Premium
OpenIGTLink: an open network protocol for image‐guided therapy environment
Author(s) -
Tokuda Junichi,
Fischer Gregory S.,
Papademetris Xenophon,
Yaniv Ziv,
Ibanez Luis,
Cheng Patrick,
Liu Haiying,
Blevins Jack,
Arata Jumpei,
Golby Alexandra J.,
Kapur Tina,
Pieper Steve,
Burdette Everette C.,
Fichtinger Gabor,
Tempany Clare M.,
Hata Nobuhiko
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
the international journal of medical robotics and computer assisted surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.556
H-Index - 53
eISSN - 1478-596X
pISSN - 1478-5951
DOI - 10.1002/rcs.274
Subject(s) - computer science , protocol (science) , latency (audio) , interoperability , software , communications protocol , embedded system , extensibility , real time computing , computer network , operating system , medicine , telecommunications , alternative medicine , pathology
Abstract Background With increasing research on system integration for image‐guided therapy (IGT), there has been a strong demand for standardized communication among devices and software to share data such as target positions, images and device status. Method We propose a new, open, simple and extensible network communication protocol for IGT, named OpenIGTLink, to transfer transform, image and status messages. We conducted performance tests and use‐case evaluations in five clinical and engineering scenarios. Results The protocol was able to transfer position data with submillisecond latency up to 1024 fps and images with latency of <10 ms at 32 fps. The use‐case tests demonstrated that the protocol is feasible for integrating devices and software. Conclusion The protocol proved capable of handling data required in the IGT setting with sufficient time resolution and latency. The protocol not only improves the interoperability of devices and software but also promotes transitions of research prototypes to clinical applications. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.