Endoscopic Imaging

Making Endoscopic Imaging a Better Communication ToolDoctors need more than high-resolution endoscopic images. They want tools to think with – tools that help them both diagnose and design and explain treatment options to patients, nurses, and peers.

Our Partner:Our partner, a major medical hardware company, makes endoscopes that far exceed the resolution – both still and video – of its competitors. Their understanding of the tools doctors need have enabled them to grow to almost $5 billion in sales in 2004.

The Challenge:Our partner needed enterprise software that could be distributed over the web, be supported 24/7 by Digital Element, and that satisfied FDA, HIPAA and ISO 9001 requirements – within three months! The Solution:After learning of Digital Element’s capabilities in video processing, our partner asked us for a proposal. We suggested that Digital Element produce an environment and tool set to allow doctors to understand how to exploit the extraordinary resolution of our partner’s instruments. This included video presentations to peers and patients, patient data management, and modern information technology involving HIPAA practices and procedures. In addition, we suggested that doctors should be able to do all this and also process endoscope exam video more easily and in less time than traditional methods.

We started by assembling a project team. We chose a Digital Element project manager – a senior engineer with years of management and liaison experience with enterprise customers, who could be on-site as often as needed. We also assigned a specification engineer, one of our software engineers who is who is experienced and skilled at maintaining an open flow of information between customers and engineers. Finally, Digital Element assigned an engineering lead and additional engineers who were available as needed. Our partner chose a project leader, completing the project team.

We quickly set a schedule and collaboration standards. Digital Element was responsible for the functional spec, software, and support. Our partner already had an extensive ISO 9001 and FDA certified test, documentation, and release process in place. The plan was for Digital Element to deliver software to our Partner’s QA/release team, and work with them in near real-time while they tested and released the software.

Then, we designed a joint development environment. Software distribution would rely our on Partner’s web site. Digital Element would load software into the configuration manager; our Partner would qualify the software and post it for downloads. Communication between Digital Element and our Partner took place over VPNs, Remote Desktop Connections, and secure client applications.

Within the tight three month deadline, we had delivered alpha-level software. This version was primarily used for testing and debugging the user interface. Over the next two months we reiterated the user interface several times – making the product easier to use and more intuitive. After satisfactory testing, our Partner released the product for internal use, and is now proceeding toward a general release date.

The Results:

Doctors who have seen the product have made clear that they will attach more value to our Partner’s endoscopes because the software we developed enables them to use endoscopic video more effectively in operating rooms, exam rooms, and in their offices. Our partner expects to sell more endoscopes, more operating theatre equipment, and more post exam services because of their demonstrated ability to respond to doctor’s needs quickly and with high-quality tools.