Abstract: For releasing a therapeutic agent, a release is disclosed. The release allows a release or expulsion of the therapeutic agent that is adapted appropriately for the therapy, and/or for the specific properties of the therapeutic agent.

Abstract: Bio-molecular contrast agents (BMCA) can be used for optimizing radiation dosage, energy and/ or duration in order to achieve on-line, real-time therapy optimization. The BMCA signals during treatment are compared with expected values to determine what, if any, therapy optimization is needed.

Abstract: A bio-molecular contrast agent (BMCA) is introduced into a biological organism such that the agent binds or reacts with target tissue within that organism. The BMCA is also signal-giving, and signal reactive, capable of being inactivated by delivery of energy thereto. By monitoring the decrease in signal strength of the BMCA, the actual dosage delivered to the target can be determined and monitored. The decrease in BMCA signal strength can also be correlated to the level of destruction of the target, allowing for determination of therapy success.

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 device is for repeated semi-invasive abrasion of lesions on the walls of hollow organs, in particular blood vessels or the gastrointestinal tract of a patient. The device includes an outer stent which, fixed in position at the site of the lesions, can be clamped against the wall of the hollow organ and has recesses through which the lesions can inwardly protrude. The device further includes a cutting body which is guided within the outer stent and only negligibly narrows the internal bore of the outer stent, which cutting body has cutting edges sliding on the inner side of the outer stent and is coupled magnetically to an external magnet system via which it can turn about the stent axis and/or can move longitudinally along the stent axis.

Abstract: A system and method for endoscopic optical imaging using an endo-robot is provided. The method for performing endoscopic optical imaging using a capsule endoscope comprises: navigating the capsule endoscope through a lumen of a patient that has been introduced with an optical contrast agent; illuminating a portion of the lumen that is not penetrable by an external light source with light emitted from the capsule endoscope to enhance an image intensity of the portion of the lumen; and powering the capsule endoscope with an externally applied magnetic field.

Abstract: A device is for introducing a stent into a hollow organ, in particular into the gastrointestinal tract of the body of a patient. The device includes a magnet system which covers the area of treatment of the patient and generates a 3D gradient field for remote-controlled movement and orientation of an endorobot. The endorobot is provided with a linear magnet and is freely movable in the hollow organ. Further, the stent, which can be uncoupled from the outside, is secured to the endorobot in a folded-down state so that it can be brought to the site of use and can there be opened out so as to bear firmly on the wall of the hollow organ.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and automated terminal are proposed for recruiting patients for at least one clinical study. The method includes screening for suitable clinical study patients in at least one public place, including obtaining information regarding potential patients for entry into a computer device. The method further includes determining, from information entered into the computer device, whether or not the potential patients qualify for at least one clinical study.

Abstract: A method is proposed for improving a clinical study. The method includes obtaining criteria for the clinical study, and comparing clinical data to the obtained criteria using a computer device. Thereafter, using the computer device, performance measures are derived based upon the comparisons. These derived performance measures are then usable to improve the clinical study. For example, these performance measures may be used for ranking, and consequently improving, the clinical study.

Abstract: A method is proposed for determining clinical study compliance. The method includes obtaining criteria for the clinical study and accessing stored clinical data relating to the clinical study. Thereafter, the criteria and clinical data are correlated to determine a measure of compliance with the criteria of the clinical study.

Abstract: A method is proposed for monitoring participation of a patient in at least one clinical trial. The method includes collecting data regarding at least one clinical trial for the patient. Using a computer device, the collected data is then compared to at least one threshold. Finally, the patient is rewarded upon the collected data at least meeting at least one threshold.

Abstract: A method is proposed for examining a plurality of sites for a clinical trial. The method includes obtaining criteria for clinical trial and determining, using a computer device, how information regarding each of a plurality of clinical trial sites relates to the obtained criteria. Based upon the determinations, a plurality of the clinical trial sites are ranked. Thereafter, the ranked clinical trial sites may be reported to a sponsor of the clinical trial, and payment may be received.

Abstract: In a telephone system for domestic area and operating method therefor, the telephone system outputs predeterminable signals (respectively associated with a predeterminable message) perceptible by a person at predeterminable points in time. The content of the messages, the type of the signals to be output and the points in time are stored in an editable form in a databank. The databank is stored in the telephone system or in a computer of the domestic area connectable with the telephone system.

Abstract: A facility is for adapting a machine-readable data model, particularly medical guidelines, for import into a clinical workflow management system. The facility includes a mapping system including a work step database, with a hierarchic breakdown of work steps. It further includes at least one of a mapping module which maps work steps in the data model which has been read in, which belong to a different hierarchic level than the level used in the system, by polling the work step database for work steps on the hierarchic level of the system, and/or an association system including a resource database, which contains an association between generic resource titles in the data model and actual resources in the institution. Finally, the facility includes an association module which translates generic resource titles in the data model which has been read in into actual resources in the institution by polling the resource database.

Abstract: A method is for automated localization of lesions in the gastrointestinal tract using laser light from an endorobot. The method includes recording of surface images of the gastrointestinal tract using the camera of the endorobot. Next, the surface images are transmitted to a computer. The surface images are then analyzed by the computer on the basis of lesion-specific features with regard to lesions to be irradiated. Thereafter, control signals are computed by the computer on the basis of a detected lesion, and the control signals are transmitted to an endorobot steering device and/or to a laser system located in the endorobot. Finally, the computed laser-beam orientation and size of the laser irradiation area are adjusted by the endorobot steering device and/or by the laser system, on the basis of the control signals.

Abstract: A method is for detecting at least one substance in a metabolic process of a living being. A molecular contrast agent is administered to the living being. The method is able to highlight the substance being detected continuously over time at least one location of the living being. A device may be used for carrying out the method.

Abstract: A method is for processing a version change for a data record including medical therapeutic advice items. A respective data record, associated with a therapeutic advice item, includes a metadata structure having a number of metadata items which are checked for their respective update status. An identified changed update status is used to activate the data record in question.

Abstract: A method is for processing a data record including therapeutic advice items, particularly for the purpose of quality assurance in the course of medical treatment based on a therapeutic advice item. A first data record, associated with a therapeutic advice item, includes at least one input, at least one output and an expert rule which links the input and the output. The input data items, supplied to the input of the data record associated with the underlying therapeutic advice item, is used to produce, output and/or store individual therapeutic advice items in the form of the output data items. This is preferably done at the output of the data record using the expert rule.

Abstract: A method is for referencing data records which include therapeutic advice items, in which each data record associated with a therapeutic advice item includes a unique order feature which is likewise stored together with a therapeutic information item based on the therapeutic advice item. Further, a therapeutic advice item being updated prompts all of the therapeutic information items to be searched for the order feature of the updated therapeutic advice item. A report, indicating the change in the underlying therapeutic advice item is then output for each therapeutic information item found in the process.

Abstract: A method relates to at least one of periodically recurring and consecutive treatments for a patient using a data record including a therapeutic information item. The method includes using therapeutic information items, stored in the data record, to identify at least one periodicity criterion. The method further includes using the identified at least one periodicity criterion to ascertain a subsequent treatment.