Hardware:
We have two planning workstations (hp735, hp715). The Vidar Scanner is only used as a backup, since all CT data come over the network from a Siemens Somatom Plus 4 (Dept. of Radiology) or our own Ximatron with CT-Option. Final plans (various slices, screen dumps) are printed in A4-format on a Lexmark plotter and a DeskJet. A modem is connected to the hp735 for remote service.
Software:
We are now working with Cadplan 3.1.1. We still have the 2.7 version installed as a backup, but never really needed to switch back. It is possible to make a new plan with 3.1 and then load and change the plan with the 2.7 version and vice versa, so the versions are compatible in both ways. The operating system is HP-UX 9.07.
Patient data and storage:
Each patient directory contains one month of data. Patient directories are located on an external 4GB Harddisk, the last 6 months are always in direct access. Older data are archived on DAT tape. Backups of the actual month is done every week, older data only once a month. When the patient directory is older than 6 months, it is deleted from the hard disk. It only occasionally happens that physicians need data that are already archived (e.g. for a retrospective study). Then the desired month is restored. This works very well in routine, since one has one tape containing all patients, CT slices, plans etc. of one month. No extra backup of the database has to be made.