Digital tool for planning orthopaedic surgery from medical images
10 December 2005
Burlington, Vt., USA. Imagecast PACS for Orthopedics is a digital
solution from IDX that offers orthopaedic surgeons software-based tools for
orthopaedic image review, analysis and preoperative planning. It allows
surgeons to plan surgery in advance, with greater accuracy, by measuring
patient images using precise digital tools and overlaying electronic
templates from a variety of implant vendors. With the Imagecast
Pixels-on-Demand technology, orthopaedic image review and surgical
pre-planning is rapidly available on any PC and web browser connected to the
Internet or network. This streamlines workflow and allows clinicians to
increase efficiency by planning surgeries from any location.
"As a growing number of orthopaedic practices and hospitals make the
transition from film to all-digital environments, the demand for a filmless
solution for orthopaedic surgeons is increasing," said Debra Stenner, Vice
President Business Planning and Product Strategy, IDX Imagecast Operating
Unit. "With the introduction of Imagecast PACS for Orthopedics, orthopaedic
surgeons can take advantage of the same flexibility and specialized tools
that radiologists have with today's PACS systems."
In a traditional film-based environment, orthopaedic surgeons perform
surgical planning on x-rays by drawing lines and measuring angles. Using
paper templates from prosthetics manufacturers, they plan joint
replacements, spinal surgeries and trauma repairs. Templates are imprecise
due to variations in magnification of individual x-rays and distortion of
the image caused by the angle of projection, which can prevent the
orthopaedic surgeon from selecting the correct prosthetic with reliable
accuracy.
These obstacles to accurate, efficient preoperative planning are
virtually eliminated with the cost-effective, easy-to-use digital templates
and workflow tools that make up Imagecast PACS for Orthopaedics. The
solution includes a library of templates and fixation elements for total
hip, total knee, shoulder, and elbow replacements, as well as tools for
measuring Cobb angle (used to evaluate patients with scoliosis) and
transischial line measurement (which allows surgeons to assess leg length
for total hip replacements).
Additional improvements over film-based image review include the ability
to window and invert, optimizing diagnostic detail; magnify and pan a region
of interest or enlarge the image; and measure distances and anatomical
angles using the built-in caliper and goniometer. By allowing the
orthopaedic surgeon to make precise measurements in the pre-planning stages,
these tools can help shorten procedure time and improve patient outcomes.
Imagecast PACS for Orthopaedics is designed with an open standards
platform, providing scalability for orthopaedic practices both small and
large. The solution, which has received 510(K) FDA clearance, also provides
connectivity to any modality or archive. Imagecast PACS for Orthopedics
integrates seamlessly with the Imagecast worklist, allowing hospital
customers to leverage their existing investment in IDX technology.
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