Abstract: This disclosure describes single-use test cartridges, cell analyzer apparatus, and methods for automatically performing microscopic cell analysis tasks, such as counting blood cells in biological samples. A small unmeasured quantity of a biological sample such as whole blood is placed in the disposable test cartridge which is then inserted into the cell analyzer. The analyzer isolates a precise volume of the biological sample, mixes it with self-contained reagents and transfers the entire volume to an imaging chamber. The geometry of the imaging chamber is chosen to maintain the uniformity of the mixture, and to prevent cells from crowding or clumping, when it is transferred into the imaging chamber. Images of essentially all of the cellular components within the imaging chamber are analyzed to obtain counts per unit volume.

Abstract: A server system for distributing information securely includes a network interface for receiving, over a network, an information object accompanied by metadata. A repository stores the information object. Metadata is mapped to electronic addresses of trusted recipients. A processor is configured to generate a link for accessing the information object in the repository, acquire an electronic address of a trusted recipient based on the metadata accompanying the information object, insert the link into an electronic message addressed to the electronic address of the trusted recipient, and send the electronic message with the link to the trusted recipient. The processor is further configured to receive, over a second network, a request for the information object sent from a user device in response to an activation of the link, retrieve the information object from the repository, and transmit the information object to a browser of the user device over the second network.

Abstract: A server system for distributing information securely includes a network interface for receiving, over a network, an information object accompanied by metadata. A repository stores the information object. Metadata is mapped to electronic addresses of trusted recipients. A processor is configured to generate a link for accessing the information object in the repository, acquire an electronic address of a trusted recipient based on the metadata accompanying the information object, insert the link into an electronic message addressed to the electronic address of the trusted recipient, and send the electronic message with the link to the trusted recipient. The processor is further configured to receive, over a second network, a request for the information object sent from a user device in response to an activation of the link, retrieve the information object from the repository, and transmit the information object to a browser of the user device over the second network.

Abstract: This document discusses designing and managing medical devices that are equipped with software, including a variety of ways of managing the public interest in safety and effectiveness of medical devices that are preferably implemented with open-source software. In one general aspect, a method of updating a medical device is disclosed. The method includes storing a vendor certificate in the device, and receiving and storing a licensed prescriber certificate in the device. A signed request to update code in the medical device can then be received and this request can be authenticated with one of the certificates, and the code can be updated in the medical device with code from the authenticated update request.

Abstract: A server system for distributing information securely includes a network interface for receiving, over a network, an information object accompanied by metadata. A repository stores the information object. Metadata is mapped to electronic addresses of trusted recipients. A processor is configured to generate a link for accessing the information object in the repository, acquire an electronic address of a trusted recipient based on the metadata accompanying the information object, insert the link into an electronic message addressed to the electronic address of the trusted recipient, and send the electronic message with the link to the trusted recipient. The processor is further configured to receive, over a second network, a request for the information object sent from a user device in response to an activation of the link, retrieve the information object from the repository, and transmit the information object to a browser of the user device over the second network.

Abstract: A system and methods for organizing, manipulating, and displaying worklists of patient studies for access by medical personnel is provided. The patient studies may include medical images and data relating to medical images. In some embodiments, the worklists are easily customizable, to permit a wide range of tasks to be handled in the worklist system. Updated worklist information may be pushed to the appropriate workstations or users in nearly real-time, as updates become available, reducing errors that may be caused by outdated information in worklists. In some embodiments, worklists contain overlapping information, which permits numerous users to see the information, even if it is not immediately relevant to their tasks. This increased scrutiny may help to reduce errors.

Abstract: A personal health record communications network system including a document source for originating a healthcare information document associated with a patient wherein the document includes identifying elements of at least one of the patient and a document consumer. A sending agent, associated with the document source and in communication with the communications network, sends the document to an intended destination address associated with the document consumer. An intermediary server receives the healthcare information document based on the intended destination address and processes the healthcare information document based on at least a portion of the identifying elements. A receiving agent, associated with the document consumer and in communication with the communication network, receives the processed healthcare information document from the intermediary server.

Abstract: A healthcare information interchange system including a sender for originating one or more healthcare information documents associated with a patient, a first repository in communication with the sender for i) storing the one or more healthcare information documents received from the sender and ii) distributing the one or more healthcare information documents based on consent rules associated with each of the one or more documents, a recipient for receiving the one or more healthcare information documents based on the consent rules, and an identity provider for assigning first and second identities to the patient, the first identity being presented to the first repository by the sender to identify the patient, the second identity being presented by the first repository to the recipient to identify the patient.

Abstract: The invention, in one embodiment, is directed to systems and methods for providing a “Virtual Radiology” service. This service, potentially, can provide any radiological digital image data to any computer at any institution. The service is “Virtual” in that the radiological digital image data accessible on a DICOM LAN and PACS of a first institution is made available to a second institution, without either institution having to open their networks to each other, establish legal or other business relationships and understandings or to become administratively involved with each other.

Abstract: The invention, in one embodiment, is directed to a healthcare information system including: a client interface unit for creating one or more healthcare information documents, a repository in communication with the client interface unit for storing one or more healthcare information documents received from the client interface unit, a registry in communication with the repository for maintaining an index table of one or more healthcare information documents stored in the repository and for maintaining control information associated with each document for controlling the distribution of each documents from the repository, and a patient interface unit in communication with the registry for enabling a patient to configure at least a portion of the control information within the registry associated with one or more healthcare information documents.

Abstract: Method and structure for creating an electronically transmittable document having links therein which does not affect the integrity of the document as provided. The information is formatted to have a text portion, and an endnote portion, the endnote portion being independent of the text portion. The endnote portion includes link information for linking identified portions of the text with other ancillary link information.

Abstract: A method for verifying coupling in a differential via pair group includes identifying a differential via pair group in a design database and identifying a victim differential via pair in the differential via pair group. All other differential via pairs in the differential via pair group are identified as culprit differential pairs. The differential via pair group includes at least one culprit differential via pair. The method also includes obtaining a total coupling threshold level and calculating a total coupling factor for the victim differential via pair within the differential via pair group. The method also includes flagging the victim differential via pair if the calculated total coupling factor exceeds the total coupling threshold level.

Abstract: Method and structure for creating an electronically transmittable document having links therein which does not affect the integrity of the document as provided. The information is formatted to have a text portion, and an endnote portion, the endnote portion being independent of the text portion. The endnote portion includes link information for linking identified portions of the text with other ancillary link information.

Abstract: A system and methods for organizing, manipulating, and displaying worklists of patient studies for access by medical personnel is provided. The patient studies may include medical images and data relating to medical images. In some embodiments, the worklists are easily customizable, to permit a wide range of tasks to be handled in the worklist system. Updated worklist information may be pushed to the appropriate workstations or users in nearly real-time, as updates become available, reducing errors that may be caused by outdated information in worklists. In some embodiments, worklists contain overlapping information, which permits numerous users to see the information, even if it is not immediately relevant to their tasks. This increased scrutiny may help to reduce errors.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention relates to a method for storing an image or a manifest that references a number of related images in a repository. The method comprises receiving, by an importer, data, generating an identifier associated with the data, the identifier including a substantially random unique identifier, transmitting the data to a repository and transmitting the identifier to a location separate and distinct from the repository and the importer. In one embodiment, the image includes a medical image. In another embodiment, the method further includes encoding the image to a coded image. In another embodiment, the step of requesting the image further comprises requesting the image from the repository using a standards-based protocol, and the step of transmitting the image further comprises transmitting the image file using a proprietary or a standards-based protocol.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring or detecting a chemical entity in a liquid sample, the apparatus including a first module operationally connected to a second module, the first module having a flow passage for the sample, the flow passage including a sensor for measuring or detecting the chemical entity and pump means for advancing the sample along the flow passage, the second module including means for actuating the pump means, and the second module being connected to the first module via connecting means permitting disconnection of the first and second modules and connection of a replacement first module to the second module.