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Cedara xPipe™An efficient, dynamic solution for high-volume x-ray environments.
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Cedara xPipe Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Cedara xPipe toolkit compare with other such automation tookits?
Cedara xPipe is a set of integrated software modules designed to fully automate the image processing tasks for a CR and DR X-Ray consoles. There are competitive products for each module but there is no single toolkit that addresses all image processing needs of all X-Ray console manufacturers. Integrating a group of disparate modules is a time-consuming and error-prone task. This is what sets Cedara xPipe apart, It has world-class, compatible modules that provide the most complete offering for X-Ray console manufacturers seeking to more fully automate image processing.
Specifically, what tasks does the Cedara xPipe toolkit automate?
The toolkit is comprised of six modules that are designed to work together seamlessly or can be used independently. They are:
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A flat field correction module which adjusts for the uneven strength of the X-ray field across the surface of the detector.
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Automatic detection and removal of the collimator in the image.
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Calculation of the Cedara Exposure Index™ (EI)
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An optional image stitching module that automatically stitches together multiple overlapping images.
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Cedara Image Enhancement™ (CIE), a module that enhances the image by suppressing noise and sharpening anatomical details.
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Cedara Automatic Window Width and Level™, a module that automatically selects optimal window brightness and contrast.
What are the advantages of having these tasks automated? Will it save time, money? Will it help standardize image appearance?
X-Ray devices are one of the most widely used imaging modalities in hospitals. They are used in demanding environments that require not only the highest possible image quality, but also need to continually optimize operational efficiencies for cost containment. the. The Cedara xPipe toolkit addresses both objectives. It allows X-Ray consoles to automatically adjust the raw X-Ray images. The first image presented on the console is already optimized. Patients can be scanned quicker and with minimal operator intervention. Additionally, it provides functionality to address challenges that currently exist with overexposure.
Is the toolkit applicable for CR and DR consoles that perform only certain scans, or is it applicable on a console that performs scans over the entire body? How does the toolkit handle scans of different body parts?
The toolkit is designed to work with both CR and DR images for multiple body parts. Most CR and DR consoles support protocols that configure the exposure based upon the body part and patient size. The Cedara xPipe modules are typically configured via these protocols. For example, CIE is tuned differently for a chest X-Ray compared to the X-Ray of an extremity.
How does the Exposure Index provide quality control of dose and image quality together?
In conventional radiology a well-established connection exists between a detector’s exposure and film brightness. In digital radiology the detector has a much wider dynamic range. Image filtering allows the X-Ray systems to produce similar images under a wide range of exposure conditions. Heavily under-exposed images result in a high level of noise, and reduced anatomical details. Over-exposed images are difficult for an observer to detect. Filtering allows over-exposed images to appear properly exposed. The inability to detect over-exposure could lead to an unjustified increment of the dose.
Several X-Ray manufacturers display an “index” value of the acquired image. This is to help the operator judge if an exposure is correct. This index is called ‘Dose Index’ or ‘Exposure Index’. Definitions of this index can vary greatly between manufacturers. Indexes measured by various devices, even in the same facility, are not necessarily comparable. These differences can make it extremely difficult to set guidelines for X-Ray exposure across the radiology department, and almost impossible to define guidelines across healthcare organizations. Ultimately, the operator may be unaware of overexposure.
Dose control is one of the most important topics of discussion in radiology today. To help address the issue and enable organizations to define accurate, nation-wide exposure index guidelines, the International Electrotechnical Committee created the IEC-62494-1 “Medical electrical equipment – Exposure Index of Digital X-ray Imaging Systems” standard. This standard was approved August 2008.
Today’s organizations face challenges adhering to this standard. To ensure accurate exposure index values, staff would need to take manually various measurements and perform calculations. This time-consuming process would dramatically slow workflow. An automated solution could alleviate these challenges while at the same time balancing the need to limit overexposure with the demand to increase workflow productivity. Cedara xPipe delivers this automation.
Radiologists may have slightly different preferences for viewing images. Can the toolkit be adapted to suit user preferences?
Yes the toolkit is specifically designed with this in mind. Console manufacturers can ship their products with standard protocols. Clinical users can make simple adjustments to fine-tune the image to their liking. These tweaks can be coupled to login information thereby enabling the solution to automatically present images according to their viewing preferences.
Is the software compatible with non-Windows operating systems?
The software is currently released only on Windows operating systems. The libraries are written in C++ and could be easily migrated to other platforms. Merge OEM has not seen demand for this software on non-Windows operating systems.