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: A system and associated communication protocol enables network compatible applications to be integrated into any process involving concurrent operation of applications. A system for use in a first application concurrently operating together with a plurality of network compatible applications includes an entitlement processor. The entitlement processor enables user access to the first application in response to validation of user identification information. The system also includes a communication processor for intermittently communicating an activity indication to a managing application within a timeout window and the activity indication is communicated sufficiently often to prevent an inactivity timeout of the first application. The managing application receives activity indications from multiple concurrently operating applications sufficiently frequently to prevent an inactivity timeout of the individual applications and maintains corresponding activity monitoring indicators.

Abstract: A system links a standardized coded diagnosis associated with a medication order with information in a pharmacy information system to supplement medication utilization data. A pharmacy user interface system includes a user interface processor for providing data representing at least one display image supporting user entry of a coded diagnosis identifier for association with an order identifier identifying a medication order record indicating an order for a particular medication to be administered to a particular patient during an inpatient stay in a medical facility.

Abstract: A user interface system employed in retrieving information from an information repository used in exchanging data between different electronic data systems includes the following method. A first menu is displayed which supports user selection of a bi-directional communication interface from a plurality of interfaces. The bi-directional communication interface is used for communicating data between a particular source and destination. In response to user selection of a bi-directional communication interface, a second menu is displayed which supports user entry of data determining communication characteristic information to be retrieved from said information repository for said selected communication interface.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for signal transmission with isolation in medical devices. Data signals, such as patient measurement data and medical instrumentation control signals are converted to dynamic signals which are transmitted on power lines through an isolation module, such as a transformer. The dynamic signals are then converted to data signals having a voltage based on the frequency of the dynamic signals.

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments provide a system for providing help information supporting at least one executable application. The system can comprise an interface processor for receiving user-entered data representing a help message conveying help information, a creation time indicator identifying a creation time of the help message, and an identifier for identifying a help information repository associated with the help message. A data processor can store the help message in the help information repository in order of creation by using the creation time indicator.

Abstract: An order generator for a healthcare information system and a corresponding method includes a user interface and a processor. The user interface includes an input device and a display. The input device receives input information related to format and content of an order form for a patient. The display presents the input information and output information related to the order form. The display includes an order template editor window and an order details window. The order template editor window permits a user to generate an order template responsive to receiving the input information. The order details window permits the user to generate the order form responsive to the generating the order template and responsive to receiving the input information. The processor generates the output information responsive to receiving the input information.

Abstract: An X-ray imaging system performs automated imaging of patient anatomy. A collimator includes at least one portion of X-ray absorbent material automatically adjustable to alter the dimensions of a spatial cross section of an X-ray beam of radiation, in response to a control signal. A collimator controller generates the control signal in response to, determining one or more regions of the X-ray detector corresponding to a portion of patient anatomy to be X-rayed in response to X-ray absorbent markers indicating boundaries of the portion of patient anatomy during an initialization X-ray exposure for individual steps of the series of pre-programed steps and determining different positions of the portion of X-ray absorbent material for corresponding individual steps of a series of pre-programed steps in response to the determined regions.

Abstract: A system and method processes unpaid healthcare claims related to reimbursement of a provision of healthcare to a patient in response to a rejection, a denial, or a lack of response to a submitted claim. An activity code is selected from a predetermined activity code set including codes identifying processing to be performed concerning rejected claim data in response to a received notification of a claim denial or rejection. The selected activity code is assigned to rejected claim data associated with the received notification. A task is scheduled, including performing processing concerning the rejected claim data, to derive corrected claim data including claim data supplemental to the rejected claim data and/or amended rejected claim data, in response to the assigned selected activity code. The corrected claim data is prepared for submission to a payer organization for payment.

Abstract: A method and system for atrial fibrillation analysis, characterization, and mapping is disclosed. A finite element model (FEM) representing a physical structure of a heart is generated. Electrogram data can be sensed at various locations in the heart using an electrophysiology catheter, and the electrogram data is mapped to the elements of the FEM. Function parameters, which measure some characteristics of AF arrhythmia, are then simultaneously calculated for all of the elements of the FEM based on the electrogram data mapped to the elements of the FEM. An artificial neural network (ANN) can be used to calculate the function parameters.

Abstract: A system identifies, flags and tracks images and series of images previously accessed by a healthcare worker. A system for tracking medical image viewing by a user includes at least one repository storing data representing multiple medical images of a particular patient available for use in preparing a report. A viewing processor tracks whether an individual image of the multiple medical images has been presented on a display device by using predetermined rules in determining whether data representing the individual image has been communicated to the display device for display to a particular user associated with received user identification information. The viewing processor generates a viewed indicator associated with the individual image and the particular user in response to a determination data representing the individual display image has been communicated to the display device for display to the particular user.

Abstract: A method and system for reporting quantitative measurement information includes forming a message with quantitative measurement information; converting the data format of the message to a data format which allows the message to be sent over a communication network; converting the data format of the message received over the communication network to a data format corresponding to that of a data recording system; and generating a report with the recording system using the quantitative measurement information contained in the message.

Abstract: A healthcare administration system integrates the entry of an order for a medical service for a patient with the scheduling of an appointment for performing the service. The system incorporates receiving service order information for a medical service for a patient from a user; generating an order for the medical service based upon the service order information; and enabling the user to perform one or more tasks selected from the group consisting of (a) scheduling an appointment with a provider of the medical service, (b) storing the order information in a queued waitlist, and (c) automatically rescheduling the appointment based upon the queued waitlist.

Abstract: A system provides an integration engine debugging and trace function that adaptively captures and displays trace information and promotes easier and more efficient troubleshooting. A system adaptively displays transaction message data for use with a data exchange system for exchanging data between different computer systems using different data formats. The system includes a repository of data comprising transaction messages communicated between different computer systems using different data formats. A data converter converts transaction message data into Hex and non-Hex representations. A display processor provides data representing a first display image including data representing a single transaction message in both Hex and non-Hex data format and enabling a user to initiate generation of a second display image for presenting the transaction message exclusively in a non-Hex representation.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for acquiring images in a biplane angiography system. The system and method allows synchronization of the image zoom format settings for the x-ray images acquired from the two planes of the biplane angiography system thus allowing the user to adjust the image zoom format setting for only one image plane.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for allowing the user to change the patient table position or x-ray detector position during an angiographic roadmapping procedure while still displaying a properly registered roadmap display by adapting the mask image to the new position. A system and method are further disclosed for allowing the user to change the field of view size (i.e., zoom factor) of the x-ray detector during an angiographic roadmapping procedure by matching the size of the existing mask to the live image.

Abstract: A system determines available system resources along with the complexity of video clips in order to initiate and adapt automatic video clip playback. A method automatically concurrently plays multiple video clips in at least one composite video image by automatically determining available processing resources based on a number of available processors and associated corresponding individual processor operational speed. The method involves automatically determining a number of video clips that may be concurrently played and displayed in a composite video image by the determined available processing resources based on a number of the multiple video clips and associated corresponding individual video clip compression type. The method also includes initiating concurrent play and display of the determined number of video clips in the composite video image.

Abstract: A dictionary system provides a term repository supporting the operation of an enterprise, which dynamically updates its content in response to system use. An input processor acquires transaction message data in at least one of a plurality of different data formats. A data processor parses the acquired transaction message data to extract a term from the message data. The processor then compares the extracted term to terms in a first term repository. The first term repository is updated to include the extracted term if the extracted term is absent from said first term repository. A communication processor intermittently processes the content of said first term repository to be suitable for communication to a second term repository.

Abstract: A system maintains statistics on DICOM interfaces that include for each interfaced Application Entity, the number, timing and types of DICOM failures, number and timing of broken network connections, number and types of transactions and time required to perform each transaction, in the determination of a level of communication performance within individual interface applications. A system monitors performance of a communication interface supporting communication of patient medical data. The system includes an acquisition unit for acquiring performance related data concerning operation of a particular interface supporting communication of patient medical data. A data processor processes the acquired interface performance related data to provide a statistical measure including an interface performance parameter value and compares the performance parameter value with a predetermined threshold value to determine if interface performance is below a predetermined level.

Abstract: An imaging system has an inventive light source coupled to its X-ray detector to project a visible light beam onto the patient so that the patient may be aligned with an area of exposure (e.g., the area which X-Rays from the emitter will contact). In some cases, the light beam is a rectangular beam which substantially indicates the area of exposure. The imaging system also has a motion detector to detect movement of the object, the X-Ray emitter, and the X-Ray detector. With the motion detector, the imaging system is automated to automatically turn the light source on whenever the patient or the imaging system (e.g., the table) moves. Similarly, the imaging system is automated to turn off the light source when X-Raying begins.