Abstract: A method is provided which facilitates diagnosis of any describable condition or event. One example is specialty related medical conditions and diseases. The method first provides, in a computer accessible data base, for the creation of a plurality of master maps using keywords and a new diagnostic mapping language. Then a medical description of a patient's history and physical information is input into a computer using simple medical file language. Chemical and test data information are displayed on the screen to prompt entry of available chemical and test data for the patient, and this may also be practiced for imaging selections which may be in a yes/no/empty format. Using a computer processor a data base of specialty medical information is searched to determine the degree of similarity between the information entered and the master maps, and the possible diagnoses are ranked based on the degree of similarity.

Abstract: A method is provided which facilitates diagnosis of any describable condition or event. One example is specialty related medical conditions and diseases. The method first provides, in a computer accessible data base, for the creation of a plurality of master maps using keywords and a new diagnostic mapping language. Then a medical description of a patient's history and physical information is input into a computer using simple medical file language. Chemical and test data information are displayed on the screen to prompt entry of available chemical and test data for the patient, and this may also be practiced for imaging selections which may be in a yes/no/empty format. Using a computer processor a data base of specialty medical information is searched to determine the degree of similarity between the information entered and the master maps, and the possible diagnoses are ranked based on the degree of similarity.

Abstract: A surgically implantable apparatus for subcutaneous placement in the body of a patient and by which peritoneal dialysis may be performed with minimal risk of infection, the apparatus being connected to a catheter extending into the peritoneal cavity and having a needle-impenetrable reservoir, a needle-penetrable covering over the opening of the reservoir, and an essentially nonyielding support extending across reservoir opening beneath and contiguous to the needle-penetrable covering to prevent sagging of body tissues; and a method for performing peritoneal dialysis by means of the apparatus.