Radiate—Updated and Redesigned for Multiple Cathode-Ray Tube Terminals

Abstract

The concept of a computer system for on-line, real time synthesis and transmission of radiological consultations has been described (6, 7). Automatic coding and storing of the radiological report is a by-product of this system. Dictionaries for diagnostic examinations (240 entries), anatomic sites (1,007 entries), and diagnosis (1,354 entries) have been developed and expanded. Initially, a typewriter type terminal served to interface the computer with the radiologist. Now, a cathode-ray tube (CRT) with alphanumeric keyboard gives the radiologist the ability to seek, receive, acknowledge, or alter information from the computer memory or the established data base. During the past three years RADIATE has been broadened and tested on various computers on a research basis. Recently the system, though unchanged in basic concept, has been completely redesigned for the IBM 360 Series computers so that greater flexibility and faster information transaction could be achieved. The present RADIATE system provides for the simultaneous use of up to eight CRT terminals for both input and output communication by the radiologist with the computer storage. Information can be retrieved and read out on any type of remote terminals throughout the hospital. In this paper, the updated version of RADIATE is presented. Software and hardware problems are reviewed. The necessary equipment and system testing that must be performed before RADIATE can be used day-by-day for all radiological reporting is summarized. Extensive daily testing of RADIATE is being performed in our Radiology Department, using the IBM 360 Computer, Model 50, located in our Medical Center. RADIATE is operated in a partition so that the computer can continue to perform other tasks. RADIATE has been successfully loaded on magnetic tape and brought into immediate execution on an IBM 360-40 computer, thus proving the system's independence from local installation. Besides the actual RADIATE program now undergoing operational testing, a new FORTRAN Compatible Multi-Terminal. System (FCMTS) for as many as 24 CRT's has been developed and described (3, 4). The “key word in context“ idea has been retained though the original KWIC storage and retrieval technic has been eliminated. The basic structure of the 360 Series computer has facilitated the development of new, less time-consuming retrieval technics. These technics allow for a continuous updating of the dictionaries from the CRT console by the radiologist in real time and without reorganization of the stored data. Thus, expansion of our thesaurus is implemented automatically and special or individualized terms are added easily. It would even be possible to operate the system in another language environment, using the rationale that the system would compile its own data base during day-to-day application. The format of the reporting procedure and of the radiological consultation is less rigid than previously described.