Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided through which a specialized back-projection process reconstructs a finely detailed and crisp three-dimensional image (3-D ) from a series of two-dimensional (2-D) images by pre-filtering the 2-D images with a first group of settings before back-projecting the 2-D images into a 3-D image, and then post-filtering the 3-D image with another group of settings. In some embodiments, the first group of settings and the second group of settings are synergistically optimized in relation to each other to provide emphasis on a structure of interest in the object.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed for improving health care based upon genetic information. Genetic data, such as sequence data, hereditary data, and so forth, is accessed and relationships are identified with known health conditions and potential responses to the conditions. The compiled data is stored in a knowledge base for reference as conditions develop with individual patients.

Abstract: A technique is provided for detecting and responding to serviceable conditions in systems. Following detection of an indicator of a serviceable condition, a service request is generated and transmitted to a service provider. The requests results in consultation of a service knowledge base that contains information on the indicators, potential causes or conditions that could result in the indicators, and responses to the conditions. Responses may then be generated automatically for satisfying the service requests.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed for automatically prioritizing requests for service of systems. A service request is generated upon detection of an indicator of a potentially serviceable condition in the system. Based upon the service request, a knowledge base is consulted that may contain prioritization scores for particular indicators, conditions, systems, customers and so forth. Service recommendations are then prioritized based upon the information. Similar prioritization among service requests may also be made based upon the information. The prioritizations may be adjusted or new prioritizations may be made based upon other factors, such as downtime experienced or anticipated, customer need, contract provisions, and so forth.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided through which collimation edges in an X-ray image are located from information in the X-ray image.

Abstract: A technique for scheduling health care resources includes identifying particular characteristics of either the resources required for a procedure to be scheduled, or characteristics of a scheduling request. The characteristics may include a particular type of resource, its capabilities, skill levels of personnel, and so forth. Characteristics of requests may include urgency levels of procedures, urgency levels of service to be performed on required equipment, and so forth. Based upon the characteristics, the needed resources are scheduled, and schedules for each of the resources may be created, updated or modified. The characteristics may serve as a basis for prioritizing either the resources, the requests, or both.

Abstract: A technique for scheduling health care resources accesses performance data for any relevant resources required or desired for carrying out a procedure. The resources may include equipment, facilities, personnel, service providers, and so forth. The performance data may include indications of durations required for each of the resources for the particular type of procedure to be scheduled, as well as lead times for ordering resources, transit of the resources, and so forth. The information may further include preferences, such as patient and physician preferences that may affect the times required for the resources. Further information may include training or skill level of personnel, and so forth. Based on the information, one or more schedules for the required resources are updated, established, modified, or otherwise altered.

Abstract: A technique for identifying, analyzing, structuring, mapping and classifying data entities is disclosed. A conceptual framework is established by a domain definition having an association list of attributes of interest. Data entities are accessed, analyzed, structured if appropriate, mapped and classified in accordance with the association list and attributes found in the entities, and in accordance with rules and algorithms for analyzing, recognizing and classifying the attributes. Various types of analysis may be performed following the classification. Searches and selection of the data entities may also be performed. Complex data entities may be processed, including text documents, image data, audio data, waveform data, and combinations of these.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed for servicing complex systems. Upon detection of a serviceable condition, a system snapshot is made and stored. The snapshot may include a range of data then available on the system, particularly hardware configuration data, such as components then installed, peripherals installed, their states, and so forth. The snapshot may include data available prior to the detection of an indicator, at the time of detection and following detection, facilitating evaluation of the condition and potential responses to it.

Abstract: A technique is provided for rendering personalized health case based upon genetic and other data. Patient data is obtained for individual patients. A knowledge base is consulted that includes genetic information for the patient or for known populations, along with indications of conditions that may be related to the genetic information, and potential responses to the conditions. Additional medical data may also be included to complement the genetic information. An output is generated that may include one or more of the responses contained in the knowledge base, such as for testing, treatment, monitoring, and so forth, of the condition.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed for identifying medical data entities and for analyzing them for classification in accordance with a defined domain definition. The domain definition may be user-defined and may include a plurality of logical associations by which the data entities are classified. A one-to-many classification of the entities facilitates complex analysis of the data. The data entities may be analyzed to recognize relationships between them for rendering patient care, identifying health conditions in populations, and so forth.

Abstract: A technique is described for performing domain-specific analysis, structuring, mapping and classification of data entities, such as text document, images, audio data, waveform data, and so forth. A domain definition is established that includes a plurality of classification axes and labels for each axis. Data entities are accessed that potentially have attributes of interest classifiable in accordance with the axes and labels. Pertinent entities are then identified based upon their attributes, and the entities are classified. The classification and the entities themselves, or portions thereof, may be stored in a knowledge base for further classification, search and reference. Complex combinations of classifications, including combinations by reference to data of different type are possible by virtue of the domain definition and rules or algorithms called on by the definition for one-to-many mapping of the entities to the axes and labels.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed for analyzing data entities of interest, including text, image, waveform, audio, video and other types of data. The data entities are accessed and identified in accordance with a domain definition and attributes contained in the entities. The attributes may be user-defined, as may the domain definition. The entities are classified in a one-to-many classification according to the domain definition. User-viewable representations are generated that present analysis of the entities, such as identifying similarities and distinctions between them based upon their attributes and the domain definition.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for structuring dynamic data from a plurality of images. Certain embodiments include accessing an image data set including data representing a plurality of images, determining a dynamic or functional attribute in the image data set, associating the dynamic or functional attribute with a lexical attribute from a lexicon, and storing the lexical attribute and an associated code. The lexical attribute and associated code may be stored in a database and/or a structured report, for example. The lexicon may be modified to accommodate attributes and medical terminology. Attributes relate to a feature and/or a region of interest in the image data set.

Abstract: A patient identification card system and method for efficient medical care. The present invention provides an improved patient identification card system for efficient medical care including a patient card, a patient card access device, and a medical report. The present invention also provides an improved patient identification card system for efficient medical care including a patient card, a physiologic sensor network, a patient card access device, and a data processor. The present invention also includes a method for obtaining patient information using a patient card including inputting a request to a data processor, processing the request with the data processor, and outputting the processed information to a medical report.

Abstract: Briefly in accordance with one embodiment, the present technique provides a multi-energy tomosynthesis imaging system. The system includes an X-ray source configured to emit X-rays from multiple locations within a limited angular range relative to an imaging volume. The imaging system also includes a digital detector with an array of detector elements to generate images in response to the emitted X-rays. The imaging system further includes a detector acquisition circuitry to acquire the images from the digital detector. The imaging system may also include a processing circuitry configured to decompose plurality of images based on energy characteristics and to reconstruct the plurality of images to generate a three-dimensional multi-energy tomosynthesis image.

Abstract: A system and method for hybrid tracking in surgical navigation is disclosed. A plurality of tracking technologies is used in a medical procedure where a reconciler determines an active tracking technology. The reconciler determines the active tracking technology during the medical procedure. A switch may then activate one or more tracking technologies. The determination of which technology or technologies are to be activated may be based, for example, on metrics measured by each of the technologies, such as an accuracy measurement. In addition, a display may present representations based on at least data obtained by one or more of the tracking technologies. The switch may employ weighted switching to gradually switch the display of a first representation corresponding to a first tracking technology to the display of a second representation corresponding to a second tracking technology, where the first technology is deactivated and the second technology is activated.

Abstract: Procedures for providing health care to a range of anatomies that require contrast agents for adequate imaging. Image data is acquired in accordance with a range of modalities, and at different times and on different patients, depending upon the particular implementation. The image data is processed in accordance with one of a range of manners and algorithms for a particular purpose and a specific tissue or organ. The resulting workflow paths provide novel combinations for rendering health care to specific tissues and organs by the use of contrast agent-based imaging.

Abstract: A method for reducing noise in images includes utilizing an original image to generate a segmentation mask and a filtered image, and utilizing the filtered image, the original image, the segmentation mask and separate blending parameters for structural and nonstructural portions of the filtered image to generate a blended image. The method further includes contrast matching the blended image with the original image to produce an output image.

Abstract: A method of adaptively reducing noise within an x-ray image includes receiving raw data (R) representing a detected x-ray signal from an object. A counts-based modulation mask (Mcb) is generated in response to the raw data (R). In one embodiment, a structure dependent noise filtered image (Iblended) is generated in response to the raw data. A noise-reduced image (IF) is generated in response to the counts-based modulation mask (Mcb) and the structure dependent noise filtered image (Iblended). In another embodiment, a structure gradient mask (Mcs) is generated in response to the raw data (R). The noise-reduced image (IF) is generated in response to the counts-based modulation mask (Mcb) and the structure gradient mask (Mcs).