integrate the developed image modality and will be further utilized for teleophthalmology and processing eye images. The platform could be useful for other researchers to integrate an image modality into a clinical environment along IHE.