A personal computer-based system for acquisition and processing of radiological diagnostic information

Scientific-Research Institute for Medical Instrument Engineering, Moscow. Translated from Meditsinskaya Tekhnika, No. 6, p. 8, November–December, 1992.     

24h动态脑电图对癫痫的诊断意义

目的：了解动态脑电图对癫痫诊断的应用价值。方法：对１１２名诊断癫痫，可疑癫痫及发作性晕厥病人行２４ｈ动态脑电图检查，并在一周内做脑电图或脑电地形图检查作为自身对照。结果：发现全部病人组ＡＥＥＧ痫样放电检出率明显高于ＥＥＧ／ＢＥＡＭ组；在癫痫发作类型中，以复杂部分性发作ＡＥＥＧ痫样放电阳性率明显高于ＥＥＧ／ＢＥＡＭ组；睡眠期痫样放电检出占有痫样放电患者５６／６７（８４％），主要出现在ＮＲＥＭⅠ－Ⅱ期（７５％）。结论：动态脑电图对癫痫的诊断有重要的意义     

A computer-based outpatient clinical referral system.

The process of generating a clinical referral for a patient, and the resulting transfer of information from the primary care physician to the specialist and back again, are key components in the struggle to deliver less costly and more effective clinical care. We have created a computer-based, outpatient clinical referral application that facilitates: (1) identifying an appropriate specialist; (2) collecting the clinical, demographic, and financial data required to generate a referral; and (3) transferring the information between the specialist and the primary care physician (PCP). This article describes the development of the application itself and several of the knowledge bases that were created to facilitate this process. Preliminary results indicate that the new computer-based referral process is faster to use than conventional methods.     

A computer-based training system for breast fine needle aspiration cytology.

Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) cytology is a rapid and inexpensive technique used extensively in the diagnosis of breast disease. To remove diagnostic subjectivity, a diagnostic decision support system (DDSS) called CytoInform has been developed, based on a Bayesian belief network (BBN) for the diagnosis of breast FNAs. In addition to acting as a DDSS, the system implements a computer-based training (CBT) system, providing a novel approach to breast cytology training. The system guides the trainee cytopathologist through the diagnostic process, allowing the user to grade each diagnostic feature using a set of on-screen reference images as visual clues. The trainee positions a slider on a spectrum relative to these images, reflecting the similarity between the reference image and the microscope image. From this, an evidence vector is generated, allowing the current diagnostic probability to be updated by the BBN. As the trainee assesses each clue, the evidence entered is compared with that of the expert through the use of a defined teaching file. This file records the relative severity of each clue and a tolerance band within which the trainee must position the slider. When all clues in the teaching case have been completed, the system informs the user of inaccuracies and offers the ability to reassess problematic features. In trials with two pathologists of different experience and a series of ten cases, the system provided an effective tool in conveying diagnostic evidence and protocols to trainees. This is evident from the fact that each pathologist only misinterpreted one case and a total of 86%/88% (experienced/inexperienced) of all clues assessed were interpreted correctly. Significantly, in all cases that produced the correct final diagnostic probability, the route taken to that solution was consistent with the expert's solution.     

A computer-based decision support system for diagnostic histopathology of the breast.

Accurate histological diagnosis of breast lesions is essential for the appropriate management of the patient. However, the technique of histological typing is problematic due to the large number of histological patterns, often of a complex and variable nature, which occur in breast disease. The introduction of the Breast Screening Programme has increased the burden on pathologists, and emphasised the need for training. Problems arise because mammographic screening detects a greater proportion of special histological types, with their attendant difficulties of identification, when compared to clinically palpable lesions. A computer-based decision support tool has been developed to assist pathologists in the histological diagnosis of breast disease. Unlike conventional expert systems, which seek to recreate the problem-solving processes of an expert, this system has been designed to act as an intelligent assistant to the pathologist. The system represents knowledge in the form of 'disease profiles', and utilises a novel inference model based upon the mathematical technique of hypergraphs. Initial trials with this system have demonstrated that a high level of diagnostic accuracy can be achieved.     

A computer-based data analysis system for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays

A computerized system is presented for automating the data collection, processing, and displaying tasks involved in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. This system uses a through-the-well absorbance reader of microtiter plates interfaced to a minicomputer running the UNIX operating system. Optical density in each well of a 96-well microtiter plate is recorded as a function of time for up to 10 time points. These data are automatically transmitted to the remote computer. The rate of product formation is then calculated for each well, and a battery of analysis, display, and comparison programs can then be used by the researcher for data presentation. Using the initial rate of reaction as the basis for quantifying enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays focuses on the catalytic property of the enzyme and allows a large dynamic range of the assay on any plate. These programs can be adapted to virtually any mini- or microcomputer with a graphics display or a plotting device. Assuming moderately powerful computing hardware, throughputs of 50 plates per day are easily achieved. The programs work equally well with peroxidase, beta-galactosidase, or alkaline phosphatase conjugated second antibodies, and with whole cell or soluble antigens.     

A computer-based data acquisition system for breathing and exercise entrainment studies

An interactive, real-time, computer-based data acquisition system was designed to obtain data for breathing and exercise entrainment studies. By timing the steps of subjects walking on a treadmill relative to different points in the respiratory cycle (e.g. the beginning and end of inspiration), the relation between gait and ventilation can be followed on a breath-by-breath basis. Accurate establishment of the beginning and end of respiratory events from a pneumotachygraph signal was assured by using tidal volume thresholds for (1) noise, (2) minimum valid volume and (3) minimum duration.     

A computer-based information-tool for chronic pain patients. Computerized information to support the process of shared decision-making

ObjectiveAssessment of the use of a computerized information-tool in the context of a shared decision-making process with chronic pain patients.MethodsIn the scope of a prospective and randomized study on shared decision-making with Fibromyalgia patients, a total of 75 patients had access to computer-based information about their illness. Fibromyalgia is a condition of chronic wide-spread pain, belonging to rheumatism, which mainly affects mature female patients. The majority of the patients in our study are female (93%) with an average age of 50 years. The computer-based information-tool provided the patients with detailed information about pathogenesis, typical symptoms, treatment options and prognosis. Six evaluative questions were posed to the participants concerning the assessment of the information presented, the handling of the programme, the need for an introduction to the programme, the quality of the layout and the assessment of the length of time spent in front of the computer and the assessment of the usefulness of such a tool in general practitioners’ offices. Furthermore, psychological self-assessment questionnaires were filled out by the participants.ResultsThe patients highly appreciate the possibility of using computer-based information-tools and endorse the implementation of such tools in general practitioners’ offices.ConclusionComputerized information leads to a better understanding of the illness and the treatment options on the part of the patient.Practical implicationsFor further practical use it is crucial to provide an introduction to the handling of a computer to unskilled patients.     

A computerized cancer information system.

Cancer information was made available via a computer to patients visiting the University of Connecticut Dental Clinics. The computer program was menu driven. An option allowed users to leave messages for the system owners. The computer program generated a log of usage, user comments and items chosen. The user could choose from the following topics: (1) general information on cancer; (2) diet, nutrition and cancer; (3) smoking; (4) the environment, occupations and cancer; and (5) physical checkups. An option to leave a message for the system operators was the option chosen least. Analysis of the usage log shows that the system was used substantially while people were waiting in the clinic and that at least three or four individuals used the system every clinic day. Such information systems can provide important information to the public. The novelty of the system and the lack of supervision did not deter public use.     

A computer-assisted bacteriology reporting and information system.

A computer system for reporting and recording all specimens processed by the routine bacteriology laboratory at the Royal Postgraduate Medical School is described. Features of interest are the method of input using a mixture of 3-character alphanumeric codes and numbers, cumulative reporting to the wards, and selective listing of relevant previous results for the patient, which is available to technical and supervisory staff during processing of the specimen. The relative value to the wards and the laboratory of each type of information transfer has been assessed. Overall the use of a computer has resulted in higher quality bench work and more accurate reporting. It seems little more expensive than a previous manual system, although it has transferred work from the technical to the clerical staff.     

A computer-based system for identification of the static characteristics of medical sensors

This paper presents the design and implementation of a computer-based system for identification of the static characteristics of medical sensors. The static characteristic obtained is then used to correct the input-output non-idealities caused by nonlinearity effects, gain error, hysteresis and environmental effects. The knowledge of this characteristic enables digital signal processing of the sensor response, facilitates correction of input-output non-idealities and forms a compensation formula which is required for the optimal design of the experiment for medical sensor calibration. The identification system consists of a personal computer and a microcontroller-based electronic system. In consideration of practical situations special emphasis is oriented toward its user friendliness and future extendability.     

A new frequency-selective toposcope for electroencephalography

A multi-channel toposcopic display system for EEGy is described. The instrument is capable of recording the frequency and phase relations in 16 separate channels and includes means for generating appropriate sensory stimuli. An electronic circular scan generator of unusual design is described in detail.