Marco Eichelberg

Bio: Marco Eichelberg is an academic researcher from OFFIS. The author has contributed to research in topics: DICOM & Interoperability. The author has an hindex of 17, co-authored 99 publications receiving 1587 citations.

Introduction to the DICOM standard

Abstract: Digital Imaging and Communication in Medicine (DICOM) has become one of the most popular standards in medicine. In the beginning, DICOM was used for communication of image data between different systems. Actual developments of the standardisation enables increasingly more DICOM-based services for the integration of modalities and information systems (e.g. RIS, PACS). In this article a review of the historical background, the technological concept, the organizational structure and current developments is given.

A survey and analysis of Electronic Healthcare Record standards

Abstract: Medical information systems today store clinical information about patients in all kinds of proprietary formats. To address the resulting interoperability problems, several Electronic Healthcare Record standards that structure the clinical content for the purpose of exchange are currently under development. In this article, we present a survey of the most relevant Electronic Healthcare Record standards, examine the level of interoperability they provide, and assess their functionality in terms of content structure, access services, multimedia support, and security. We further investigate the complementarity of the standards and assess their market relevance.

Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine

Abstract: Over the past 15 years Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) has established itself as the international standard for medical image communication. Most medical imaging equipment uses DICOM network and media services to export image data, thus making this standard highly relevant for medical image processing. The first section of this chapter provides a basic introduction into DICOM with its more than 3,600 pages of technical documentation, followed by a section covering selected advanced topics of special interest for medical image processing. The introductory text familiarizes the reader with the standard’s main concepts such as information objects and DICOM media and network services. The rendering pipeline for image display and the concept of DICOM conformance are also discussed. Specialized DICOM services such as advanced image display services that provide means for storing how an image was viewed (“Softcopy Presentation States”) and how multiple images should be aligned on an output device (“Structured Display” and “Hanging Protocols”) are described. We further describe DICOM’s sophisticated approach (“Structured Reporting”) for storing structured documents such as CAD information, which is then covered in more detail. Finally, the last section provides an insight into a newly developed DICOM service called “Application Hosting”, which introduces a standardized plug-in architecture for image processing, thus permitting users to utilize cross-vendor image processing plug-ins in DICOM applications.

Ten years of medical imaging standardization and prototypical implementation: the DICOM standard and the OFFIS DICOM toolkit (DCMTK)

Abstract: In 2003, the DICOM standard celebrated its 10th anniversary. Aside from the standard itself, also OFFIS’ open source DICOM toolkit DCMTK, which has continuously followed the development of DICOM, turns 10 years old. On this occasion, this article looks back at the main standardization efforts in DICOM and illustrates related developments in DCMTK. Considering the development of the DICOM standard, it is possible to distinguish several phases of progress. Within the first phase at the beginning of the 1990s, basic network services for image transfer and retrieval were being introduced. The second phase, in the mid 1990s, was characterized by advances in the specification of a file format and of regulations for media interchange. In the later but partly parallel third phase, DICOM predominantly dealt with the problem of optimizing the workflow within imaging departments. As a result of the fact that it was now possible to exchange images between different systems, efforts concerning image display consistency followed in a fourth phase at the end of the 1990s. In the current fifth phase, security enhancements are being integrated into the standard. In another phase of progress, which took place over a relatively long time period concurrently to the other mentioned phases, DICOM Structured Reporting was developed.

Enhancing IHE XDS for Federated Clinical Affinity Domain Support

Abstract: One of the key problems in healthcare informatics is the inability to share patient records across enterprises. To address this problem, an important industry initiative called "integrating the healthcare enterprise (IHE)" specified the "cross enterprise document sharing (XDS)" profile. In the IHE XDS, healthcare enterprises that agree to work together form a "clinical affinity domain" and store healthcare documents in an ebXML registry/repository architecture to facilitate their sharing. The affinity domains also agree on a common set of policies such as coding lists to be used to annotate clinical documents in the registry/repository and the common schemes for patient identification. However, since patients expect their records to follow them as they move from one clinical affinity domain to another, there is a need for affinity domains to be federated to enable information exchange. In this paper, we describe how IHE XDS can be enhanced to support federated clinical affinity domains. We demonstrate that federation of affinity domains are facilitated when ontologies, rather than coding term lists, are used to annotate clinical documents. Furthermore, we describe a patient identification protocol that eliminates the need to keep a master patient index file for the federation

Wireless Body Area Networks: A Survey

Abstract: Recent developments and technological advancements in wireless communication, MicroElectroMechanical Systems (MEMS) technology and integrated circuits has enabled low-power, intelligent, miniaturized, invasive/non-invasive micro and nano-technology sensor nodes strategically placed in or around the human body to be used in various applications, such as personal health monitoring. This exciting new area of research is called Wireless Body Area Networks (WBANs) and leverages the emerging IEEE 802.15.6 and IEEE 802.15.4j standards, specifically standardized for medical WBANs. The aim of WBANs is to simplify and improve speed, accuracy, and reliability of communication of sensors/actuators within, on, and in the immediate proximity of a human body. The vast scope of challenges associated with WBANs has led to numerous publications. In this paper, we survey the current state-of-art of WBANs based on the latest standards and publications. Open issues and challenges within each area are also explored as a source of inspiration towards future developments in WBANs.

Some Preliminary Comments on the DIRECTIVE 95/46/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 24 October 1995 on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data.

Abstract: (1) Whereas the objectives of the Community, as laid down in the Treaty, as amended by the Treaty on European Union, include creating an ever closer union among the peoples of Europe, fostering closer relations between the States belonging to the Community, ensuring economic and social progress by common action to eliminate the barriers which divide Europe, encouraging the constant improvement of the living conditions of its peoples, preserving and strengthening peace and liberty and promoting democracy on the basis of the fundamental rights recognized in the constitution and laws of the Member States and in the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms;