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PubMed1987

Planning for the information age: a survey of microcomputer use in a faculty of health sciences.

Microcomputers can greatly enhance information processing by clinicians and improve the quality of health care. We surveyed 983 full- and part-time faculty members to assess the state of microcomputer use in the Faculty of Health Sciences at McMaster University, Hamilton, Ont. The ratio of faculty members to microcomputers was close to 1; however, 29% of the full-time and 52% of the part-time members who responded indicated that they did not use a computer. Among those who did, the range of applications was generally limited. There was no mention of more advanced uses such as diagnosis, treatment and patient records. Only about 30% of the respondents had taken a computer course, but all indicated a desire to take courses (on average, three of the seven listed in the questionnaire). Our results showed an extensive but unequal distribution of microcomputers and revealed the need for planning and education to put them to optimal use.

Computers↗
PubMed1993

Development of a microcomputer-based system to monitor the electrical and chemical responses of nerve fiber.

The objective of this project is to develop a microcomputer-based system to monitor the electrical and chemical responses of nerve fiber individually and in combination. The system is capable of controlling eight nerve fiber samples simultaneously, and allows the researcher to: (i) study the effects of different stimulus amplitudes, and duration, (ii) provide real-time data processing, and (ii) store the collected data and display result in a tabular form and/or graphically. The system consists of two subsystems, the microcomputer and the analog subsystem. The microcomputer is a 80486-based microcomputer system. The analog subsystem consists of Instrumentation Amplifiers, Analog Multiplexer, Analog-to-Digital Converter, Digital-to-Analog Converter, and Sample-and-Hold with multiplexed input. In addition to the hardware, the software is being developed which consists of a main program and many other routines.

Computer Systems↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Education in primary health care. Diagnostic evaluation of teaching using microcomputers].

The use of microcomputers in medical education to assess the training process in Primary Health Care is analyzed. The experimental study consisted of 8 modules related to immunization campaigns, nursing care of healthy children, sanitation, nursing care of women, epidemiology and statistics, and nursing care of those diseases presenting the highest prevalence. The program is based on the basic software "Evaluation of Training", and designed in basic language. Each module consisted of a set of questions and each set had 3 different forms of feedback: the given form, the controlled form, and the form for searching. The independent variable of this investigation was the evaluation of training by microcomputers, and the dependent variable was the cognitive domain and development. The sample comprises 16 individuals studying on the eighth semester of a nursing course, and each group is made up by 8 students (a control group and an experimental group). Data obtained from this investigation were assessed by the test of nonparametric indicators. Results evidenced that the evaluation of training by a microcomputer provided a significantly higher performance in comparison with noncomputer assisted evaluation. Students were satisfied regarding the interaction with the microcomputer and with the performance of the evaluation. Further investigations in this field are recommended.

Computer-Assisted Instruction↗
PubMed1990

Automated measurement of transplantable solid tumors using digital electronic calipers interfaced to a microcomputer.

Data collection for transplantable solid tumors has been automated with electronic digital calipers and a balance which have been coupled through an RS-232 interface to a microcomputer. BASIC programs handle data entry, calculations and data storage. A "PROTOCOL" program accepts keyboard input of sample name, notebook number, submitter and dose along with necessary information on tumor system, and then initial animal weights for treatment groups are sent from balance to computer. Data is stored as an ASCII file on floppy disks, and protocol reports are printed. When the test is to be measured, a "MEASURE" program prompts the user for keyboard entry of toxic deaths in each group. Then the computer requests input of width and length of tumors for each animal. These tumor dimensions are sent to microcomputer by pressing a button on the calipers. When a group is completed, final animal weights are sent from balance to microcomputer. Then tumor weights and percent inhibition as compared to appropriate control groups are calculated, and the data is appended to the file for that test. A hard copy is generated as tumors are measured, and reports including percent inhibition can be printed immediately after a test is measured. The data as an ASCII file is transferred via modem to mainframe computer, where another program transfers the information to a database management program. These automated procedures for tumor measurement save time and lessen the chance for error by eliminating manual recording of solid tumor dimensions and subsequent reentry of this data for calculation.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

Nonlinear least-squares regression programs for microcomputers.

Nonlinear least-squares regression can be performed on a microcomputer with BASIC language capability and 8K or more bytes of random access memory. At least five nonlinear regression programs written in BASIC exist, two of which have been implemented on microcomputers. These programs and some of their characteriscics are described. Advantages and disadvantages of performing nonlinear regression on microcomputers are contrasted with use of nonlinear regression programs requiring large computers.

Computers↗
PubMed1988

Evaluation of a microcomputer-based clinical laboratory data acquisition system linked with a minicomputer-based patient data management system.

We describe a microcomputer-based clinical laboratory data acquisition system linked with a minicomputer-based patient data management system and report on its performance. The system consists of a microcomputer and six laboratory analyzers: a blood gas analyzer, a flame photometer, a plasma osmotic pressure meter, a chloride ion titrator, a blood sugar analyzer, and a hemoglobin concentration and saturation meter. With the addition of a previously developed microinterface unit to each laboratory analyzer, data from each analyzer can be automatically transmitted to the microcomputer through a communication network. These data are then automatically transmitted to the patient data management system and thereby become part of that data base. Performance of this system was evaluated in two ways: (1) by comparing the turnaround time from an anesthetist's order for a laboratory analysis to receipt of the analysis with the time required in a control situation and (2) by comparing the number of steps a laboratory technician is required to walk to obtain and deliver the laboratory result with the number of steps required in a control situation in which no system was used. The turnaround time and the number of steps walked using this system were 552 +/- 41 seconds (n = 19, P less than 0.001) and 197 +/- 31 steps, respectively (n = 19, P less than 0.001), contrasted with 622 +/- 52 seconds and 374 +/- 87 steps without the system.

Clinical Laboratory Information Systems↗
PubMed1989

A microcomputer system for on-line monitoring of pulmonary function during artificial ventilation.

Standard monitoring of the artificially ventilated patient in the intensive care unit (ICU) and during anaesthesia includes repeated determinations of arterial blood gases, airway pressure and expired volume. However, there is a need for more extensive monitoring of the critically ill ventilator treated patient, and this is possible by better utilization of modern technology. Information on a variety of variables related to both pulmonary mechanics and gas exchange has long been accessible in the lung-function laboratory. Small, inexpensive microcomputers (PCs), accurate and fast bedside monitors and modern ventilators have also made this information directly available to the ICU staff. This paper describes a microcomputer (PC-XT) system for on-line bedside monitoring of pulmonary function. The microcomputer receives airway pressure, gas-flow and timing signals from the ventilator and signals for carbon dioxide concentration from an infrared analyzer. Data related to pulmonary mechanics and gas exchange are derived and displayed on the computer screen, both numerically and as graphs. In studies of ten artificially ventilated patients the coefficients of variation (CV) were below 10% for directly obtained variables (tidal volume, airway pressure, end-tidal and mixed expired carbon dioxide, carbon dioxide production, airway dead space), whereas the derived variables (compliance, phase III carbon dioxide slope) were associated with greater variability, with CVs ranging from 1.3 to 24% (median 6.25% and 8.65% respectively). The accuracy in estimating dead space variations was checked in two ventilator-treated patients by adding known dead space volumes. Simple regression analysis yielded an r value of 0.98 indicating adequate correctness of measurements and calculations.

Airway Resistance↗
PubMed1984

Microcomputers for computer-assisted instruction in anesthesia.

This article discusses the suitability of microcomputers and microcomputer languages for computer-assisted instruction. The advantages and disadvantages of using computers in general and microcomputers in particular for CAI are presented. Programming techniques for different types of CAI programs are discussed. Finally, we have summarized several articles on CAI in anesthesia and have concluded that CAI programs are an effective method of presenting certain types of instruction in the specialty.

Anesthesiology↗
PubMed1987

A microcomputer-based prosthetic limb controller: design and implementation.

This paper describes the design and implementation of a microcomputer based myoelectric limb controller. This controller was constructed for use as a feasibility study of, and a development tool for, microcomputer-based myoelectric limb controller applications. Features of this approach include flexibility and computational power. The present design uses low-power CMOS technology to provide a system in which most of the new computationally and decision orientated myoelectric signal processing algorithms can be used. Two CMOS microprocessors, a CD80C86 and a MC146805E2, are used, but microcomputer power consumption is only 120 mA.

Biomedical Engineering↗
PubMed1995

Microcomputer system for automatic identification of the Cryptococcus neoformans and its clinical application.

In this study, microcomputer image processing and pattern recognition technology, and the knowledge of morphology and optical characteristics of Cryptococcus neoformans were used for identification of Cryptococcus neoformans. Four groups of mice were lethally infected with standard strain, Wuhan strain, American B-2643 strain and Var. Shanghainesis of the Cryptococcus neoformans. The samples collected included mice brain, lung, kidney, liver, small intestine tissue and were observed under a light microscope. More than 600 images of the fungus were input into a microcomputer. A system of computer for automatic identification of the Cryptococcus neoformans was developed. The technique involved image preprocessing, image segmenting, coding of line-length on the edge, curve fitting, extracting of image feature, building of image library and feature data bank etc.. And then, 768 images of the clinical samples and other fungus samples whose morphological features tend to be confused with Cryptococcus neoformans were input into microcomputer and subjected to automatic identification. The Cryptococcus neoformans was accurately identified within 15 min, and the consistency rate with results of routine culture was 98%.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Introduction to microcomputer hardware and software.

Although general purpose computers have been available for more than 40 years, the dramatic plunge in the cost of electronics in the past 10 years has finally made significant computing power affordable to almost anyone. However, a large number of people including professionals have little idea of how a computer really works or what it can and cannot do. Presented here is an introduction to the hardware and software of microcomputers which assumes no working knowledge of electronics or programming. The fundamental pieces of a microcomputer are explained, giving some insight into the reasons why present microcomputers are built the way they are. This is followed by a discussion of the fundamentals of how software is used to make the hardware compute. The various levels of software are discussed, then the most commonly used types of user application software are described, and finally some suggestions are made on how to choose a personal computer.

Computer Communication Networks↗
PubMed1990

Adding a microcomputer bar-code network to a minicomputer-based radiology information system.

A bar-code terminal network under software control of a microcomputer was added to the minicomputer-based radiology information system at the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta. The bar-code network was specifically installed to address the inherent inaccuracies occurring when procedure information was entered at the time of registration before procedures were actually performed. Technologists now enter procedure data into bar-code terminals after procedures are performed, substantially reducing database errors. This approach allowed us to take advantage of a microcomputer product without the necessity of completely converting our highly customized information system software from mini-to microcomputer.

Electronic Data Processing↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Microcomputer control of behavior and the acquisition of digital and analog data.

Advances in technology and decreasing costs are enabling microcomputers to displace more traditional devices in the scientific laboratory. The availability of various approaches to software-system development for the use of microcomputers in the on-line control of experiments has contributed to the trend. This report describes a software system developed to control conditioned behavior during schedules of reinforcement while simultaneously accumulating behavioral data and physiological (analog) data using a hardware system base on the Radio Shack TRS-80 Model I microcomputer. The software utilizes a high-level interpretive language (Microsoft BASIC), assembly language and compiled BASIC to attain an acceptable execution speed and ease of programming.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

A system for rapidly converting quadriceps contraction to a digital signal for use in microcomputer-oriented muscle therapy and stroke patient assessment schedules.

A system for testing quadriceps performance is described involving a microcomputer, quadriceps switch, analogue-to-digital converter, electromyograph, and an interface unit that rapidly converts quadriceps contraction to a digital signal to be read by a microcomputer. A computer program, developed in response to a need for new patient assessment schedules in active rehabilitive therapy for strokes, tests the patient's control over function of the quadriceps muscle in the affected leg. The software is written in BBC BASIC and designed to run on an Acorn BBC Model 'B' microcomputer. Speed of interpretation of inputs is a few milliseconds.

Cerebrovascular Disorders↗
PubMed1981

A microcomputer system for the control of behavioral experiments.

A self-contained microcomputer control system (MCS) is described for controlling and recording events from behavioral experiments using a low-cost microcomputer, the Rockwell AIM 65, and the BASIC language. Features of the system include a printer, alphanumeric display, 4K RAM, 8K BASIC on read only memory (ROM), a cassette interface, a power supply, and a control interface, all contained in a compact enclosure. The control interface allows for 16 inputs and 16 outputs, and includes a real-time clock and versatile machine language subroutines for controlling and recording real-time events. These features make BASIC a suitable user language for this application. The use of this microcomputer control system for operant research in behavioral pharmacology is described.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

A fully automated system using a microcomputer for the hypertensive activity assays of drugs in the anesthetized rat.

A complete system is described for the computerized automation of the determination of activity of hypertensive drugs in the anesthetized rat. The microcomputer used was the Apple IIe, and the automation was performed by a purpose-designed command module. The series of injections of hypertensive drugs was controlled by the microcomputer through the intermediary of the command module. All processing of the signal (hypertension peak), calculation of the data obtained, statistical processing, and archive storage of the results was carried out entirely by the microcomputer. The computer was able unaided to control three work stations simultaneously without requiring synchronization.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Microcomputers and consultation psychiatry in the general hospital.

The microcomputer allows for the design of a system that functions integrally with both the day-to-day and long-term needs of a consultation-liaison psychiatric service. This article describes a microcomputer system and data structure that can accomplish many of the same research tasks as a minicomputer system. In addition, the same data item inputs can be used to develop management reports that can facilitate the administrative as well as the pedagogic needs of a consultation-liaison service. Because of the daily availability and review of output reports, supervisors' corrections are made that enhance the reliability of the data. The program format provides 1) an intake form with pertinent identifying demographic data; 2) an activity file that contains every encounter between the consultant and the patient as well as research, supervisory, and liaison activities (which permit cost-effectiveness analysis); 3) a master clinical data base containing 255 variables for each case seen; 4) a computer-generated chart note; 5) letters to referring physicians; 6) clinical activity descriptions for billing; and 7) a file for pertinent literature searches. Since certain analyses may be limited in the microsystem, its interactive capacity with mainframe computers allows for complex functions. The microsystem described presently emphasizes flexibility, accessibility, and step-by-step development of files as needed by a particular consultation-liaison service. Finally, microcomputers are available at a fraction of the cost of the minicomputer or mainframe systems.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

A microcomputer system for measuring neuron properties from digitized images.

A microcomputer system has been developed for the quantitative analysis of neurons, synapses, and other biological profiles. The outlines of profiles are traced from micrographs using a digitizer. From these traces, the system calculates cross-sectional area, perimeter (length), average diameter, and form factor. Data values for the number of profile contacts, the number of elements within a profile, the number of elements associated with a profile, profile type, and profile depth are also entered. The program calculates contact and element densities from these values. The data are printed-out on a thermal printer and stored on magnetic tape or floppy disk. The software is written entirely in BASIC. The system uses commercially available hardware, including a Hewlett-Packard 9845T microcomputer and H-P 9874A digitizer. The programs can be adapted to a wide variety of other microcomputer systems.

Animals↗