Abstract: A system for preparing and managing patient-specific dose orders includes an order processing server configured to receive the patient-specific dose orders, define a queue of dose orders and distribute the dose orders to at least one dose preparation station. The dose preparation station is in bi-directional communication with the order processing server and has an interface for providing an operator with a protocol associated with each received drug order and specifying a set of steps to fill the drug order. Steps to fill the drug order are captured at the station and a display, positionable independent of the station outputs the dose order queue and metrics concerning activity at the dose preparation station. Systems for preparing patient-specific doses and a method for telepharmacy in which data captured while following the protocol are provided to a remote site for review and approval by a pharmacist.

Abstract: Visual images may be used to detect, or verify the existence of, landmarks. In one example, the landmarks may be used to provide driving or walking directions. A set of records may be examined to identify the street addresses of businesses or other entities. Additionally, street-level images may be captured with a camera, and the locations at which the images were captured may be recorded. The images may be evaluated with an Optical Character Recognition (OCR) process to determine what words appear in the images. The words in the image are compared with the names of entities whose addresses are near where the image was captured. If the words match the entity name, then a sign identifying the entity is presumed to be visible along a particular route, and the entity may be used as a landmark in a set of walking or driving directions.

Abstract: A system for facilitating patient ownership of his or her medical data through the use of third-party health repositories that preserves the maximum information content of the medical records by displaying information relevant to the authority of the medical data as reflected by its source and types of modification as it has moved between institutions, as well as the data itself. In this way, improved use of this data is made possible.

Abstract: An embryo quality evaluation assistance system including an image pickup unit for picking up an image of the embryo, and a computer that communicates data with the embryo observing apparatus to assist quality evaluation of the embryo. The computer includes a time-series image storing unit that stores a time-series image picked up by the embryo observing apparatus, an embryo image extracting unit that extracts an embryo image from the time-series image, and an active site extracting unit that compares an embryo image based on a first time-series image with an embryo image based on a second time-series image picked up before or after a predetermined time from a pickup time of the first time-series image, and extracts as an active site a set of pixels when the difference between pixel values of corresponding pixels of the first and second time-series images is larger than a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for managing a three day profile blood glucose (bG) measurements that are provided by a user using a handheld diabetes management device. The method may involve configuring a database carried by the device to store a plurality of bG test values input by a user for each day of a three day test period. The bG test values are required to be provided by the user in accordance with a predetermined plurality of differing acceptance time windows during each day of the three day test period. If two or more windows are open concurrently when a given bG test value is obtained, the system allows the user to select the appropriate time window that the given bG test value should be associated with.

Abstract: Normal region with inner wall of a lumen estimated to be normal is searched; in the normal region, a standard depth position is obtained along with the phased depth positions; a determination is made as to whether the pixel values of image data related to the phased depth positions are the pixel values of a tumor region estimated to be a tumor; when the pixel values are those of the tumor region, the deepest depth position of the tumor region is searched at each position of the inner wall of the lumen; the tumor region at each position of the inner wall of the lumen is identified for each of the deepest depth positions of the tumor region based on the tumor region searched at each position of the inner wall of the lumen and on information on the deepest depth positions of the tumor region.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system (200) for delineating an anatomical structure in an image computed from a slice of image data, the system (200) comprising a partition unit (210) for partitioning the image into a plurality of image portions, each image portion depicting a portion of the anatomical structure, and an adaptation unit (220) for adapting a template to the image based on a criterion function, the criterion function being a function of template parameters and of image values and their relative positions in the image, and on a criterion to be satisfied by a computed value of the criterion function, wherein the criterion function is defined on the basis of the plurality of image portions. Having a criterion function defined on the basis of the plurality of image portions allows computing optimal contributions to the criterion function value within each portion of the image.

Abstract: A system and method provide supplemental insurance having a relatively high first deductible and relatively low first premiums when coverage begins. On the occurrence of a predetermined future event, such as a plan maturity date or other event, the first deductible decreases while maintaining a relatively low premium for the duration of the insurance plan for the policy owner. The policy owner may be provided with an option to elect, on a guaranteed basis, to reduce the first deductible amount to a lower deductible amount, in exchange for an increased premium amount, prior to the occurrence of the predetermined event. In some embodiments, the supplemental insurance is provided as a rider to a Medicare Supplement Plan F.

Abstract: In a magnetic resonance (MR) method and apparatus for implementing fat-water separation, MR data acquired representing one in-phase image and two out-of-phase images, phase differences between the two out-of-phase images are calculated, and the phases caused by the inhomogeneity of a magnetic field in the two out-of-phase images are calculated by using the phase differences; correcting linear phase differences in the in-phase image caused by eddy currents, by using the two corrected out-of-phase images. Calculations are then made on the basis of the three corrected images to obtain water and fat images. This method and apparatus effectively eliminate the adverse effects caused by the eddy currents in the currently available implementing process of the three points Dixon method.

Abstract: In methods and an apparatus for analyzing a selected region of interest in medical image data of a subject, an initial image data set is obtained, and the initial image data set is filtered to generate a filtered data set. The filtering includes computing, for each voxel of the initial image data set, a value of intensity for a standardized volume of interest centered on that voxel. A user selection of a region of interest in the initial image data set is registered, and from the filtered image data set a value of intensity for the selected region of interest is computed.

Abstract: A method for performing deformable non-rigid registration of 2D and 3D images of a vascular structure for assistance in surgical intervention includes acquiring 3D image data. An abdominal aorta is segmented from the 3D image data using graph-cut based segmentation to produce a segmentation mask. Centerlines are generated from the segmentation mask using a sequential topological thinning process. 3D graphs are generated from the centerlines. 2D image data is acquired. The 2D image data is segmented to produce a distance map. An energy function is defined based on the 3D graphs and the distance map. The energy function is minimized to perform non-rigid registration between the 3D image data and the 2D image data. The registration may be optimized.

Abstract: Provided is a system for supporting medicine filling operation determines whether or not a combination of a medicine container and a medicine is appropriate and performs filling operation reliably and quickly without making a mistake. A control means (7) determines whether or not a medicine and a mounting object conform to each other based on medicine identification information or mounting objects identification information received by a communication means (6) and based on a medicine master, mounting master, and exchange table stored in a storage means (4). Information on the medicine, information on the mounting objects, or determination result that is read by the control means (7) and received via the communication means (6) and communication section (10) can be displayed on a display section (9) of a portable terminal (3).

Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for performing activity-based costing and procedure margin analysis for medical practices. Medical practice costs are allocated across relevant production activity based on procedure-specific, location-specific, modifier-adjusted Relative Value Units. Procedure production volumes, production costs and Payer fees are integrated and analyzed to determine such values as Procedure volumes, Procedure costs, Procedure Margins, Payer Margins and Percent Payer Margins. The results are presented in meaningful reports, tables and graphs, including representations by Practice, Provider, Procedure, and Payer.

Abstract: A method in a computer system is provided for managing medical imaging devices quality control information. In particular, a method and corresponding computer devices are described for evaluating stored quality control test plan data for each of the one or more medical imaging devices being managed on an evaluation date.

Abstract: A marking system may hold a container from which markers are dispensed to mark the presence or absence of an underground facility in a dig area. The container may identify a marker characteristic regarding the markers in the container. The marking system may receive activation of a trigger, dispense a marker from the container when the trigger is activated, and store the marker characteristic and time data when the trigger is activated. In other embodiments, the marking system may dispense a marker, determine location data and/or time data, and substantially simultaneously trigger the dispensing of the marker and logging of the location data and/or the time data. The location data identifies a geographic location where the marker is dispensed and the time data identifies the time when the marker is dispensed.

Abstract: A system and method of distributing pharmaceutical prescriptions within a network of pharmacies based on the review of prescription claim data and patient medical state to enable stratification of patients, wherein each pharmacy within the network has been established to handle one or more particular patient medical states.

Abstract: A method of acquiring an image of a pharmaceutical in a colored, transparent pharmaceutical vial includes the steps of: providing a generally cylindrical, colored, transparent pharmaceutical vial having a closed lower end, the lower end having a radially outward lower section, a radially inward upper section, and a transition section that merges with the upper and lower sections; identifying the transition section of the vial with a vision system; detecting the color of the transition section; illuminating the vial; acquiring an image of the vial and pharmaceutical; and adjusting the colors of the image based on the color of the transition section. In some embodiments, the method further comprises the step of comparing the image to a pre-stored image of an expected pharmaceutical to determine whether the identity of the pharmaceutical in the vial matches the identity of the expected pharmaceutical. This method can improve the reliability and consistency of the images produced.

Abstract: A method of determining the appropriateness of a medication therapy regimen detects and reduces gaps occurring between established standards of treatment and treatment provided to a person through a medication therapy regimen. Methods of determining the appropriateness of a medication or medication therapy regimen and intervention thereof are provided herein. The methods of determining the appropriateness of a medication and intervention include receiving information on a medication for the person, receiving treatment guidelines for treating a chronic medical condition, determining a level of compliance between the medication and the treatment guidelines, and intervening in a medical treatment of the person if the medication does not comply with the one or more treatment guidelines.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for volumetric image analysis and processing is described. Using the method and apparatus, it is possible to obtain geometrical information from multi-dimensional (3D or more) images. As long as an object can be reconstructed as a 3D object, regardless of the source of the images, the method and apparatus can be used to segment the target (in 3D) from the rest of the structure and to obtain the target's geometric information, such as volume and curvature.

Abstract: This invention provides an automated system and method that allows a user to track the movement of an object, such as at least one cell amongst a plurality of cells as it moves from one point to another over time in order for the user to determine how the at least one cell functions. The user is able to track the movement of the at least one cell and determine if the at least one cell structure has changed, such as the at least one cell experiencing cell division or if two or more cells merge together. This user is able to optimally track the at least one cell to find an approximate location of at least one the cell as it moves in time and distance. Thus, this invention provides the user with a means to track cell movement to study the cell function.