<title>Scalable computer architecture for digital vascular systems</title>

Abstract

Digital vascular computer systems are used for radiology and fluoroscopy (RJF), angiography, and cardiac applications. In the United States alone, about 26 million procedures ofthese types are performed annually: about 8 1% R/F, I 1% cardiac, and 8% angiography'. Digital vascular systems have a very wide range ofperformance requirements, especially in terms of data rates.In addition, new features are added over time as they are shown to be clinically efficacious. Application-specific processing modes such as roadmapping, peak opacification, and bolus chasing are particular to some vascular systems23. New algorithms continue to be developed and proven, such as Cox and deJager's precise registration methods for masks and live images in digital subtraction angiography4. A computer architecture must have high scalability and reconfigurability to meet the needs ofthis modality. Ideally, the architecture could also serve as the basis for a nonvascular R/F system.