A relational approach to the capture of DICOM files for Grid-enabled medical imaging databases

Abstract

The Standard for Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) specifies a non-proprietary digital imaging format, file structure and data interchange protocols for the transfer of biomedical images and non-image data related to such images--it is a specification of the components that are required in order to achieve inter-operability between biomedical imaging computer systems. In this paper we describe how a Grid-enabled medical imaging database---eDiaMoND--employs an object-relational approach to the storage of DICOM files. Although the work described has been carried out within the context of a particular mammography related project, the underlying principles are applicable to other medical imaging systems dealing either with other modalities or with other diseases.