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At least 379 records · Page 21Linked to original sources

PubMed2004

University of Wyoming, College of Engineering, Undergraduate Senior Design Project: the talking hand.

A glove was built using flex sensors to produce a voltage according to the amount of bend each finger produces when signing a letter of the alphabet. The glove detects and outputs in text the letter of the alphabet being signed as the wearer signs the different letters. The amount of bend causes a change in resistance, which in turn produces a specific voltage in accordance to the letter being signed. That voltage is then fed into a data acquisition card that runs into a personal computer. Through intensive programming and training of a special algorithm called a neural network; the input voltage to the data acquisition card will result in that letter being displayed in font on the monitor of the computer. The computer is then programmed to take the text that is displayed on the monitor and run it out of the PC into a store bought chipset that will convert the text to speech. Therefore, a person will be able to put on this glove, sign all twenty-six letters of the alphabet, see the letter they are currently signing output on the monitor, and hear it spoken in a pre-recorded voice.

Algorithms↗

PubMed2003

Remote afterloading for neutron brachytherapy using californium-252.

BACKGROUND: Despite a pronounced technical process attained in radiotherapy of malignant neoplasms, no remarkable improvement in the treatment results has been achieved. The reason for this stagnation is the interaction between tumor cell and photon radiation. Tumor resistance against photon bombardment can be broken down by applying high linear energy transfer (LET) radiation-based treatment. The discovery of californium-252 ((252)Cf) nuclide, a source of gamma neutron radiation, established a precondition for using neutrons in tumor brachytherapy. The design of a remote afterloading device using (252)Cf sources remains an unsolved problem. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The afterloading device has been designed as a stationary radiator which is composed of three mutually interconnected units: 1. the control and drive unit consisting of a control computer and a motor-driven bowden system carrying the (252)Cf source; 2. the source which is housed in a watertight concrete vessel-storage strong room, situated in the ground at a depth of 25 cm beneath the patient's bed; 3. the afterloading application module installed in the irradiation room. RESULTS: Remote afterloading allows simple, inexpensive and highly efficient radiation protection and work safety for the operating personnel. The sources may be moved arbitrarily during treatment with a position accuracy of 0.5-1.0 mm within a distance of 520 cm from the source storage position in the strong room to the application position. Both afterloading systems' unused indexer outputs are protected electronically and mechanically against any unintentional movement of the source outside the application tubes. CONCLUSION: The technologic concept of the present automatic afterloading device for neutron brachytherapy represents a possible option from the range of conceivable design variants, which - while minimizing technologic and economic requirements - provides the operating personnel with optimum protection and work safety, thus extending the applicability of high LET radiation-based treatment methods in clinical practice.

Brachytherapy↗

PubMed1990

An application of an optical disk filing system to the management of medical records.

An optical disk filing system is a promising new method to memorize the contents of medical records. However, due to problems of image quality, input speed and durability with the disk, this has not yet been put to practical use. In the present study the image quality of the laser disk system installed in our hospital were checked, and this system was thought to be useful to store discharge summary. We developed discharge summary management system by inputting into the optical disks the discharge summary written freely by doctors and the discharge abstract automatically formed by computer.

Evaluation Studies as Topic↗

PubMed1997

An application of digital network technology to medical image management.

With the advent of network technology, there is considerable interest within the medical community to manage the storage and distribution of medical images by digital means. Higher workflow efficiency leading to better patient care is one of the commonly cited outcomes [1,2]. However, due to the size of medical image files and the unique requirements in detail and resolution, medical image management poses special challenges. Storage requirements are usually large, which implies expenses or investment costs make digital networking projects financially out of reach for many clinical institutions. New advances in network technology and telecommunication, in conjunction with the decreasing cost in computer devices, have made digital image management achievable. In our institution, we have recently completed a pilot project to distribute medical images both within the physical confines of the clinical enterprise as well as outside the medical center campus. The design concept and the configuration of a comprehensive digital image network is described in this report.

Computer Communication Networks↗

PubMed1997

Effect of two fluorescent dyes on color of restorative materials.

PURPOSE: The objective of these two studies was to determine whether the use of dyes in vitro would affect the shade of tooth-colored restorative materials. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two separate studies were performed. In Study 1, four groups (N = 36) of restorative materials; (1) resin composite (RSN), (2) resin-modified glass ionomer (RMGI), (3) conventional glass ionomer (CGI), and (4) porcelain (PCN), were subjected to a rinse in either tap water (control) or Pyrromethene 556 dye at a concentration of 0.01M for 30 seconds or 0.0015 M for 60 seconds. They were then rinsed with 25% ethanol as would be done in clinical usage. In Study 2, the same restorative materials (except PCN) were subjected to a rinse in either tap water (control) (N = 8) or 0.0018 M sodium fluorescein (N = 8) for 60 seconds followed by a 5-second rinse with tap water. For both studies the specimens were analyzed for overall color changes (delta E*) comparing baseline to immediately post dye exposure and then again after 1, 4, 24, and 48-hour storage under running tap water. In addition, an image of each specimen, illuminated under an argon laser light (HGM), was captured with a miniature charged-coupled device (CCD) color camera at the same time intervals when the color was measured. These images were analyzed for fluorescence using computer assisted methods. A software program then computed the mean and standard deviation of the fluorescence values for each image. The data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA. RESULTS: delta E* values from baseline on specimens treated with either Pyrromethene 556 or sodium fluorescein were not significantly different from water at any time. The only exceptions were CGI specimens exposed to 0.01 M Pyrromethene 556 and RMGI exposed to sodium fluorescein which had a higher delta E* immediately after treatment, however this effect was reversed after 1-hour rinse. Mean delta E* was less than 2.69 for specimens treated with Pyrromethene 556 and less than 3.20 for specimens treated with sodium fluorescein after 1-hour rinse in water. When the mean fluorescence level, as determined by the computer, was averaged there was no difference between the Pyrromethene 556 treatments and control for RMGI, RSN and PCN after 4-hour rinse in water and, as time in storage increased, the fluorescence level decreased. CGI treated with 0.01 M Pyrromethene 556 was significantly more fluorescent even after 48-hour rinse in water. All specimens treated with sodium fluorescein were also significantly more fluorescent than control even after 48-hour rinse in water. It was concluded that exposure of these restorative materials to Pyrromethene 556 at 0.01 M or 0.0015 M or to 0.0018 M sodium fluorescein will not lead to any prolonged visually detectable color changes.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed1995

Optical neural device based on memory-type organic photoconductors.

A variable-sensitivity organic-photoconductive device has been developed by using a memory-type organic photoconductor. The device is composed of an input layer and a memory layer acting as a charge generation and a charge transport layer, respectively. A persistent high-sensitivity state, which corresponds to a modulation of synaptic weights in a neuron model, was obtained by blue light illumination. A photochemical reaction of thiomichler's ketone (TMK) in the memory layer was found to be responsible for the memory formation. As a potential application of this memory-type organic photoconductor to an optical neural device, 2-D pattern storage and calculations were performed successfully.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Producing preferred format material from Microsoft Word.

This paper presents a set of tools that are integrated with a word processor to produce documents in a visually impaired person's "preferred format." The paper considers the motivation for producing such tools and describes tools to perform spoken transcription (to cassette tape) and intelligent large print production.

Communication Devices for People with Disabilities↗

PubMed1979

A double scanning microphotometer for image analysis: hardware, software and biomedical applications.

A new image processing system designed for densitometry and pattern analysis of microscopic specimens is described with special regard to the hardware, the software and the biologic applications. The data acquisition procedure involves the combination between the scanning of the preparation by means of a motorized stage and the scanning of successive fields by a mechanical device. The signal provided by the photomultiplier is converted into digital values which are directed to an on-line computer. The data processing is based on a one-pass computation involving automata theory and therefore it avoids the storage of the image in the computer memory. In so doing, an entire and continuous image of the whole preparation can be processed at the highest magnification of the microscope whatever the size of the analyzed specimen may be. A biologic application of the system is reported and concerns the automatic identification and counting of cells in the various phases of the mitotic cycle.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

More vendors aim pitch at small hospitals.

Computer vendors, operating in a sluggish market, are looking for business wherever they can find it, and small hospitals are virgin territory for many applications, including clinical and departmental systems. Sharply falling prices for minicomputers, microcomputers, printers and storage devices have cut the total cost of systems by at least 30% to 40%, putting them within the reach of smaller facilities.

Commerce↗

PubMed1993

Optical imaging the "Right" way.

Optical imaging systems can help lead the way to the computer-based patient record. This article addresses several security clearance issues that these systems raise and tells how one facility responded to them.

Computer Security↗

PubMed2000

[Development of perinatal management system using optical card and regional health information network].

In Kagawa Prefecture, a perinatal management system using the optical medical card and the information network has been introduced since October 1998. Four hospitals(Kagawa Medical University, Sakaide Municipal Hospital, Uchinomi Town Hospital and Tsuda Prefectural Hospital) are connected with each other through the health information network(Kagawa Health and Welfare Information Network) organized by Kagawa Prefecture. (http://www.hw.kagawa-swc.or.jp/net/) Patients' clinical data are described on the optical card based on the "standard format of the Japan Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists(JAOG). (http://www.jaog.or.jp/JAPANESE/MEMBERS/JOUHOU/H10/index.htm). Clinical information including the fetal heart rate(FHR) and sonography (JPG) can be easily transmitted through this network(on line). Without the network, patient data can also be transmitted using the optical card(off line). There are still many technical and social problems to be solved in the future, research into the use of medical information network should be continued.

Computer Communication Networks↗

PubMed1999

Digital image recording: an integral aspect of video endoscopy.

In today's medical environment, efficiency and accuracy are the keys to successful outcomes. This concept is especially applicable during video endoscopic imaging, where image clarity is of utmost importance for medical applications. One of the most exciting advances in video endoscopy is the development of digital image storage devices. We report on a fast and efficient way to grab and store images during endoscopic procedures. Images can be stored on standard 3.5" floppy disks using an innovative new digital image recorder. The images are stored as high resolution JPEG files (640 x 480 x 24) for excellent clarity and detail. Once loaded onto the computer or network, the images can be placed into electronic medical records, imported into internet web pages, incorporated into slide presentations, and most importantly, stored in well organized archives which take up a minimum of space and are easily accessed by multiple users. This digital image recorder provides a complete system for acquiring images on a standard format 3.5" floppy disk--the world's most ubiquitous storage format.

Endoscopy↗

PubMed2004

Giant tunnelling magnetoresistance at room temperature with MgO (100) tunnel barriers.

Magnetically engineered magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs) show promise as non-volatile storage cells in high-performance solid-state magnetic random access memories (MRAM). The performance of these devices is currently limited by the modest (< approximately 70%) room-temperature tunnelling magnetoresistance (TMR) of technologically relevant MTJs. Much higher TMR values have been theoretically predicted for perfectly ordered (100) oriented single-crystalline Fe/MgO/Fe MTJs. Here we show that sputter-deposited polycrystalline MTJs grown on an amorphous underlayer, but with highly oriented (100) MgO tunnel barriers and CoFe electrodes, exhibit TMR values of up to approximately 220% at room temperature and approximately 300% at low temperatures. Consistent with these high TMR values, superconducting tunnelling spectroscopy experiments indicate that the tunnelling current has a very high spin polarization of approximately 85%, which rivals that previously observed only using half-metallic ferromagnets. Such high values of spin polarization and TMR in readily manufactureable and highly thermally stable devices (up to 400 degrees C) will accelerate the development of new families of spintronic devices.

Computers↗

PubMed1983

Low-cost digital teleradiology systems.

The proliferation of digital imaging methods creates a need for systems that facilitate storage and retrieval of these images. Several low-cost systems with the capability to store, retrieve, and transmit digital images from the medical center to distant general-purpose desktop microcomputers over standard telephone lines were investigated. Using error checking and nonlinear gray scales, both bistable and gray scale display systems were able to transmit and reproduce diagnostic quality images. The major limitations are the lack of low-cost digital mass-storage devices and relatively slow transmission times.

Information Systems↗

PubMed2003

Electronic signatures for long-lasting storage purposes in electronic archives.

Communication and co-operation in healthcare and welfare requires certain Trusted Third Party (TTP) services describing both status and relation of communicating principals as well as their corresponding keys and attributes. Additional TTP services are needed to provide trustworthy information about dynamic issues of communication and co-operation such as time and location of processes, workflow relations, and system behaviour. Electronic signatures based on asymmetric cryptography are important means for securing the integrity of a message or file as well as for accountability purposes including non-repudication of both origin and receipt. These electronic signatures along with certified time stamps are especially important for electronic health records (EHR), electronic archives in general, and other typical purposes of a long-lasting storage. Apart from technical storage problems (e.g. lifetime of the storage devices), this paper needs to look for mechanisms of e.g. re-signing of messages, archive details, or whole archives.

Access to Information↗

PubMed1998

A comparison of digitally scanned radiographs with conventional film for the detection of small endodontic instruments.

The use of computers in dentistry is becoming common as a practice tool for a diverse number of tasks, including the storage and enhancement of intra-oral radiographs. Several systems of digital radiography are available to produce a digital image including irradiation of a charged-couple device and scanning conventional radiographs. This study compared various digital images of scanned periapical radiographs with the original radiographs to determine whether the digitized images offered any advantage when viewing small files at the radiographic apex. Twenty extracted permanent molar teeth were prepared by gaining straight line access to the root canals and a ISO size 06 K-file was introduced into one of the canals until the tip was flush with the apical foramen. Using a standardized technique, radiographs were taken of the teeth using E-speed film. The radiographs were scanned and five digital images: original, enhanced, negative to positive conversion, zoom and zoom of negative to positive were produced. Three evaluators compared each of the images with the radiograph for clarity of the endodontic file in relation to the radiographic apex. Results were analysed using the Wilcoxon signed rank test and the Kappa (kappa) test was used to measure the level of agreement between the three evaluators. The results revealed that all the digital images produced by this scanner were inferior to the radiograph (P < 0.001) and that there was high agreement between evaluators.

Dental Instruments↗

PubMed1985

Voice recognition device as a computer interface for motor and speech impaired people.

A voice recognition device has been identified as an interface for personal computer control by patients presenting with high-level spinal cord injuries and mild dysarthria. The device enables a person to bypass the traditional keyboard and activate a computer through voice control. The user simply creates templates of a spoken vocabulary in computer memory. The computer then matches real-time spoken words to stored templates for activation. The system has been clinically tested with one 10-year-old boy who has C1-C2 quadriplegia and a 19-year-old man who sustained a C6 spinal cord injury and dysarthria secondary to head injury. Each patient created a vocabulary for computer storage to run educational software packages and games. Accuracy rates for computer speech recognition were measured in multiple practice sessions. Intelligibility of single words produced by the dysarthric speaker was measured also. Both patients activated computer programs through voice control. Recognition rates ranged from 45 to 60% for the first patient, and 79 to 96% for the second patient. A mean success rate for voice recognition across trials with both patients was approximately 80%. The device increased the dysarthric speaker's articulatory precision. Results indicate that the system might be appropriate for rehabilitation programs though further technologic refinement of the device would increase its effectiveness.

Adult↗

PubMed1978

[Experience in application of electronic data processing in routine medical microbiology (author's transl)].

Experiences in a two years application of electronic data processing in medical routine microbiology are reported. Optical mark reader forms serve as request forms as well as workprotocol. On the left two thirds of these forms (Fig. 1 and 2) the patients data including clinical statements, and the kind of specimen to be investigated (sputum, smear etc.) as well as results not essential for the printout of laboratory reports are filled in. On the right third of the optical mark reader form, in which area the Bell & Howell document reader can read pencil marks, the patients identification number, the tests requested and all results are marked right at the work bench. As shown in the flow diagram (Fig. 3) after completion of the investigation the date on the mark reader forms are read mechanically and the test results are printed (Fig. 5) by means of the computer. In addition, the data processing system, which proved to be very flexible, performs all necessary types of administrative work as filing of laboratory data in a coded form on cards for permanent storage (Fig. 7) statistics and the printout of bills (Fig. 6). The processing of routine microbiology date is achieved by a Siemens DVA 404/3 (64 kbt) connected for magnetic disc device (2993 Mio bytes), and a line printer (60,000 lines per hour) and dialog display monitors, which are used simultaneously for the on line and off line handling of all the data in clinical chemistry-, serology- and hematology-departments of the same institute.

Computers↗