Options
2013
Conference Paper
Titel
Integrating image management and analysis into OpenClinica using web services
Abstract
Although image-based measures have become an important surrogate for primary endpoints in controlled clinical trials, electronic data capture (EDC) insufficiently supports image and signal data files. In this paper, we suggest a simple extension of OpenClinica, the world's largest open source EDC system, to handle image data files, process image and signal data, and fill out the electronic case report forms (eCRF) accordingly. We use the web service server interface that is integrated with OpenClinica. The missing client component is substituted by CRF embedded JavaScript and a PHP proxy on server side. JavaScript is also used to display images within the OpenClinica interface. The counterpart system was developed using the Google Web Toolkit (GWT) and the Java application programming interface (API) for eXtensible Markup Language (XML) web services (JAX-WS). Image processing is implemented in Java using ImageJ libraries. We demonstrate the workflow for CRFs of a conjunctival provocation test, where two photographs of a human eye are captured, transferred into the eCRF, segmented and measured. The secure file transfer protocol (SFTP) is used to transfer the data files between the systems, and web services are used to fill the eCRFs, which also integrate resulting images generated by the analysis process. Both, images as well as computed measures are automatically displayed within the OpenClinica eCRFs and can be evaluated by the study nurse after file upload. This allows re-capturing of images in case of evaluation failure, and avoids elaborative query management. In future, DICOM-based data transfer will be implemented.