Below are a number of Frequently Asked Questions of the Human Imaging Research Office. New questions and updated answers are posted frequently, so please check back often!

1. Questions about HIRO services and infrastructure
2. Questions about using the HIRO's website
3. Questions about planning study-related imaging
4. Questions about performing study-related imaging
5. Questions about obtaining and submitting copies of study-related imaging
6. Questions about the interpretation of study-related imaging
7. Questions about image and data collection
8. Technical questions about image processing and analysis

1. Questions about HIRO services and infrastructure

• What is the Human Imaging Research Office?
• What kind of services does the HIRO currently offer?
• Who should I go to with questions about the HIRO?
• How much does it cost to utilize the HIRO's services?
• How can I use the HIRO’s services and how will they benefit my study?
• When should I contact the HIRO for assistance with my study?
• What services are not provided by the HIRO?
• Where can I go to see the HIRO in action?

• How do I acknowledge the HIRO in my publications?

2. Questions about using the HIRO's website

• What is a HIRO Technical Liaison?

• Is there any way to turn off all the image request emails I'm getting?

3. Questions about planning study-related imaging

• My study only requires standard-of-care imaging. Do I still need the HIRO's assistance?
• How can I determine if the Radiology Department is capable of performing the types of exams required for my study?
• Are there any imaging-specific provisions that need to be incorporated into my IRB protocol and/or consent form?
• How can I make sure that my research scans are HIPAA and IRB compliant?
• I received a questionnaire from my study sponsor inquiring about our imaging equipment and capabilities. How should I fill it out?
• I received a binder full of imaging-related materials from my study sponsor. Does this binder need to be given to someone in the Radiology Department, and if so, who?
• My study has very specific imaging requirements. How do I make sure that the proper scans are performed?
• My study sponsor has requested a test scan or phantom scan in order to be qualified to enroll patients in the study. How can I get this done?

• I would like to scan a scientific specimen, like a fossil or preserved specimen, for the purposes of my research. How can I get this done?

4. Questions about performing study-related imaging

• What forms do I use to order a research-related imaging exam?
• My study requires the use of a 3.0T MRI scanner. Can the HIRO help me with my study, or should I bring my study to the MRI Research Center?

• My research scan requires an injection of IV contrast. Is any preparation required?

5. Questions about obtaining and submitting copies of study-related imaging

• How do I get copies of my research scans so I can submit them to my study sponsor?

• Do you have the capability to submit scans electronically?

6. Questions about the interpretation of study-related imaging

• My study has forms that must be filled out by a radiologist or imaging technologist for each scan. How can I get this accomplished?
• My study protocol requires the radiologist interpreting the research scans to perform specific measurements and/or analyses. How can I get this accomplished?

• My research scans do not require or should not receive a radiologist interpretation. How can I prevent this interpretation and/or avoid any related charges?

7. Questions about image and data collection

• I have a disc of scans from an outside hospital/facility. Can you anonymize it for me?
• I have a copy of a scan on a disc. Can you upload it into a patient's medical record for me?
• Is it possible to get a copy of a scan performed at Silver Cross, Orland Park, Ingalls Hospital, or other affiliated sites?
• Is it possible to get a copy of a scan listed in the EPIC CareEverywhere portion of a patient's chart?
• What is the Ambra system and how can I use it to get copies of outside scans directly?
• Is it possible to get a large database of anonymized images for use with my retrospective review study?
• Can I get image data from a particular imaging device?
• Can I get "raw" image data and/or data that is not stored in the clinical PACS from the HIRO?
• Can I get copies of the measurement marks, annotations or regions of interest that a radiologist has drawn in the iSite PACS?
• What format do you use for your images?

• How can I get anonymized copies of scans for a teaching file, expert witness testimony, or other educational or clinical purposes?

8. Technical questions about image processing and analysis

• I'm having trouble opening the images I received from the HIRO using Matlab. Is there something wrong with the image files?

• I received my image data in zip files that end with numbers (.001, .002, etc). How do I unzip them?