Abstract: A system and method for tracking an object is disclosed. A video sequence including a plurality of image frames are received. A sample based representation of object appearance distribution is maintained. An object is divided into one or more components. For each component, its location and uncertainty with respect to the sample based representation are estimated. Variable-Bandwidth Density Based Fusion (VBDF) is applied to each component to determine a most dominant motion. The motion estimate is used to determine the track of the object.

Abstract: A method for classifying features in a digital medical image includes providing a plurality of feature points in an N-dimensional space, wherein each feature point is a member of one of two sets, determining a classifying plane that separates feature points in a first of the two sets from feature points in a second of the two sets, transforming the classifying plane wherein a normal vector to said transformed classifying plane has positive coefficients and a feature domain for one or more feature points of one set is a unit hypercube in a transformed space having n axes, obtaining an upper bound along each of the n-axes of the unit hypercube, inversely transforming said upper bound to obtain a new rule containing one or more feature points of said one set, and removing the feature points contained by said new rule from said one set.

Abstract: A detection framework that matches anatomical structures using appearance and shape is disclosed. A training set of images are used in which object shapes or structures are annotated in the images. A second training set of images represents negative examples for such shapes and structures, i.e., images containing no such objects or structures. A classification algorithm trained on the training sets is used to detect a structure at its location. The structure is matched to a counterpart in the training set that can provide details about the structure's shape and appearance.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automated processing of medical information in electronic patient medical record databases, wherein billing information (e.g., diagnosis codes, procedural codes) is automatically extracted from electronic patient medical records through comprehensive analysis of clinical information included in the patient medical records using a knowledge base of domain-specific criteria. The extracted billing information can be automatically processed for purposes of, e.g., medical claims correction, medical claims billing, quality assurance of recorded billing information, or claim reimbursement tracking.

Abstract: A method is provided for automatically identifying a disease outbreak indicative of a potential bio-terror attack. Patient records are mined from structured and unstructured clinical sources. The patient records are then analyzed by correlating selected patient data contained in the patient records with disease indicia for each of a plurality of diseases. A probability of a disease outbreak is estimated at least in part based on these correlations. Suspicion may also be indicated if anomalous disease clusters are found. If any of the estimated probabilities exceeds a threshold value, a disease outbreak alert is outputted. The disease indicia may be defined by disease progression models, which may be stored in a disease knowledge base.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for selecting prospective patients for a clinical trial. In various embodiments, a clinical trials brokerage is configured to receive requests from drug companies for lists of persons meeting specified criteria for clinical trials. Patient records are retrieved from a structured computerized patient record (CPR) data warehouse populated with comprehensive patient information mined from unstructured hospital records. A list of persons for whom consent was obtained can be outputted and forwarded to the entity interested in performing the clinical trial and which requested the list. Anonymity of a patient can be maintained until the patient provides consent to participate in the clinical trial.

Abstract: A technique is provided for automatically generating performance measurement information. At least some of the obtained performance measurement information may be derived from unstructured data sources, such as free text physician notes, medical images, and waveforms. The performance measurement may be sent to a health care accreditation organization. The health care accreditation organization can use the performance measurement to evaluate a health care provider for its quality of patient care. Alternatively, performance measurement information can be provided directly to consumers.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for automatically ensuring adherence to clinical guidelines during the course of patient treatments. A data source contains patient records, including records for patients being treated; a guidelines knowledge base contains clinical guidelines; and a quality adherence engine is configured to monitor adherence with the clinical guidelines for patients being treated. At least some of the patient records may include information obtained from mining unstructured patient data. The system includes an output component for outputting quality adherence information. The outputted quality adherence information may include reminders, including reminders to take clinical actions in accordance with the clinical guidelines. The outputted quality adherence information may also include warnings that the clinical guidelines have not been observed.

Abstract: A system and method for analyzing population-based patient information is provided. The method includes the steps of data mining a plurality of patient records using a domain knowledge base relating to a disease of interest; compiling the mined data into a plurality of structured patient records; inputting at least one patient criteria relating to the disease of interest; and extracting at least one structured patient record matching the at least one patient criteria. The system includes a data miner for mining information from the plurality of patient records using a domain knowledge base relating to a disease of interest and for compiling the mined data into a plurality of structured patient records; an interface for inputting at least one patient criteria relating to the disease of interest; and a processor adapted for extracting at least one of the structured patient records matching the at least one patient criteria.

Abstract: A method and system for determining patient states is provided. The method includes the steps of data mining a patient record using a domain knowledge base relating to a disease of interest; inputting the mined data into a model of the disease of interest; and determining a state of the patient based on the model. The system includes a data miner for mining information from a patient record using a domain knowledge base relating to a disease of interest; and a processor for creating a patient model of the disease of interest, processing the mined data in the model to determine a current state of the patient and future states for different courses of treatment, and recommending a therapy based on the determined future state.

Abstract: The present invention provides a data mining framework for mining high-quality structured clinical information. The data mining framework includes a data miner that mines medical information from a computerized patient record (CPR) based on domain-specific knowledge contained in a knowledge base. The data miner includes components for extracting information from the CPR, combining all available evidence in a principled fashion over time, and drawing inferences from this combination process. The mined medical information is stored in a structured CPR which can be a data warehouse.

Abstract: A system and method for screening for coronary heart disease is provided. The method includes the steps of retrieving a test for assessing risk of coronary heart disease, the test including a plurality of data fields relating to coronary risk factors; accessing a database to populate the data fields with information of an individual patient; and calculating a risk assessment of the individual patient developing coronary heart disease. A system includes a first database including a plurality of structured computerized patient records; a second database including a knowledge base relating to coronary heart disease, the second database including at least one test for determining coronary heart disease risk; and a processor for retrieving the at least one test from the second database, populating the at least one test with patient information retrieved from the first database and calculating a risk assessment for at least one patient.

Abstract: The present invention provides a graphical user interface for presentation, exploration and verification of patient information. In various embodiments, a method is provided for browsing mined patient information. The method includes selecting patient information to view, at least some of the patient information being probabilistic, presenting the selected patient information on a screen, the selected patient information including links to related information. The selected patient information may include elements, factoids, and/or conclusions. The selected patient information may include an element linked to unstructured information. For example, an element linked to a note with highlighted information may be presented. Additionally, the unstructured information may include medical images and waveform information.

Abstract: A system and method for lung cancer screening is provided. The system includes a database including structured patient information for a patient population and a domain knowledge base including information about lung cancer; an individual patient record; and a processor for analyzing the patient record with data from the database to determine if a patient has indications of lung cancer. The method includes the steps of inputting patient-specific data into a patient record; performing at least one lung cancer screening procedure on a patient, wherein at least one result from the at least one procedure is inputted into the patient record in a structured format; and analyzing the patient record with a domain knowledge base to determine if the patient has indications of lung cancer.

Abstract: A delta learning system takes as an initial fault hierarchy (KB.sub.0) and a set of annotated session transcripts, and is given a specified set of revision operators where each operator within a group maps a fault hierarchy (KB) to a slightly different or revised fault hierarchy (.theta..sub.i (KB)). The revised fault hierarchy (.theta..sub.i (KB)) is called a neighbor of the fault hierarchy (KB), and a set of all neighbors (N(KB)) is considered the fault hierarchy neighborhood. The system uses the revision operators to hill climb from the initial fault hierarchy (KB.sub.0), through successive hierarchies (KB.sub.1 . . . KB.sub.m), with successively higher empirical accuracies over the annotated session transcripts. The final hierarchy (KB.sub.m), is a local optimum in the space defined by the revision operators. At each stage, to go from a fault hierarchy (KB.sub.i) to its neighbor (KN.sub.i+1), the accuracy of the fault hierarchy (KB.sub.

Abstract: A computer system takes as input an initial fault hierarchy KB.sub.0 and a set of annotated session transcripts C={<.pi..sub.j,r.sub.j >} and is given a specified set of revision operators T={.theta..sub.i } where each .theta..sub.i .epsilon. T maps a fault hierarchy KB to a slightly different hierarchy .theta..sub.i (KB). The computer system uses T to hill climb from the initial fault hierarchy KB.sub.0, through successive hierarchies, KB.sub.1 . . . KB.sub.m, with successively higher empirical accuracies over C. At each stage, to go from a fault hierarchy KB.sub.k to its neighbor KB.sub.k+1, the computer system must evaluate KB.sub.k 's accuracy over C, as well as the accuracy of each KB' .epsilon. N(KB.sub.k). The computer system provides an efficient way of evaluating the accuracy of KB.sub.k, and each .theta..sub.i (KB.sub.k), towards determining which, if any, .theta..sub.i (KB.sub.k) is more accurate than KB.sub.k. It exploits a few key observations.