eXTernal Control (XTC): A Flexible, Real-Time, Low-Latency, Bi-Directional Scanner Interface

Jouke Smink¹, Marko Hkkinen², Ronald Holthuizen¹, Sascha Krueger³, Mario Ries⁴, Yasmina Berber⁴, Chrit Moonen⁴, Max Khler², Erkki Vahala²

Typical interventional applications integrate data from several sources and perform real-time image-processing prior to applying feedback to the procedure. We have developed a new interface to the scanner, denominated XTC, which allows an external computer or a co-hosted application to control every scan protocol. The interface uses a minimalistic CORBA interface and provides fast access to output data (raw data, images, physiology sensors, navigator data and device positions) and allows update of scan parameters like geometry during scanning. Applications have been developed in MR-guided HIFU and EP. An open source development environment has been made available for Windows and Linux.