A new image capture software development kit (SDK), called the Dynamic Web TWAIN, allows the simplified creation of an online tool to manage images of patient records. It enables image application providers to deliver a method to capture images from medical devices, such as intraoral cameras and digital x-ray equipment, and then send the medical images to a central web server. Such medical image captures can be sent alongside a patient’s identification, results data, applied treatments, next visit schedules, and more. An SDK allows implementation within popular Internet browsers, including Internet Explorer, Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Opera. (See Figure 1)

Fig. 1 – Image scans can be securely captured, edited, and managed using a software development kit.
According to Amy Gu, Vice President, Dynamsoft, the SDK provides end-to-end image capturing needs. This means everything from scanning a patient’s ID card at the check-in desk, to capturing images from medical devices, and uploading the records to a database.

The software kit also provides comprehensive compatibility with imaging devices. This is accomplished by integrating and supporting the most popular application programming interfaces (API), such as TWAIN, WIA, and DirectShow. For example, a dentist can capture images from an intraoral camera with a simple click and later view them from a browser. Other imaging devices include digital x-ray equipment, cameras, and scanners. Support for such imaging devices can be done in just several lines of JavaScript code. In other words, web application programmers don’t need to spend a lot of time to learn the complicated TWAIN, WIA, and DirectShow APIs. In addition, the use of complex programming languages, like C++, are not required to create an imaging application when using the SDK. Finally, application developers don’t need to worry about compatibility with medical devices since the SDK resolves all these concerns.

Without an SDK optimized for creating online image capture applications, compatibility with many or specific browsers would be a big challenge for online imaging application developers or providers. Different browsers support different types of add-ons/plug-ins. It’s not practical or convenient for a hospital to restrict the default browser, for instance to Internet Explorer. The image capture SDK integrates the ActiveX controls and necessary browser plug-ins to support use of Internet Explorer, Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Opera.

The image acquisition component makes patient record management much easier. After getting medical images, the SDK allows staff or doctors to edit the captured images. For instance, one can highlight specific regions of an image and then upload the record to a central web server, database, or other libraries. All the collected information—whether it be the patient’s ID, recorded test or visit results, patient scheduling, and more— can now be more conveniently communicated via digital means, such as through email or network storage.

Compared to traditional document/paper management, image digitalization and archiving make patient records management, tracking, and sharing far more efficient. Whenever medical staff needs to view or edit a record, they can use the application implemented with the SDK to open or download necessary images to their browser for further processing.

In addition, because patient records are extremely confidential information, the SDK delivers extensive security. This includes SSL encryption, Windows Forms, and Basic Authentication to secure access to records, and more. So doctors, medical staff, and patients can rest assured that their records are secure.

This article was written by Catherine Sea, Customer Service Manager at Dynamsoft Corporation, Vancouver, BC, Canada. Dynamsoft Corporation is a leading provider of version control solutions and TWAIN SDKs. For more information, Click Here .