Abstract: A patient image data processing system comprises a first validation processor for parsing a message conveying patient medical image data from an image provider to identify image metadata indicating first characteristics of the image. The first validation processor performs a first comparison by comparing the metadata with configuration data indicating predetermined characteristics of images required for a particular use and provides first acceptability data indicating the image is unacceptable for the use in response to an unsuccessful first comparison. A second validation processor parses imaging metadata representing the image to identify image metadata indicating second characteristics of the image.

Abstract: A system compares clinical trial protocol data in a configuration file with medical image metadata and data exchange protocol header data and in response generates a message to a user. A patient clinical image data processing system comprises a first validation processor for parsing a message conveying patient medical image data to identify image metadata indicating first characteristics of the image. The first validation processor performs a first comparison by comparing the metadata with configuration data indicating predetermined characteristics of images required for a particular use and indicating the image is acceptable for the use in response to a successful first comparison. A second validation processor parses header data of DICOM compatible data representing the image to identify image metadata indicating second characteristics of the image.

Abstract: In a method for producing medical reference image data of a patient, medical image data are produced from the patient in order to present a medical diagnosis. In at least one embodiment of the method, verification data correlated with the medical image data are collected from the patient to verify the diagnosis and the diagnosis verified with the aid of the verification data is stored inseparably together with the image data as the medical reference image data. In medical reference image data of a patient, medical image data produced from the patient are present to present a medical diagnosis and verification data collected from the patient and correlated with the medical image data are present to verify the diagnosis. In at least one embodiment, the diagnosis verified with the aid of the verification data is stored inseparably together with the image data as the medical reference image data.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for monitoring during an image-based clinical study. In at least one embodiment, in the method medical image data are produced from a patient to present a medical diagnosis and verification data correlated with the diagnosis are collected from the patient to verify the diagnosis. Further, the diagnosis verified with the aid of the verification data is stored inseparably together with the image data as medical reference image data and the image data, of at least two investigating staff, are presented to extract respective individual information. Further, the respective individual information is stored inseparably together with the image data in respective reader data and the respective reader data are presented to a study monitor for monitoring.

Abstract: A method is provided for configuring medical devices such as medical devices used in a clinical trial. Based on the needs of the clinical trial, a definition of a configuration of the medical devices to be used in the clinical trial is generated and the configuration data is transformed into a profile. The profile is distributed to sites at which the clinical trial will be conducted and the profile is applied to the medical devices at the sites to configure the medical devices. The medical devices are thereby capable of producing data that is comparable as between the sites used in the clinical trial.

Abstract: In a method and a system for supporting the evaluation of a picture of a patient's eye the picture is displayed on a screen. An image-processing algorithm from a number of image processing algorithms is selected due to a preliminary diagnosis selected from a number of diagnoses which are related to diabetes. Each image-processing algorithm of the number of image processing algorithms is associated with a diagnosis of the number of diagnoses and is designed to search for a pattern which is specific to the respective diagnosis. The selected image-processing algorithm then is applied to the picture and a pattern which is detected by the selected image-processing algorithm is marked on the screen in the picture.

Abstract: A method is for verifying the feasibility of a medical study using acceptance criteria for patients. The method includes defining target criteria for the study. Based on the acceptance criteria, a patient collective including potential patients is selected from a database containing patient data of patients. The patient data of the patient collective are evaluated based on the target criteria. Finally, a measure for the feasibility of the study is established.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for carrying out quality control of medical data records collected from different but comparable patient collectives within the bounds of a medical plan. In the method, for each data record, a quality control parameter assigned thereto is determined in the same manner. Further, the quality control parameters are evaluated using comparison criteria.

Abstract: A method is for evaluating the quality of electronically stored, particularly medical, knowledge data. The knowledge data are stored in a database; quality data correlated with the knowledge data are stored in the database, and; when a user accesses the knowledge data, the quality data are automatically provided to the user.

Abstract: During a method for selecting a potential participant for a medical study on the basis of a selection criterion, patient data assigned to a patient are electronically stored. A secondary criterion is assigned to the selection criterion. The patient data are electronically evaluated on the basis of the secondary criterion. Based on this electronic evaluation, a measure for fulfilling the selection criterion is determined for the patient associated with the patient data. The patient is selected as a potential participant on the basis of this measure.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for verifying whether an implementation rule assigned to a medical procedure has been observed. The method includes: data correlated with the procedure is automatically entered and stored in a data processing device; test criteria for the data, which are correlated with the implementation rule, are stored in a test system; the procedure is implemented; the test system reads out the data from the data processing device; and the test system evaluates the data based on the test criteria and determines to what degree the implementation rule has been observed.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for performing a clinical study on a patient. The study-related or patient-related data is stored in a memory during the study. The memory is readable by a physician who is foreign to the study and is associated with the patient. An information system for a clinical study on a patient encompasses a memory for study-related or patient-related data, which is allocated to the patient, a data input device for storing data in the memory, and a data reading device for reading out the data from the memory. The data reading device is accessible to a physician who is foreign to the study and is associated with the patient.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for conducting a clinical study according to which an event occurs during the study that requires a collaboration of individuals responsible for the study. The method includes transmitting the event to a collaboration system. The collaboration system determines, based on parameters assigned to the event, a group of individuals responsible for the study required for the collaboration. The collaboration system provides a communications platform for the group. The group carries out the collaboration while using the communications platform. Finally, the collaboration system verifies the collaboration on the basis of predetermined verification criteria.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for selecting a participant in a medical project with selection criteria for patients. The method includes verifying patient data, that is contained in a data processing system and is associated with patients, regarding the selection criteria. The patient associated with the patient data is selected as a participant if the selection criteria are met.

Abstract: A system and computer software for archiving image and other data relating to medical research, having the capability to store images in digital imaging and communication in medicine (DICOM) format. The images are retrievable using pointers contained in a relational data base where the image data is associated with experiments and projects and the access to the DICOM data is controlled through a hierarchical system of access control related to the project organization and administration. The computer servers and mass storage are linked by a local area network and a wide area network, permitting collaboration by persons a geographically dispersed locations.

Abstract: In a method and system for retrieving a medical image from a data base, an image processing algorithm is applied to a first medical image. The result of the applied image processing algorithm to the first medical image is compared with a plurality of results being stored in a data base. Each result of the plurality of results is the result of the image-processing algorithm being applied to each medical image of a plurality of medical images which is stored in the data base. Then, a second medical image belonging to the plurality of medical images is determined and retrieved from the data base, wherein the relevant result is comparable to the relevant result related to the first medical image.

Abstract: A system processes medical information of multiple patients to provide data for use in supporting clinical decision making. The system includes an interface for receiving, from a remote source, data representing patient non-specific medical information excluding patient specific information. The patient non-specific medical information comprises medical information of multiple individual patients treated at one or more healthcare organization sites. A data processor automatically, parses the received data, identifies, within the parsed received data, site specific information associated with a particular healthcare provider organization site and facilitates identification of the particular healthcare provider organization site.

Abstract: A communication system connects clinical trial participants, managers, sponsors and associated systems and provides imaging-specific functions that enhance imaging systems. A patient clinical image data processing system includes an acquisition interface for acquiring patient medical image representative data from one or more sources. A processor automatically removes patient specific information from patient medical image representative data to provide patient non-specific medical image representative data and stores the patient non-specific medical image representative data. A communication interface communicates, via a network, the patient non-specific medical image representative data to a remote location.

Abstract: A method is for obtaining medically relevant data from the gastrointestinal tract of a patient (human or an animal). The patient is orally administered with a transponder and signals emitted by the transponder during or after passage through the gastrointestinal tract are received, with the aid of a reading device for example. A measuring probe may be suitable for carrying out the method. The probe is designed as a transponder and includes a sensor unit for recording chemical, electrochemical or physical parameters.

Abstract: A method for selecting a subject for a clinical study includes providing a criteria for selecting one or more subjects from a database, performing a content based similarity search of the database to retrieve subjects who meet the selection criteria, presenting the selected subjects to a user, and receiving user feedback regarding the selected subjects. The feedback can concern whether each of the selected subjects presented to the user is suitable for the clinical study. The method also includes learning from the feedback to improve the content based similarity search, performing an improved content based similarity search of the database to retrieve additional subjects who meet the selection criteria, and presenting the additional subjects to the user.