Hemodynamics in vascular networks can be studied using 0D and 1D mathematical models of vessels and organs. In the context of the ARCH project, pyNS, a flexible open–source 0D⁄1D solver written in Python has been developed and it is currently used for patient-specific simulation of vascular access for hemodialysis. In order to aid its adoption by researchers and tech-savy clinicians for vascular access applications and beyond, Orobix is developing the open-source archTk GUI application, ARCH Network Editor.

With the increased performance of recent Magnetic Resonance (MR) scanners, blood velocity can be measured using phase contrast (PC) acquisition protocols in clinical settings. However, quantitative velocity assessments are hampered by noise, artifacts and challenges in image segmentation. A tool for streamlining the analysis of PC–MR images and the required user image interaction is currently being developed at Orobix laboratories, and will be released as an OsiriX plugin during 2011.

Biomedical images play a fundamental role for pre-operative planning and intra–operative support of surgical interventions. To be seamlessly integrated in surgical workflows, images have to be processed to meet the surgeon′s needs, which implies performing registration, segmentation and visualization. Orobix Workflow Manager is a web–based tool interfaced with 3DSlicer and local clusters or the cloud, which empowers surgeons with the capability of retrieving images from a PACS, requesting visualizations, annotating processed images and making them available for surgery.

An application for large-scale analysis of 3D vascular geometry of carotid bifurcations has been developed in the context of a NIH clinical trial. The application allows streamlined analysis of Magnetic Resonance Angiography data and it takes advantage of Bunjee to expressively visualize results in 3D, navigate through cases and scenes, compare between cases and deal with large amounts of quantitative geometric data.

We are prototyping an image-based vascular analysis tool for rapid assessment of patient-specific hemodynamics and morphometrics from various 3D imaging modalities (e.g. CT, MRA) under an undisclosed contract. The prototype provides an integrated solution for image segmentation, morphological analysis and hemodynamic simulation of vascular segments. It adopts Bunjee to allow flexible visualization, fast case navigation and intuitive 3D user interaction, and it is interfaced with the cloud for computation intensive tasks.

Orobix is developing its proprietary clinical record system using state–of–the–art web 2.0 technologies, designing it around the aim of delivering highly customized solutions as quickly as possible. The system is targeted at those settings in which large institutional clinical record systems are too stiff to meet particular departmental needs, or at institutions looking for small and agile solutions that can grow in time. Users have access to the system through web-browsers, dedicated applications or portable devices, throughout the hospital network.

We have led the collaborative development of a modular data collection engine for use in multi–centric clinical research in the context of the PROSAFE research project. Data collection can be fully configured through the definition of a set of XML files for each case report form and distributed and maintained from a central server throughout the installed clients. During collection, data are centrally synchronized in a secure way with the server. All communication happens through the web and the system retains full offline operation.

As part of a collaborative project, Orobix has developed a customization of 3DSlicer for the implementation of a dedicated workflow for surgical planning and intra–operative visualization for use in neurosurgery, based on multimodal imagery and atlases. The final tool is aimed at neurosurgeons and the interface is straightforward and clutter–free. The connection of the workflow to an high–performance computing cluster completes the project, providing image segmentation and registration results in minutes.

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is currently in the spotlight as new drugs are showing potential in providing a cure for it. The key in evaluating the efficacy of treatment is the availability of a sensitive, early marker of disease progression, and image–based markers seem to have such characteristics. A system based on novel and intuitive interaction paradigms is currently being developed, permitting a fast quantification of the volume of ADPKD kidneys and their components.