Announcing HTJ2K Support for DICOM Files in Encord

Announcing HTJ2K Support for DICOM Files in Encord

We are thrilled to announce that Encord now supports the High Throughput JPEG 2000 (HTJ2K) transfer syntaxes for DICOM files. 🎉

Now, I know what you're thinking. "What's all the buzz about HTJ2K?" Well, let me break it down for you in plain English.

What is HTJ2K?

HTJ2K, or High Throughput JPEG 2000, is a variant of the JPEG 2000 image compression standard. It is designed to overcome the limitations of traditional JPEG 2000 by offering higher encoding and decoding throughput, making it particularly suitable for applications where speed is critical.

Think of it as the turbocharged version of JPEG 2000, designed to handle massive DICOM datasets with lightning-fast speed.⚡

So, why is this a big deal? Picture this: you're a busy medical professional trying to access critical imaging data. Every second counts, right? With HTJ2K support in Encord, you'll experience faster rendering and import times, meaning you can get to that crucial image quicker than ever before.

Importance of HTJ2K for DICOM Files

In medical imaging, DICOM transfer syntax dictates how pixels are encoded within datasets. Despite significant advances in imaging technology, the DICOM standard has seen limited transfer syntax updates over the past two decades.

Enter HTJ2K, a variant of JPEG 2000 that combines the efficiency of JPEG 2000 compression with high throughput capabilities. Unlike its predecessor, which struggled due to its heavyweight nature, HTJ2K offers streamlined compression without sacrificing image quality.

The recent approval of HTJ2K transfer syntaxes by the DICOM Standard Committee marks a significant milestone. This new syntax brings unprecedented efficiency and speed to image compression, reducing file sizes and transmission times while improving workflow efficiency for medical practitioners.

At Encord, we're thrilled to be at the forefront of this advancement in DICOM labeling.🎉

Why is it Exciting for Medical Professionals?

• One of few to support HTJ2K: With only a handful of applications currently supporting HTJ2K, Encord is among the pioneers in utilizing this advanced compression format. 

• Time to First Image:  With HTJ2K, medical professionals can expect significant efficiency gains as the compression rate is reduced by 40%. The time-to-first-image is dramatically reduced, meaning that practitioners can access critical imaging data faster, enabling quicker diagnoses and treatment decisions.

• Performance Improvements:  As the image takes up less storage space, there reduction in both presentation time (loading time) and transmission time means that medical professionals can spend less time waiting for images to render and import, leading to improved productivity and workflow efficiency.

• Industry Adoption: The fact that AWS has already built a medical imaging platform based on HTJ2K, underscores its potential to revolutionize the field. By aligning with this industry trend, Encord is empowering medical professionals with tools that are not only cutting-edge but also endorsed by industry leaders.

So, the news that Encord now supports HTJ2K is nothing short of groundbreaking for medical professionals. It represents a significant leap forward in imaging technology, promising enhanced efficiency, performance improvements, and alignment with industry trends. With HTJ2K, medical practitioners can expect to save both space and time, ultimately leading to improved patient care and outcomes.

Don't miss out on this exciting opportunity to elevate your medical imaging workflow to new heights with Encord.

Contact us today to learn more and experience the power of HTJ2K for yourself!