Search PubMedSearch

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Software Design”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 235 records · Page 13Linked to original sources

Computer-assisted neurosurgery system: Wayne State University hardware and software configuration.

Computer-assisted neurosurgery uses the latest technological advancements in imaging, computers, mechanics, and electronics to improve the accuracy and reduce the invasiveness and risk of neurosurgical procedures. We describe the Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, computer-assisted neurosurgical system with the emphasis on software and discuss the theory guiding the development of this system and its application in real-time position tracking systems. Our system consists of the Neurological Surgery Planning System (NSPS) software which we developed at our medical center and three types of position tracking systems: the Zamorano-Dujovny (Z-D) are digitizer for frame-based procedures, an articulated arm, and an infrared-based digitizer for frameless procedures. The NSPS software is designed to offer neurosurgeons a safe and accurate method to approach intracranial lesions by preoperatively planning a surgical trajectory. Software consisting of the most advanced technologies in computer vision, computer imaging/graphics, and stereotactic numeric analysis forms the core of the system. Capabilities for correlating data from imaging studies to facilitate image reconstruction, image mapping, and three-dimensional (3D) visualization of target volumes enable the neurosurgeon to simulate surgical procedures into a preoperative protocol to be used during surgery, both to follow the preplanned trajectory and to track the position of surgical instruments in real-time on the computer monitor. The tracking systems position and orient the surgical instruments relative to the patient's head. With these devices, the display of the surgical instruments together with the virtual images create an excellent intraoperative tool.

Algorithms

ARTMEM--an interactive graphical program simulating membrane potential measurements across artificial membranes.

This paper describes ARTMEM, an interactive graphical simulation program, and its use for teaching students the concept of membrane potentials and the measurement of electrical potentials across an ion-selective membrane. The program, written in Borland C++, and specifically designed for IBM-PC-compatible equipment, can also run on fast Macintosh computers using SoftPC emulation software. It demonstrates how an ion-selective membrane separating two different salt solutions automatically generates a potential across the membrane, as well as how such electrical potentials can be measured simply and the underlying permeability ratio determined. The program was developed to replace a previous experiment with actual artificial resin membranes; virtually every feature of the experiment has been simulated (e.g., unstirred-layer effects, solution-mixing mixing contamination, liquid junction potential effects). In addition, a number of these features and the procedure for data fitting are more clearly demonstrated using the computer simulation. The efficacy of such a simulation is discussed in comparison with the real experiment and other types of simulations.

Computer Graphics

MENTHOR, a database system for the storage and retrieval of three-dimensional molecular structures and associated data searchable by substructural, biologic, physical, or geometric properties.

MENTHOR is a database system for the storage and retrieval of three-dimensional coordinate and charge information on molecules as well as of traditional biological and physical properties. Our molecular graphics system retrieves from MENTHOR structural information in individual molecules and receptor map/macromolecular binding site hypotheses. Substructural searches of MENTHOR are used to find starting coordinates for molecular modeling and traditional database searches of MENTHOR identify compounds for which modeling is needed. It also forms the data to be searched with ALLADDIN, our substructure/geometric search program. MENTHOR expedites molecular modeling by organizing previous work and facilitating transmission of information between individuals. Examples from modeling of D-2 receptor agonists are shown.

Drug Design

An integrated microcomputer system using immobilized cellular electrodes for drug screening.

Biosensors based on immobilized microbial cells were developed for drug screening in our laboratory. Compared with the conventional methods such as diffusion and dilution tests, biosensors have been demonstrated to be superior in sensitivity and require much shorter screening time. An integrated microcomputer system has been developed for data acquisition, database management, and mode of action estimation, which automates the screening processes and reduces the labor requirements significantly.

Anti-Bacterial Agents

Computer-assisted centrifugal elutriation. I. Detection system and data acquisition equipment.

To optimize cell separations by centrifugal elutriation, we constructed an on-line computer-controlled multiparametric light-scatter system. A bypass sample flow, at the outlet of an elutriation rotor, is hydrofocussed and three scatter parameters of each cell are determined up to a maximum of 15,000 cells/second. The 18-bit representation of the parameter values are cumulatively stored by means of a direct memory access interface. The histogram memory is continuously displayed to provide information on the number and type of cells that are elutriated. A special purpose operating system, implemented on a stand-alone computer configuration, allows a high data-acquisition rate and ample data processing capacity. In addition, a local network driver was constructed to facilitate off-line detailed analysis of the data. The equipment is well suited to monitor the centrigural elutriation process. The flexibility of the system allows an extension of the monitor to computer-controlled elutriation.

Animals

Structure design: an artificial intelligence-based method for the design of molecules under geometrical constraints.

This study presents an algorithm that implements artificial-intelligence techniques for automated, and site-directed drug design. The aim of the method is to link two or more predetermined functional groups into a sensible molecular structure. The proposed designing process mimics the classical manual design method, in which the drug designer sits in front of the computer screen and with the aid of computer graphics attempts to design the new drug. Therefore, the key principle of the algorithm is the parameterization of some criteria that affect the decision-making process carried out by the drug designer. This parameterization is based on the generation of weighting factors that reflect the knowledge and knowledge-based intuition of the drug designer, and thus add further rationalization to the drug design process. The proposed algorithm has been shown to yield a large variety of different structures, of which the drug designer may choose the most sensible. Performance tests indicate that with the proper set of parameters, the method generates a new structure within a short time.

Algorithms

A simple computerized tomography adapter for conventional stereotactic frame.

This paper introduces a new technique to convert a conventional Leksell stereotactic frame into a computerized tomography compatible system. Accurate calculation of the tumour coordinates can be made by means of two adapter plates with double diagonal lines on each side thus obviating the requirement of careful alignment of the scanner. The adapter plates are of simple design and easy to prepare.

Brain Diseases

A microcomputer-based information management system for a nurse-managed clinic.

A project team from a nurse-managed health care center designed and used a microcomputer-based information management system to document the activities of their clinic. Commercial software, dBase III Plus, was used to program the system, called Nurse Education Link to Aged Center (NELAC). NELAC reflects the center's philosophy of helping clients attain maximum satisfaction of their health care needs through self care. NELAC's specific purposes include 1) matching student nurses with potential clients for clinical experiences; 2) providing an efficient reminder system to improve follow-up care for clients; 3) maintaining longitudinal client records; 4) producing reports of services and activities of the center; and 5) providing aggregate data for research.

Database Management Systems

Automatic karyotyping of plant chromosomes by imaging techniques.

Chromosomes of Crepis capillaris (L.) Wallr. were analyzed using a newly developed chromosome image analyzing system, CHIAS-mini. The CHIAS-mini is a desktop system which consists of an ordinary 16-bit personal computer and an image processor as the main frames. Data acquisition, karyotyping and idiogramming of the plant chromosomes were automatically carried out with some manual interaction. The data obtained were comparable to those obtained manually and by a standard image analyzer already developed.

Computers, Mainframe

Activities of and time spent by the project dietitian in implementing a custom-designed decision support system for a computer.

Part 1 of this study involved development and implementation of a prototype of Interactive Foodservice Decision Assist Methods (IFDAM) software. A 1-day menu from the Health Center of Methodist Health Services, Inc., which included 161 menu items and 181 ingredients, composed the data base. The prototype was used to test transfer procedures from the mainframe computer at the university to the one at the hospital and to test the program and train users. Three supporting documents were written. The Procedure Manual described methodology for data collection and use of IFDAM at the Health Center. The Data-Entry Manual explained the use of the microcomputer for entering information into IFDAM. The User Manual illustrated the command structure of IFDAM. Part 2 of the study included the addition of data from five cost centers, which were serviced from the central production facility of the Health Center. Six-week-cycle menus and all ingredient files in the foodservice were incorporated into the data base. The data totaled 998 menu items and 660 ingredients. Time spent by the project dietitian on development of data bases and support manuals, completion of data forms, data entry and transfer, conferences, and training totaled 362.10 hours and 898.75 hours in Parts 1 and 2, respectively. The project required 30 months to complete. Problems, classified as equipment, program, or personnel, delayed implementation.

Data Collection

Clinicians' satisfaction with Grateful Med: an exploratory study.

End-user search software is designed to simplify online searching for the casual searcher. User-friendly features provide relatively easy online access to remote databases without the need for expert search systems. At issue is whether the simplified features of such software compromise what is potentially retrievable, and if so, whether the missing information is critical to the end user. A study was designed to address this question, particularly as applied to clinicians using a user-friendly search software package such as Grateful Med. Clinician participants compared their Grateful Med search results with a full Elhill search (as performed by an intermediary) and indicated whether references unique to either search were or were not critical to their information needs.

Consumer Behavior

Metaparadigm: a soft and situation oriented MIS design approach.

Every-day routine work performed by medical staff can be enormous, thus continuing education, diagnostic assistance, medical research or literature searches remains only an aspiration for them. The appearance of the computer-based information technology has initiated the possibility to significantly ease these routine activities and enable the medical staff to devote more time to enhanced creative work. However, only when medical staff can use computers reliably, effectively, democratically, easily, and in natural, intuitive fashion, medical information system (MIS) will be used enthusiastically and favourably. In that manner special attention must be dedicated to MIS design. The aim of our paper is to introduce the new (M)IS design approach called metaparadigm and show its applicability to MIS design. A metaparadigm is a holistic, participative and systemic approach, incorporating design activities needed to construct both the (M)IS design paradigm and the selected (M)IS. It is our deepest belief that metaparadigms employment can enhance many IS design weaknesses and result in the successful medical information systems design and use.

Computer Simulation

Automated analysis of prerecorded evoked electromyographic activity from rat muscle.

An automated microprocessor-based data acquisition and analysis system has been developed specifically to quantify electromyographic (EMG) activity induced by the convulsant agent catechol in the anaesthetized rat. The stimulus and EMG response are recorded on magnetic tape. On playback, the stimulus triggers a digital oscilloscope and, via interface circuitry, a BBC B microcomputer. The myoelectric activity is digitized by the oscilloscope before being transferred under computer control via a RS232 link to the microcomputer. This system overcomes the problems of dealing with signals of variable latency and allows quantification of latency, amplitude, area and frequency of occurrence of specific components within the signal. The captured data can be used to generate either signal or superimposed high resolution graphic reproductions of the original waveforms. Although this system has been designed for a specific application, it could easily be modified to allow analysis of any complex waveform.

Animals

An 8086-based Holter arrhythmia monitor.

Holter monitoring is a technique which involves the use of a specialized recorder to record and analyze the ECG of an ambulatory subject for a duration up to 24 h. It is used for persons who have generally normal ECG, but who experience heart disorders under some particular stress conditions. This paper describes the design of an 8086-based Holter monitor using state-of-the-art technology. The old concept of analog signal processing and cassette recording has been replaced by digital signal processing and solid state memories. The main features of the new monitor, as compared with conventional ones, is its intelligence to detect and record arrhythmias which are of clinical importance. Emphasis was placed on miniaturization and minimization of the power consumption while designing the monitor.

Algorithms

Low-cost digital impedance meter for the detection of micro-organisms.

The digital impedance meter is a microprocessor-based instrument able to detect, quantify and identify micro-organisms. The equipment makes use of the bipolar technique of measuring the impedance modulus of six cells containing inoculated culture broth. It performs temperature compensation automatically. Growth curves are stored in memory as time course events and can be displayed on any suitable device.

Calibration