New Features and Enhancements

Server Build 31

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Optimize worklist action device list

The layout of the device targets list on the Forward and Stop Sending Updates action setup pages has been changed to optimize the available space.

Add subsections to forward target configuration interface

The device targets list on the user and group edit pages has been rearranged to group devices into sub-sections for easier identification.

Select All user groups avoids Everyone group

The Everyone group is a special group created by the system and does not support batch edit requests. As a result, the Everyone group is silently excluded when batch editing multiple groups on the Group Accounts page, whether it is selected or not.

Server Build 30

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Support for v7 HTTP API commands - import DICOM media

A command for importing data from DICOM media, mediaImport.epw, has been added to the web services library. Details are available in the web services programmer’s manual. The default Mirth channel configuration has been updated to translate HTTP API importMedia.jsp commands to this web services command.

Restrict devices list when forwarding

The list of target devices available on the forward setup page, forward action setup page and the copy action page is configurable per-user. Configuration is available in the Target Device section of the user and group edit pages. Options include all devices, device accessible to the user’s primary group, devices in a defined category, and the list of individual devices plus DICOM media, folders.  See Forward_Targets

Server Build 29

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DEPENDENCY NOTICE: Dependencies exist. See details below.

Worklist percent loaded functionality

DEPENDENCY NOTICE: Requires viewer-8.0.60 and DesktopApps-8.0.28.

Registered viewer workstations (on the Devices table) have an extra worklist field available, called Percent Loaded. It represents the percentage of the study’s data resident in the workstation’s cache. The field value remains empty until the user opens at least one study in the viewer during the current user session.
NOTE: Percent loaded display relates to the study displayed on the worklist only.  Status of loaded prior studies is not yet supported but will be in future releases.

Server Build 28

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Forwarding from HUB to HUB restricted in the same dotcom

The forward targets list shows only those dotcom servers permitted to receive studies from the source server. Generally, this is the parent, provided it’s not a worklist server, and all its children.

Dose Report feature

The dose report, when provided by the modality, is available as a tab in the default report panel. Information on customizing the dose report is available in the report’s Layout XML Customization manual.

Server Build 27

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Version information change for PAAS

The paas patch name label on the Server Information’s Version Information page has changed to desktop apps.

Change secure connection default to AUTO

The system default for the secure connection setting has been changed to AUTO, meaning use secure communications if the source device is not listed in the local IP table as a LAN-accessible address.

Restore missing disk usage features

Some v7 disk usage features are now available in v8, including updating the disk usage information, cleaning unnecessary data from disk, and validating the repository configuration. These tools are on the Server Info/Disk Usage page.

Server Build 26

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HTML playback for dictation

DEPENDENCY NOTICE: Requires platform-7.6.3.

Recorded dictations can be played back from the report page within the patient folder. Click the Listen Dictation button to pop up an audio player window with controls to start, stop and rewind playback, set the volume, and adjust the playback speed. Shortcut keys Ctrl+Shift+F8 through F12 are mapped to these commands. The mappings are configurable from the command line. These controls can be assigned to devices such as a foot pedal. See HTML_Dictation_Playback

Recognize multiple (called) AE Titles

The server allows for assigning alternative AE Titles. These can be added in the Alternative AEs section of the DICOM Settings section of the Settings page and restarted DICOM services. The server will accept DICOM associations addressed to any of them the same as it would for requests addressed to the main Storage AE. See DICOM Server

Provide feedback of startup conversions on the web interface

Some startup tasks can take a while to complete, causing tomcat to appear unresponsive as it initializes. To indicate tomcat is working and not hung, users receive a warning and progress indication when attempting to display the login page.

Configurable media download server URL value

A media creation server (MCS) can configure the URL returned to the client application indicating the location of the media file, as well as the related redirection settings. The configuration tools are available in the Redirection Settings section on the mediaCreator device’s configuration page.  See Media_Creation_Server; Adding_a_Device

Server Build 25

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Recollect Dotcom GUI option

To recollect dotcom information from the GUI, go to the Admin/Devices/Dotcom page and select the button in the Recollect Dotcom Info row.  See Dotcom

Improved purge action worklist results

When configuring a purge action to delete specific objects, the selected worklists filter’s criteria is applied so the preview list, with displayed, shows only those studies that are subject to the action.  See Delete Actions (Configure Purge)

Retired Shortcut functionality

Shortcuts have been retired. The GUI tools have been removed. Existing shortcuts, if any, have been removed from existing folders.

Server Build 24

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Show VR field on the customize labels page without support rights

The database field value representations (VRs) are displayed on the Admin/System/Customize Labels pages for admin users.

Move study tool

Users with admin or study edit permission can move a study from one hub server to another from the topmost worklist server. The tool is available in the worklist’s toolbar or floating toolbar. The selected studies appear on a curtain page from which the user selects the target hub server. Orders and shortcuts, if selected, will not be moved. A notification is sent to the user when the move starts and again when the move completes or fails. Check the messaging dashlet for notifications if they are not visible from the notification indicator.  See Multi Hub Correction

Server Build 23

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Redirect acquired objects to correct hub

Broken studies in which objects exist on multiple hubs are automatically detected by the system (specifically, the top-most server) and corrected. The feature affects new studies only. It is enabled by default and can be disabled from the MultiHub Cleanup section of the Admin/Server Configuration page by users with Support rights. The process starts after no additional objects have been acquired for five minutes. All activity resulting from this process is logged.

Resent DICOM object should not be reprocessed

Additional processing has been applied to identify resent objects with no changes so they do not get reprocessed unnecessarily.

Manually lock a user account

Administrators can manually lock a user account from the user account table’s lock tool, and from the Password section of the account Edit page. Note that manually locked accounts cannot be auto- unlocked. An administrator must manually unlock a locked account.  All activity resulting from this process is logged. See User Accounts

Server Build 22

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Dedicated web service device user account type

A dedicated web service user account type is introduced.  Web service user account types provide no front end access to the PACS and are listed as the only user options in the Web Service device edit page.  See Adding_a_New_User; Adding a DICOM Device

Disable confirm buttons when an action is in process

To prevent impatient users from submitting multiple requests that modify data, such as study splitting, study editing, device editing, and account editing, the activation button is disabled when first clicked and enabled after the action is complete.

Remove study download progress icon from web viewer

The progress graphic in the web viewer’s image view has been disabled to avoid user confusion. The graphic remains hidden until there are system messages available.

New coercion functions: toUpper and toLower

Two new string functions are available for use with data coercion rules. toUpper() returns a string in which all characters in the input have been converted to uppercase. toLower() is similar, converting the string to lowercase.  See Coercion Rules

Server Build 21

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Standalone Media Creation Server (MCS)

A separate component dedicated to creating DICOM media is available. This component can run locally or on a separate server with dedicated resources, relieving a PACS server of resource conflicts at sites with heavy DICOM media creation needs. Options include the original (embedded) media creation services, local media creation services running as a standalone component and remote media creation services. The current default is the original embedded solution. A remote media creation services device requires a dedicated MCS license.  See Media Creation Server

Purge matching objects

The purge action configuration curtain allows selecting specific series and objects to delete. Supported criteria include the attachment type, conversion type, modality, series description and SOP Class.  See Delete Actions (Configure Purge)

Move list management to database

UPGRADE NOTICE: Worklist definitions data moved to database.  To improve action processing and prefetch performance, saved worklist definitions (layouts, filters, etc.) have been moved from files to the database. Support and group worklist definitions, as well as any user worklist definition linked to an active Action, are moved to the database at the first system startup. All remaining worklist definitions are moved in batches over time by a scheduled task (details are logged), or immediately when a user logs in the first time after upgrading.

Invalidate cached copy if object pixel data has changed

DEPENDENCY NOTICE: This feature requires viewer-8.0.52 and eRAD Desktop Apps 8.0.26.

When a third party device resends an image using the same instance UID, the viewer might need to update the data in its cache. To make the decision, the viewer must know the time the object was last updated, but that requires effort on the server. So, sending this timestamp to the viewer in the herpa data is optional. The server can be configured to always send this timestamp value (default), send it only if the viewer requests it, or never send it.

Server Build 20

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Additional sections added to the batch edit user accounts tool

The Preferences, Network, Location and Other sections have been included in the fields available when batch editing user accounts. Batch_User_Account_Actions

Support embedding PACS pages in iframes

Newer browser security measures impose restrictions on setting cookies in iframes to avoid cross-site vulnerabilities. The industry standard allows using cookies in such cross-site scenarios, including iframes, but only in HTTPS. When redirecting requests to child servers, cookies are set to comply with the new restriction.

Web viewer server memory usage

The web viewer’s memory handling was overhauled to be more efficient, allowing more web viewer sessions to run. Memory is released after all data has been transmitted to the workstation, the connection has been terminated or the data is untouched for a period of time.

Server Build 19

Obsolete right column in default user accounts page

The default user accounts page has been corrected. The retired user rights column has been replaced with the User Rights/Rights column. Note that a user or the system might have saved a default list using the old columns. To clear existing layouts, go to the Other Lists page, select User List from the filter menu and delete any saved default list.

QueryQualifier statistics files get automatically generated

Statistical data required to search database fields quickly and efficiently, specifically by the query qualifier that protects against unbounded queries, is automatically generated when it is needed.

Improve Dotcom Configuration to include information about devices in the extended hierarchy

UPGRADE NOTICE: Recollecting dotcom information is suggested for systems with Backup devices configured. Recollect dotcom information on the main dotcom servers and the backup servers.

Dotcom configuration details collected by a server have been extended to include devices that are part of the extended dotcom hierarchy, including backup devices, source devices, and other external dotcom devices. Note that this does not include other eRAD devices that are not part of the dotcom, such as an external eRAD PACS server.

Server Build 18

Increase character count for URL field device table

The field length for a device’s URL has been increased to 64 characters.

Server Build 17

Updated default Tasks page filters

The system default list of tasks on the Tasks page include Running, Scheduled and Retry tasks. Additionally, a user can customize his/her own default Tasks page list.

Provide a warning when AETITLE is duplicated

Administrators are notified when attempting to assign an existing AE Title to another device.

Server Build 16

Handle updates of lists with actions

When updating a saved worklist filter attached to an Action, the user is prompted to apply the new filter to all matching studies, including ones already processed or just newly acquired studies.

Additional license renewal error condition

A dedicated error message is displayed and logged when the server is unable to connect to the licensing server.

Optimizing Log table SQL access

Indices were added to the log table to improve queries initiated by the Logs page.

Histogram optimization

Code optimizations were applied to histogram generation, improving registration times for large images (eg, CR) with a full range (16-bits) of pixel values.

Document type access restrictions for large number of users

The user selection field on the Document Type configuration page has changed to a type-ahead dropdown list to facilitate assignment on servers with many user accounts.

Media export default user profile selection for large number of users

The media export default user profile selection field on the Media Export settings page has changed to a type-ahead dropdown list to facilitate assignment on servers with many user accounts.

Media creation management interface

There’s a new user interface for configuring and managing media creation jobs on a PACS system. Configuration settings are in the System Settings’ Media Export panel. The job manager UI is available from the Media Export tab in the main Archive menu.  See Media_Export and Media_Session_Management

Server Build 15

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Server Build 14

Document Type Settings Required

Support for scanned document types has been restored.  See Document_Type_Configuration

Batch User Account and Group Edit Actions

A batch edit option exists on the User Account worklist. When multiple entries are selected, the edit curtain displays the user permissions, plugin permission and password setting fields. The modified settings are applied to each of the selected accounts.  See Batch_User_Account_Actions and Batch_Group_Action

Additional calculated field functions -- date functions

Calculated field functions added for constructing and deconstructing dates and times, including functions to extract date/time components (year(), month(), day(), hour(), minute() and sec()), construct a date (createdate()), apply operations on date intervals (add(), sub(), mul() and div()), and convert intervals to numbers (number()) and vice versa (interval()).  See Calculated_Fields_Rules

Additional calculated field functions -- string functions

Calculated field functions added for finding a substring within a given string (indexof()), returning a substring at a specified position (substr()), concatenating two or more strings (concat()), returning a string's length (strlen()), and converting strings to numbers (number()) and vice versa (string()).  See Calculated_Fields_Rules

Additional calculated field functions -- numeric/float functions

Calculated field numeric functions modified to support floating point numbers as well as integers. Added a function to return the integer portion of a floating point number (floor()).  See Calculated_Fields_Rules

Server Build 13

Convert additional PS to DICOM PS when exporting

Converting internally defined presentation states to DICOM-compliant objects for export includes text annotations, pointers and angle measurements.

Server Build 12

LDAP identifier validation

Restrictions have been placed on LDAP identifiers to avoid conflicts with strings used by LDAP controls. Additional restrictions have been added to prevent the use of special characters that conflict with URL encoding.  See LDAP_Configurations

Send notification in case of failed automatic license extension

Administrators receive an on-screen notification if the automatic license renewal fails.

Configuration cache can be limited

When users log into the system, their settings are cached for various reasons. The number of users cached at any one time is limited, to conserve system resources. This number defaults to 200. The setting is configurable on the Server Settings/System page. When the threshold is reached, the oldest data is purged first.  See System_Settings

Server Build 11

Post process action with CW3

DEPENDENCY NOTICE: While the feature itself has no dependencies, Stream Data Mode requires viewer-8.0.32 or newer.

Post Processing Actions have a configuration option to select the processed data mode. Options include HTTP Data Mode, which processes the data using gwav1 technology compatible with all previous eRAD PACS viewers, and Stream Data Mode, which processes the data using gwav3 technology supported by the latest eRAD PACS viewers. The default, which applies to all existing Post Processing Actions, is HTTP Data Mode. See Post-Process Cached Studies (Configure Post Process)

Server Build 10

Support for LDAP Configurations

LDAP support including a configuration user interface has been added.  See LDAP Configurations and the LDAP configuration manual for details.

Customize server login page logo

Admins can add a custom logo to the login page of a server. Controls are located in the Admin/Server Settings/ Web Server page. See Upload_Custom_Logo

Customize server banner logo

Admins can add a custom logo to the banner section of a server.  Controls are located in the Admin/Server Settings/ Web Server page.  See Upload_Custom_Banner_

Perform Validate Dotcom

Admins can perform a dotcom validation from the Admin/Devices/Dotcom page See Dotcom

Login control - lock account after multiple failed attempts

User accounts are locked after exceeding the number of failed login attempts. The number of failures is configurable. Admins can unlock accounts from the user account page.  See User Accounts

Immediate feedback on forward request status from worklist

The status of forward requests is displayed after the user initiates the request, if the user chooses to see it.  See Follow_Forward_Status

Enhance loading of large number of users

User ID and user name lists are handled more efficiently. Single value fields are type-ahead, meaning only those values matching the entered criteria appear on the list. For multi-value selections lists, the available user values are displayed in groups that the user can filter through and select individually.

Native application for media import

Importing media (CD/DVD) no longer requires JNLP file support.  It is now handled as a native application.  See Importing_DICOM_Media

Native application for document scanning

Document scanning no longer requires JNLP file support.  It is now handled as a native application.  See Scanning Documents