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Application of Super High Definition Images in Telemedicine: System Requirements and Technologies for Teleradiology and Telepathology

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Abstract

It was recognized early on that the digitization of medical information would advance the efficiency of diagnostic technology. However, the digitization of image data, which makes up the majority of medical information, is dependent on advances in technologies such as input, processing, transmission, storage, and display. Insufficient advances in such technologies has effectively limited the digitization of image data for medical use. The result of this has been non-networked systems or LANs confined to a single hospital. Such isolated systems integrate only portions of digital medical images such as x-ray computer tomography (CT), magnetic resonance (MR), and computed radiography (CR).

Fortunately, recent advances in the areas of super high definition image I/O, high-quality encoding, super high speed transmission, and high-capacity storage has turned the tide in favor of the digitization and networking of all medical information. This paper will focus on the digitization and networking of medical image information used within hospitals and provide a multifaceted study of the technologies necessary for these advances. This will allow us to discuss the present state of related technical developments and the level that has been attained so far. In addition, we have targeted image information that demands the highest level of quality (radiological and pathological images) for application in medical diagnosis using super high definition images, the image technology being developed by the authors of this paper. We will cover the concrete issues and approaches to solutions that must be investigated when building and networking a digital system.

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Suzuki, J., Furukawa, I., Fujii, T. et al. Application of Super High Definition Images in Telemedicine: System Requirements and Technologies for Teleradiology and Telepathology. Multimedia Tools and Applications 12, 7–38 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1009631927516

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