Abstract: A medical image data processing system automatically identifies a catheterization device including marker objects for use in identifying the catheterization device in a medical image for Angiography or another medical procedure. The system includes an image data processor that automatically identifies non-marker objects in a medical image by comparing image data representing individual non-marker objects with image data representing a template non-marker object. The processor automatically identifies catheterization device marker objects by comparing image data representing individual candidate marker objects with image data representing a template marker object and by processing image representative data to provide processed image data excluding image data representing non-marker objects. A user interface generates data representing a display image indicating identified marker objects and an associated catheterization device using the processed image data for presentation to a user.

Abstract: A site computer includes a database for manipulating and handling health care records. A communication device, coupled to the site computer and the database, receives commands, which are provided to the site computer and the database to perform various functions, including creating, displaying, modifying, and initiating organization of the health care records. The health records can be automatically transmitted to interested persons upon creation of the health records. Upon detection of the occurrence of threshold events as indicated in the health records, the site computer automatically transmits notifications to interested persons.

Abstract: A medical image display apparatus in accordance with the present invention includes a means (13) for selectively inputting a desired medical image from among medical images taken by a medial-image radiography system, a deployed image creating means (11a) for reading the selectively inputted medical image from the medical-image radiography system or an external storage device, and producing a deployed image of a region of a luminal organ contained in the read medical image, and a control means (11) for controlling display of the created deployed image on a display means (18).

Abstract: A method for automatically detecting pulmonary embolism (PE) candidates within medical image data using an image processing device includes administering radiocontrast into a patient. A sequence of computed tomography (CT) images is acquired. A level of radiocontrast at a pulmonary artery trunk of the patient is determined. One or more PE candidates are detected within a pulmonary artery tree of the patient based on the determined level of radiocontrast at the pulmonary artery trunk. The one or more detected PE candidates are displayed.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and systems designed generally to managing the risk or occurrence of surgical site infection incident to a surgical procedure. The methods and systems employ perioperative process mapping tools that align, monitor and/or manage the operation of a plurality of health care delivery practices and thereby provide a desired level of infection risk management.

Abstract: A healthcare payment transaction system for managing and arranging payment for a healthcare service transaction provided by a healthcare service provider to a patient, particularly where the payment is to be paid by an insurer. The system includes an electronic deposit account for the healthcare service provider whereby the healthcare service provider records information regarding healthcare service transactions performed by the healthcare service provider for patients. It also features an electronic deposit account for the insurer whereby the insurer accesses information regarding healthcare service transactions for services provided for patients for which the insurer has payment responsibility. The insurer can also use its electronic deposit account to deposit payments for healthcare service transactions performed for patients covered by a policy issued by the insurer.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical clearinghouse establishes relationships with a network of FNA Agents servicing requests from patients under institutional patient assistance programs, and with a network of pharmaceutical providers. In response to the clearinghouse receiving a patient request for a pharmaceutical from an FNA Agent, the clearinghouse obtains a subsidy from at least one in-network pharmaceutical provider and provides the subsidy to the FNA Agent; the subsidy may be cash, in-kind pharmaceutical or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A method is provided for identifying a patient as being suitable for implantation of a weight-loss assist device. The method includes identifying the patient as being generally suitable for the implantation and subsequently, measuring a value associated with the patient. Responsively to determining that the value is beyond a threshold associated therewith, the weight-loss assist device is implanted.

Abstract: A system for weight loss or weight management of a person may include a monitoring unit and remote computing system. The monitoring unit includes a transducer arranged to generate a signal representative of the patient's weight. It further includes a processor operatively coupled to the transducer and to a memory device. Further, an output device and an input device are operatively coupled to the processor. The memory device is programmed with a set of instructions causing the processor to cooperate with the output device to present questions directed toward weight loss and to cooperate with the input device to receive answers to the questions. The remote computing system is in communication with the monitoring unit. The remote computing system is programmed to receive the answers provided by the person and to receive the signal representative of the person's weight. The remote computing system generates an alert on the basis thereof.

Abstract: A medical image processor includes: an extraction unit configured to extract a longitudinal line from three-dimensional volume data for a medical image, the longitudinal line representing how a tubular structure runs; a longitudinal cross-sectional image generator configured to generate multiple longitudinal cross-sectional images extending along the longitudinal line, the longitudinal cross-sectional images being cross-sectional images of the tubular structure; a short-axis cross-sectional image generator configured to generate multiple short-axis cross-sectional images intersecting the longitudinal line, the short-axis cross-sectional images being cross-sectional images of the tubular structure; a structure element detector configured to detect a specific structural element of the tubular structure from each of the plurality of short-axis cross-sectional images; and a correction unit configured to correct the specific structural element detected from each of the multiple short-axis cross-sectional images on

Abstract: In cooperation with a first database, a problem preparation supporting unit supports the preparation of nursing problem items for patients. Based on the nursing problem items prepared, a plan preparation supporting unit supports the preparation of nursing care plans by conducting search through a second database. In cooperation with a third database, a specification unit specifies an implementation of nursing items contained in the prepared nursing care plan. When a communication unit receives an implementation result of the nursing items, the communication unit outputs the result to a recording unit. A nurse enters an evaluation of the implementation result of the nursing items to an operation apparatus. The evaluation entered is recorded in the recording unit.

Abstract: A method for enhancing stent visibility in digital medical images includes providing a time series of 2-dimensional (2D) images of a stent in a vessel, estimating motion of the stent in a subset of images of the time series of images, estimating motion of clutter in the subset of images, where clutter comprises anatomical structures other than the stent, estimating a clutter layer in the subset of images from the estimated clutter motion, estimating a stent layer in the subset of images from the clutter layer and the estimated clutter motion, and minimizing a functional of the estimated stent motion, the estimated stent layer, the estimated clutter motion, and the estimated clutter layer to in calculate a refined stent layer image, where the refined stent layer image has enhanced visibility of the stent.

Abstract: The mammography management system can provide for quality control of devices associated with the system. A method is provided for monitoring the quality standards of a mammography facility. The method can comprise generating a report that analyzes information collected in preselected data fields on the performance of a resource after automatically executing a quality control test plan configured for the resource at a preselected time. The quality control test plan is configured based on resource type. A method can provide for monitoring the quality of exams performed on a plurality of patients. The method comprises generating a report automatically analyzing and organizing information collected on the accuracy of exams preformed on the plurality of the patients into statistics. These statistics can compare the information based on a radiologist or a facility with other radiologists other facilities or overall statistics for a plurality of radiologists or a plurality of facilities.

Abstract: A programmable rules-based interface between a patient and an electronic medical record EMR allows controlled patient access to the EMR allowing increased patient participation in the healthcare process.

Abstract: A method and system for providing an automated healthcare regimen monitoring and feedback system uses a healthcare regimen database that includes data related to healthcare regimen of various conditions using various healthcare related regimens. Once a healthcare related regimen is prescribed to a healthcare consumer by a healthcare service provider, the healthcare consumer provides contact information for their preferred method of contact and the healthcare consumer is then automatically contacted, via the selected form of contact, at intervals based on the data in the healthcare regimen database and/or entered additional information regarding the healthcare consumer, and/or the healthcare consumer's condition, and/or the prescribed healthcare regimen. Via this automatic contact, the healthcare consumer is provided reminders and other information regarding the prescribed healthcare regimen and, in some instances, asked for data and/or feedback.

Abstract: A recording unit holds a plurality of examination data including the examination date of a performed examination. A search unit extracts examination data matching a set condition, of the plurality of examination data held in the recording unit. An output unit outputs a search result by the search unit. A first narrowing unit extracts examination data in which the examination date is included within a designated first period. A reference data determination unit classifies the examination data extracted by the first narrowing unit by an examinee and determines, for every examinee, one piece of the examination data to be a reference in accordance with a predetermined rule.

Abstract: An Intelligent Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis (IQQA) system and method is disclosed that allows a user to specify certain identifying information used to search and obtain medically-related information from different sources. The medically-related information may be of different types and may be dynamically fused, when needed, to generate matrices of diagnostic information. Medical decisions such as a diagnostic decision may be made based on such matrices of diagnostic information.

Abstract: Method of image processing, the method comprises providing a sequence (2) of images (F) which have contrast modulation (100) along said sequence (2); providing a reference frequency (fm, 10) related to said contrast modulations (100) along said sequence (2); and filtering said sequence of images depending on said reference frequency (fm, 10). According to an embodiment, a windowed harmonic filtering is applied to the sequence of input images to extract fundamental in-phase (122) and quadrature (124) components at a heart beat frequency (fm). The resultant time-signal phase is displayed (34) as image sequence.

Abstract: A distributed, digital, network-based, streaming video solution allows users to view live streaming digital video from multiple video sources in multiple operating rooms at any location connected to a network. One or more video sources in an operating room are connected to a streaming video encoder capable of converting the video to a network packet stream. Once the digital video stream is available on the network, it may be accessed and routed through the use of a streaming video control server. The streaming video control server is responsible for user authentication and authorization and web page access for remote viewing and video source selection by users. The control server also provides audit logging services, operating room selection and overall system resource allocation.

Abstract: In a method for operation of a medical diagnosis apparatus as well as medical diagnosis-apparatus, with which medical questions are to be answered, the medical questions to be answered is established for each question at least one examination step is determined that is necessary for clarification of the respective medical question, and supplementary information is associated with each examination step, and, using the supplementary information, the examination workflow is determined with the necessary examination steps that are needed to answer all medical questions.