Abstract
Imaging research based on small animals will benefit from the same types of integrated information systems that are found in clinical operations (RIS, PACS) and in human-based imaging research (Research Management System, Image Archive). As part of an upgrade to the small animal imaging facility, we have designed and implemented a data management system that is tailored to the needs of investigators performing imaging studies on small animals. A web based system provides the basic functions of 1) imaging request by the principle investigator who may be a collaborator to the imaging lab, 2) scheduling the procedures on existing micro PET and micro CT scanners, 3) worklist management for technologists, 4) image storage/archive and 5) retrieve for processing by laboratory staff or principle investigator. A java application interfaces the proprietary imaging modalities to the system.
We have relied on the DICOM Standard for information models for this project. Some of the extensions involved building an interface for the scanners that do not produce DICOM output, relaxed requirements because small animals do not have PHI governed by HIPAA and an information model that must include multiple subjects scanned simultaneously (side by side on a bed).
Small Animal Imaging Laboratory
The Washington University Small Animal Imaging Laboratory is composed of two small animal PET cameras, one small animal CT camera and other laboratory shared imaging instruments. This laboratory is the major component of the Washington University Small Animal Imaging Resource (WUSAIR, PI. J.Ackerman, Ph.D.) and the Siteman Cancer Center (SCC, PI: T.Eberlein M.D.). Laboratory faculty as well as external collaborators use the facilities for their research studies.
Animal Imaging Research Workflow
Workflow for animal imaging research has similarities to workflor for clinical imaging.
Request
Researcher fills out a form to request an Imaging study for the subjects
Approval
Staff member reviews requested protocol to ensure feasibility
Schedule
Lab manager schedules experiment, coordinating with cyclotron schedule
Scan/Store
Animals are scanned in microPET and/or microCAT devices and stored to a central device
Retrieve
Images are retrieved from central location
Measure
Researcher or lab member performs imaging measurements
Post Process
Researcher may reprocess the original data
Resubmit
Researcher may resubmit new images that were not in the original scan
Differences From Clinical Imaging
Reporting
No diagnostic report generated for a research procedure
Billing
Rather than bill insurance companies for procedures and reports, research institutions charge grants for scanner time and staff effort
Standards
The DICOM standard is long established in clinical scanners but undefined for small animal imaging. Small animal imaging systems use proprietary formats.
Privacy
Animal subjects are not covered by HIPAA regulations. Investigators do want to keep their data private from other investigators until they decide to share or publish
Identification
Subjects are usually short lived (weeks) and are identified more closely with a specific imaging exam (the PET study that was performed 22-May). The biggest difference is that several subjects can be placed on the same table and scanned simultaneously.
Top Level System Design
Software Components
Current Status
Remaining Work
Acknowledgments
This work was funded by a grant from the NIH - Cyclotron Produced Isotopes in