Bridging the Gap: A Reference Information Exchange Architecture for Fusion Imaging

Fusion imaging promises to improve medical diagnosisand treatment by combining data from multiple imaging modalities, thus overcoming the limitations of any single modality. However, fusion imaging presents new technical challenges stemming from the fact that existing information exchange architectures may not support the collection and processing of data that is produced at different times and in different locations. There is a need for new information exchange architectures that address the unique demands of fusion imaging, and that can facilitate the use of fusion imaging processes to improve health outcomes. Using fusion prostate biopsy as a use case, this paper proposes a reference information exchange architecture to support the collection, processing, and dissemination of imaging data. It also briefly discusses a novel imaging product produced using a simple implementation of the architecture. Specifically, the product is an interactive three-dimensional rendering that overlays pathology results onto radiology data with high spatial fidelity. This prototype visualization highlights the potential for using fusion imaging data to produce novel imaging products with desirable diagnostic properties.