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The development of integrated library systems is discussed. The four major discussion points are (1) initial efforts; (2) network resources; (3) minicomputer-based systems; and (4) beyond library automation. Four existing systems are cited as examples of current systems.
A simple low-cost digital film-analysis system using videodensitometry was developed to quantitate autoradiograms. It is based on a TV-film analysis system coupled to a minicomputer. Digital sampling of transmitted light intensities through the autoradiogram is performed with 8-bit gray levels according to the selected array size (128 X 128 to 1024 X 1024). The performance characteristics of the system provide sufficient stability, uniformity, linearity, and intensity response for use in quantitative analysis. Digital images of the autoradiograms are converted to radioactivity content, pixel by pixel, using step-wedge standards. This type of low-cost system can be installed on conventional mini-computers commonly used in modern nuclear medical facilities. Quantitative digital autoradiography can play an important role, with applications stretching from dosimetry calculations of radiopharmaceuticals to metabolic studies in conjunction with positron-emission tomography.
The structure, functional capabilities and applications of the automated system for collecting and processing experimental medical data are described. The system is based on the minicomputer M-7000 and commercially available biomedical devices. Original algorithms of filtering, coding and classifying entities representing multiple features are used for data processing.
This paper describes the application of a television-based system (LEYTAS) in machine analysis of cervical specimens. LEYTAS basically consists of a Leitz microscope, the texture analysis system (TAS, Leitz), a TV camera, a 4-bit grey value memory and a minicomputer (PDP 11/23). A series of 1176 Feulgen stained cervical smears has been analysed in an automated procedure using image transformation for cell selection and artefact rejection. During the analysis of the entire series new artefact rejection procedures have been added to the automated analysis. This addition decreased the percentage of false positives to 15% in the last 277 analysed smears. This percentage concerns machine performance alone. A rapid visual interaction procedure decreases this percentage to 9%. Out of 210 morphologically positive smears (diagnosis Papanicolaou class 3b or more) from the total series, one smear was missed by LEYTAS using the machine classification.
To provide its users with quick and easy access to the library resources, the Muriel and Philip Berman National Medical Library, Jerusalem, between 1978 and 1982 developed an integrated library system (MAIMON) on a minicomputer. Because humans are the most important element of the library system, MAIMON's performance was evaluated in terms of benefits provided to patrons, library management, and library staff. After successfully adopting the system, users' needs and expectations have grown. How the existing system will be used and expanded to meet the new information demands at the library is discussed.
An irradiation planning program has been developed at the Radiologic University Hospital of Graz which allows an interactive optimization of the energy dose distribution of a Co-60 radiation. This program is running in a minicomputer of type DEC PDP-11/34 under the operation system RSX-11. With the aid of this system, a technique has been developed for irradiating the para-aortic lymph canals which complies with theoretical as well as practical optimization criteria. These optimization criteria are defined, and the usefulness of this irradiation technique is compared with a conventional method and demonstrated on the clinical example.
The delay between the stimulus and the voluntary eye saccade is the only parameter of the saccadic system which can be measured by using standard apparatus. Taking manually the measurements made on records obtained by using minicomputer; the authors show that such manual measurement of latencies is easy and yet sufficiently accurate to be of great clinical value. The latencies of voluntary saccades are normal in peripheral pathology (less than 250 milliseconds). Latencies of voluntary saccades are significantly increased in extrinsic brain stem lesions: tumours (in particular ponto cerebellar tumours), meningitis, head injury; but the velocity of the saccade is normal. This effect goes in parallel with impairement of the smooth pursuit. In intrinsic brain stem lesions (multiple sclerosis, acute brain stem stroke, oculomotor paralysis) latencies are increased bilaterally and above all, there is a significant slowing of the saccade. The role of fatigue increased latencies in some patients of this series. Two populations can be discerned in vestibular neuritis: one normal and one with abnormal smooth pursuit and increased saccadic latencies.
Image filtering with the larger, and potentially most valuable, digital filters is very time-consuming, thus precluding use of these filters in routine clinical applications. A recently developed algorithm for spatial-domain filtering is described, and its speed is compared with those of conventional methods with and without an array processor. Using the new Chebyshev method, a 64 by 64 pixel image can be filtered on a standard 16-bit minicomputer with filters of size 3 by 3 to 23 by 23 in 1.4-9.2 sec. The conventional spatial-domain algorithm requires 3.8-71 sec. With an array processor, filtering is accomplished in 0.19-0.54 sec. Filtering in the frequency domain requires 34 sec without an array processor and 0.12 sec with one. Thus with this new Chebyshev algorithm, clinically practical digital filtering can be performed with large filters even without an array processor.
Operational concerns, coupled with rising workers' compensation costs and the proliferation of regulatory requirements, call for a new approach to occupational health data base management. To meet this challenge, an automated system to store and manage worker and workplace exposure data is being developed. The system will include individual minicomputers at local Air Force bases and a central host computer for long-term storage and retrieval. The first step in establishing this data base is the standardization of data entry and storage at base level. This manual system, known as the Standardized Occupational Health Program (SOHP), serves as the basic building block for the Computerized Occupational Health Program (COHP). Standardization and automation of all relevant industrial hygiene, occupational medicine, and environmental data will significantly enhance the flow of information needed by those charged with providing a healthful work environment for Air Force personnel.
Cell location, segmentation and feature extraction of cell images are principal tasks of a high-resolution system for automated cytology. To perform these tasks with high speed, image processing algorithms and the architecture of a processor have to be optimized mutually. This has led to the development of a fast system for the evaluation of cytologic samples based on an optimized TV microscope, a host minicomputer with different peripheral array processors and digital image storages. The processors are optimized in speed for two-dimensional local operations to investigate neighborhood relations and morphology in cell images. Two-dimensional transformations of TV images (288 x 512 x 8 bit) can be carried out within 20 to 200 msec. The processors are able to realize linear filter functions (correlation, convolution) as well as nonlinear functions (median filtering). A set of measurements like area, circumference and connectivity can be derived parallely from one image in 20 msec. The system performs efficient and fast detection and segmentation of cells scanned in one TV frame within one second as well as the extraction of a large number of morphologic features within a few seconds. Based on these procedures, high-resolution analysis of several thousand cells of a sample within one minute will be possible.
The separate but closely related topics of waveform estimation by filtering and information extraction by pattern recognition are covered in this review. Because of the low signal-to-noise ratio generally encountered in evoked potential research, a variety of filtering methods have been employed for improving waveform estimation. Initially the filtering was done with analog devices but with the availability of high performance minicomputers virtually all filtering is now done digitally. Filters of various types are considered. Among them are single and multiple channel Wiener filtering, Kalman filtering, minimum mean square error filtering, maximum signal-to-noise filtering, and several types of nonlinear filters. The application of adaptive filtering techniques is also considered. In recent years there has been a continual increase in the application of pattern recognition techniques to the processing of evoked potentials. The techniques are based on statistical decision theory and the underlying basis of these procedures is reviewed. The technique of linear stepwise discriminant analysis is considered as well as the use of general discriminant functions of linear and quadratic types. Applications of these procedures to psychophysiological testing are discussed with particular emphasis on auditory and visual event-related potentials.
A survey of automated records management in the United States and Canada was developed to identify existing on-line library systems and technical expertise. Follow-up interviews were conducted with ten libraries. Tables compare the features and availability of four main frame and four minicomputer systems. Results showed: a trend toward vendor-supplied systems; little coordination of efforts among schools; current system developments generally on a universitywide basis; and the importance of having the cooperation of campus computer facilities to the success of automation efforts.
Renography using a gamma camera, a minicomputer, [123I]orthoiodohippurate ([123I]OIH), and a canine model was employed to evaluate computer-generated maps of regional renal function. Renograms were obtained before and after ligations of the right renal arterial branch in four dogs, with subsequent angiographic and histologic confirmation of the lesions. Postoperative time-activity curves were normal. Washout and persistence index in three of four right kidneys showed regional abnormality. Functional renal mapping may provide a clinical technique for evaluating human renal vascular hypertension.
It is indispensable in the diagnosis and treatment of idiopathic scoliosis to estimate the axial rotation deformity as well as the lateral flexion deformity. Because of lack of methodology till now, appropriate quantitative estimation of the former deformity has not been available for the routine clinical use. The purpose of this investigation was to propose a new approach which makes it possible to evaluate the rotational deformity of scoliosis more precisely than ever. To realize an idea that a two-dimentional morphologic measurement through horizontal planes is reasonable for the recognition of the rotational deformity, a new experimental apparatus named Laser Torsograph was constructed for the purpose of measuring horizontal cross-sections of the human body surface. The fundamentals of the measuring system is an optical triangulation using a laser spot which is detected by a line sensor camera. While the laser spot is turned around the trunk horizontally for 360 degrees, input data of the positions of the laser spot on the trunk surface are compiled into a minicomputer and processed to be visualized as cross-sectional figures on a display and X-Y plotter. Each cross-sections thus measured are computerized for the quantitative assessment of the deformity and three parameters (theta, phi, psi) are obtained full-automatically. Theta represents the degree of the spatial rotation of the cross-section (the position change). Phi represents the degree of the distorsion of the cross-section itself (the shape change). Psi represents the difference of thickness between the right and left half of the cross-section. By measuring cross-sections at multi-levels of each spinous processes for a scoliotic patient, the rotational indices of scoliosis are determined as the maximum values of each parameters. As a result of application of Laser Torsography to 109 cases of idiopathic scoliosis, the usefulness of this method has been established. The rotational deformity was obvious on inspection of cross-sections and convincing informations about structural changes were offered which were helpful, for example, to define the curve patterns objectively. Our innovative approach will provide the routine clinical situations with the precise visualization and appropriate quantitative data on the axial rotational deformity in scoliosis.
The system was designed to allow simultaneous monitoring of eight bioelectrical signals together with the necessary event markers. The data inputs are pulse code modulated, recorded on magnetic tape, and then read into a minicomputer. The computer permits the determination of parameters for the following signals: electrocardiogram (ECG), respiration (RESP), skin conductance changes (SCC), electromyogram (EMG), plethysmogram (PLET), pulse transmission time (PTT), and electroencephalogram (EEG). These parameters are determined for time blocks of selectable duration and read into a mainframe computer for further statistical analysis.
This paper describes a semi-automated quantitative method to evaluate left ventricular overall and regional wall motion. Left ventricular (LV) outlines are digitized on a frame-by-frame basis using a sonic graf/pen interfaced with a 9845 HP minicomputer. A high fidelity simultaneous LV pressure recording is also digitized. The overall myocardial pump and muscle function are expressed by the projections of the pressure-volume-flow and of the mid-wall equatorial stress-length-velocity relationships. The dynamic regional wall motion is quantitated using a radial coordinate method. The centers of mass of serial frames are superimposed, and the apical anti-clockwise rotation is corrected. The regional wall motion (RWM) and the rate of change of the RWM are calculated with this method, and the results plotted as a single hard copy output. This method permits evaluation of the effect of segmental wall dysfunction on total cardiac performance during different portions of the cardiac cycle. The relationships between the time course of LV pressure and stress and the dynamic RWM can also be studied in subjects with segmental contraction abnormalities.
A method is described for long-term recording of motor activity with a wrist-worn solid-state activity monitor. Movement-induced signals are integrated over predetermined periods (usually 7.5 min) and stored in the memory (1024 8-bit words) of the device. At 5-day intervals the data are transferred into a minicomputer and plotted in graph form. The technique may be used for studying the rest activity cycle and motor activity during sleep under normal life conditions. Sleep disorders and pharmacological effects on sleep can be objectified from the activity plots. Various applications in clinical medicine and in research are illustrated and discussed.
The paper is devoted to the functional specification and the architecture of a data processing system to database generation and management within the Centre of Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases in Bucharest. The main operations performed by the system refer to: -Patient admission. A patient file which is created for any new patient, contains all the details hitherto included in the patient registration form. -File update, carried out periodically or whenever required. Any new relevant detail is added to the existing file in a conversational manner. -Report generation. The reports are produced periodically or upon request. -Inventory and stock control concerning the drugs dispensed free of charge. -Data processing and classification. -Creation and retrieval of patient archives. -Display on request of the various details contained by the patient file. The described system can be implemented on an INDEPENDENT 1-100 general purpose minicomputer, having a main memory of 96 words. The disc-based AMS operating system is used. The system operates in real time, although off-line background jobs can be run in order to assist the scientific work. A FORTRAN compiler is part of the operating system.