I²C
Image Indexing by Content

I²C is an information system for the indexing, storage, and retrieval of medical images by pictorial content which has been developed within the EurIPACS project of the AIM program of the European Union.

The I²C architecture integrates a set of tools and algorithms for the extraction, indexing, and storage of image descriptions. These include noise reduction, segmentation, and line approximation algorithms, as well as a contour editor and a storage manager. Some of these tools are interactive and others are automatic. The system is open in the sense that new tools may be added to the system with minimal effort in some cases without even disrupting its operation.

I²C provides an integrated environment for the definition and management of content descriptions of medical images and appropriate similarity criteria, which capture and possibly extend the knowledge of experts, so that medical images are compared not only based on their morphological characteristics, but also based on their clinical content.

I²C has been integrated with TelePACS which is a system for the acquisition, management, and communication of multimodality medical images in a manner which conforms to the DICOM 3 standard. The interoperability of the two systems provides added-value capabilities to both systems, creating a powerful environment of clinical decision support, medical training, and research.

Basic Features

•  indexing and retrieval of medical images by pictorial content

•  image browser

•  image class browser and editor

•  image processing and analysis tools

•  interactive construction of pictorial content descriptions