3G Mobile Medical Image Viewing

Abstract

Tele-radiology is the technology of remote medical consultation using X-ray, computed tomographic, or magnetic resonance images. It was commonly accepted by clinicians for its effectiveness in making diagnoses for patients in critical situations. Because of the huge size of data volume involved in tele-radiology (American College of Radiology [ACR], 2003), clinicians are not satisfied with the relatively slow data-transfer rate. It limits the technology to fixed-line communication between the doctor’s home and his or her office. In this project, a mobile high-speed wireless medical image viewing system using a 3G (third-generation) wireless network (Collins & Smith, 2001), virtual private network, and one-time two-factor authentication (OTTFA) technologies is presented. Using this system, tele-radiology can be achieved by using a 3G PDA (personal digital assistant) phone to query, retrieve, and review the patient’s record at anytime and anywhere in a secure environment. Using this technology, the patient-data availability can be improved significantly, which is crucial to timely diagnoses of patients in critical situations.