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At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Computer-aided pattern analysis of temperature differentials.

Chiropractic analysis often incorporates the evaluation of heat distribution patterns observed in skin temperature profiles. Historically, temperature recordings of the spine have been made with a heat detection instrument using a thermocouple design. The advent of refinements in infrared technology, however, have greatly enhanced temperature detection in terms of accuracy and reliability. The present research reflects the development of computer software designed to express the data obtained with a dual channel heat sensing instrument. Two phases are involved: a) digital information, received from the sensing instrument, is standardized, stored for future analysis, and retrieved for comparisons with other graphs; b) stored data is graphically displayed, statistically analyzed, and otherwise compared. The data is displayed for visual observation as a) temperature data received from either channel of the sensing instrument or b) relative temperature differences between data from both channels of the sending instrument. For statistical evaluation, corresponding readings (comparisons between graphs) are plotted against one another and analyzed by a moving Pearson Product Moment correlation and moving t-test. This evaluation is graphically represented with a numeric display of pertinent statistical values. Current work indicates that a 10 point moving correlation and t-test will yield accurate comparisons between graphs.

Algorithms

Application of optimized parallel processing digital computers and numerical approximation methods to the ultra high-speed three-dimensional reconstruction of the intact thorax.

In order to achieve the computational capability to carry out many thousands of cross-sectional reconstructions, necessary to support a prototype high temporal and spatial resolution cylindrical scanning multiaxial tomographic unit, a series of design, software simulation, and fabrication studies is underway to develop a special-purpose high-speed reconstruction computer. This processor will rely upon integrated circuit arithmetic components of advanced design, and highly parallel architecture to execute X-ray based transaxial reconstruction algorithms at the rate of hundreds of cross sections/sec.

Computers

A software for the elaboration of job histories.

This article presents a software designed to help the occupational physician elaborate, print and automatically interrogate the job histories of workers. The need for the surveillance of professional risks throughout careers is the basic assumption on which this software is based and it runs on a PC.

Forms and Records Control

A CAD CAM method for custom below-knee sockets.

The purpose of this investigation was to develop a numerical method for fabricating prosthetic sockets for below-knee amputees. An optical/laser digitiser scans an amputee's stump and collects three dimensional numerical data describing the surface of the limb and describing specific modification site locations. The numerical data from the laser camera representing the stump and modification sites are altered by the prosthetist using a custom computer aided design software system running on a personal computer. Using the altered numerical data a programme is created for a high resolution numerically controlled milling machine and a mould is made. The prosthetist then fabricates a socket. While the system has been tested with below-knee amputees it has been designed for application in most areas of prosthetics and orthotics. Utilising this method 15 patients were fitted. All patients subjectively stated that their "computer designed" socket fitted better than their conventionally made socket. As the research progressed and experience was gained with the system patients were normally fitted with the first socket iteration. The system overcomes five limitations existing with some of the other numerical systems: 1) accurate high resolution surface topography, 2) specific identification of subject modification sites, 3) flexible, user friendly software, 4) high resolution numerically controlled milling, and 5) integrated expansion to other prosthetic and orthotic areas.

Artificial Limbs

Three-dimensional imaging on a CT or MR scanner.

Three-dimensional (3D) imaging on a CT or magnetic resonance scanner by the use of software that runs on the scanner's computer is one of a number of approaches to 3D imaging that have become available in recent years. It is shown that this particular approach can be made very inexpensive, provided that it is used in an appropriate manner in the clinical environment. The proposed methodology for the clinical use of 3D imaging on the scanner is illustrated by a discussion of the use of 3D98 (software designed for the GE CT/T 9800 scanner) for the 3D imaging of craniofacial surgical cases.

Head

Audit in restorative dentistry.

Auditing activity requires patient data to be collected and analysed to allow comparisons to be made and conclusions drawn. Within the General Dental Services the Dental Practice Board regularly collects practitioner specific clinical data and distributes this to allow dentists to compare their own clinical activity with local and national means. In hospital dentistry, a software package has been developed to enable orthodontic audit to be performed in hospital practice. The package is now being piloted in several centres. A similar software package is required for auditing restorative dentistry activity in units where consultant services are provided. Hospital patient administration systems provide demographic data and appointment systems predominantly with little opportunity for patient specific clinical analysis. Carefully designed software will allow appropriate clinical data and analysis. To ensure compliance and accurate recording both by clinical and support staff it is essential that any software system should be easy to use.

Dental Service, Hospital

Computers in the cognitive rehabilitation of brain-injured persons.

Currently there is a rapid expansion of work among rehabilitation professionals in applying computer-assisted instructional technology to remediate cognitive deficits resulting from brain injury. The present article presents a framework for relating the various theoretical, empirical, and clinical challenges raised by the coalescence of two such recently emerging disciplines as computer-assisted instruction and cognitive rehabilitation. These challenges are presented from the perspectives of diverse disciplines, including cognitive science, rehabilitation professions, and computer science. A set of guiding principles are derived for evaluating the potential efficacy of currently existing programs and for directing future developmental work in software design, evaluation research, and service delivery.

Animals

The design of a program for the collection of 3-dimensional ultrasonic data.

This paper describes the programming mechanisms used in a program which controls the transfer of data from an ultrasonic system through a minicomputer onto a single platter disc cartridge. The system enables the collection and digitization of B scans from parallel planes. The main software design constraints in such a system are identified and discussed in general terms. The rudiments of interrupt programming necessary for such an application are described in the context of the program; and simple optimisation techniques for the bulk transfer of data onto a single platter cartridge are given. Although the particular computer used in the author's program was a Data General Nova and the language used, the corresponding assembly code, the description of the techniques used are sufficiently general to allow the methodology to be imposed upon any assembly code.

Analog-Digital Conversion

A new comprehensive microcomputer software programme for the urodynamics clinic.

Urodynamic investigation has undoubtedly been greatly refined and facilitated with the use of the modern generation of microcomputers. Manual techniques of data storage, analysis and interpretation are tedious, time consuming and lead to significant observer-dependent transcription errors. The logical solution to this problem is to develop a specifically designed software programme which would operate in conjunction with the microcomputer system integrated in most modern urodynamic apparatus. We describe here our experiences with the development of just such a system.

Computer Systems

Implementing a stand-alone packaged pharmacy computer system in a 580-bed hospital.

The problems experienced by a hospital pharmacy department in implementing a stand-alone packaged computer system are discussed, and recommendations for avoiding and managing these problems are presented. In 1984, a stand-alone packaged computer system was implemented in a 580-bed, tertiary-care institution that provides services from a central pharmacy and five satellite pharmacies. The department developed a request for proposal and contracted with a vender for a system that would support unit dose drug distribution and i.v. admixture services. During the implementation process, the following problems were experienced: The hardware was insufficient for the department's workload, the software design was limited, and personnel were frustrated with learning to use the system. These problems were intensified by the heavy workload and the large number of users. In the 18 months since implementation, the department has purchased more hardware, improved the software applications, and resolved many of the problems associated with employee frustration. Pharmacy departments at other large institutions might avoid some of these problems by training personnel adequately before implementation and by researching and estimating hardware and software needs in advance. In this large hospital, the efficiency of a stand-alone packaged pharmacy computer system has improved 18 months after implementation.

Computers

BIOESTIM: software for automatic design of estimators in bioprocess engineering.

This paper describes BIOESTIM, a software package devoted to on-line estimation in bioprocess engineering. BIOESTIM enables bioengineers automatically to design state and parameter estimators from a minimal knowledge of the process kinetics. Such estimators allow development of software sensors capable of coping with the lack of reliable instrumentation suited to real-time monitoring. The estimator building procedure through BIOESTIM starts up from a dynamical material balance model of the bioprocess. This model, supplied by the user, is next completed by other information with no requirement for numerical values: the user has only to specify available measurements, coupled reactions and the known yield coefficients. On the base of this knowledge, BIOESTIM proceeds to symbolic algebraic manipulations on the model in order to study estimation possibilities and check identifiability of yield coefficients. When the design of an estimator is possible, the corresponding equations are automatically generated. Moreover, these estimators are stored in a user-specified file which is automatically interfaced with a specialized simulation software including data treatment and numerical integration packages. Thus, the user can simulate the estimator performances under various operational conditions using available experimental measurements. A typical example dealing with microbial growth and biosynthesis reactions is given in order to illustrate the main functional capabilities of BIOESTIM. BIOESTIM has been designed and written in a modular fashion. The module dealing with estimators design makes use of symbolic computation; it is written in Mathematica and runs on every computer on which this language is available.

Algorithms

PACS for radiology conferences--improvement of application software.

The introduction of PACS in a radiology department means that most functions that are available in the film-based system must be included. One important function is the radiology conference. The handling and application programs of digital workstations are normally not developed for demonstrations of many images in a limited time. This paper describes a workstation with specially designed software for radiology conferences. The application is separated in preparation and presentation of the cases to be demonstrated. Very fast image handling is achieved during the conference because the function is based on the principle of prefetching of the selected images. The images are presented on a large screen with high resolution. The experiences of digital radiology conferences are good. However, reference films from previous examinations create extra work because they have to be shown on the conventional lightbox.

Computer Terminals

Computer systems for dental practice management. A new generation of independent dental software.

A new generation of computer programs for dental patient management eliminates total dependence on the vendor for programming support. The software design enables information collected with the dental system to be transferred to popular off-the-shelf programs designed for business. A simplified example is used to illustrate for practitioners the advantages of this type of data structure management. Programs designed on this basis offer optimum performance and expandibility for both present and future needs.

Computer Systems

[The use of mathematical modelling in improving the orthodontic treatment of end defects of the dental arches].

Mathematical modelling allowed to use specially designed software package for calculation of the necessary number of variants of dimensions of denture carcass while planning the orthodontic treatment. This could be done for each patient individually, thus ensuring the correct choice of orthodontic technique to replace the end defects of the dentition.

Computer Simulation

Multi centre systems analysis study of primary health care: a study of socio-organizational and human factors.

The information management systems to support health programmes are inadequate. As computers become cheaper and more powerful, their application in the strengthening of the information infrastructure becomes more feasible. However, the high cost of specialized applications software limits their potential, especially in developing countries. A multi-centre systems analysis, (a descriptive study using a questionnaire), was made of District Health Sites in developing countries to analyse whether a common specialized application software design for implementation at a primary health care centre was feasible. Responses to the questionnaires by physicians at the primary health centres were compared between district health sites using contingency tables. Significant inter-site differences in social factors existed, respondents had no prior experience, but with near unanimity (98%) accepted the idea of computer assistance in their work. However, general reservations (31%) and fears (26%) about computer interference in the doctor-patient relationship were expressed. The human factor must be considered in interface design and training before implementation.

Attitude of Health Personnel

Computer systems for dental practice management: a new generation of independent dental software.

A new generation of computer programs for dental patient management eliminates total dependence on the vendor for programming support. The software design enables information collected with the dental system to be transferred to popular off-the-shelf programs designed for business. A simplified example is used to illustrate the practitioners the advantages of this type of data structure management. Programs designed on this basis offer optimum performance and expandability for both present and future needs.

Computer Systems

Analysis of chromium-51 release assay data using personal computer spreadsheet software.

The Chromium-51 release assay is a widely used technique to assess the lysis of labeled target cells in vitro. We have developed a simple technique to analyze data from Chromium-51 release assays using the widely available LOTUS 1-2-3 spreadsheet software. This package calculates percentage specific cytotoxicity and lytic units by linear regression. It uses all data points to compute the linear regression and can determine if there is a statistically significant difference between two lysis curves. The system is simple to use and easily modified, since its implementation requires neither knowledge of computer programming nor custom designed software. This package can help save considerable time when analyzing data from Chromium-51 release assays.

Chromium Radioisotopes