A high speed integrated computer network for picture archiving and communication system (PACS)

The functional and operational requirements for an integrated computer network to transmit image, text, voice, and image pointing overlays are presented, and the data traffic handling of each data type is discussed. A 200-Mbs fiber optic computer network was designed based on the presented PACS network requirements and the data traffic. The characteristics, protocols, and implementation feasibility of this network are summarized. These integrated PACS network can be used for a global PACS (GPACS). The GPACS will allow the exchange of images and patient information and will provide real-time consulting facilities among radiologists and physicians throughout the world. >