Abstract: A biological sample test system and method includes a remote sample delivery system, configured to secure a container for a biological sample, the container including a sample identifier. A sample receiving station is configured to receive the container from the remote sample delivery system based on the sample identifier. The remote sample delivery system is configured to automatically navigate to the sample receiving station upon the container being secured to the remote sample delivery system. A sample test track, comprising a plurality of test stations and a container conveyance system configured to sequentially deliver the container to individual ones of the plurality of test stations based, at least in part, on sample identifier.

Abstract: Quality control tests for a diagnostic instrument can be run in an efficient manner by using a subset of the potential quality control materials to perform tests for identifying failures in the diagnostic instrument's components. Such subsets could be defined in a variety of manners, and could allow component failures to be tested relatively more frequently in a more efficient manner. Additionally, issues for particular components of diagnostic instruments may be identified based on analysis of quality control results. This identification may be part of a method that comprises receiving a plurality of quality control results wherein each quality control result from the plurality of quality control results is obtained based on performing a measurement of a corresponding quality control sample using the diagnostic instrument.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for automatically generating processing rules to be used for automated decision-making when operating instruments to analyze and process biological samples (e.g., for the presence, absence, or concentration of analytes). For example, some automatically generated processing rules may set forth conditions and criteria in which some test results obtained from the biological samples can be automatically validated and sent out, while other test results are flagged for additional review. The processing rules can be generated based on patterns observed with the actions taken for historical test results associated with similar biological samples.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosed technology can be used to implement methods in which a co-occurrence matrix of test types can be transformed through a process which includes sorting based on an eigenvector corresponding to a non-zero eigenvalue, and the transformed matrix can then be used to efficiently identify types of tests with high co-occurrence. Alternative approaches which use modified k-means clusters are also possible and could be applied in similar contexts as approaches using eigenvector sorting.

Abstract: A method of reducing quality problems associated with patient sample collection and delivery is provided. It is possible that the method can provide a chain of custody process to better track a sample from the initial point of sample collection to the final point of sample testing. Such a method can also include providing an alert to indicate a potential problem with the quality of the diagnostic test result when a measured parameter exceeds a threshold.

Abstract: A method and system for Computer Aided Detection (CAD) of abnormalities in X-ray images in which the features and/or criteria used in the CAD analysis are displayed as coded descriptors on the digital image of the X-ray to provide an indication to a user of the basis underlying the identification of a particular abnormality therefore increasing the reliability of a diagnosis established by the user.

Abstract: A method and system for identifying a digitized x-ray film having at least one label. The method includes the steps of: obtaining a digital image of said label; digitally associating said digitized image of the label with said digitized x-ray film; and displaying said digital image of said label thereby allowing a user to identify said digitized x-ray film.

Abstract: A method for identifying a type of a mammographic view for a digital mammography image. The method comprises the steps of: identifying two or more candidate view types; identifying at least one feature capable of distinguishing between the two or more candidate view types; determining the feature for the digital mammography image; and corresponding the determined feature of the digital mammography image with one of the two or more candidate view types to identify the type of a mammographic view of the digital mammography image in accordance with the correspondence.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a framework for monitoring workflow within an application having multiple levels of functionality, the framework being capable of combining a plurality of components from different sources and comprising a process level for selecting a set of defined process steps to be applied to a data set associated with a set of activities, a sub-process level including an aggregation of selected activities from the set of activities and facilitating navigation between the selected activities, and an activity level wherein an activity's property in the data set is modified as a result of the applied processing of the activity level to produce an output data set.

Abstract: A method and system adapted to analyze a radiograph for bone mineral density screening and mammography computer aided detection. The method of analyzing a radiograph includes the steps of: providing a digital image based on the radiograph; determining whether a radiographic absorptiometry analysis or computer aided detection analysis is desired; and performing a radiographic absorptiometry analysis or computer aided detection analysis on the digital image based on the desired determination. The system can include an input station, a report station, and a printer.

Abstract: A method and system for Computer Aided Detection (CAD) of abnormalities in X-ray images in which the features and/or criteria used in the CAD analysis are displayed as coded descriptors on the digital image of the X-ray to provide an indication to a user of the basis underlying the identification of a particular abnormality therefore increasing the reliability of a diagnosis established by the user.

Abstract: A method for identifying digitized X-ray films using the label that is “burned” on such films. The label is digitized and can be used as a single identifier for the corresponding X-ray film image. The digitized label can be displayed such as to be readable by the user thereby allowing the selection and retrieval of the image. The digitized label can also be associated with image analysis results, such as CAD analysis, performed on the corresponding X-ray film image allowing easy retrieval of such results.

Abstract: A method for identifying a type of a mammographic view for a digital mammography image. The method comprises the steps of: identifying two or more candidate view types; identifying at least one feature capable of distinguishing between the two or more candidate view types; determining the feature for the digital mammography image; and corresponding the determined feature of the digital mammography image with one of the two or more candidate view types to identify the type of a mammographic view of the digital mammography image in accordance with the correspondence.

Abstract: A system and method for examining a medical image. To accomplish the method, a digital image is accessed wherein the digital image is representative of the medical image. The digital image is analyzed using Computer Aided Detection (CAD) to detect candidate abnormalities. A CAD report is generated comprising at least one level of information associated with the detected candidate abnormalities. The CAD report is processed to produce a speech synthesized CAD report in accordance with the at least one level of information. The digital image is simultaneously displayed with the delivery of the speech synthesized CAD report whereby the user can examine the digital image while simultaneously listening to the CAD report.

Abstract: A computer aided detection (CAD) system for assigning CAD applications to digital images. The system comprises a case input system (CIS), image data repositories and an algorithm server. There is also provided a method for assigning CAD applications to digital images the method comprising the steps of selecting an acquisition model (AM) and selecting a CAD application using the selected AM.

Abstract: A method for reconstructing two and three dimensional images of objects using X-ray image projections and iterative reconstruction techniques is provided. More specifically, the method provides an image of the object to be corrected. Two or more X-ray absorbance profiles of the image are obtained along two or more different projection directions. These profiles are compared with the corresponding absorbance profiles of the object substantially filled with an X-ray contrast agent and, based on this comparison, the image is corrected using the iterative reconstruction techniques. Before each iteration the pixels of the image are updated so that if the absorbance value of the pixel is below a preselected value then the pixel is set to 0, otherwise the pixel is set to the absorbance value corresponding to the concentration of the X-ray contrast agent within the object. The iteration stops when the difference between the absorbance profiles of the image and the object falls below a preselected value.

Abstract: A method is provided to reconstruct the three-dimensional image of an X-ray contrast agent-filled object having at least one plane of symmetry using a single plane two-dimensional X-ray projection. The projection is obtained by irradiating the object with X-rays substantially perpendicular to a selected plane of symmetry of the object. The absorbance value of each pixel in the projection, which is related to the distance travelled by the X-ray within the object, is then divided by 2 to define the z coordinates on each side of the x-y plane of symmetry of the object. The z coordinates together with the x,y coordinates of each pixel define the three-dimensional contour of the object.

Abstract: A method for reconstructing two and three dimensional images of objects using X-ray image projections and iterative reconstruction techniques is provided. More specifically, the method provides an image of the object to be corrected. Two or more X-ray absorbance profiles of the image are obtained along two or more different projection directions. These profiles are compared with the corresponding absorbance profiles of the object substantially filled with an X-ray contrast agent and, based on this comparison, the image is corrected using the iterative reconstruction techniques. Before each iteration the pixels of the image are updated so that if the absorbance value of the pixel is below a preselected value then the pixel is set to 0, otherwise the pixel is set to the absorbance value corresponding to the concentration of the X-ray contrast agent within the object. The iteration stops when the difference between the absorbance profiles of the image and the object falls below a preselected value.

Abstract: A method is provided to reconstruct the three-dimensional image of an X-ray contrast agent-filled object having at least one plane of symmetry using a single plane two-dimensional X-ray projection. The projection is obtained by irradiating the object with X-rays substantially perpendicular to a selected plane of symmetry of the object. The absorbance value of each pixel in the projection, which is related to the distance travelled by the X-ray within the object, is then divided by 2 to define the z coordinates on each side of the x-y plane of symmetry of the object. The z coordinates together with the x,y coordinates of each pixel define the three-dimensional contour of the object.

Abstract: A method is provided to reconstruct the three-dimensional image of an X-ray contrast agent-filled object having at least one plane of symmetry using a single plane two-dimensional X-ray projection. The projection is obtained by irradiating the object with X-rays substantially perpendicular to a selected plane of symmetry of the object. The absorbance value of each pixel in the projection, which is related to the distance travelled by the X-ray within the object, is then divided by 2 to define the z coordinates on each side of the x-y plane of symmetry of the object. The z coordinates together with the x,y coordinates of each pixel define the three-dimensional contour of the object.