Abstract: A suite of applications is provided for the administration of implantable medical devices, particularly implantable therapeutic substance infusion devices. The applications may be accessed over a public network, such as the Internet, and may be run using middleware. The applications provide for the administration of medical devices as they pertain to a particular patient, the ordering of therapeutic agents from participating third-party dispensaries, the scheduling of device maintenance and explant events, and the review of literature and educational materials pertaining to a particular medical device or class of devices.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for the construction and/or use of multidimensional fields that can be used for high-resolution detection and characterization of features within objects. The multidimensional field is constructed from data that is collected by an array of radiation detectors that substantially surround the object under study. The detected radiation is produced by an array of radiation sources and is subsequently scattered, reflected, transmitted, or diffracted by the object under study and any features within the object under study. In particular embodiments of the invention, the radiation that is used is ultrasonic radiation and the object under study is human or animal tissue or an organ. In this case, the invention permits the detection and identification of cancer by an intelligently trained evaluation system.

Abstract: A computer system for performing an interactive assessment of the risk of an event, has a computer monitor to present to a user of the system a series of questions and potential responses, and a keyboard or other device to select a response to the question. The system can administer complex inverted tree type decision algorithms, in which the questions that are presented to the user, depend upon the response to the previous question, and an assessment of the risk of an event is presented to the user whenever they reach the terminus point in the decision tree. The risk assessment algorithm is data driven and a risk assessment is defined by entries in a file, which is available over a network. The system provides options so each user may view the path through the sequence of questions and answers, and interact with the risk assessment, in a manner customized for their own interactive session.

Abstract: The simultaneous multi access reasoning technology system of the present invention utilizes both existing knowledge and implicit information that can be numerically extracted from training data to provide a method and apparatus for diagnosing disease and treating a patient. This technology further comprises a system for receiving patient data from another location, analyzing the data in a trained neural network, producing a diagnostic value, and optionally transmitting the diagnostic value to another location.

Abstract: The simultaneous multi access reasoning technology system of the present invention utilizes both existing knowledge and implicit information that can be numerically extracted from training data to provide a method and apparatus for diagnosing disease and treating a patient. This technology further comprises a system for receiving patient data from another location, analyzing the data in a trained neural network, producing a diagnostic value, and optionally transmitting the diagnostic value to another location.

Abstract: Process for producing benefit/risk evaluation data relating to radiation therapy in patients comprising the following stages: production of imaga data on the spatial positional distribution of relevant organ and tissue parts; production or selection of radiation data; production of radiation dose distribution data; storage of a plurality first rules; fetching of suitable first rules; storage of a plurality of second rules; fetching and application of suitable second rules; production of benefit/risk evaluation data based on the total radiation effect data produced; and fetching of suitable radiation data.

Abstract: A system with multimodality instrument for tissue identification includes a computer-controlled motor driven heuristic probe with a multisensory tip. For neurosurgical applications, the instrument is mounted on a stereotactic frame for the probe to penetrate the brain in a precisely controlled fashion. The resistance of the brain tissue being penetrated is continually monitored by a miniaturized strain gauge attached to the probe tip. Other modality sensors may be mounted near the probe tip to provide real-time tissue characterizations and the ability to detect the proximity of blood vessels, thus eliminating errors normally associated with registration of pre-operative scans, tissue swelling, elastic tissue deformation, human judgement, etc., and rendering surgical procedures safer, more accurate, and efficient. A neural network program adaptively learns the information on resistance and other characteristic features of normal brain tissue during the surgery and provides near real-time modeling.

Abstract: A method for predicting respiratory disturbances, and a method for developing such an artificial neural network. The inputs to the method and to the artificial neural network of the present invention are the answers given by a person to a series of questions. The output of the artificial neural network is a predicted respiratory disturbance index.

Abstract: Methods, software, and systems for evaluating the response of a patient afflicted with a disease to a therapeutic regimen for the disease are described. In one aspect, the present methods, systems, and software are provided for evaluating the utility of a treatment regimen for treating a patient afflicted with a disease. In one embodiment of this aspect, the value of at least one diagnostic variable relating to a statistical model describing the utility of the treatment regimen is determined. The statistical model is derived using a robustified similarity metric least squares (SMILES) analysis of the response to the treatment regimen which has been adapted to include discriminant and logistical analysis. The value of the diagnostic variable is then applied to the model to provide an estimated utility of the treatment regimen in treating the patient.

Abstract: A neural network system and method for diagnosing patients' medical conditions provide an efficient aid in identifying and interpreting factors which are significant in the medical diagnosis. The neural network is trained to recognize medical conditions by being provided with input data that is available for a number of patients, and diagnosis made by physicians in each case. Upon completion of the training period the neural network system uses input measurement and interview data to produce a score, or a graded classification, of a patient's medical condition that is accompanied with a diagnosis interpretation. The interpretation is a sorted catalogue of individual factors and interactions that influenced the score. The interpretive facility of the present invention is based on comparison with a set of nominal values for each input factor or interaction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for helping healthcare professionals create clinical protocols or assist in direct entry of medical finding into a chart by intelligently prompting a healthcare professional with medical findings associated with at least one medical finding which has already been entered in the protocol is disclosed. First of all, at least one medical finding for a patient is inputted into the system wherein each finding is assigned a point value for each diagnosis within a knowledge base. A total number of points for each diagnosis is then totalled for all of the findings which have been entered into the system. The possible diagnoses are then ranked in descending point total and a predetermined plurality of the highest ranked diagnoses are selected. Once the highest ranked diagnoses have been selected, the healthcare professional is prompted with additional findings associated with the selected diagnoses which have not yet been inputted into the clinical protocol.

Abstract: An interactive intervention training system used for monitoring a patient suffering from neurological disorders of movement or a subject seeking to improve skill performance and assisting their training. A patient (or trainee) station is used in interactive training. The patient (or trainee) station includes a computer. A supervisor station is used by, for example, a medical or other professional. The patient (or trainee) station and the supervisor station can communicate with each other, for example, over the Internet or over a LAN. The patient (or trainee) station may be located remotely or locally with respect to the supervisor station. Sensors collect physiologic information and physical information from the patient or subject while the patient or subject is undergoing training. This information is provided to the supervisor station. It may be summarized and displayed to the patient/subject and/or the supervisor.

Abstract: The simultaneous multi access reasoning technology system of the present invention utilizes both existing knowledge and implicit information that can be numerically extracted from training data to provide a method and apparatus for diagnosing disease and treating a patient. This technology further comprises a system for receiving patient data from another location, analyzing the data in a trained neural network, producing a diagnostic value, and optionally transmitting the diagnostic value to another location.

Abstract: The overall invention categorizes patients with suspected acute myocardial infarction (AMI) with regard to a) AMI/non-AMI; b) infarct size (e.g. Major/Minor); c) time since onset of infarction; and d) non-AMI with/without minor myocardial damage (MMD). Generally, the above categorization is based on frequent timed blood sampling and measurement of selected biochemical markers of AMI with different rates of appearance in circulating blood. The computations are performed by using specially designed artificial neural networks. According to a first main aspect of the invention, early, i.e. generally within 3 hours from admission of the patient, detection/exclusion of acute myocardial infarction is provided. Furthermore, early prediction of the infarct size and early estimation of the time from onset are also provided.

Abstract: A method and a device for giving patients individualized, situation-dependent medication advice are disclosed. Preferably, the invention is implemented in portable computers. The method is founded on knowledge-based computer technology and comprises a reminder function (1), a recording and storage function (2, 3), as well as a function for inductive data analysis (4) and rule generation. When the knowledge-based system (6) finds that a medicine should be taken, the computer emits a signal providing information on the type of medicine and the dose. The patients records the intake of medicine as well as his current state of health. This information is stored in a database together with the point of time. Inductive data analysis is used to spot the relationship between various events and symptoms as well as establish medication rules. These rules are refined upon as new information is recorded in the database, and are automatically adapted to changes in the patient's state of health.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of determining human hereditary disease risk factors, a method of determining hereditary cancer patterns presenting in cancer family histories, and a method of determining whether a cancer family history represents a hereditary pattern.

Abstract: The invention relates to a coating composition and an anchorage component for implants having a completely or partly coated surface. The coating comprises a filling material of highly porous spherical particles having a diameter from about 10 to about 200 .mu.m and a pore volume from about 25 to about 80% on the basis of solid calcium compounds and a resorbable binding agent (matrix).