The client is a global leader in Medical domain solution,
and is continually researching and developing vertical domains
such as US, MRI, Nuclear, CT, X-Ray etc. This work was in
their Ultra Sound Domain, involving development of Ultrasound
Examination Support System. Client has already started the
development of the system and they needed an experienced vendor
who can easily blend in and supplement their development team
and finally take over the support of the entire system. They
also wanted to reduce cost and at the same time maintain a
group of very experienced and highly productive development
team who can deliver critical work products on time with least
defects.
An Overview
In conventional ultrasound examinations, the operator needs
to switch to the required function by pressing a panel key
with one hand while holding the probe in the other hand. While
image data is being received, measured, and recorded, various
function switching procedures (called “Work Flows”)
must be performed by the operator in order to switch modes,
adjust imaging parameters, freeze images, perform measurement,
and record images on the VCR.
In this Examination Support System, these Work Flows are registered
in advance, sequences of key operations are automatically
executed, and the operator can perform examination with ease
by simply pressing a button while observing the flow of operations
displayed on the screen. In addition, since Work Flows are
displayed on the screen, this system helps to prevent incorrect
operation and minimizes the risk that required parameter settings
might be overlooked in examinations that involve complicated
operating procedures.
NeST Solution
Ultrasound Examination Support System is developed as a COM
based Framework to which examination subtasks (developed as
COM Components) called activities can be plugged in. Engineers
at NeST did a preliminary requirement study on-site, and started
developing activities for specific tasks during examination.
With our expertise in Microsoft technologies, Device Driver,
Blue tooth Technologies and Image Processing, NeST could demonstrate
our technical capability and convince the client that we can
support the whole system. Today, the association is two years
old, and NeST is successfully supporting the system for multiple
product versions for different Ultrasound Products.
Unique remote controlling feature of this system supported
through blue tooth technology, allows operator with "one-click
operation" of protocols for regular and contrast ultrasound
exams. This remote controlling facility allows him to control
the keyboard remotely without any vocals or interference from
any other sounds, thus reducing his strain in leaning towards
the control panel of the Ultrasound device.
This system has definitely given our client a competitive
advantage over their competitors and studies has proved that
with this system the average improvement in operability achieved
is approximately 23%.
Technology Used
Technologies: Microsoft Technologies MFC, WTL, ATL, COM,
Direct Draw, Bluetooth Device Driver
Operating systems: Windows 2000
Benefits to the Client
- Easy availability of experienced
developers for a quick ramp-up
- Offshore development leading to reduced
cost and risk
- Quick prototyping by having incremental
deliveries to meet the final product release dates
- Improved operability of 23% approx.
