Search PubMed⌕ Search

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 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

A general software package for the handling of medical images.

PICS (portable imaging computer software), is a software system designed for handling and processing a variety of types of medical image. It has been designed to satisfy the following criteria: (a) the software should be portable between different items of hardware with minimal alteration; (b) there should be a simple operator interface to enable use by inexperienced users, while avoiding the need for experienced users to be directed through tedious menu trees; (c) the programming environment should enable simple integration of new data handling protocols. To meet these requirements the software was written in FORTRAN using structured subroutine organization. The software has basic image handling and processing facilities and contains a comprehensive set of nuclear medicine clinical protocols. Other facilities include alignment of images from different modalities with display of superimposed images and ability to handle, analyse and display three-dimensional data sets. Data transfer programs have been written to capture data from gamma camera, CT, MRI, ultrasound and radiographs by converting the images to a common data format. The system provides a hospital with a central digital image handling resource, enabling investigation of the value of digital image processing in potential clinical applications.

Diagnostic Imaging↗
PubMed1988

Hand-held computer program for field-capture and analysis of herbage yield and composition data using a modified dry-weight-rank and yield estimate method.

A BASIC program is described which is used to collect, check and analyse rank estimates of plant yield in the field. The program operates in a portable, battery-powered Sharp PC1500A hand-held computer than can be used in a field environment. Data are collected using a modified dry-weight-rank method and comparative yield estimates. Much of the software is designed to trap incorrect data entry. Raw data or summary data may be printed, displayed, and stored on cassette tape or transferred to another computer through a communications interface. The program can be easily modified to run on other models of the Sharp PC series or other portable computers that use a similar BASIC interpreter.

Algorithms↗
PubMed1991

Design and implementation of an electronic investigational drug accountability system.

A software system designed to maintain protocol-specific investigational drug accountability records is described. The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center and Cygnus Systems Development, Inc., worked together to create an electronic investigational drug accountability system (IDRx), which meets the requirements of the National Cancer Institute. This system performs record keeping, stores information on drugs and protocols, and generates standard and customized reports. On-screen assistance makes it easy to use. Security is achieved by granting access only to authorized users, and an audit trail is automatically generated. Systematic implementation at M. D. Anderson, initially in the investigational drug control area and subsequently in the satellite pharmacies, has resulted in increased accuracy and efficiency, and few problems have been encountered. The IDRx software package is useful for keeping records, generating reports, and tracking and evaluating data associated with an investigational drug accountability system.

Cancer Care Facilities↗
PubMed1990

[Construction of a computerized database for gastric cancer patients].

Gastric cancer is one of the most frequent malignant diseases in Taiwan. However, the result of treatment was poor. Since two years ago, we adopted the 'extended radical operation' for gastric cancer, in order to improve the post operative survival of patients with gastric cancer. For evaluating the results and prognosis, we used microcomputer and commercial software to design a computerized database for gastric cancer. The whole system includes three main operations. (1) Basic File Maintenance. (2) Data Analysis and Statistics. (3) Follow-up Data Managements. The operation is under Chinese system with pull-down menu and on-screen help. Rapid and accurate data analysis are the main advantages, and automatic plotting of data to bar/line chart is one of the characteristics by using this computerized database. Other characteristics include error-trapped function, item coding and data transformation.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Image analysis methods for solitary pulmonary nodule characterization by computed tomography.

Computer software was designed for classifying solitary pulmonary nodules (SPNs) into benign and malignant from their CT images, using image analysis methods. The system made use of three features, computed from the CT density matrix of the SPN, and a class-discriminating algorithm. System evaluation was performed on 51 histologically confirmed SPNs of indeterminate CT diagnosis. Overall classification accuracy in distinguishing benign and malignant SPNs was 90.2%, while 83.3% of the benign and 93.9% of the malignant SPNs were correctly classified. The proposed system may be of value to the radiologist in assessing the probability of malignancy in patients with a solitary pulmonary nodule.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Evaluating and validating very large knowledge-based systems.

Most knowledge-based systems for use in medicine have been developed in response to specific problems such as the diagnosis of abdominal or chest pain in an accident and emergency department, or the diagnosis and treatment of meningitis. There is a role for a general decision support system capable of answering queries about any aspect of medicine, particularly in primary care. However, evaluating such a knowledge base requires more elaborate methodology than a simple iterative test and refine cycle. At the design stage an adequate knowledge base structure is required to allow focused modification of the knowledge base when errors are discovered. During the prolonged evaluation cycle the partially formed knowledge base must be tested with such techniques as validation checks for consistency and completeness and examination of characteristics of problem-solving procedures. Finally a variety of criteria that represent the performance, robustness, flexibility, predictability, validity, coverage, relevance and congruity of the knowledge base are needed for a full description of the system's worth. Two case studies from the Oxford System of Medicine project are provided as examples of this philosophy: validating specific medical facts and comparing two methods for aggregating reasoning for and against a decision option.

Artificial Intelligence↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Information systems for the community health services.

This paper is concerned with the design and implementation of an information system which fulfils some of the local needs of fourteen nursing and para-medical professions working in the community in a district health authority, whilst satisfying the statutory requirements of the NHS Körner steering group for those professions. The implementation of the computer information system was achieved through the participation of those professionals who would eventually use the system. A prototype system, which has now been extended, has been operational for some time covering the chiropody and school nursing staff groups. An evaluation of this system has shown that a significant number of the problems and objectives of those groups have been successfully addressed, the value of community health information has been increased, and information has been fed back to staff and better utilized.

Ambulatory Care Information Systems↗
PubMed1991

A computer program designed for the analysis of data from rat caries studies.

The Keyes method for scoring dental caries in the rat animal model has been used as the basis for a computer-assisted scoring system on the Apple Macintosh personal computer that is described here. The program provides the ability to draw on diagrams of the rat molar dentition and to enter enamel lesion scores (L, E) and dentinal lesion scores (Ds, Dm, and Dx) for all aspects of the molars. The scores and drawings may be changed at any time. Total carious teeth and totals of L, E, Ds, Dm, and Dx are automatically calculated and presented upon user command. Error trapping for typographical errors is provided. In addition, the program provides automatic storage of the collected information, searching and sorting on any of the experimental parameters and on-disk help files that can be accessed from any place within the program. The capacity to obtain printed copy of any or all of the stored information is provided in the program. The program also enables the creation of external data files containing totals for carious teeth, in addition to L, E, Ds, Dm, and Dx totals for each animal of each group represented in the data base. These files are suitable for the transfer of data to commercially available programs for graphical and statistical analyses. The programming technique we describe could be extended to other model systems with standardized scoring for oral disease.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Present state and future trends in electrical heart stimulation.

Examples of electrical heart stimulation techniques are presented to illustrate for the physician and biomedical engineer the technical feasibility of realizing many therapeutic concepts by means of microelectronics. Because of the life-supporting applications, extremely high system reliabilty must be guaranteed. The usual methods of enhancing safety by providing redundancy cannot be used, and the service life requirements can be met only by appropriate adaptation of the current consumption due to the limited battery capacity. Based on the practical experience gained in the manufacture of more than 100,000 implantable devices, it can be reported that by rigid application of, and adherence to, quality assurance measures reliability values can be achieved of lambda = 10(-7)h-1 at a confidence level of 90% for the hybrid components and of lambda = 10(-9)h-1 for integrated circuits and passive components. The requirement for technical reliability of the implantable device for patient safety requires a thorough understanding of all technical and medical details of the therapeutic device. The success of future developments (e.g. the automatically-controlled systems which are meant to substitute for the multiprogrammable pacemakers) will not only require utilization of currently available technologies but also will depend to a great extent on active participation of the physicians in the development process itself.

Cardiography, Impedance↗
PubMed1986

Design of an integral computer-based wheelchair controller/linear synchronous motor system.

The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the advantages of designing computer-based motor controllers together with innovative motors, such that maximum controller/motor system benefits are obtained. Specifically, this paper describes how a computer-based controller/drive system for powered wheelchairs has been designed and is being built and tested. This type of integral controller/drive system has been possible to build into a wheelchair only with the advent of the microprocessor-based feedback motor controller. The type of motor chosen for this project was a linear synchronous motor (LSM), which is highly efficient (90%+) and could easily be made an integral part of a wheelchair wheel, providing a "no-moving-parts" drive system. However, an LSM cannot be variable-speed-controlled without knowledge of, and controlled adjustment to, the absolute rotor versus stator position at each point in time. Microprocessor-based feedback motor controllers make precise, efficient control of LSMs possible at a reasonable cost. In addition, this combination of controller and motor provides a very flexible wheelchair control/drive system that may be easily programmed to suit the needs and necessities of the wide variety of over 200,000 persons now using powered wheelchairs.

Algorithms↗
PubMed1991

Controlled freezing of nonideal solutions with application to cryosurgical processes.

Success of a cryosurgical procedure, i.e., maximal cell destruction, requires that the cooling rate be controlled during the freezing process. Standard cryosurgical devices are not usually designed to perform the required controlled process. In this study, a new cryosurgical device was developed which facilitates the achievement of a specified cooling rate during freezing by accurately controlling the probe temperature variation with time. The new device has been experimentally tested by applying it to an aqueous solution of mashed potatoes. The temperature field in the freezing medium, whose thermal properties are similar to those of biological tissue, was measured. The cryoprobe temperature was controlled according to a desired time varying profile which was assumed to maximize necrosis. The tracking accuracy and the stability of the closed loop control system were investigated. It was found that for most of the time the tracking accuracy was excellent and the error between the measured probe temperature and the desired set point is within +/- 0.4 degrees C. However, noticeable deviations from the set point occurred due to the supercooling phenomenon or due to the instability of the liquid nitrogen boiling regime in the cryoprobe. The experimental results were compared to those obtained by a finite elements program and very good agreement was obtained. The deviation between the two data sets seems to be mainly due to errors in positioning of the thermocouple junctions in the medium.

Analog-Digital Conversion↗
PubMed1992

The ergonomic analysis of a trauma resuscitation room.

Ergonomics is the practical and scientific study of people in relation to their working environment. We describe its application to the operation of a trauma resuscitation room. We used specifically designed computer software. This methodology enables a unique and objective assessment of the design and operation of a clinical system. It may be particularly applicable to other hospital areas where the efficient interaction of staff, patients and equipment is crucial to the optimal clinical outcome.

Equipment and Supplies, Hospital↗
PubMed1987

Evaluation of myocardial perfusion and function by single photon emission computed tomography.

Although planar radionuclide techniques provide accurate, noninvasive measurements of myocardial perfusion and function that are of proven clinical value in the evaluation of the cardiac patient, they are limited by poor object contrast and superimposition of surrounding structures. Due to incomplete angular sampling and significant longitudinal distortion, limited angle tomography did not solve these problems. Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) can acquire scintillation information over very small angles of rotation and, thus, improve both object contrast and delineation of overlying or adjacent structures without distortion. The early SPECT systems were cumbersome, dependent on individual user developed software, and had extremely long acquisition and processing time. Improved camera design, new software algorithms, and the use of array processors have simplified and standardized quality control, decreased processing time, and minimized the number of user interventions. New image display formats and quantitative methods of analysis have made interpretation less cumbersome, more reliable and highly reproducible. Cardiac SPECT has been used with thallium-201 and gated blood pool imaging in both research and clinical applications and shown an improvement over planar methods of acquisition.

Algorithms↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A fast communication aid for non-verbal subjects with severe motor handicaps.

A computer-based communication system for non-verbal persons with severely deficient coordination of the upper extremities is described. The device doubles as an environmental control unit. Modular design is chosen throughout. Commercially available subunits are used to reduce cost. Input is by a 3 x 3 keyboard, when the user has some command over his hands. Otherwise a binary 'autoscan' access mode is used, which is controlled by repeated closures of a single binary switch. Output is in written form on a display or acoustical by synthesized speech. Hard-copy output can also be provided. Remote communication is possible by modem or by synthesized speech. Speed of message generation is increased by establishing a vocabulary, which contains, in addition to signs and letters of the alphabet, whole words and stereotyped phrases. The data blocks of the latter are accessed by a single input cycle similar to that used for the selection of isolated letters, symbols, etc.

Communication Devices for People with Disabilities↗
PubMed1992

[A study of the computer aid design for tooth arrangement of full denture].

This paper is to use the power function Simpson's integration formula and some other methods to describe the geometric form of the dentition and edentulous arch in accordance with the theories and principles of tooth arrangement in textbook. The matching equations of artificial dentition and edentulous arch form and size are developed by using the multivariable regression method to analyze and summarize the clinical experiences of prosthodontists. Based on the above facts, a computer program that can be used to aid the dentist to arrange the artificial teeth for full denture is developed with Quick Basic Language and realized them in PC miniprocessors.

Computer-Aided Design↗
PubMed1988

A home-based pulmonary function monitor for cystic fibrosis.

As care for the chronically ill makes increasing demands upon our medical system, cost-effective methods for addressing those demands are being sought. The use of self-monitoring coupled with telecommunication of results to the health-care provider can be expected to provide a partial solution in the appropriate clinical setting. An electronic spirometer with telecommunication ability for use by cystic fibrosis patients in the home has been developed.

Analog-Digital Conversion↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Safety considerations in intravenous infusion devices: the IVAC approach.

The safety-related circuits and characteristics of IVAC Models 260 and 560 are reviewed, with a discussion of how basic safety and reliability philosophies have been incorporated into the design of these instruments. The uses of IV fluid delivery instruments have expanded from traditional fluid replacement to nutritional, electrolyte, and potent cardiovascular drug therapy, creating the need for and forcing the development of safer and more reliable IV instruments. Standards organizations and regulatory agencies, such as AAMI and Germany's TUV, are implementing more exacting standards for new IV instruments. New designs must begin with a basic safety philosophy and then integrate that philosophy into hardware and software. Critical design areas include flow control mechanism, flow detection, microprocessor failsafe, battery operation, user interface, and software tests of the instrument and the microprocessor itself.

Computers↗