Hanging Protocols in OmegaAI

Overview

Hanging Protocols in OmegaAI allow you to standardize how medical images are arranged and displayed in the Image Viewer. They control the layout, sequence, and behavior of images based on modality, study attributes, and defined matching rules.

This guide provides an overview of how to access Hanging Protocols, use the default protocols and the saved configurations, and create or customize protocols to support consistent, efficient clinical reading workflows.

Accessing Hanging Protocols

You can access Hanging Protocols in the OmegaAI Image Viewer using two methods.

Method 1: Quick Access

1. Click the Change Layout (Grid Icon) on the top toolbar of the Image Viewer.

2. The Layout Selector panel will open.

3. Click the Right Arrow (>) to expand the panel and view all available Hanging Protocols.

4. The expanded panel allows you to:

• Create a new Hanging Protocol

• View saved and default Hanging Protocols for the active modality

• Access both default and user-saved protocols

5. To create a new protocol, click the first blank tile (+ icon):

• The Hanging Protocol Configuration screen will open.

• A Save button appears on top of the tile---use it to save your current viewport layout as a new protocol.

• A pencil icon appears when you hover over existing protocol tiles---click it to edit.

6. The active protocol is highlighted in blue in the expanded list.

Method 2: Access via Settings

1. Click on the three-dot menu (More Options) icon in the Image Viewer toolbar.

2. Select Settings from the dropdown menu.

3. Click Hanging Protocols to open the configuration screen and manage all available protocols.

   

Hanging Protocol Configuration

When you open the configuration screen, the Saved Hanging Protocols panel is displayed on the top-right. Use this panel to view, create, duplicate, and manage protocols.

Configuration Panel Options:

1. Star Icon---View Saved Protocols

• Displays all saved Hanging Protocols along with default system protocols.

• The list is automatically filtered by the active modality shown at the top.

2. Duplicate Protocols

• Select an existing protocol and click Duplicate to create a copy.

• Modify the configuration and save it with a new name.

3. Add New Protocol

• Click the "+" icon at the top to create a new Hanging Protocol from scratch.

  

Default Hanging Protocols:

Default Hanging Protocols in OmegaAI provide pre-configured layouts designed to streamline the diagnostic workflow and support quick adoption of the Image Viewer. These protocols offer a reliable starting point for new users and an efficient baseline for experienced readers.

• You can browse a curated list of ready-to-use protocols that support the standard reading workflows without requiring any initial configuration.

• Default protocols can be duplicated and customized to match individual preferences or institutional standards.

• All Hanging Protocols are organized into collapsible groups under "Default Protocols" and "Saved Protocols" to simplify navigation and management.

OmegaAI provides default protocols for the following modalities:

○ 11 protocols for MG (Mammography)

○ 7 protocols for XR (X-ray)

○ 2 protocols for US (Ultrasound)

○ 7 protocols for CT (Computed Tomography)

○ 5 protocols for MR (Magnetic Resonance)

These protocols are created for user convenience and serve as a robust foundation for most reading workflows.

• The list is automatically filtered by the active modality, which is shown at the top of the list.

Hanging Protocol Matching Criteria

Hanging Protocols are matched based on the following study attributes:

• Modality

• Body Parts available in the study

Create a Hanging Protocol

Follow the steps below to create a new Hanging Protocol and define the desired image layout and display rules.

1. Open the Hanging Protocol configuration page

• Navigate to the Create Hanging Protocols configuration window

2. Select a Layout

   • Left click once inside the Viewport Setup area.

   • A layout selector grid appears, allowing you to define the number of viewports (e.g., 1x1, 2x2, 3x1, etc.).

   • Click on the grid cells to select your preferred layout configuration. The highlighted cells (in blue) represent active viewports.

Learn more about Viewport Setup

3. Assign View Codes

   • From the View Codes panel below, drag and drop the desired codes (e.g., CT: AXIAL, CT: CORONAL, AP, LAT) into each active viewport area.

   • These codes define which image orientation or series type will appear in each viewport.

Learn more about View Codes and Modifiers Panel

4. Configure Hanging Protocol Rules

• Select the viewport you want to configure. A blue border indicates that it is active.

• On the Hanging Protocol Rules panel (right side). Click the "+" button to add rules that control how the selected viewport behaves when the protocol is applied.

You can configure:

○ Toggles — enable/disable viewer features

○ Scaling — control image fit or zoom

○ Window Presets — apply WL/WW

○ Conditions — DICOM-based matching rules

○ Orientation — flip, rotate, or align images. These rules automate and standardize how images appear.

Learn more about Hanging Protocol Rules Panel

5. Selecting Prior Matching Model:

This feature loads the correct study (current or prior) based on the selected view code.

• Select the viewport (a blue border indicates active).

• Click the down arrow at the bottom center of the viewport to open the options menu.

• Click the file icon to open study matching options.

• Choose one of the following:

• Current---loads the active study

• 1st Preceding Prior---the most recent prior that matches the view code

• 2nd Preceding Prior---prior before the 1st matching prior

• 3rd Preceding Prior---prior before the 2nd matching prior

• Use Set Matching Model for advanced prior selection based on criteria like

  • Body part

  • Modality

  • Study date

  • Procedure code

Learn more about Prior Matching Model Configuration in OmegaAI

6. Add Additional Stages.

• If your protocol includes multiple viewing monitors/ stages, click the "+" (Add Stage) icon at the bottom of the screen.

• Each stage can have its own layout and rules for multi-step reading workflows.

  

Learn more about Hanging Protocol Stages Management

7. Save the Protocol

• Click the Star button to open the Save Protocol window.

• Enter a protocol name.

• Select the organization or leave blank to use the default from the current study.

• Optionally choose the modality and add filters such as procedure code, body part, or laterality.

• Enable "Set as default" if needed.

• Click Save to store the protocol.

Learn more about Managing organizations in Hanging Protocols.

Monitor Configuration Adaptability

OmegaAI automatically adjusts Hanging Protocol layouts based on your monitor setup:

• Single Monitor---Viewports are displayed on one screen.

• Multiple Monitors---Layout expands across available screens for an optimized viewing experience.

Hanging Protocol -- Window Level Preset Sync

The Window Level Preset Sync feature in OmegaAI ensures seamless integration of presets created with the Window Level Tool directly into Hanging Protocols. This eliminates inconsistencies, reduces manual adjustments, and improves image rendering reliability.

Key Benefits

• Automatic Sync: New presets created with the Window Level Tool appear instantly in Hanging Protocols.

• Auto-Remove: Deleted presets are removed from the dropdown, preventing errors.

• Custom Editing: Users can adjust WW/WL directly within Hanging Protocols.

• Improved Rendering: Prevents invisible or mismatched images.

• Accessibility: the Presets can be applied at the site level (all users) or user level (individual use).

Workflow Example

1. Create a preset in the Window Level Tool (adjust WW/WL, save).

2. In Settings > Hanging Protocols, enable Window Level, select the preset, and save.

3. Apply the protocol to a study, the synced preset renders automatically.

4. For adjustments, use the Custom option to fine-tune WW/WL in the protocol editor.

This feature ensures real-time sync, reduces manual effort, and provides consistent, accurate image display across similar studies.

Learn more about Mastering Hanging Protocols