A multi-layered application for the gross description using Semantic Web technology.
OBJECTIVE: Development of a Semantic Web technology based system for the formalization of the gross description. METHOD: A system is developed using the Java-2 platform. It is based on a light-weight version of the Galen top level ontology. Web technologies like XML, SAX en DOM have been used. RESULT: Three system components have been developed to support the semantic, the object and the syntax layers of the PathOnt architecture. CONCLUSION: The PathOnt approach provides a tool for the communication among clinicians and technicians involved in pathology examinations. This tool also provides a foundation for linking the specimen-specific data with the controlled medical ontology so that the stored information can be used in different circumstances.