High quality image oriented telemedicine with multimedia technology

Researchers at Osaka and Kyoto University hospital performed three experime nts, beginning in 1995, which looked at high quality-oriented telemedicine. This paper describes the system design for the three projects. Experiment I applied high-definition TV images and B-ISDN for distance learning and me dical information exchange. Experiment 2 developed a super high-definition medical image filing system and the images were transmitted via B-ISDN for teleconferences and experiment 3 utilized digital, high-definition, TV imag es and communication satellites for teleconferences. Multimedia and communi cation technologies were considered to be fundamental components of telemed icine. The three projects were evaluated initially for quality of images, o perability and utility. The experimental design and its implementation show ed that it was possible to provide high quality image-oriented telemedicine in the health care environment. Obstacles to establishing practical teleme dicine are also discussed. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All right s reserved.