Abstract: The invention relates to a system (200) for delineating an anatomical structure in an image computed from a slice of image data, the system (200) comprising a partition unit (210) for partitioning the image into a plurality of image portions, each image portion depicting a portion of the anatomical structure, and an adaptation unit (220) for adapting a template to the image based on a criterion function, the criterion function being a function of template parameters and of image values and their relative positions in the image, and on a criterion to be satisfied by a computed value of the criterion function, wherein the criterion function is defined on the basis of the plurality of image portions. Having a criterion function defined on the basis of the plurality of image portions allows computing optimal contributions to the criterion function value within each portion of the image.

Abstract: A medical image data processing system automatically identifies a catheterization device including marker objects for use in identifying the catheterization device in a medical image for Angiography or another medical procedure. The system includes an image data processor that automatically identifies non-marker objects in a medical image by comparing image data representing individual non-marker objects with image data representing a template non-marker object. The processor automatically identifies catheterization device marker objects by comparing image data representing individual candidate marker objects with image data representing a template marker object and by processing image representative data to provide processed image data excluding image data representing non-marker objects. A user interface generates data representing a display image indicating identified marker objects and an associated catheterization device using the processed image data for presentation to a user.

Abstract: A medical image display apparatus in accordance with the present invention includes a means (13) for selectively inputting a desired medical image from among medical images taken by a medial-image radiography system, a deployed image creating means (11a) for reading the selectively inputted medical image from the medical-image radiography system or an external storage device, and producing a deployed image of a region of a luminal organ contained in the read medical image, and a control means (11) for controlling display of the created deployed image on a display means (18).

Abstract: A pharmaceutical clearinghouse establishes relationships with a network of FNA Agents servicing requests from patients under institutional patient assistance programs, and with a network of pharmaceutical providers. In response to the clearinghouse receiving a patient request for a pharmaceutical from an FNA Agent, the clearinghouse obtains a subsidy from at least one in-network pharmaceutical provider and provides the subsidy to the FNA Agent; the subsidy may be cash, in-kind pharmaceutical or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A medical image processor includes: an extraction unit configured to extract a longitudinal line from three-dimensional volume data for a medical image, the longitudinal line representing how a tubular structure runs; a longitudinal cross-sectional image generator configured to generate multiple longitudinal cross-sectional images extending along the longitudinal line, the longitudinal cross-sectional images being cross-sectional images of the tubular structure; a short-axis cross-sectional image generator configured to generate multiple short-axis cross-sectional images intersecting the longitudinal line, the short-axis cross-sectional images being cross-sectional images of the tubular structure; a structure element detector configured to detect a specific structural element of the tubular structure from each of the plurality of short-axis cross-sectional images; and a correction unit configured to correct the specific structural element detected from each of the multiple short-axis cross-sectional images on

Abstract: Systems, methodologies, media, and other embodiments associated with an icon-based healthcare patient care system are described. One exemplary system embodiment includes an icon-based healthcare patient care system comprising an association data store that stores association information between a category and at least one icon; and, a patient care logic configured to provide icon-based healthcare information based on selection information received from a user.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for automatically identifying and characterizing particles within an image. In particular, the systems and methods disclosed herein may be utilized to identify particles that overlap or form agglomerations of particles. Agglomerates may be identified using a variety of techniques. Perimeters of individual particles within an agglomerate may be estimated. According to several embodiments, objects may be characterized using a variety of characteristics, including the particle size, shape, Stokes diameter, aerodynamic diameter, convexity, circularity, and the like. In some instances, these characteristics may allow additional information to be calculated or determined, such as the composition of a particle. These characteristics may also be utilized to determine physical properties of particles, such as flowability, abrasive efficiency, bioactivity, solubility, catalytic activity, and other properties.

Abstract: The method, system and user-interface allows alignment of refill dates associated with a plurality of prescriptions to a plurality of alignment dates, such that a plurality of selected prescriptions require refills on each of the plurality of alignment dates, thus limiting the number of occasions on which a customer must visit the pharmacy to retrieve refills of the aligned prescriptions, and increasing the likelihood that the customer will comply with the recommended medication regimen.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of providing information regarding a patient's use of medications, the method including the step of providing a graphical icon relating to the medication, the graphical icon including at least one indicator relating to the patient's use of the medication. The least one indicator preferably provides information such as dosage information, duration information, compliance information, and impression information.

Abstract: In an access controller and method for controlling access to medical data, the medical data being provided as at least one first file and a second file independent of the first file with findings regarding patients that are generated by medical personnel being stored in the first file and measurement results of patients that were acquired by means of a medical-technical apparatus being stored in the second file, with at least one subset of the measurement results stored in the second file forming the basis of at least a subset of the findings stored in the first file, the access controller is configured to detect the measurement results forming the basis of a stored finding.

Abstract: Healthcare information data is managed by, on a computer, maintaining a model of a state of a system based on the healthcare information, receiving a transaction representing a change to the system, determining that the change complies with a rule, and changing the model according to the transaction.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products for synthesizing medical procedure information stored in healthcare databases are provided. A medical procedure query associated with a single patient or a group of patients is received. Query results are provided responsive to the medical procedure query. The query results may include medical procedures from multiple sources that are expressed in multiple standards formats.

Abstract: A route search apparatus stores a section of a route to a database when drowsiness of a driver is detected by a drowsiness detector in the section of the route. The route search apparatus refers to the database and determines whether route candidates include a drowsiness-detected route section when the apparatus searches for a route extending from a departure place to a destination. When the drowsiness-detected route section is included in the route candidates, an evaluation value of the drowsiness-detected route section is raised before re-searching the route extending from the departure place to the destination.

Abstract: Methods for determining whether a drug is a specialty drug, methods for creating tools to be used in making the determination, and the tools themselves are disclosed. The overall value of a drug depends on the drug's attribute values with respect to each of a set of drug attributes (concerning, e.g., the drug's route of administration, targeted disease, possible adverse reactions, risk of toxicity, cost, need for patient compliance with the treatment regime, and handling, preparation, and/or storage requirements. If the overall value or its partial overall values meet certain criteria, the drug is deemed to be a specialty drug.

Abstract: A method for recommending a physician, comprising obtaining user feedback for the physician prior to obtaining a plurality of search criteria, obtaining the plurality of search criteria specifying physician expertise, identifying a plurality of physicians based on a search of the plurality of search criteria, wherein the search is performed on a user generated physician expertise data set, performing a comparison of the plurality of physicians, and displaying a recommendation for one of the plurality of physicians based on the comparison.

Abstract: Visual images may be used to detect, or verify the existence of, landmarks. In one example, the landmarks may be used to provide driving or walking directions. A set of records may be examined to identify the street addresses of businesses or other entities. Additionally, street-level images may be captured with a camera, and the locations at which the images were captured may be recorded. The images may be evaluated with an Optical Character Recognition (OCR) process to determine what words appear in the images. The words in the image are compared with the names of entities whose addresses are near where the image was captured. If the words match the entity name, then a sign identifying the entity is presumed to be visible along a particular route, and the entity may be used as a landmark in a set of walking or driving directions.

Abstract: Methods for determining whether a drug is a specialty drug, methods for creating tools to be used in making the determination, and the tools themselves are disclosed. The overall value of a drug depends on the drug's attribute values with respect to each of a set of drug attributes (concerning, e.g., the drug's route of administration, targeted disease, possible adverse reactions, risk of toxicity, cost, need for patient compliance with the treatment regime, and handling, preparation, and/or storage requirements. If the overall value or its partial overall values meet certain criteria, the drug is deemed to be a specialty drug.

Abstract: A system and method in accordance with the invention allow a user to select when messages relating to medication events are sent and to select the content parameters of those messages. In one aspect, a user selects certain event types, the occurrence of which will cause a message to be sent to the user. For example, the user may select a message type that pertains to the availability of a medication in an automated dispensing machine for that user's patient. In another aspect, the user may customize the contents of the message to include or exclude certain information. For example, the user may desire the message to indicate only the patient's name and not the patient's gender or age. In yet another aspect, the user may filter messages so that only certain messages are sent. For example, the user may select a filter that permits only messages pertaining to his or her patients to be sent.

Abstract: A system and method facilitate alignment of refill dates associated with a plurality of prescriptions, such that each of the plurality of prescriptions requires a refill on the same date, thus limiting the number of occasions on which a customer must visit the pharmacy to retrieve refills of the aligned prescriptions, and increasing the likelihood that the customer will comply with the prescribed medication regimen. The system and method facilitate the alignment of the refill dates while complying with one or more rules governing the adjudication of the prescriptions.

Abstract: A method of providing insurance (including professional malpractice liability insurance) to consumers against unfavorable outcomes resulting from services, methods of rating risks associated with services, and a method of reducing the risk of unfavorable outcomes. In the first preferred embodiment, a policy limit is chosen by a patient (or other consumer), a premium based on the policy limit is paid by the patient, and if malpractice is committed by a health care provider (or other professional), the consumer is compensated up to the amount of the policy limit. The consumer signs an agreement that the liability of the service provider for malpractice will not exceed the policy limit. Risk factors are evaluated for the consumer, the doctor, hospital or other service provider, and the procedures that are to be performed, and are used to determine the amount of the premium, taking into account the policy limit chosen by the consumer.