Translation of modality database entries to an ACR-NEMA transfer syntax

Picker MR images were translated to the Bowman Gray School of Medicine (BGSM) IMACS format using software designed for portability to other modalities. The Siemens PET modality was the first successful test of the software's extensibility. Although the Picker project took nine months to complete, the Siemens project took only about two months. The structures of the Siemens PET images are organized utilizing software constructs which made the translation even easier. In addition, the Siemens PET system used standard Unix workstations with the Network File System (NFS), TCP/IP, and X Windows which greatly facilitated the transport of images. The translation of GE 9800 CT modality images, using a PBT interface allowed images to be sent to the 9-track archive system or the network using a state of the art NFS mount. This permitted using many powerful tools available on most Unix machines such as the qsh software developed by Gerald Q. Maguire Jr. and Marilyn E. Noz for the translation of various modalities into their DICOM-based key-value-pair system. This provided a mechanism for modality data base translation. In this way, it is hoped that modality images can be sent effectively to our IMACS. This paper discusses the transmission and conversion of modality database entries (images and demographics) into the BGSM DICOM format.