No problem!


I work in exactly that field. I won't exaggerate and say that I do it every
day - there isn't the call for it to be done every day.

If you have direct network access to the scanner console,
or can write the data on tape /cartridge (floppy?) we have conversion
software for many popular formats.
You should really ask what brand of CT scanner is involved,
and how old it is. I still have the heebies about getting round tapes
(remember them?) off our old Siemens.


If it is a modern device, with what is known as DICOM compatiblity,
getting the scans off it should be easy, using another DICOM compatible
application on your computer.
I run a publicly accessible DICOM server for tests (CTN software) if anyone
else on the list has the faintest idea what I'm talking about.

Another, highly relevant, way to do things is to have a DICOM to WWW gateway.
I haven't got this properly installed yet - I'm still working on it.
See  http://foyt.indyrad.iupui.edu/clinical/clinical-home.htm
for a demo.



For an impressive demo of how scans could be put on the Net,
see http://www-pet.umds.ac.uk/
These aren't CTs - they are PET scans.
I could get CTs in the same format though.
I can't claim to have written the pages for this site, though I was involved.
(access to this site may be limited to local users. I apologise if it is).


The boring old fashioned way is of course to frame grab the video signal
to the CT console (yeechhhh),
or to use a scanner to scan the CT film in.
A high quality desktop scanner with transparency hood may well give you
a good enough picture for teaching - it won't give you diagnostic quality.
We have an Agfa Arcus II.
I hope to buy a proper Vidar CCD scanner for film scanning soon.
We also have a nice Lumisys laser scanner which gives excellent pictures.


Also look at the teaching file on http://www-ipg.umds.ac.uk/
to see CT scans photographed by a Kodak digital camera.
(I don't think this is really the way to do things, but it is quick).




If anyone else on the list needs advice on digital access to scanners I'll be happy
to help.

John Hearns





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