Abstract: A clinical decision support system comprises a memory device having a plurality of routines stored therein, a processor configured to execute the plurality of routines stored in the memory device, the plurality of routines comprising a routine configured to receive primary clinical information from a user associated with a patient, a routine configured to derive expanded clinical information from the user-provided primary clinical information, a routine configured to identify relevant rules from a data store based on the user-provided clinical information and the expanded clinical information, a routine configured to compute a diagnostic relevancy score for each of the identified relevant rules; a routine configured to assign by the processing device the computed diagnostic relevancy score to each identified relevant rule, and a routine configured to display each identified rule in ranked order based on the rule's assigned diagnostic relevancy score.

Abstract: A template for the localization of lesions in a breast. The template includes a substrate of transparent material that includes a central marking; a horizontal line extending through the central marking; a first series of spaced lines, each line of the first series being perpendicular to the horizontal line and each line including marking indicia for indicating the distance of that line from the central marking; an oblique line extending approximately 45 degrees from the horizontal line and through the central marking; and, a second series of spaced lines, each line of the second series being perpendicular to the oblique line and each line including marking indicia for indicating the distance of that line from the central marking. There is a right breast template and a left breast template. The appropriate template is utilized and the CC and MLO views of a mammogram are used to define a CC line and an MLO line that are plotted on that template.

Abstract: A template for the localization of lesions in a breast. The template includes a substrate of transparent material that includes a central marking; a horizontal line extending through the central marking; a first series of spaced lines, each line of the first series being perpendicular to the horizontal line and each line including marking indicia for indicating the distance of that line from the central marking; an oblique line extending approximately 45 degrees from the horizontal line and through the central marking; and, a second series of spaced lines, each line of the second series being perpendicular to the oblique line and each line including marking indicia for indicating the distance of that line from the central marking. There is a right breast template and a left breast template. The appropriate template is utilized and the CC and MLO views of a mammogram are used to define a CC line and an MLO line that are plotted on that template.

Abstract: The present invention is a system for placing cryoprobes in a treatment area of a human patient. The system includes a computer system for displaying an image of a treatment area, a template of suggested cryoprobe palcements in the treatment area and images of actual cryoprobes placed within treatment area. The computer system is programmed to perform the steps of: acquiring the image of the treatment area, determining desired dimensions of the treatment area based on the image of the treatment area, determining the optimal cryoprobe placements in the treatment area based on the determined desired dimensions to provide the template of suggested cryoprobe placement, acquiring the images of actual cryoprobes placed within the treatment area, and overlaying the template of suggested cyroprobe placements on the acquired images of actual cryoprobes.

Abstract: An entry position grid for aiding a user in locating the approximate entry points of a plurality of cryoprobes into a patient, wherein the cryoprobes are inserted into the perineal area of the patient and then into the prostate, the entry position grid including a frame portion having a center longitudinal axis, a grid portion extending across the frame portion, the grid portion defining a plurality of evenly spaced discrete openings, identifying indicia located on the frame that identifies each discrete opening, each discrete opening being adapted to allow the user to position the cryoprobes through the entry position grid and into the patient at an angle that is not parallel to the center axis, the grid portion comprising a continuous strand of flexible material that is attached to the frame portion.

Abstract: A system for assisting surgeons in performing cryosurgery of the prostate by calculating optimal positions for cryoprobes and providing display based templates for overlay over an ultrasound image display, and displaying actual cryoprobes ultrasound images together with template images so that the surgeon may compare suggested and actual placement of the cryoprobes, and adjust placement accordingly.

Abstract: The present invention is a system for placing cryoprobes in a treatment area of a human patient. The system includes a computer system for displaying an image of a treatment area, a template of suggested cryoprobe placements in the treatment area and images of actual cryoprobes placed within the treatment area. The computer system is programmed to perform the steps of: acquiring the image of the treatment area, determining desired dimensions of the treatment area based on the image of the treatment area, determining the optimal cryoprobe placements in the treatment area based on the determined desired dimensions to provide the template of suggested cryoprobe placements, acquiring the images of actual cryoprobes placed within the treatment area, and overlaying the template of suggested cryoprobe placements on the acquired images of actual cryoprobes.

Abstract: A system for assisting surgeons in performing cryosurgery of the prostate by calculating optimal positions for cryoprobes and providing display based templates for overlay over an ultrasound image display, and displaying actual cryoprobe ultrasound images together with template images so that the surgeon may compare suggested and actual placement of the cryoprobes, and adjust placement accordingly.