Streaming technology: from games to tele-ultrasound

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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Due to the gaming industry’s rapid development, a large number of technical tools and technologies with unique characteristics have emerged. One of these technologies, which can be potentially used in medical diagnostics, is streaming (online streaming). By connecting an ultrasound scanner to a video capture system, it is possible to significantly expand the diagnostic device’s functionality.

AIM: To investigate the possibility of applying the gaming industry’s information technology in telemedicine, like tele-ultrasound.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, an ultrasound video image was captured using a video capture system developed for gamers. The video was obtained during brachycephalic arteries ultrasound in the following modes: greyscale B-mode, color duplex, and pulse Doppler mode. The examination was broadcast to a video streaming service in real time.

RESULTS: An expert sonologist obtained optimal video image parameters and determined the minimum required video streaming settings for an adequate remote evaluation. The following video capture workstation settings are recommended: video, 1280×720; 24 fps; H.264 encoder; bitrate, at least 350 Kbps.

CONCLUSIONS: Using technical and software tools developed for video game streaming to provide tele-ultrasound is possible.

About the authors

Kirill M. Arzamasov

Moscow Center for Diagnostics and Telemedicine

Author for correspondence.
Email: k.arzamasov@npcmr.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0001-7786-0349
SPIN-code: 3160-8062

MD, Cand. Sci. (Med.)

Russian Federation, Moscow

Tatiana M. Bobrovskaya

Moscow Center for Diagnostics and Telemedicine

Email: t.bobrovskaya@npcmr.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-2746-7554
SPIN-code: 3400-8575
Russian Federation, Moscow

Viktor A. Drogovoz

Scientific and Production Association “RusBITech”

Email: Vdrog@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0001-9582-7147
SPIN-code: 1804-2636

Cand. Sci. (Technical)

Russian Federation, Moscow

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2. Fig. 1. Tele-ultrasound flow chart. The ultrasound system, to which Ezcap 295 HD (video capture device) is connected via S-Video (video output standard), which in turn is connected via USB to the workstation. The webcam is also connected to the workstation via USB. Video/audio streaming is performed via the video streaming service. The clients are a laptop connected to the Internet via Wi-Fi and a 4G-smartphone.

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Copyright (c) 2022 Arzamasov K.M., Bobrovskaya T.M., Drogovoz V.A.

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

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