Abstract: A system and method for diagnosis and treatment decisions based on information maximization is disclosed. Utilizing patient information as well as clinical records from other patients can reduce the uncertainty in both diagnosis and treatment options. The information maximization may consider additional data such as risk, cost, and comfort in making a proper medical decision.

Abstract: A system and method for local deformable motion analysis accurately tracks the motion of an object such that local motion of an object is isolated from global motion of an object. The object is viewed in an image sequence and image regions are sampled to identify object image regions and background image regions. The motion of at least one of the identified background image regions is estimated to identify those background image regions affected by global motion. Motion from multiple background image regions are combined to measure the global motion in that image frame. The measured global motion in the object image regions are compensated to measure local motion of the object and the local motion of the object is tracked.

Abstract: A method for interpreting date information from unstructured text includes performing phrase tokenization on the unstructured text to identify one or more temporal phrases. Word categorization is performed on the one or more temporal phrases to categorize one or more words of each temporal phrase. Grammar analysis is performed to match each temporal phrase to an understood syntax using the categorizations of the words of each temporal phrase. Each temporal phrase is interpreted based on the matched syntax.

Abstract: A system and method for diagnosis and treatment decisions based on information maximization is disclosed. Utilizing patient information as well as clinical records from other patients can reduce the uncertainty in both diagnosis and treatment options. The information maximization may consider additional data such as risk, cost, and comfort in making a proper medical decision.

Abstract: A method for multiple-label data analysis includes: obtaining labeled data points from more than one labeler; building a classifier that maximizes a measure relating the data points, labels on the data points and a predicted output label; and assigning an output label to an input data point by using the classifier.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus display marks in an image data set, wherein an image data set comprising marks is provided and wherein during a review phase not all marks within the image data set are displayed at the same time. A list of the marks can be generated by sorting the marks depending on a predetermined sorting criterion and wherein the marks are displayed temporally one after another within the image data set in accordance with the generated list. The image data set is for example a medical image data set, wherein the marks are CAD marks and wherein the sorting criterion is the probability of marking illness, in particular the suspiciousness.

Abstract: A predictor of medical treatment outcome is developed and applied. A prognosis model is developed from literature. The model is determined by reverse engineering the literature reported quantities. A relationship of a given variable to a treatment outcome is derived from the literature. A processor may then use individual patient values for one or more variables to predict outcome. The accuracy may be increased by including a data driven model in combination with the literature driven model.

Abstract: Automated treatment planning is provided with individual specific consideration. One or more prognosis models indicate survivability as a function of patient specific information for a given dose. By determining survivability for a plurality of doses, the biological model represented by survivability as a function of dose is determined from the specific patient. Similarly, the chances of complications or side effects are determined. The chance of survivability and chance of complication are used as or instead of the tumor control probability and normal tissue complications probability, respectively. The desired tumor dosage and tolerance dosage are selected as a function of the patient specific dose distributions. The selected dosages are input to an inverse treatment planning system for establishing radiation treatment parameters.

Abstract: In a computer network having a plurality of computer nodes, a directory database (DDB) distributed throughout the network in each of the nodes, the contents of the DDB being maintained consistent or replicated throughout the network through the use of one of its nodes having been appointed as master node. The master node has a privileged status as compared to the other nodes. The master node updates each DDB in each node in its network or domain configuration when the configuration changes. A global administrator is a privileged user compared to other computer network users who has authority to replace or select a master node and to configure a domain, and who performs these and other functions by way of computer terminal screen dialogs offered by a graphical user interface (GUI) associated with the computer network.

Abstract: Medical related quality of care information is extracted and edited for reporting. Patient records are mined. The mining may include mining unstructured data to create structured information. Measures are derived automatically from the structured information. A user may then edit the measures, data points used to derive the measures, or other quality metric based on expert review. The editing may allow for a better quality report. Tools may be provided to configure reports, allowing generation of new or different reports.

Abstract: Described are techniques for providing a host identifier for a host. A first portion including a first identifier associated with a system image for the host is received. A second portion including a second identifier generated in accordance with a hardware property of said host is received. The host identifier is formed using the first and second portions. The host identifier is used to uniquely identify said host in a storage area network.

Abstract: Ternary content-addressable memory (TCAM) entries are disclosed for use in performing error-protected lookup operations by allowing an error budget of u deviations in values stored in each entry. Each TCAM entry is configured to identify a hit condition (else a miss condition) with an input lookup word if its stored value matches each bit of the lookup word with the exception of zero to u of its cells not matching. This determination may be made, for example, using discrete logic or based a voltage level of one or more match lines. Furthermore, it is possible to store at least 2u+1 copies of a data value desired to be protected in a such a TCAM entry among its said t TCAM cells.

Abstract: Associative memory bit cells are disclosed for selectively producing binary or ternary content-addressable memory lookup results. Associative memory bit cells are grouped together to act as n binary content-addressable memory cells (CAM) bits or m ternary content-addressable memory (TCAM) bits, with n>m>0. Based on the programming of the associative memory bit cells and the selective application of search values (based on whether they are acting as CAM or TCAM bit cells), the appropriate determination is made as to whether or not to signal a hit or a miss based on the current input search values. These associative memory bit cells can also be combined to provide error protection for either of their operating modes. Error protection can be used to enable a correct result when e bit errors occur in the stored values in the associative memory bit cells.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for automatic detection and segmentation of a target anatomical structure in received three dimensional (3D) volumetric medical images using a database of a set of volumetric images with expertly delineated anatomical structures. A 3D anatomical structure detection and segmentation module is trained offline by learning anatomical structure appearance using the set of expertly delineated anatomical structures. A received volumetric image for the anatomical structure of interest is searched online using the offline learned 3D anatomical structure detection and segmentation module.

Abstract: A method for finding a ranking function ƒ that classifies feature points in an n-dimensional space includes providing a plurality of feature points xk derived from tissue sample regions in a digital medical image, providing training data A comprising training samples Aj where A = ? j = 1 S ? ( A j = { x i j } i = 1 m j ) , providing an ordering E={(P,Q)|APAQ} of at least some training data sets where all training samples xi?AP are ranked higher than any sample xj?AQ, solving a mathematical optimization program to determine the ranking function ƒ that classifies said feature points x into sets A. For any two sets Ai, Aj, AiAj, and the ranking function ƒ satisfies inequality constraints ƒ(xi)?ƒ(xj) for all xi?conv(Ai) and xj?conv(Aj), where conv(A) represents the convex hull of the elements of set A.

Abstract: Improvements in mining information from patient records and/or use of such mined information are provided. A scheduled appointment is identified. In response, the patient record is mined to identify any possible lack of adherence. A form requiring authorization and including a clinical action or prescription is generated to address, at least in part, the lack of adherence. Contact with a patient is initiated by a processor, at least in part, in response to a lack of adherence. A request for documentation is generated in response to mining indicating an inadequate probability of adherence to a guideline. During real-time, additional information to be obtained which may alter a probability is suggested.

Abstract: Cardiac motion is automatically characterized based on spatial relationship to health. A classifier is trained for the characterization of cardiac motion. Regional wall motion abnormality assessment may be improved by combining information from neighboring segments. The structure or relationship between different segments and associated probabilities of different spatial locations being abnormal given another segment being abnormal are used for classification.

Abstract: A technique for robust indication processing. In client server network environments running object oriented software, there is a need for monitoring the operating state or status of objects in the network. Prior monitoring schemes involved many specific and frequent inquiries or requests of multitudinous objects, for which the connections were constructed and destroyed on an as-needed basis, thereby taking an immense toll on the network's processing capacity. Subsequently, asynchronous monitoring has been employed as an improvement over the prior monitoring schemes, wherein an observer object monitors a subject object and is set at “hair-trigger” to fire back indications to an interested client if and when the subject object's state changes. Asynchronous monitoring limitations include an inability to detect client and/or server failure, insecure and unreliable connections through which indications are intended to be fired back, and other drawbacks.

Abstract: Three-dimensional cardiac border is delineated in medical imaging. A view is labeled, such as identifying a two-dimensional view as an apical four-chamber view. A three-dimensional border is detected as a function of the view label. For example, the view is associated from a plane through a volume and a known orientation relative to the heart. Labeling the view indicates the orientation of the heart in the scanned volume. By determining the orientation of the heart, border detection processes may be simplified or assisted.

Abstract: In a computer network having a plurality of computer nodes, a directory database (DDB) distributed throughout the network in each of the nodes, the contents of the DDB being maintained consistent or replicated throughout the network in a manner to avoid a single point of failure through the use of one of its nodes having been appointed as master node. The master node has a privileged status as compared to the other nodes. The master node updates each DDB in each node in its network or domain configuration when the configuration changes, such as when a node fails, a network link fails and/or a node is added or removed. A node can be added to or removed from the configuration through the master node or through a non master node. A node can fail under different circumstances in which it may or may not know which node is its master node. A master node can fail and be replaced or can be replaced for other reasons.