CHICAGO, Nov. 26—RSNA attendees on the PACS circuit may want to check out the McKesson booth. The company is showing a multi-touch prototype in the Future Horizons Center running its Horizon Medical Imaging PACS this week at the 93rd annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). Incorporating a super-sized plasma screen TV (a prototype from Totuku), the prototype facilitates touch-guided image review, interpretation and reporting. There’s no keyboard or mouse involved, although an electronic keyboard can be accessed if necessary. The screen uses one and two finger commands to scroll through images, annotate and send off to referring physicians. What’s more, check out how radiologists can transfer images from the ubiquitous iPhone to the screen.

McKesson also is previewing technology that utilizes currently installed and even older workstations (possibly as far back as Windows 98) running on thin-client technology that can bring up large image sets. The system combines server-side virtual PC technology with web-based technology. “It’s like loading a CT data set on an ancient computer with modern software,” according to McKesson. No commercialization dates for either product have been released. The company has filed for a patent on using this technology in the medical marketplace.

iCAD Inc. also is providing a glimpse of the next generation of mammography CAD solutions. The company is sharing iCAD Tomosynthesis CAD, a works in progress, using images acquired on Siemens Medical Solutions digital tomosynthesis prototype. The solution is designed to help breast imagers handle the massive volume of data generated by breast tomosynthesis. Tomosynthesis CAD can improve cancer detection and enable efficient workflow by analyzing large volumes of 3D data and providing focus on key areas of suspicion, iCAD said. GE Healthcare also is involved in the development of the new system.