MiXlink Acquisition Interface for Toshiba CT/MRI machines

Advantages of Raw data acquisition over video capturing acquisition

MixLink Operation•MillenSys MiXlink gateway is a system that accepts

ACR/NEMA 1.0 images [Raw Data] from Toshiba CT & MRI modalities transferred using the [Xlink] protocol via network cable and convert it to DICOM 3.0.

MixLink Comparison

MixLink Advantages•MixLink provides several advantages over video

capturing with frame grabbing, in cost, image quality and properties, error handling, and further integration with PACS.

MixLink Comparison

MixLink vs. Video Capturing1- Hardware

•MixLinkDoesn’t require additional hardware to operate (Only network card).

•Video CapturingRequires a rather expensive frame-grabber interface card (2500 US$).

MixLink Comparison

MixLink vs. Video Capturing2. Image•MixLink Quality

Images converted with MixLink use all the resolution of the modality (12 bit, 16 bit, etc) which means that the user can change the window level of the images to get the Bone structure and soft tissue structures which is 100% mandatory for CT images and images cannot be diagnosed without it.

•Video Capturing QualityDepends greatly on the frame-grabbing card as well as video cable. Hence quality is susceptible to change with various elements and the images acquired is only 8 bit which means that the only level processing is Brightness/contrast which is not enough and cannot show all image data.

MixLink Comparison

MixLink vs. Video Capturing3. Hardware Media•MixLink

Software interface operating on network protocols, therefore includes error detection and correction procedures.

•Video CapturingHardware interface, so in case of error it will continue printing blank images with no notification of error incase of video cable problem.

MixLink Comparison

MixLink vs. Video Capturing4. Transfer• MixLink

Transfers the whole study with one click from machine console with all needed database included in the image.

• Video CapturingTransfers images one by one (Single study can have more than 50 images!), with no patient data included. Foot switch needed and manual patient data entry is mandatory (Time consuming)

MixLink Comparison

MixLink vs. Video Capturing5. Printing & Image Processing•MixLink

Prints with visual quality (what’s on the screen is what’s printed).Image processing (zoom, pan, etc…) will not affect image resolution since MixLink uses all of the modality bits. Patient and image information appears as a second overlay layer on the image.

Video CapturingPrints according to frame-grabber & video cable quality, with burnt patient information on the printed image.Image processing will reduce image quality, for processing will take effect on a grabbed image not the actual image from the modality. Zoom causes the image information burned on it to disappear outside the monitor area.

MixLink Comparison

MixLink vs. Video Capturing6. Integration•MixLink

Operates with DICOM 3.0 protocol.Can be integrated directly with PACS.

•Video CapturingRequires an additional gateway to be connected to PACS.

MixLink Comparison

MixLink vs. Video Capturing7. Problems•MixLink

The major problem could be solved by installing the software again.

•Video CapturingFrame grabber card problems like card failure, software driver problem, video cable or connector malfunction. Ground problem causes a lot of problems for the grabber card.

MixLink Comparison

Itemnon-Standard

VideoACR/NEMA

InterfaceDICOM

Interface

Interface Protocol

Hardware Media Video Network Network

Physical Medium Video TCP/IP TCP/IP

Protocol Non-standardACR/NEMA 1.0ACR/NEMA 2.0 DICOM 3.0

Need Hardware Board Yes No No

Interface Video Grabber Software Software

Cables/Sockets NeededBNCRGB+H+V

AUIRJ-45BNC

RJ-45AUI BNC

Connection Diagram

Image Information

Patient information within the image No Yes Yes

Burned Information on the Image Yes No No

Can Edit Image Information No Yes Yes

Image Properties

Grayscale Image Acquisition Yes Yes Yes

Grayscale Image Pixel Depth 8,10 8,10,12,16 8,10,12,16

Color Image Acquisition Yes Yes Yes

Color Image Pixel Depth 8,24 8,24 8,24

Post Processing Capabilities

Gray Scale Window (WW/WL) No Yes Yes

Color Brightness/Contrast Yes Yes Yes

MixLink Comparison

Itemnon-Standard

VideoACR/NEMA

InterfaceDICOM

Interface

Image Transfer form Modality

Image by Image Yes No No

Whole Study with one click No Yes Yes

Image Print form Modality

Image by Image Yes No No

Whole Study with one click No Yes Yes

Modalities

Modalities

X-rayAngioCathLabCTMRI Nuclear

CTMRINuclear

All

PACS Connection

Need Gateway or Acquisition Unit Yes Yes No

MillenSys Products

Vision Tools Software Versions 8.x and above 8.X and above 8.X and above

Vision Tools Family All Family

CTviewMRviewGammaViewMultiView

All Family

Gateways VTools 8.x and aboveMiXlinkKeni2DcmMiTOS

MiPACS

Company Confidential

MixLink Comparison