This article covers what you can upload to CustoMED and how a scan should be acquired for the best results. It's for anyone who prepares or orders scans for CustoMED cases. For how to upload, see Preparing & Uploading Your CT Scan (DICOM).
Supported inputs
DICOM (CT): the standard starting point for most procedures. Upload a ZIP file (ZIPs inside ZIPs are fine), a folder, or individual DICOM files (.dcm, .dicom or no extension).
STL: a 3D mesh, when your workflow begins from an existing model instead of a scan. Clinicians, Medical Assistants and Sales Reps can upload DICOM only.
PACS Gateway: scans sent from your hospital PACS. See PACS Gateway & Pending DICOM.
MRI and X-ray series in the same upload are recognized and shown in the preview.
Scan protocol essentials
Each procedure has a Technical Data Sheet with its exact protocol. Across procedures, aim for:
Modality: CT (unless your procedure's data sheet states otherwise).
Slice thickness and spacing: thin and consistent. Uneven or coarse spacing reduces model quality and may cause a scan to be rejected.
Coverage: the full region of interest plus any reference anatomy the procedure needs (for example, both hips for HRA).
Series: upload the complete series. When the upload contains several series, select the correct one during upload.
Artifacts: minimize metal and motion artifacts.
Upload checks
When you add files, CustoMED checks each series in your browser and shows the results before you upload:
CT series with fewer than 30 slices, or with missing orientation or other required data, can't be used and are listed under Unsupported with the reason.
Slice thickness above 1.5 mm, slice spacing of 1.5 mm or more, pixel spacing above 1.5 mm, scans older than 6 months and series already uploaded to another case are flagged as warnings. You can still use these series.
Your browser then anonymizes the DICOM files and uploads them. See Imaging Upload & Segmentation Troubleshooting for what each message means.
Outputs
Depending on the procedure and case type, outputs include DICOM, 3D anatomy (STL), surgical instruments (STL), the patient-specific instrument (STL), a plan report (PDF), and, for LEA, a landmarks export (TXT). See Downloading Files & Plan Reports.