User interface software and emulation of microscope for a real-time telepathology system using an x-window environment

Abstract

Many separate applications are being developed, tested, and used in the field of medical imaging. A Telepathology System (TPS) is one such application, allowing pathologist access to microscopy and patient files at remote workstations, through a communications network coupled with a pathologist viewing workstation. This thesis outlines the development of a user interface pathology workstation. It models microscope emulation in place of actual remote site microscopy by utilizing previously recorded specimen slide images. In addition, it models a communication network, and a remote site WS. User scenarios and performance characteristics for all three subsystems are outlined. The thesis confirms TPS can benefit telepathology by providing two way communications between remote sites, access to patient demographic files and prior specimen images for comperative study, and the benefit of long distance consultation. Finally, a discussion of an actual implementation is presented.