VisualShare Home Page http://www.visualshare.com/vs/ en Copyright 2008 Sat, 27 Oct 2007 16:48:47 -0700 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss VisualShare Solution – The Power to Share Download this document as a PDF

VisualStrata™ Service Platform – Why image collaboration?

Professionals that interpret or “read” images as part of their job require a solution that fulfills their need for real-time sharing of images and communicating among geographically distant team members. These users require the ability to track the incremental accumulation of materials—images (photo-documentation), text and the ongoing communication—from initial review through to final evaluation. Providing an accurate and timely image review requires at least one communication event between two or more experts with the ability to share the information or evidence consisting of images (photo-documentation) associated with a text record.

Currently, images are stored in "silos” separate from related text data and inaccessible for sharing or collaboration. Moreover, a given business may have multiple unlinked, inaccessible image silos and unlinked text records for a given image. Solutions for combining the images and text records into a single and accessible view from the stored information do not exist.

The VisualShare product VisualStrata™ consolidates images and text records into a single point of access. Through this single point of access two or more experts can access, in real-time, an image series, and relevant text information and conduct a live visual collaboration. The live multi-user collaboration includes synchronized image viewing, zooming and panning in addition to layered visual annotations on the image. The ability to rapidly bring experts together in real-time accelerates decision making thereby increasing productivity and reducing costs. Figure 1 shows the real-time, web-based VisualStrata™ image collaboration interface.

Figure 1:VisualStrata™::Communicator Interface.

Products

The VisualStrata™ service (SaaS—no installed software) platform is composed of 3 products:

  1. VisualStrata™::Portal (Image Management Server)
  2. VisualStrata™::Communicator
  3. VisualStrata™::Server

VisualStrata™::Portal

The image management server is a Web 2.0 application that provides an environment for creation of users, workgroups and virtual collaboration rooms. A collaboration room is composed of images and text data. Figure 2 shows a screen capture of the image and data management application.

Figure 2:VisualStrata™::Portal interface.

Feature Benefits:

  • Role Based Access Control
  • Drag-n-Drop Image Upload
  • Image Processing
  • Image Management
  • Consolidated View: Images + Data
  • Fast Image Viewing
  • Image Meta-Data Management
  • Secure Web-based Access
  • Custom Workflow
  • Web-based Administration
  • Reporting

Value:

  • Improve productivity by utilizing a single image source.
  • Eliminate wasted effort by providing essential text data with images.
  • Accelerate decision making.
  • Leverage existing knowledge.
  • Streamline processes.
  • Eliminate shipping and printing costs.
  • Reduce unnecessary travel.
  • No IT costs; no software installation.

VisualStrata™::Communicator

The collaboration client is similar to an instant messaging (IM) client where the presence of logged in users is made available to other users for real-time communication. The VisualStrata™ client (working in conjunction with the VisualStrata™ server) goes far beyond text messaging by including images, related text information in a visual collaboration virtual “room” designed specifically for the imaging professional (See figure 1). Users present in a collaboration room can choose images from a series, zoom, pan and draw on the image as well as discuss each image using typical text messaging (audio conferencing is coming soon). All actions are synchronized between users so that everyone is viewing the same content. The technology used for visually annotating images is VisualShare’s patent pending software method and system. Messaging and synchronizing the visual messages between all users is based on several XML technologies. Figure 3 illustrates the process of visual messaging to all users.

Figure 3:Diagram illustrating the process of visual collaboration.

Benefits:

  • Role Based Access Control (LDAP Support)
  • Persistent Collaboration Rooms
  • Real-time, Synchronized Image Viewing
  • Consolidated View: Images + Data
  • Fast Image Viewing
  • Secure Anytime-Anywhere Web-based Access
  • Collaboration Playback

Value:

  • Improve productivity by utilizing a single image source.
  • Eliminate wasted effort by providing essential text data with images.
  • Accelerate decision making with real-time communication.
  • Leverage existing knowledge.
  • Streamline processes.
  • Eliminate shipping and printing costs.
  • Reduce unnecessary travel.

VisualStrata™::Server

The collaboration server receives all incoming messages (XML), logs each message according to user and collaboration room, and routes the messages to the other participants (See figure 4). The VisualShare proprietary logging process records all messages including user and time stamps, images used in the collaboration, zoom-pan settings on each image, pointer actions, and text discussion. All recorded information can be “re-played” for collaboration review. Recording the collaboration allows our customers to extract additional value from the collaborations through data mining, process evaluation, and quality improvement.

Benefits:

  • Role Based Access Control (LDAP Support)
  • Persistent Collaboration Rooms
  • Secure Web-based Administration
  • Collaboration Logging and Playback
  • Scalable

Value:

  • Grows as you grow.
  • No IT costs.
  • Data mining for hidden value.

    • Figure 4:ple XML message of a multi-point line..

    <message
    to="df4efaae611ae810a3df4ef1756d1c44f53e3d1c445e6c1941@vstrata.visualshare.com"
    type="conference" from="vs_user_3@vstrata.visualshare.com/ ">
    <thread>aae611ae810a3df4ef1756f53e3d1c445e6c1941 <x xmlns="http://vstrata.visualshare.com/vstrata/">
    stroke="#00ff40" stroke-width="8" stroke-linejoin="round" fill="none" />
    </x>
    </message>

    Customer Integration and Deployment

    VisualStrata™ is sold as a software service (SaaS) that does not require on-premise installation. As such images and data must be brought into VisualStrata™ in one of two ways: direct upload and remote linking. The first deployment option involves direct upload of images and text data into the VisualStrata image and data management consolidated web portal (Figure 3). This method leverages the existing image management features and requires no technical integration by VisualShare or the customer. In this scenario, the image and text data as well as the collaboration records are stored by VisualShare. The majority of VisualShare’s customers use this deployment mechanism.

    The second deployment option uses remote linking between VisualStrata™ and the customer’s image and data management systems to provide access to the images and text data within VisualStrata. With this option only the collaboration records are stored in VisualStrata™. This method leverages the value of a customer’s large existing image repositories and provides the ability to combine multiple image repositories into a single, consolidated collaboration environment. Implementing the Web services requires technical expertise of the customer.

    Deployment of VisualStrata™ takes less than 1 hour from start to finish. Deployment has been automated with a combination of source control systems, file synchronization programs and VisualShare proprietary software. The automated procedure obtains a stable copy of software and distributes it to a separate installation target for each customer. The installation process is logged and notifiers are sent to the account representative and the customer. Updates and maintenance occur in a near identical fashion except that the customer’s existing data is preserved. Due to the proprietary nature of our customer’s data and possible workflow modifications, each installation uses a separate and distinct copy of VisualStrata™.

    Branding and Customization

    VisualStrata™ is a brand-able platform that displays the specific workflow necessary for record creation—images and text information—along with a real-time, multi-user image centered collaboration environment. The workflow is easily changed or branded by modifying existing look-and-feel templates according to a Model-View-Controller (MVC) architecture. The MVC allows VisualShare or a partner to quickly brand VisualStrata™ by modifying only the “View” portion of the application while leaving the functional components untouched.

    Value through Reporting>

    VisualStrata™ provides two levels of reporting: individual record and system. A record consists of the images and text data that is the basis of collaboration. For example, the reports (Web and PDF) can be generated for a given record that contains the image and text data. These reports are valuable in situations where a given record (e.g., a biopsy diagnosis) must be produced for customer, patient or oversight body. In addition, VisualStrata™ produces a collaboration “re-play” report for a single record. This report is more like a movie player that re-plays one or more collaborations that occurred with a set of images. The live playback shows the images viewed, zoom and pan settings, users involved in the collaboration and the time/date of all communication.

    System reports (Web and PDF) provide information on productivity, traffic volume, open and closed records, user access, and overall system usage statistics.

    All reports are customizable as a fee for service.

    6. Future Products

    • Training/Education/Testing
    • Information Products—Insurance
    • Decision Support Tools

    To learn more about VisualStrata, see our Product Sheet

    ]]> http://www.visualshare.com/vs/visualstrata/visualshare-solution-the-power.html http://www.visualshare.com/vs/visualstrata/visualshare-solution-the-power.html VisualStrata Sat, 27 Oct 2007 16:48:47 -0700 VisualStrata™ PDF

    VisualStrata™ Image Communication and Collaboration

    VisualStrata™ Interface for Collaboration

    Features and Benefits

    • Fast viewing and zooming
    • Synchronized image viewing
    • Multi-Gigabyte Image Capacity
    • Multi-user Conferencing
    • Tools for Imaging Professionals
    • Non-destructive annotations
    • Secure Access Control
    • Reporting and Compliance
    • Online / Offline Collaboration
    • Collaboration Playback
    • Easily Integrated

    A collaboration system that maximizes the value of scientific data

    The majority of all data generated in life sciences is in the form of images rather than numbers and letters. Visual data represents enormous intellectual capital that is underutilized. Realizing this value means sharing and collaborating with images to make mission-critical decisions sooner while saving precious development dollars. VisualShare’s VisualStrata image communication and collaboration makes this value a reality.

    Accelerate DiscoveryIncrease Return on Investment
    • Increase research efficiency
    • Leverage existing human capital
    • Carry forward research knowledge
    • Record and audit the discovery process
    • Capture knowledge for data mining
    • Preserve intellectual property

    VisualStrata™ Workflow for Image Conferencing –How it Works

    1. Use existing image and text record (meta data)
    2. Initiate multi-user image conference
    3. Record conference for reporting, data mining, and compliance

    Interoperable, Scalable, Reliable

    VisualStrata is based on XMPP (extensible Messaging Protocol), a proven, highly scalable collaboration platform. By leveraging this existing platform VisualShare has extended visual and image collaboration to the next level. The open architecture of XMPP and XML allow VisualStrata to be integrated into any operational environment no matter how large or small. VisualStrata is able to securely present images for conferencing and collaboration from any pre-existing storage mechanism.

    Learn more about VisualStrata's key technology.

    Take the next step to leverage your image capital • Call for free consultation (801) 521-0257 or 800 939-8073

    ]]>     http://www.visualshare.com/vs/visualstrata/visualstrata.html http://www.visualshare.com/vs/visualstrata/visualstrata.html VisualStrata Sat, 27 Oct 2007 14:52:23 -0700     What video editing software do you recommend? VisualShare recommends the Ulead Video Studio Pro software for editing digital video and creating images and photos from video for use in TeleCAM. http://www.visualshare.com/vs/faq/what-video-editing-software-do.html http://www.visualshare.com/vs/faq/what-video-editing-software-do.html FAQ Tue, 13 Feb 2007 12:00:21 -0700 What is a possible video solution for use with TeleCAM? ]]> http://www.visualshare.com/vs/faq/what-is-a-possible-video-solut.html http://www.visualshare.com/vs/faq/what-is-a-possible-video-solut.html FAQ Tue, 13 Feb 2007 11:35:20 -0700 TeleCAM™ Child Abuse Diagnosis PDF

    Teleconsulting in Child Abuse Medicine (TeleCAM™) is a superior and more efficient way for geographically isolated medical providers to collaboratively access, contribute to and share child abuse case material.

    TeleCAM Interface for child abuse diagnosis

    TeleCAM™ provides the following Key Features:

    • Remote Web-based Access and Real-time Visual Dialog
    • HIPAA Compliant (Secure and Private)
    • Child Abuse Workflow
    • Multiple Image Upload and Annotation
    • Electronic Reporting and Email Notifiers
    • Case Material Managed and Stored in a Database

    TeleCAM™ Workflow designed for child abuse diagnosis

    How it Works

    1. A practitioner at a remote location securely logs into TeleCAM™, creates consultation record, uploads images and patient data.
    2. Once the consultation record is created TeleCAM™ sends out alerts to other participants notifying them of a pending case review.
    3. A medical specialist with specialized training logs into the system, reviews the case, provides expert diagnosis and closes the case.
    4. Remote location has the option to provide additional input.
    5. A report is generated with final diagnosis and conclusions.
    workflow diagram for TeleCAM, a tool for child abuse diagnosis

    TeleCAM Child Abuse Workflow

    TeleCAM™ A system to expedite sound diagnosis based on images and clinical expertise

    TeleCAM system architecture

    The TeleCAM™ architectural diagram illustrates the collaboration exchange of imaging and patient record data along with the multi-user collaborative session.

    This approach provides for a comprehensive medical assessment and illustrates the importance and reuse of the clinical case information for collaborative, team-based delivery of healthcare.

    TeleCAM™ is a HIPAA compliant and provides a secure, complete, image-rich collaboration system that does not compromise data quality, patient care or privacy.

    ----------------------------------- ]]>     http://www.visualshare.com/vs/telecam/telecam-child-abuse-diagnosis-1.html http://www.visualshare.com/vs/telecam/telecam-child-abuse-diagnosis-1.html TeleCAM Wed, 27 Sep 2006 22:23:52 -0700     What is a Web Application? A Web Application is similar to an application on your computer except that all the information and software actually exist on a remote computer called a server. http://www.visualshare.com/vs/faq/what-is-a-web-application.html http://www.visualshare.com/vs/faq/what-is-a-web-application.html FAQ Wed, 27 Sep 2006 22:23:05 -0700 TeleCAM™ Child Abuse Diagnosis - Case Study TeleCAM™

    Teleconsultation in Child Abuse Medicine

    Project Case Study

    Download file

    Client

    The Center for Safe and Healthy Families at Intermountain Primary Children’s Medical Center (IPCMC) wanted a consultation system to serve the investigative and medical needs of abused children located in geographically distant clinics. Each clinic is required to perform medical assessments to diagnose and treat the physical aftereffects of abuse, and also document forensic evidence necessary for child protection and possible prosecution. IPCMC also needed to collect case material and for training and education, quality assurance and reporting.

    UtahMap.jpg

    Business Need

    As the only children’s hospital with a tertiary care trauma center in the Intermountain West, Utah’s Intermountain Primary Children’s Medical Center (IPCMC), within the Intermountain Health Care (IHC) system, annually receives and reviews about 1000 child abuse cases submitted from geographically remote locations.

    The value of software applications that meet the remote communication and collaboration needs of rural providers and their patients is considerable. TeleCAM provides this value by overcoming the typical barriers of user adoption and workflow efficiency through delivery of a specialty driven experience and single-copy centralized image sharing and collaboration.

    Specifically, TeleCAM had to fulfill the following requirements:

    • Deliver a Pediatric child abuse prevention workflow,
    • Provide image attachment, sharing and collaboration as part of the consultation record,
    • Establish a process for content management, including access control, case auditing and review,
    • Allow Web-based, anywhere clinical consultation in real time from multiple locations,
    • Generate reports, email notification of cases pending review and billing codes to aid in reimbursement.

    Challenges

    • Acquiring domain expertise to determine accurate workflow representation
    • Interfacing between multiple layers that make up the system (Presentation, Data, Business),
    • Deployment within a large healthcare facility.

    Solution

    The existing process of child abuse detection and prevention can be improved by providing clinicians and practitioners with secure case communication and collaboration tools. These tools must fulfill the need to create and submit child abuse cases for expert consultation, integrate clinical coding standards (e.g, ICD-9, CPT), obtain images form multiple sources (e.g., clinical photos, radiographs, histology), preserve archive quality images with non-destructive visual identifiers and protect all information from unauthorized access. Due to the complexity of the project, VisualShare managed the solution requirements and delivery in stages:

    • Clear articulation of the client’s needs and requirements over a period of six months
    • Phased prototype development and system testing,
    • Extensive usability testing with select groups of child abuse medical providers

    Benefits

    • Creation of a Pediatric child abuse specific consultation record
    • Remote web-based, anywhere access and real-time visual dialog that speeds up the referral process,
    • HIPAA Compliant (Secure and Private),
    • Child abuse workflow supports the examiner-consultant collaboration,
    • Built-in checks to ensure valid information for reducing misdiagnosis,
    • Multiple image upload and annotation features,
    • Electronic reporting and email notifiers of pending cases queued for review,
    • Child abuse case material managed and stored in a database for medical reference, training and education.
    For more information call us at 1-800-939-8073 TeleCAM Product Page © Copyright VisualShare 2006]]>     http://www.visualshare.com/vs/telecam/telecam-child-abuse-diagnosis.html http://www.visualshare.com/vs/telecam/telecam-child-abuse-diagnosis.html TeleCAM Wed, 27 Sep 2006 22:18:51 -0700     Is VisualStrata and TeleCAM secure? Yes. Our image collaboration systems are secure. http://www.visualshare.com/vs/faq/is-the-system-secure.html http://www.visualshare.com/vs/faq/is-the-system-secure.html FAQ Wed, 27 Sep 2006 22:18:03 -0700 I see a red "X" when I upload images. Am I doing something wrong? You are not doing anything wrong. http://www.visualshare.com/vs/faq/i-see-a-red-x-when-i-upload-im.html http://www.visualshare.com/vs/faq/i-see-a-red-x-when-i-upload-im.html FAQ Wed, 27 Sep 2006 22:17:01 -0700