Protocol Analysis for the Medical Industry
Observer's DICOM Extension adds DICOM decoding to the Observer product line's packet capture and decode capabilites.

The DICOM Extension was developed by the division "Informationstechnische Dienstleistung" of Siemens AG in Germany in cooperation with Network Instruments. The DICOM Extension decodes and analyzes the interaction procedures and communication for medical/technical equipment which utilize DICOM (Digital Imaging and COmmunications in Medicine standard) protocols.

The DICOM standard is a specification for packet structure, as well as a communication definition for exchanging data between medical equipment. DICOM relies on industry standard network connections (TCP/IP) and, because of this reliance is an efficient method for communicating digital images from diagnostic devices to display systems.

DICOM is used for CT and MR including:
   • Nuclear Medicine
   • Ultrasound
   • Computed Radiography
   • Digitized Film
   • Video Capture
   • HIS/RIS information
   • Connections between networked hardcopy output devices

The DICOM Protocol standard was developed through a joint effort between potential users and the companies that manufacture medical imaging equipment.

The development of a decoder module for a protocol analyzer based on a standard Microsoft platform targets the need for a technician to carry an affordable, portable DICOM diagnostic tool. Observer's ease of use and the addition of DICOM decoding provides a quick and efficient troubleshooting tool which technicians can utilize to pinpoint malfunctions in networked medical environments.

Networks may have many problems and/or configuration issues which can cause downtime, some of which may be DICOM-related problems. New network installations or network additions in such environments often produce system malfunctions and hardware mismatches. These malfunctions can be due to ongoing network traffic problems or even incompatible systems from different vendors causing communication failures. Observer's DICOM Extension provides a technician or administrator with an inexpensive tool that covers both general (network) and specific (DICOM) troubleshooting demands - getting your network back up and running as fast as possible.

Functionality
Observer's DICOM Protocol decode and Packet View is shown in 3 ways:
   • Raw Data TCP Packets: The DICOM Data within the TCP Packets is displayed in Hexadecimal.

   • PDUs of DICOM Upper Layer Protocol: Observer's Packet Summary window shows captured PDUs of DICOM Upper Layer Protocol in order
     of appearance. Selected PDUs can be  then decoded and displayed.

   • DICOM Messages: Command and Data messages are sorted, and selected messages are decoded and displayed. Because the raw data and
     the decode are displayed simultaneously, they can be compared line by line.

Decode:
   • DICOM Upper Layer, Command and Data are decoded. Decode of private data elements is also possible through a user-defined text file.

Error Display:
   • Type check of single data elements.

System Requirements
Windows PC requirements: Pentium 600 with 128MB RAM. SVGA running in at least 600x800 recommended. A licensed copy of Observer, Expert Observer or the Observer Suite.

Platforms: Microsoft Windows 98/ME or NT 4.x/2000. The DICOM Extension Module will only work with Observer 5.1 or greater.

Licensing
Observer DICOM is licensed for ONE PC (or ONE LAPTOP) on ONE LAN at ONE site. If Observer DICOM is to be loaded on a laptop, a separate license for each laptop is required.