Getting Started
This short guide takes you through the main features of DICOM Vision, in three sections:
- Import Dicom Images
- Adjust Contrast, Pan, Zoom In & Out
- Apply Colourmaps
Import Dicom Images
Once the application is started, select Import Medical Images. A dialog box will open, allowing you to select the location of the Dicom Images in your computer.
Select the folder containing the images. The application will sort the Images into their respective series, and give you a preview of each, as illustrated in the image below. A summary of each series including the number of images, patient names, study description, series description and modality are provided. Select the series you wish to import, and Open.
The Image series will be loaded onto the window. Axes are added onto the images providing accurate measurement of each slice. In addition to the original orientation in which the Dicom Images were taken, use the Axial, Sagittal and Coronal buttons to view the images in all orientations.
A summary of the Dicom Tags embedded in the images, are listed just below the orientation buttons. Scroll through them to analyze the information behind the images.
The Take Screenshot button allows you to save an image of the current slice in view in PNG Format.
Use Clear Window button to remove any loaded images, and reset the application to its original state.
Adjust Contrast, Pan, Zoom In & Out
Left-click on an image, and drag upwards to increase contrast. Conversely, drag downwards to decrease contrast.
Click on the scroll wheel (mouse) and drag the image to where you want to place the image on the window.
Right-click on an image, and drag upwards to zoom in. Conversely, drag downwards to zoom out.
Apply Colourmaps
Dicom Vision features the option to apply distinct colourmaps to the imported images, for better visualisation. To apply one, simply click the ‘Select Colour Map’ dropdown button, and select one of the provided options on the dropdown.
A range of these colourmaps are illustrated in the image below.
The colourmaps come in two categories:
- Perceptually Uniform Colourmaps
- DICOM Standard Colour Palettes
The DICOM Standard Colour Palettes include:
- Hot Iron: The Hot Iron color palette is often used in nuclear medicine applications to make differences in signal intensity (counts) more apparent to the human observer.
- PET: The PET color palette is often used in PET applications to pseudo-color the superimposed PET images when displayed fused with underlying CT images.
- Hot Metal Blue: The Hot Metal Blue colour palette is often used in nuclear medicine or PET applications to make differences in signal intensity (counts) more apparent to the human observer.
- PET 20 Step: The PET 20 Step colour palette is often used in PET applications to make differences in signal intensity (counts) more apparent to the human observer.
- Spring, Summer, Fall & Winter: These Colour Palettes are suggested for use in colour fMRI activation maps. They shade from one pastel colour to another which is distinctly different, making them suitable for illustrating either unipolar or bipolar activation. They convey activation strength within one statistical parametric map, while making it possible for the human observer to distinguish between different fMRI activation maps in the same blended display.
Learn more about the DICOM Standard Colour Palettes here.
If you have any further questions, suggestions or noticed any bugs, contact us at [email protected].
FAQ
All Modalities in the DICOM Format are compatible with the software.
No. When you purchase the app on any of the app stores, it is only available on that platform. For example, a purchase on Mac would not grant access to the app on Windows.
Yes. If you wish to make an order for a custom licensing solution, contact us at [email protected]. Give us a brief description, and we can prepare a quote for you.
Yes. Applications will improve over time, with bug fixes and new features. We will support them throughout their lifetime.
Yes. If you have any ideas or suggestions on how the application can be improved, or, identify any bugs, kindly contact us at [email protected]. We would welcome your feedback.