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Noise, resolution, and sensitivity considerations in the design of a single-slice emission-transmission computed tomographic system.

A prototype Emission-Transmission Computed Tomography (ETCT) system is being developed that will acquire single-slice x-ray transmission CT images simultaneously with single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) images. This system will permit the correlation of anatomical information from x-ray CT with functional information from SPECT images. The patient-specific attenuation map derived from the x-ray CT images can be used to perform attenuation correction of the SPECT images, so that accurate quantitative information can be obtained. The fan-beam scanning geometry and the use of a segmented HPGe detector array impose special constraints on the design of the collimator for the system. Based on a signal detection model, an efficiency-resolution figure of merit (ERFM) as a function of the collimator geometric efficiency, system resolution width, and object diameter is defined. The ERFM is proportional to the square of the detection signal-to-noise ratio. The collimator design parameters can then be optimized by optimizing the ERFM for an anticipated object diameter. The collimator point-spread function, geometric efficiency, and resolution are calculated. The collimator optimized for the detection of a 1-cm object will have a single-slice point source efficiency of 1.2 X 10(-4), and a FWHM of 6.5 mm at the center of the reconstruction circle, at 12 cm from the collimator face. The minimum object contrast which will give a detection SNR of 5 is 74%, for a total accumulated count per slice of 2 X 10(6).

Humans↗

Use of data in a radiology information system for labeling computed radiographs: an interface to connect the two systems.

Computers have greatly facilitated the processing and storage of radiologic information. Manufacturers of radiology information systems (RISs) are gradually incorporating options for interfacing their products with other computers (e.g., hospital information systems). However, a growing need exists to also interface RISs with digital radiologic equipment so that images (e.g., computed radiographs of the chest and skeleton) are automatically labeled with identification data. Such connectivity would eliminate redundant work by technologists, decrease errors in the labeling of images, and increase the consistency of patients' data within a radiology department. Unfortunately, the rapid advances in digital technology, combined with the lack of a well-defined standard for the transfer of demographic information between dissimilar systems, have delayed development of these interfaces. We have developed a widely applicable method to automatically transfer patients' demographic data from an RIS to a commercially available computed radiography system. A personal computer is configured with inexpensive programmable telecommunications software to create an interactive gateway, which eliminates the need for redundant data entry (compared with entering data once on the RIS and again on the stand-alone computed radiography system), and thus also decreases errors in the labeling of images.

Local Area Networks↗

A computer-assisted system for reporting of dental radiographs.

A computer reporting system in radiology at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) uses the direct transcription of dictated reports into the computer with the option of standard reports. This article describes a system in regular use at MGH for reporting dental radiographs in which both the clinical history and the radiographic findings are assembled from canned subunits of standard text. The system covers 80 to 90 percent of all dental radiographs and results in a clear report requiring far less production time than previously.

Computers↗

Implementation of clinical guidelines using a computer charting system. Effect on the initial care of health care workers exposed to body fluids.

CONTEXT: While clinical guidelines are considered an important mechanism to improve the quality of medical care, problems with implementation may limit their effectiveness. Few empirical data exist about the effect of computer-based systems for application of clinical guidelines on quality of care. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether real-time presentation of clinical guidelines using an electronic medical record can increase compliance with guidelines. DESIGN: Prospective off-on-off, interrupted time series with intent-to-treat analysis. SETTING: University hospital emergency department. SUBJECTS: Patients were 280 health care workers (50 in the baseline control phase, 156 in the intervention phase, and 74 in the postintervention control phase) who presented for initial treatment of occupational body fluid exposures, including 89% (248/280) who sustained punctures and 81% (208/257) who were exposed to blood. Physicians included resident physicians and attending physicians working in the emergency department during the study. INTERVENTIONS: Implementation of a computer charting system that provides real-time information regarding history and recommendations for laboratory testing, treatment, and disposition based on rules derived from clinical guidelines. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Quality of care as determined by essential items documented in the medical record and in aftercare instructions, compliance with testing and treatment guidelines, and total charges and percentage of charges attributable to guideline-endorsed activities. RESULTS: Mean percent documentation of 7 essential items regarding patient history in the medical record increased from 57% during the baseline period to 98% in the intervention phase (42% increase; 95% confidence interval [CI], 34%-49%) and 11 items in aftercare instruction increased from 31 % at baseline to 93% during the intervention phase (62% increase; 95% CI, 51%-74%), but both decreased to baseline when the computer system was removed. Percent compliance with 4 laboratory testing guidelines increased from 63% at baseline to 83% during the intervention phase (20% increase; 95% CI, 9%-31 %) but decreased to 52% when the computer system was removed. Compliance with 5 treatment guidelines increased from 83% at baseline to 96% during the intervention phase (13% increase; 95% CI, 9%-17%) and decreased to 84% following the intervention. Percentage of charges incurred for indicated laboratory tests and treatment increased from 44% at baseline to 81% during the intervention phase (37% increase; 95% CI, 22%-52%) and decreased to 36% following the intervention. Average total per-patient charges were $460, $384, and $373 in each phase, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Use of a computer-based system for clinical guidelines for management of patients with occupational exposure to body fluids improved documentation, compliance with guidelines, and percentage of charges spent on indicated activities, while decreasing overall charges. The parameters returned to baseline when the computer system was removed.

Body Fluids↗

A computer controlled system for multiple site microcirculatory measurements.

A system has been developed for intravital microscopy studies that records optical signals at different tissue sites together with X-Y coordinates within an area of up to 100 cm2. Z axis coordinates can also be recorded. The system utilizes a computer and a motor-driven microscope stage to rapidly and repetitively move between selected sites. The system can also be used to map topological features and geometry. The application of the system to study spatial heterogeneity of changes in tissue metabolism with time and to map vascular network architecture is described.

Animals↗

Use of conditional rule structure to automate clinical decision support: a comparison of artificial intelligence and deterministic programming techniques.

A rule-based computer system was developed to perform clinical decision-making support within a medical information system, oncology practice, and clinical research. This rule-based system, which has been programmed using deterministic rules, possesses features of generalizability, modularity of structure, convenience in rule acquisition, explanability, and utility for patient care and teaching, features which have been identified as advantages of artificial intelligence (AI) rule-based systems. Formal rules are primarily represented as conditional statements; common conditions and actions are stored in system dictionaries so that they can be recalled at any time to form new decision rules. Important similarities and differences exist in the structure of this system and clinical computer systems utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) production rule techniques. The non-AI rule-based system possesses advantages in cost and ease of implementation. The degree to which significant medical decision problems can be solved by this technique remains uncertain as does whether the more complex AI methodologies will be required.

Computers↗

[The potentials of the Reflexotest computer diagnostic system with patients suffering from kidney failure].

Computer diagnostic system (CDS) Reflexotest based on the Nakatani method with the use of IBM PC/AT personal computer noticeably facilitates data accumulation and processing. It is a new non-invasive and simple electrophysiological method providing information on the status of autonomic nervous system which is indirectly indicative of functional capacity of different organs and systems. CDS efficacy is illustrated on 12 cases with chronic renal insufficiency (4 patients in compensation, 8 in terminal stages) who demonstrated low mean potential of biologically active points (BAP) and unbalance of potentials specific for different meridians. In patients with positive treatment effects there was a tendency to better BAP parameters. Deterioration of clinical condition was also reflected by BAP evidence. CDS Reflexotest is recommended for practice as a promising adjuvant diagnostic method.

Acupuncture Points↗

[Creating models of the development of a computer-assisted system of cardiovascular services].

In the paper computer aided method is described which can be applied for scenario generation of the health care system for cardiovascular diseases treatment. The real life system is represented in the form of patient flows in the network of diagnostic and therapeutic medical services. The adequate computer system with certain requirements for input data is then prepared. The alternative projections can be automatically calculated and evaluated by the expert teams for scenario generation. Selected preliminary scenarios obtained for ischemic heart disease are presented.

Cardiology↗

[Study of vocal function following partial laryngectomy with computer analysis system].

Vocal function of 28 patients following partial laryngectomy was studied with HGF-1 personal computer system. The system consists of spectrogram analysis of correlogram and sonogram. The result showed that different phonetic positions have different vocal functions. Vocal function of the patients who had new vocal cord and patients who received supraglottic hemilaryngectomy is nearly normal. Whereas vocal function of patients with supraglottic construction and speaking shunt is very poor. This system appears to be an objective and quantitative tool for vocal function study.

Aged↗

[A simple personal computer-based system for lung sound analysis].

Although lung sounds provide important information about the respiratory system, the analysis of lung sounds has not been widely used in clinical practice because of the complicated procedure involved. However, personal computer technology has made impressive strides in recent years. Today, practically all personal computer models on the market are equipped with the capacity for audio signal input and output. We developed a new computer system for lung sounds acquisition and analysis. The system hardware comprises only a personal computer and a microphone, and the software was developed for a widely used operating system (Windows 95). Our system can record, save, and replay lung sounds and analyze their time and frequency domains. To verify the accuracy of sound acquisition, we examined the frequency characteristics of the system as installed and utilized on 4 different machines. The characteristics were essentially flat throughout the 200-2,000 Hz spectrum within which almost all lung sounds were contained. We feel our system can serve as a simple and useful tool for lung sound analysis.

Humans↗

Computer software.

Software is the component in a computer system that permits the hardware to perform the various functions that a computer system is capable of doing. The history of software and its development can be traced to the early nineteenth century. All computer systems are designed to utilize the "stored program concept" as first developed by Charles Babbage in the 1850s. The concept was lost until the mid-1940s, when modern computers made their appearance. Today, because of the complex and myriad tasks that a computer system can perform, there has been a differentiation of types of software. There is software designed to perform specific business applications. There is software that controls the overall operation of a computer system. And there is software that is designed to carry out specialized tasks. Regardless of types, software is the most critical component of any computer system. Without it, all one has is a collection of circuits, transistors, and silicone chips.

History, 19th Century↗

A proposed computer diagnostic system for malignant melanoma (CDSMM).

This paper describes a computer diagnostic system for malignant melanoma. The diagnostic system is a rule base system based on image analyses and works under the PC windows environment. It consists of seven modules: I/O module, Patient/Clinic database, image processing module, classification module, rule base module and system control module. In the system, the image analyses are automatically carried out, and database management is efficient and fast. Both final clinic results and immediate results from various modules such as measured features, feature pictures and history records of the disease lesion can be presented on screen or printed out from each corresponding module or from the I/O module. The system can also work as a doctor's office-based tool to aid dermatologists with details not perceivable by the human eye. Since the system operates on a general purpose PC, it can be made portable if the I/O module is disconnected.

Algorithms↗

Computer-based system for adverse drug reaction detection and prevention.

An online computer-based system for monitoring patients for potential adverse drug reactions during their hospital stay is described. The adverse drug reaction monitoring system uses a Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) PDP-11 computer which is programmed in MUMPS (Masschusetts General Hospital Utility Multi-programming System). Primary references from the medical and scientific literature are analyzed and evaluated before being included in the data base. The patient's adverse reaction history, obtained by nursing personnel during a patient interview, is entered into the computer by pharmacy staff. The computer screens new prescription orders for potential adverse reactions; any adverse reaction reports are sent to the patient's physician. Other special programs that are used in the patient monitoring system include medication profiles, drug-drug interaction screening and prescription discontinuation date entry. The computer system enable detection of potential adverse drug reaction and notification of the patient's physician prior to administration of the prescribed drug.

Computers↗

CEPHS--a system for computer analysis of cephalometric radiographs.

A system developed for computer-aided analysis of cephalometric radiographs is described. Capabilities of the system include a method to digitize the radiographs using a personal computer and to upload the data to mainframe computer. Extensive cephalometric analysis measurements are performed, and superimposition of plots a series of radiographs is also possible. In addition, the system is capable of generating normal measurement values for various patient groupings, and of producing plots of normal radiographs for these groupings.

Cephalometry↗

Second opinion: a computer expert system designed to aid in the determination of spectacle lens prescriptions.

BACKGROUND: Expert systems (ESs) are computer programs that simulate the decision-making ability of human experts. In this project, an ES was developed that used optometric data and decision rules to determine spectacle lens prescription powers. METHODS: Decision rules derived from clinical experience and standard references were provided to a commercially available shell program to create an ES called Second Opinion. The ES determined spherical, cylindrical, and add powers designed to provide maximum acuity consistent with a high probability of patient acceptance. CONCLUSIONS: Second Opinion demonstrates how a computer program can be used to analyze optometric data and offer suggestions regarding lens prescriptions.

Adult↗

Longitudinal study of posterior subcapsular opacities using the National Eye Institute computer planimetry system.

BACKGROUND: The National Eye Institute (NEI) computer planimetry system has proved to be helpful in cross sectional studies by providing clinically useful area measurements of posterior subcapsular cataracts (PSC) and other opacities from retroillumination photographs. In this study, we evaluated the worth of this system in detecting PSC area changes over time. METHODS: Using the Neitz-Kawara camera, retroillumination photographs of the PSCs of 51 eyes were obtained every 6 months for an average of 25 months. The PSCs were outlined in a masked fashion on plastic overlays. Their tracings were then digitised on to a computer using a scanner. PSC area was determined using a special software program. For each eye, the rate of PSC area change was estimated by the slope of the regression line fitted to the follow up measurements. Cataract progression was classified as significant if the slope exceeded a critical value. RESULTS: These showed that 14 of the 51 eyes had PSC progression, while 37 did not change. CONCLUSION: This study suggests the system is useful for longitudinally monitoring PSC area changes from retroillumination photographs. This system would serve in natural history studies of PSCs and in clinical trials of anticataract drugs. The slope based test can play a part in longitudinal studies with irregular time intervals and variable number of visits.

Aged↗

The contrast-detail behaviour of a photostimulable phosphor based computed radiography system.

Contrast-detail measurements were performed on a computed radiography imaging system as a function of detector entrance air kerma over the dose range from 0.743 microGy (0.085 mR) to 277 microGy (31.8 mR). A theoretical model of contrast-detail behaviour for a photostimulable phosphor computed radiography system has been derived, which is based on a modified version of the Rose theory of threshold detection. Included in the model are both system and x-ray quantum noise terms, as well as the response of the eye. The zero-frequency noise power of the computed film images was measured with a double-beam scanning microdensitometer. For a given detector dose, good agreement was found between the predicted and measured data when this measurement of system noise was included in the model. The contrast-detail results obtained for the computed radiography system were also compared with contrast-detail results for an image intensifier-TV based digital imaging system and a conventional film-screen system.

Air↗