A freestanding, image processing device that is a component of single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) system. It is sometimes considered to be a component to a picture archiving and communication system (PACS). It does not contain the controls for the direct operation of the diagnostic imaging system. It can receive and transmit data both on-line and off-line and is typically located at a site remote from the operator's console. It has the capability to further process, manipulate and/or view patient images and information collected from one or more nuclear medicine based imaging systems.