Step 1: Select a Procedure
Log in to the CustoMED platform and choose the surgical procedure you would like to plan from the procedure library.
The selected procedure defines the workflow, required anatomy, and supported planning tools.
Step 2: Upload Medical Imaging (DICOM)
On the DICOM Upload screen:
Drag and drop your DICOM folder or a ZIP file containing the DICOM study
Ensure the folder contains only DICOM image files
Do not include viewer software or additional files
Automatic Client-Side Anonymization
To protect patient privacy:
All DICOM files are automatically anonymized on your local device before upload
No identifiable patient information is sent to CustoMED servers
Only the minimum technical and imaging data required to process the case is retained
All other metadata is removed prior to upload
No user action is required for this process.
Step 3: Review and Select Scan Series
Once the upload completes:
Review the detected scan series
The system prioritizes the highest-resolution series
If multiple relevant series are present and you are not sure which series is best, select “Upload all series.”
Important Imaging Requirements
Make sure that all anatomies required for the selected surgery are fully visible in the chosen series
Incomplete anatomy coverage may prevent proper segmentation or delay the case
Step 4: Enter Case Details
Provide the required case information:
Surgery date
Surgery side
Other (if applicable)
Step 5: Add Case Identifiers
Because the platform is fully anonymized, identifiers are used for internal reference only:
Patient hint – a reference for your own recognition
Case identifier – such as patient initials and part of an internal ID
Printable label – used on anatomical models and patient-specific instruments (PSIs)
Step 6: Add Collaborators (Optional)
You may invite collaborators to the case:
Enter their email or username
Assign permissions (Viewer, Editor, or Case Owner)
Click Invite
Invited users receive an email notification.
Step 7: Create the Case
Click Create Case to finalize setup.
Important:
Once a case is created, the medical imaging cannot be replaced.
We strongly recommend verifying that the correct DICOM study and series are selected before proceeding.
Medical Imaging & Series Handling
Imaging Lock After Case Creation
After a case is created, uploaded medical imaging is locked
Imaging cannot be replaced with a different DICOM study
Multiple Series Handling
If multiple series were uploaded, you and the CustoMED team may be able to switch to a better series later, depending on the case status
In the Segmentation Viewer, users can:
Switch between available series
Verify that the displayed imaging matches the anatomy used for segmentation and 3D reconstruction
Incorrect or Irrelevant Imaging
If an incorrect DICOM study was uploaded and no relevant series is available:
The case may be deprecated and should be archived
A new case should be created using the correct imaging
To avoid delays, always confirm that the uploaded imaging matches the selected surgery before creating the case.
What Happens Next?
Segmentation (Automatic or Manual)
Segmentation may be performed automatically or manually, depending on scan quality, indication, and workflow
The resulting segmentation is prepared for review in the platform
Review Timeline
Manual segmentation or review by the CustoMED team is typically completed within 24 hours
You will be notified once the segmentation is ready
Urgent or Time-Sensitive Cases
If a case is clinically urgent and requires priority handling:
Please contact the CustoMED team directly after creating the case
We will do our best to accommodate expedited review
Error Handling & Troubleshooting
Upload Errors
May occur if:
Non-DICOM files are included
Viewer software is present
The ZIP structure is invalid
The network connection is interrupted
What to do:
Verify file contents, repackage the folder, and retry the upload.
Series Selection Issues
May occur if:
No valid series is detected
Anatomy coverage is incomplete
What to do:
Select a DICOM series if available.
Segmentation Issues
May occur due to:
Insufficient scan quality
Missing anatomy
Incompatible imaging protocol
What to do:
Review system messages. The CustoMED team may contact you if additional input is required.
Need Help?
If you have questions about imaging selection, anonymization, turnaround times, or urgent cases, please contact CustoMED support or consult related Help Center articles.