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Integrated information-processing system in clinical orthodontics: an approach with use of a computer network system.

A computer network system has been developed in the Orthodontic Clinic, Osaka University Dental Hospital, to improve treatment efficiency and patient service. The system consists of a 32-bit host computer, its peripheral units, and personal computers connected to the host computer by data-transmission circuits, making up a local area network (LAN). It is possible in this system to integrate various types of data, such as the patient's basic information, treatment records, image data, and diagnostic analysis results to construct a relational database. It has been shown that the computer system developed in the orthodontic clinic has various clinical advantages.

Databases, Factual↗

An integrated cardiorespiratory pathology information system.

An integrated computer system which is in its initial year of implementation has been developed to handle pathological data of cardiorespiratory organs. On the single entry of data captured at the source, the interactive computer system generates reports for administrative requirements by law, updates a data base of cardiorespiratory histopathological data for research purposes and facilitates inquiry for periodical management reports. The system is based on multiple-source documents which have numerically precoded choice option statements as well as free text provision for those statements where precoded options are not provided. The computer system has replaced manual system procedures most effectively in terms of cost.

Cardiovascular System↗

Online prediction of beef tenderness using a computer vision system equipped with a BeefCam module.

Four experiments were conducted in two commercial packing plants to evaluate the effectiveness of a commercial online video image analysis (VIA) system (the Computer Vision System equipped with a BeefCam module [CVS BeefCam]) to predict tenderness of beef steaks using online measurements obtained at chain speeds. Longissimus muscle (LM) samples from the rib (Exp. 1, 2, and 4) or strip loin (Exp. 3) were obtained from each carcass and Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF) was measured after 14 d of aging. The CVS BeefCam output variable for LM area, adjusted for carcass weight (cm2/kg), was correlated (P < 0.05) with WBSF values in all experiments. The CVS BeefCam lean color measurements, a* and b*, were effective (P < 0.05) in all experiments for segregating carcasses into groups that produced LM steaks differing in WBSF values. Fat color measurements by CVS BeefCam were usually ineffective for segregating carcasses into groups differing in WBSF values; however, in Exp. 4, fat b* identified a group of carcasses that produced tough LM steaks. Quality grade factors accounted for 3, 18, 21, and 0% of the variation in WBSF among steaks in Exp. 1 (n = 399), 2 (n = 195), 3 (n = 304), and 4 (n = 184), respectively, whereas CVS BeefCam output variables accounted for 17, 30, 19, and 6% of the variation in WBSF among steaks in Exp. 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. A multiple linear regression equation developed with data from Exp. 2 accurately classified carcasses in Exp. 1 and 4 and thereby may be useful for decreasing the likelihood that a consumer would encounter a tough (WBSF > 4.5 kg) LM steak in a group classified as "tender" by CVS BeefCam compared with an unsorted population. Online measurements of beef carcasses by use of CVS BeefCam were useful for predicting the tenderness of beef LM steaks, and sorting carcasses using these measurements could aid in producing groups of beef carcasses with more uniform LM steak tenderness.

Adipose Tissue↗

Computer-based medical system for the computation of blood pressure excess in the diagnosis of hypertension.

A computer-based system for assessing hypertension was designed by combining hardware for automatic, long-term blood pressure (BP) measurement with a set of software modules for computing time-specified tolerance intervals and evaluating measures of BP excess. BP is so variable that the identification and proper definition of hypertension are highly ambiguous when based on single measurements. One first step in dealing with such variability is to replace the constant limits for BP frequently used in the assessment of hypertension by a time-specified reference interval. Once such a threshold is available, a hyperbaric index can be computed by numerical integration as the total area (within one cycle) of any given patient's BP above the threshold. In order to examine the extent of normal physiologic excess, a series of 266 systolic and diastolic BP and heart rate (HR) measurements were automatically monitored every 30 minutes for at least 48 hours from clinically healthy subjects, aged 19 to 25 years. Original data were used to obtain 90% tolerance intervals for each gender separately. The hyperbaric index was then computed for each individual BP profile. The distribution of the maximum hyperbaric index (maximum of the values computed for systolic, mean arterial, and diastolic BP levels shows a highest value of 14.839 mmHg x hr for the men and of 10.229 mmHg x hr for the women. These values represent a testable threshold for assessing hypertension based on the proposed approach. The tolerance intervals obtained from the reference population were also used to compute hyperbaric indices for a series of 175 BP measurements sampled from clinically healthy people, as well as a series of 60 measurements sampled from patients with mild hypertension. Sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of hypertension based on the hyperbaric index were both 100%, as opposed to values obtained from computing the BP load, the average of the BP series, or the circadian amplitude, all of which provided a much poorer diagnostic test. The software system developed for automatically establishing time-qualified tolerance limits from a reference population and assessing the extent and timing of BP elevation for a test subject may help to establish a prognosis and diagnosis, with a correspondingly better assessment of health status, to initiate treatment if needed, to time treatment when it is most desirable and least harmful in terms of undesired effects, and to gauge the patient's response to treatment.

Adult↗

Reproducibility of mandibular motion and muscle activity levels using a commercial computer recording system.

A commercial computer recording system (BioPak) was tested for its accuracy and reproducibility in recording mandibular motion and muscle activity levels (EMG). Accuracy of measurements of mandibular motion was tested using sliding calipers. Accuracy of muscle activity levels was checked with a sine-wave calibration signal of known amplitude and frequency. Reproducibility of motion and of EMG was made using five control subjects each tested on 3 separate days. Computer measurements of motion were found to require correction for nonlinearity at openings beyond 45 mm. Most maximum voluntary excursions were found to be more reproducible than motions during mastication. However, lateral deviation during opening was strongly affected by magnet orientation and varied greatly between trials. Electromyographic recordings were distorted by improper treatment of high-frequency components of the signal and also varied greatly between trials. This study suggests that the BioPak system may indicate changes in some measures of mandibular motion and EMG levels in patients for whom no changes have occurred.

Adult↗

Artifacts in chest radiographs with a third-generation computed radiography system.

Photostimulable phosphor computed radiography (CR) is a developing and increasingly widespread technology. The purpose of this pictorial essay is to familiarize readers with the appearance and cause of image artifacts that can occur in a third-generation computed radiographic system. Artifacts are described that relate to imaging plates, image readers, image processing, and film processing.

Adult↗

Computing motion in the primate's visual system.

Computing motion on the basis of the time-varying image intensity is a difficult problem for both artificial and biological vision systems. We will show how one well-known gradient-based computer algorithm for estimating visual motion can be implemented within the primate's visual system. This relaxation algorithm computes the optical flow field by minimizing a variational functional of a form commonly encountered in early vision, and is performed in two steps. In the first stage, local motion is computed, while in the second stage spatial integration occurs. Neurons in the second stage represent the optical flow field via a population-coding scheme, such that the vector sum of all neurons at each location codes for the direction and magnitude of the velocity at that location. The resulting network maps onto the magnocellular pathway of the primate visual system, in particular onto cells in the primary visual cortex (V1) as well as onto cells in the middle temporal area (MT). Our algorithm mimics a number of psychophysical phenomena and illusions (perception of coherent plaids, motion capture, motion coherence) as well as electrophysiological recordings. Thus, a single unifying principle 'the final optical flow should be as smooth as possible' (except at isolated motion discontinuities) explains a large number of phenomena and links single-cell behavior with perception and computational theory.

Algorithms↗

Use of the voice-controlled and computer-assisted surgical system ZEUS for endoscopic coronary artery bypass grafting.

OBJECTIVE: With the aim of performing a completely endoscopic coronary bypass anastomosis, we have undertaken an experimental and clinical study using robotic instrumentation and voice-controlled camera guidance. METHODS: The ZEUS Robotic Surgical System (Computer Motion Inc, Goleta, Calif) consists of three interactive robotic arms and a control unit, allowing the surgeon to move the instrument arms in a scaled down mode. The third arm (AESOP, Computer Motion) positions the endoscope via voice control. PHASE I: In a phantom model, vascular grafts were anastomosed to the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) of 50 pig hearts with either 2- or 3-dimensional visualization. PHASE II: In 6 dogs (FBI 20-25 kg) the left internal thoracic artery (LITA) was harvested endoscopically. Then the animals were placed on an endovascular cardiopulmonary bypass system (Port-Access, Heartport, Inc, Redwood City, Calif). Anastomosis of the LITA to the LAD was performed endoscopically with the telemetric ZEUS instruments. Flow rates through the LITA were measured by Doppler analysis. PHASE III: Two patients were operated on with the ZEUS system. After endoscopic harvesting of the LITA and cardiopulmonary bypass with the Port-Access system, the bypass graft (LITA-LAD) was anastomosed endoscopically with the ZEUS system through three thoracic ports. RESULTS: In the dry laboratory, the time range required for the robotically assisted coronary anastomosis was 35 to 60 minutes with 2-dimensional visualization and 16 to 32 minutes with 3-dimensional visualization. In the animal experiments, the median time for endoscopic harvesting of the LITA was 86 minutes (range 56-120 minutes) and for the anastomosis, 42 minutes (range 35-105 minutes); flow rates through the LITA ranged between 22 and 45 mL/min. In the clinical cases, preparation times for the LITA were 83 and 110 minutes, respectively, and anastomosis times, 42 and 40 minutes, respectively. Doppler flow rates measured 125 and 85 mL/min, respectively. Both patients had an uneventful follow-up angiogram and postoperative course. CONCLUSIONS: With sophisticated robotic technology, a completely endoscopic anastomosis of the LITA to the LAD is possible, allowing technically precise operations within acceptable time limits.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗

[Continuous case control using a subsequent computer-supported documentation system].

A computer system for recording clinically relevant parameters is described. The system represents a modification of previous methods for the collection and evaluation of follow-up data. Once installed, it permits the observation of dental therapy and subsequent treatment measures without additional organizational requirements. The results show the number of cases that can be controlled over 5 years without special appointments for reexamination.

Dental Records↗

[The design and application of a computer aided system for measuring the electroencephalographic effect].

A new computer system (including hardware and software design) was developed which could be used to record and analyze the electroencephalographic (EEG) signal. The EEG analog signal of four channels was first digitized at a sampling rate of 960 Hz through analog to digital converter and then stored in the Sun-386 computer for off-line analysis. Various EEG effect parameters were then generated from the aperiodic waveform analysis files, i.e., total number of waves/s and total voltage/s in various frequency ranges 1-3, 4-7, 4-11, and 12-30 Hz. From various EEG parameters derived from computer system, the total number or voltage in 12-30 Hz (TNW12-30, TV12-30) was considered as the best descriptor of EEG effect.

Anti-Anxiety Agents↗

The role of computed tomography in diseases of the musculoskeletal system.

Computed tomography has added another dimension to the evaluation of musculoskeletal disease. The ability to discern subtle differences in tissue densities and the capability of viewing structures in the axial plane has greatly aided the resolution between normal and pathologic tissue and the appreciation of the anatomic relation between normal and pathologic structures. This paper deals with the application of CT in the evaluation of neoplastic, inflammatory, traumatic, metabolic, and congenital diseases of the musculoskeletal system.

Ankle Injuries↗

Standards for the electronic transfer of clinical data: progress and promises.

Data exchange standards have two components: the message format or syntax and the dictionary of codes (semantics). For many applications, message standards already have been developed. For a few kinds of clinical entities, such as drugs, these code systems (e.g., the National Drug Code) are virtually complete, but a few gaps must be filled and an agreement must be reached about the level of granularity needed. The available codes for clinical descriptors are inadequate but the National Library of Medicine's Universal Medical Language (UML) project will do much to redress this deficiency. Codes for clinical variables such as blood pressure and blood glucose which have methods, units, normal ranges, and physiologic correlates are very inadequate. CPT4 provides some of the needed codes but has huge gaps. An early effort to extend CPT4 is included in ASTM 1238. Work being done by ASTM E31.12 and the Euclides project will offer robust codes for clinical laboratory measurements. If we want to pool data from different institutions for clinical and policy research, universal codes for observations are prerequisite. And agreement of an international coding system for observation-bearing variables should be a major agenda item for standards groups in the next year. Our goal has been to standardize the communication of clinical data between clinical systems, not the systems themselves or their internal operation. In fact, standardizing the internals of clinical application could be counterproductive at the present. It would deflect energy from, and delay the spread of, CDI standards. Moreover, it gives undue attention to computer systems, rather than the data they contain. The data are the most expensive part of any data system. They are the raison d'être for such systems. Computer systems come and go. The data last forever. Yet we have been mesmerized by the computer system while ignoring its contents. As a result, most computer-stored clinical data must live like the tragic boy in the bubble. They cannot "live" outside of the computer system in which they were born. So, we find at every hospital the bizarre rituals of humans reading computer-generated reports so they can type this information in another computer. Electronic (e.g., stored clinical) data should not depend upon the internals of a particular program, language, or machine for its interpretation. The clinical data entered into one computer system should be directly available to any other computer system that now receives them through manual transcription. Data interchange standards give life to our data--independent of the source system.

Abstracting and Indexing↗

Computed tomography in the evaluation of the portal venous system.

Computed tomography has widespread clinical application in the evaluation of the portal venous system, even though quantitative methods are impractical due to the inability to measure portal flow discrete from hepatic arterial flow, morbidity associated with the use of large volumes of iodinated contrast, and technical limitations. This represents a major disadvantage compared to Doppler ultrasound and magnetic resonance angiography. Qualitative applications include evaluation of portal vein patency, diagnosis of portal vein thrombosis, underlying inflammatory or neoplastic conditions, and evaluation of surgically created portosystemic shunts and collateral flow. Diagnostic criteria for portal venous thrombosis include nonopacification of the central portion of the portal vein, peripheral enhancement of the vein, and irregular periportal hepatic parenchymal enhancement. However, misdiagnosis is common, occurring in 16% of cases analyzed in one limited series, and periportal vein enhancement is now recognized as a nonspecific finding associated with underlying endothelial injury. Cavernous transformation of the portal vein and neoplastic invasion of the portal system are more reliably recognized. Computed tomography arterial portography demonstrates collateral pathways and arteriovenous shunts. Computed tomography has a sensitivity of 85% in detection of esophageal varices compared to endoscopy, but has the advantage of demonstrating splenorenal, gastrorenal, peripancreatic, pericholecystic, retroperitoneal and omental collateral vessels, and spontaneous large portosystemic shunts, with greater sensitivity than angiography. Computed tomography combined with Doppler ultrasound angiography remains popular, despite a lack of large-scale prospective efficacy studies demonstrating diagnostic superiority over other imaging techniques, largely because of its accessibility, and its detailed axial anatomic images providing an overview of multiple organ systems, and patency of major vessels.

Collateral Circulation↗

Optimized algorithms for displaying 16-bit gray scale images on 8-bit computer graphic systems.

Most personal computers contain 8-bit graphic display hardware, whereas most medical gray scale images are stored at 16-bit per pixel integers. To display medical gray scale images on such computers, the 16-bit image data must be remapped into 8-bit gray scale images. This report presents the algorithms and computer code that allow very rapid 16-bit to 8-bit image data transformation. These algorithms are helpful in allowing personal computers with at least the performance of a Macintosh II (Apple Computer, Cupertino, CA) computer to function as low-end picture archiving communication systems or personal workstations.

Algorithms↗

Accurate technique for complete geometric calibration of cone-beam computed tomography systems.

Cone-beam computed tomography systems have been developed to provide in situ imaging for the purpose of guiding radiation therapy. Clinical systems have been constructed using this approach, a clinical linear accelerator (Elekta Synergy RP) and an iso-centric C-arm. Geometric calibration involves the estimation of a set of parameters that describes the geometry of such systems, and is essential for accurate image reconstruction. We have developed a general analytic algorithm and corresponding calibration phantom for estimating these geometric parameters in cone-beam computed tomography (CT) systems. The performance of the calibration algorithm is evaluated and its application is discussed. The algorithm makes use of a calibration phantom to estimate the geometric parameters of the system. The phantom consists of 24 steel ball bearings (BBs) in a known geometry. Twelve BBs are spaced evenly at 30 deg in two plane-parallel circles separated by a given distance along the tube axis. The detector (e.g., a flat panel detector) is assumed to have no spatial distortion. The method estimates geometric parameters including the position of the x-ray source, position, and rotation of the detector, and gantry angle, and can describe complex source-detector trajectories. The accuracy and sensitivity of the calibration algorithm was analyzed. The calibration algorithm estimates geometric parameters in a high level of accuracy such that the quality of CT reconstruction is not degraded by the error of estimation. Sensitivity analysis shows uncertainty of 0.01 degrees (around beam direction) to 0.3 degrees (normal to the beam direction) in rotation, and 0.2 mm (orthogonal to the beam direction) to 4.9 mm (beam direction) in position for the medical linear accelerator geometry. Experimental measurements using a laboratory bench Cone-beam CT system of known geometry demonstrate the sensitivity of the method in detecting small changes in the imaging geometry with an uncertainty of 0.1 mm in transverse and vertical (perpendicular to the beam direction) and 1.0 mm in the longitudinal (beam axis) directions. The calibration algorithm was compared to a previously reported method, which uses one ball bearing at the isocenter of the system, to investigate the impact of more precise calibration on the image quality of cone-beam CT reconstruction. A thin steel wire located inside the calibration phantom was imaged on the conebeam CT lab bench with and without perturbations in source and detector position during the scan. The described calibration method improved the quality of the image and the geometric accuracy of the object reconstructed, improving the full width at half maximum of the wire by 27.5% and increasing contrast of the wire by 52.8%. The proposed method is not limited to the geometric calibration of cone-beam CT systems but can be used for many other systems, which consist of one or more point sources and area detectors such as calibration of megavoltage (MV) treatment system (focal spot movement during the beam delivery, MV source trajectory versus gantry angle, the axis of collimator rotation, and couch motion), cross calibration between Kilovolt imaging and MV treatment system, and cross calibration between multiple imaging systems. Using the complete information of the system geometry, it was demonstrated that high image quality in CT reconstructions is possible even in systems with large geometric nonidealities.

Algorithms↗

Cardiac reconstruction imaging in relation to other ultrasound systems and computed tomography.

A computer-controlled system is described for the generation of two-dimensional motion images of the heart. A standard B scanner is used to scan the area of interest during 40-50 cardiac cycles, and the computer controls recording of the ultrasound signals, beam position indicators, and physiologic data. The ultrasonic echoes are reformatted by the computer into sequential frames by reference to the ECG. Images are displayed in motion on a large monitor, and hard copy is obtained on 35 mm cine film. Off-line computer-controlled signal processing is utilized for image enhancement of clinical studies. Real-time systems for the production of two-dimensional motion images of the heart are discussed and compared to computer reconstruction of ultrasound cardiac imaging. The advantages of ultrasound imaging of the heart and other body areas are presented, and prospectives are offered by which the present and future roles of ultrasound can be evaluated in respect and future roles of ultrasound can be evaluated in respect to computed tomography. It is concluded that ultrasound will remain the primary noninvasive modality for cardiac motion study and that ultrasound will continue to provide important clinical information in all parts of the body where it is currently employed.

Computers↗

High performance computing in biology: multimillion atom simulations of nanoscale systems.

Computational methods have been used in biology for sequence analysis (bioinformatics), all-atom simulation (molecular dynamics and quantum calculations), and more recently for modeling biological networks (systems biology). Of these three techniques, all-atom simulation is currently the most computationally demanding, in terms of compute load, communication speed, and memory load. Breakthroughs in electrostatic force calculation and dynamic load balancing have enabled molecular dynamics simulations of large biomolecular complexes. Here, we report simulation results for the ribosome, using approximately 2.64 million atoms, the largest all-atom biomolecular simulation published to date. Several other nano-scale systems with different numbers of atoms were studied to measure the performance of the NAMD molecular dynamics simulation program on the Los Alamos National Laboratory Q Machine. We demonstrate that multimillion atom systems represent a 'sweet spot' for the NAMD code on large supercomputers. NAMD displays an unprecedented 85% parallel scaling efficiency for the ribosome system on 1024 CPUs. We also review recent targeted molecular dynamics simulations of the ribosome that prove useful for studying conformational changes of this large biomolecular complex in atomic detail.

Computational Biology↗