Siemens Acom PC Lite: A Free and Easy to Use Viewer for DICOM Images
Siemens Acom PC Lite Download: A Comprehensive Guide
If you are looking for a simple and convenient way to review cardiac DICOM images on your PC, you might want to check out Siemens Acom PC Lite. This software is a basic standalone viewer that allows you to view, manipulate, print, export, and record DICOM images from any Windows-based computer. In this article, we will provide you with a comprehensive guide on what Siemens Acom PC Lite is, what are its features and benefits, how to download and install it, how to use it, and what are some alternatives to it.
Siemens Acom Pc Lite Download
What is Siemens Acom PC Lite?
Siemens Acom PC Lite is a software application developed by Siemens Healthineers, a leading medical technology company that provides products and services for diagnostic and therapeutic imaging, laboratory diagnostics, molecular medicine, digital health, and enterprise services. Siemens Acom PC Lite is part of the ACOM.PC product line, which also includes ACOM.PC Pro and ACOM.PC Office.
A basic standalone viewer for DICOM images
DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine) is a standard format for storing and transmitting medical images. DICOM images can contain information such as patient name, ID, date of birth, modality, study date, series number, image number, etc. DICOM images can be acquired from various sources such as X-ray, ultrasound, CT, MRI, nuclear medicine, etc. To view DICOM images, you need a DICOM viewer software that can decode the data and display the images on a screen.
Siemens Acom PC Lite is a basic standalone viewer for DICOM images that can run on any Windows-based PC. It does not require any installation or registration. It can read DICOM 3.0 compatible CDs and DVDs that are generated by Siemens modalities and PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System) systems. It can also read DICOM files from local or network folders.
Not approved for medical use
Siemens Acom PC Lite is not a medical device and therefore not permitted for diagnostic use. It is intended for educational or research purposes only. It cannot be run on Siemens Medical Workstations or other medical devices. It does not provide any measurement or analysis tools. It does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the displayed images or data. Users should always refer to the original images or data from the original source for medical diagnosis or treatment.
Compatible with Windows PC
Siemens Acom PC Lite is compatible with Windows 7, 8, 10, and 11 operating systems. It can run on any PC that meets the minimum system requirements, which are: - Processor: Intel Core i3 or equivalent - Memory: 4 GB RAM - Hard disk: 500 MB free space - Display: 1024 x 768 pixels resolution - CD/DVD drive: Optional for reading DICOM discs - Network: Optional for accessing DICOM files from network folders
What are the features of Siemens Acom PC Lite?
Siemens Acom PC Lite offers a range of features that enable you to view, manipulate, print, export, and record DICOM images on your PC. Some of the main features are:
Real time review
Siemens Acom PC Lite allows you to review DICOM images in real time as they are acquired from the modality or PACS system. You can also review images from previous studies or series. You can switch between different views such as single image, multi-image, cine loop, or mosaic. You can zoom, pan, rotate, flip, or invert the images. You can adjust the brightness, contrast, gamma, and window level of the images. You can also apply filters such as sharpening, smoothing, or noise reduction to enhance the image quality.
Bi-plane support
Siemens Acom PC Lite supports bi-plane imaging for cardiac applications. Bi-plane imaging allows you to view two orthogonal planes of the heart simultaneously. You can synchronize the bi-plane images by using the ECG signal or manually adjusting the time offset. You can also compare the bi-plane images with other views such as short axis or long axis.
ECG display and edge enhancements
Siemens Acom PC Lite can display the ECG signal along with the DICOM images. The ECG signal can help you to identify the cardiac phases and events. You can also use the ECG signal to trigger the cine loop playback or synchronize the bi-plane images. Siemens Acom PC Lite also provides edge enhancement tools that can help you to highlight the borders and contours of the cardiac structures. You can adjust the edge enhancement parameters such as strength, width, and threshold.
Copy to clipboard and PostScript printing
Siemens Acom PC Lite allows you to copy the displayed images or data to the clipboard. You can then paste them into other applications such as Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, etc. You can also print the displayed images or data using a PostScript printer. You can customize the print layout, orientation, size, resolution, and margins. You can also add annotations such as text, arrows, lines, circles, etc. to the printed images or data.
Exporting and CD/DVD recording
Siemens Acom PC Lite allows you to export the displayed images or data in various formats such as JPEG, BMP, TIFF, PNG, PDF, AVI, etc. You can also record the displayed images or data on a CD or DVD disc in DICOM format. The recorded disc will be compatible with other DICOM viewers or devices. You can also add a label and a logo to the recorded disc.
What are the benefits of Siemens Acom PC Lite?
Siemens Acom PC Lite offers several benefits for users who want to review cardiac DICOM images on their PC. Some of the main benefits are:
Optimized image review for daily routine
Siemens Acom PC Lite provides a fast and easy way to review cardiac DICOM images on your PC without any installation or registration. It supports various modalities and PACS systems that generate DICOM images. It offers a range of tools and functions that enable you to manipulate and enhance the image quality. It also allows you to print, export, and record the images or data for further use.
Easy to use interface based on Microsoft Windows
Siemens Acom PC Lite has an intuitive and user-friendly interface that is based on Microsoft Windows. It has a familiar look and feel that makes it easy to navigate and operate. It has a menu bar, a toolbar, a control panel, a status bar, and a display area. It also has keyboard shortcuts and mouse actions that simplify the workflow.
Free of charge download
Siemens Acom PC Lite is available for free download from Siemens Healthineers website. You do not need any license or registration to use it. You can download it anytime and use it on any PC that meets the system requirements. You can also share it with your colleagues or friends who might be interested in reviewing cardiac DICOM images.
How to download and install Siemens Acom PC Lite?
If you want to download and install Siemens Acom PC Lite on your PC, you can follow these steps:
Download link from Siemens Healthineers website
The first step is to visit the Siemens Healthineers website and find the download link for Siemens Acom PC Lite. You can use this link to access the download page directly. Alternatively, you can go to the homepage of Siemens Healthineers and navigate to the Products & Services section. Then, select Cardiology from the dropdown menu and click on ACOM.PC. You will see a list of ACOM.PC products, including ACOM.PC Lite. Click on the Download button next to ACOM.PC Lite and you will be redirected to the download page.
On the download page, you will see some information about Siemens Acom PC Lite, such as its features, benefits, system requirements, and installation instructions. You will also see a disclaimer that states that Siemens Acom PC Lite is not a medical device and not approved for diagnostic use. You will need to accept the disclaimer before you can proceed with the download. To accept the disclaimer, click on the checkbox next to I agree and then click on the Download button.
You will be asked to provide some basic information such as your name, email address, country, and organization. This is optional and you can skip this step by clicking on the Skip button. However, if you provide your information, you will receive an email confirmation with a link to the download file. You can also use this link to download Siemens Acom PC Lite later if you need to.
After you provide your information or skip this step, you will see a message that says Thank you for downloading ACOM.PC Lite. The download file is a ZIP file named ACOM.PC_Lite_4_0_0_0.zip. It has a size of about 200 MB and it may take some time to download depending on your internet speed. You can save the file to your preferred location on your PC or open it directly with a ZIP extractor program.
System requirements for installation
Before you install Siemens Acom PC Lite on your PC, you should make sure that your PC meets the minimum system requirements, which are: - Processor: Intel Core i3 or equivalent - Memory: 4 GB RAM - Hard disk: 500 MB free space - Display: 1024 x 768 pixels resolution - CD/DVD drive: Optional for reading DICOM discs - Network: Optional for accessing DICOM files from network folders
If your PC does not meet these requirements, you may experience some problems or errors when running Siemens Acom PC Lite. You may also need to update your Windows operating system and drivers to ensure compatibility and performance.
Installation steps and instructions
After you download the ZIP file of Siemens Acom PC Lite, you can install it on your PC by following these steps:
Extract the ZIP file to a folder on your PC. You can use any ZIP extractor program such as WinZip, WinRAR, 7-Zip, etc.
Open the folder where you extracted the ZIP file and double-click on the file named setup.exe. This will launch the installation wizard of Siemens Acom PC Lite.
Follow the instructions on the installation wizard. You will need to select a language, accept the license agreement, choose a destination folder, and confirm the installation settings.
Wait for the installation process to complete. It may take a few minutes depending on your PC speed and configuration.
When the installation is finished, you will see a message that says Installation Complete. Click on Finish to exit the installation wizard.
You can now run Siemens Acom PC Lite from your Start menu or desktop shortcut.
How to use Siemens Acom PC Lite?
After you install Siemens Acom PC Lite on your PC, you can use it to review cardiac DICOM images from various sources. Here are some basic steps on how to use Siemens Acom PC Lite:
Opening a patient study or a new series
To open a patient study or a new series of DICOM images in Siemens Acom PC Lite, you can use one of these methods:
If you have a DICOM CD or DVD that contains the images, insert it into your CD/DVD drive and wait for it to be recognized by your PC. Then, launch Siemens Acom PC Lite and click on the CD/DVD button on the toolbar. This will open a dialog box that shows the list of patient studies or series on the disc. Select the one you want to open and click on OK.
If you have DICOM files stored on your local or network folder, launch Siemens Acom PC Lite and click on the Folder button on the toolbar. This will open a dialog box that allows you to browse and select the folder that contains the DICOM files. Click on OK and Siemens Acom PC Lite will scan the folder and display the list of patient studies or series in the folder. Select the one you want to open and click on OK.
If you want to open a new series of DICOM images that are being acquired from a modality or PACS system in real time, launch Siemens Acom PC Lite and click on the New Series button on the toolbar. This will open a dialog box that allows you to enter the IP address and port number of the modality or PACS system that is sending the DICOM images. Click on OK and Siemens Acom PC Lite will start receiving and displaying the DICOM images as they are acquired.
Once you open a patient study or a new series of DICOM images in Siemens Acom PC Lite, you will see the images displayed in the display area. You can switch between different views such as single image, multi-image, cine loop, or mosaic by using the buttons on the toolbar. You can also use the mouse wheel to scroll through the images or drag the slider at the bottom of the display area.
Manipulating the image properties with the control panel
To manipulate the image properties such as brightness, contrast, gamma, window level, etc., you can use the control panel on the right side of Siemens Acom PC Lite. The control panel has four tabs: Image, ECG, Edge Enhance, and Export. Each tab has different options and sliders that allow you to adjust the image properties according to your preference.
The Image tab allows you to adjust the brightness, contrast, gamma, window level, zoom, pan, rotate, flip, and invert of the image. You can also apply filters such as sharpening, smoothing, or noise reduction to enhance the image quality.
The ECG tab allows you to display or hide the ECG signal along with the image. You can also adjust the ECG scale, offset, speed, and trigger mode. You can also use the ECG signal to synchronize the cine loop playback or bi-plane images.
The Edge Enhance tab allows you to apply edge enhancement tools that can help you to highlight the borders and contours of the cardiac structures. You can adjust the edge enhancement parameters such as strength, width, and threshold.
The Export tab allows you to export the displayed image or data in various formats such as JPEG, BMP, TIFF, PNG, PDF, AVI, etc. You can also record the displayed image or data on a CD or DVD disc in DICOM format. You can also add a label and a logo to the recorded disc.
Using the toolbar for additional functions
To use additional functions such as printing, copying, bi-plane support, etc., you can use the toolbar on the top of Siemens Acom PC Lite. The toolbar has several buttons that allow you to perform different actions on the displayed image or data. Some of the main buttons are:
The Print button allows you to print the displayed image or data using a PostScript printer. You can customize the print layout, orientation, size, resolution, and margins. You can also add annotations such as text, arrows, lines, circles, etc. to the printed image or data.
The Copy button allows you to copy the displayed image or data to the clipboard. You can then paste them into other applications such as Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, etc.
The Bi-Plane button allows you to view two orthogonal planes of the heart simultaneously. You can synchronize the bi-plane images by using the ECG signal or manually adjusting the time offset. You can also compare the bi-plane images with other views such as short axis or long axis.
The Mosaic button allows you to view multiple images in a grid layout. You can adjust the number of rows and columns of the grid. You can also select which images to display in the grid.
The Cine Loop button allows you to play back the images in a loop mode. You can adjust the playback speed and direction. You can also use the ECG signal to trigger the playback or synchronize the bi-plane images.
The Help button allows you to access the online help manual of Siemens Acom PC Lite. You can also check for updates or contact Siemens Healthineers for support.
What are some alternatives to Siemens Acom PC Lite?
Siemens Acom PC Lite is a basic standalone viewer for DICOM images that is not approved for medical use. If you are looking for more advanced or medical-grade DICOM viewers, you may want to consider some alternatives such as:
Codonics Virtua Medical Disc Publisher
Codonics Virtua Medical Disc Publisher is a device that can record DICOM images and reports on CD, DVD, or Blu-ray discs. It can also print high-quality labels and covers for the discs. It is compatible with various modalities and PACS systems that generate DICOM images. It is approved for medical use and complies with HIPAA and DICOM standards.
RadiAnt DICOM Viewer
RadiAnt DICOM Viewer is a software application that can view, manipulate, export, and print DICOM images on Windows PC. It supports various modalities and formats such as CT, MRI, PET, US, XA, MG, CR, etc. It offers features such as multiplanar reconstruction (MPR), 3D volume rendering (VR), fusion imaging (PET-CT), pseudocoloring, annotations, measurements, etc. It is approved for medical use and complies with DICOM standards.
MicroDicom DICOM Viewer
MicroDicom DICOM Viewer is a software application that can view, manipulate, export, and print DICOM images on Windows PC. It supports various modalities and formats such as CT, MRI, US, XA, MG, CR, etc. It offers features such as MPR, VR, fusion imaging (PET-CT), pseudocoloring, annotations, measurements, etc. It is not approved for medical use and does not comply with DICOM standards.
Conclusion
Siemens Acom PC Lite is a basic standalone viewer for DICOM images that can run on any Windows-based PC. It allows you to view, manipulate, print, export, and record DICOM images from various sources such as CD/DVD, local or network folder, or modality or PACS system. It is not a medical device and not approved for diagnostic use. It is intended for educational or research purposes only. It is available for free download from Siemens Healthineers website.
If you are looking for a simple and convenient way to review cardiac DICOM images on your PC, you might want to check out Siemens Acom PC Lite. However, if you are looking for more advanced or medical-grade DICOM viewers, you might want to consider some alternatives such as Codonics Virtua Medical Disc Publisher, RadiAnt DICOM Viewer, or MicroDicom DICOM Viewer.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about Siemens Acom PC Lite:
Q: How can I update Siemens Acom PC Lite to the latest version?
A: You can check for updates by clicking on the Help button on the toolbar and selecting Check for Updates. You will be redirected to the download page of Siemens Acom PC Lite where you can download the latest version of the software.
Q: How can I contact Siemens Healthineers for support or feedback?
A: You can contact Siemens Healthineers by clicking on the Help button on the toolbar and selecting Contact Us. You will see a dialog box that shows the contact information of Siemens Healthineers in your region. You can also visit the Siemens Healthineers website and find the contact information of your local representative.
Q: How can I uninstall Siemens Acom PC Lite from my PC?
A: You can uninstall Siemens Acom PC Lite by using the Windows Control Panel. Go to Programs and Features and select Siemens Acom PC Lite from the list of programs. Click on Uninstall and follow the instructions to remove the software from your PC.
Q: How can I share Siemens Acom PC Lite with others?
A: You can share Siemens Acom PC Lite with others by sending them the download link of the software from Siemens Healthineers website. You can also copy the ZIP file of the software to a USB drive or an external hard disk and give it to others.
Q: How can I learn more about DICOM and cardiac imaging?
A: You can learn more about DICOM and