OsiriX

OsiriX processes DICOM images (".dcm" or ".DCM") from MRI, CT, PET, PET-CT, SPECT-CT, and ultrasound to provide advanced multidimensional and multimodality medical image visualization and analysis.

Key Features:

• DICOM compliance and file formats: Full compliance with the DICOM standard and support for DICOM image files with extensions ".dcm" and ".DCM".
• Supported modalities: Native handling of MRI, CT, PET, PET-CT, SPECT-CT, and ultrasound image modalities.
• Multidimensional and multimodality image handling: Management and navigation of large multidimensional and multimodality image sets, including combined PET-CT studies.
• 3D graphics acceleration: Uses OpenGL to accelerate 3D graphics rendering on hardware graphics accelerators.
• Processing and rendering libraries: Core image processing and visualization built on ITK (Insight Segmentation and Registration Toolkit) and VTK (Visualization Toolkit).
• DICOM network services and PACS integration: Supports DICOM communication including C-STORE SCP/SCU, Query/Retrieve (C-MOVE SCU/SCP, C-FIND SCU/SCP, C-GET SCU/SCP), WADO, and interoperability with PACS and imaging modalities.

Scientific Applications:

• Clinical and research image interpretation: Visualization and analysis of complex imaging data for biomedical research and clinical practice.
• Multimodality fusion and analysis: Analysis and interpretation of combined modality studies such as PET-CT.
• DICOM data exchange and archiving: Integration with PACS and DICOM-compliant systems for image transfer and retrieval.

Methodology:

Compliance with the DICOM standard; OpenGL for 3D graphics acceleration; core processing and rendering using ITK and VTK; support for DICOM network services C-STORE, C-MOVE, C-FIND, C-GET, and WADO; implemented in Objective-C on macOS X with GNUstep.