bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Professional Cards of the European Future
Authors: Rienhoff O.  , Hornung B.  , Farroukh H.
Published: February 2025

The term “professional cards” is somewhat misleading as it often suggests that those cards are traditional professional ID-cards just based on some new type of hardware. This paper describes a much wider impact: Health Care Professional Cards (HCP cards) are a prerequisite for an extensive use of digital communication and archiving equipment in health care. Without additional security infrastructure as e.g. introduced with safe authentification and digital signatures, there is no future development for informatics and telematics in European health care.
Legal Issues in Medical Informatics: A Bird's Eye View
Authors: Laske Caroline
Published: February 2025

The present paper is the result of a study investigating the legal issues, problems and obstacles which have arisen as a result of the R&D projects financed by the AIM Program 1991-94. Two parallel lines of investigation were adopted in this study. First of all, a questionnaire was sent to all project partners listed in the AIM 93 Report, with the objective of collecting information on the legal questions with which the individual projects were confronted in the course of their R&D work. This allowed for an initial mapping out of the legal aspects relevant in the field of medical informatics. Secondly, the actual projects were studied as to their legal content and in particular those which included a legal workpackage. This allowed for an assessment of further legal questions, some of which had as yet perhaps not been perceived as such. The present paper deals with five key aspects, describing the nature of the issues and the relevant law and case law or legal vacuum as it may be. It must be emphasised that, as pointed out in the title, this study offers an overview of the legal issues debate in medical informatics and is somewhat exploratory in nature. It is not intended to offer a critical analysis of existing pieces of legislation or case law. This would call for more fundamental legal research. Instead the study restricts itself to a general description of existing legal principles and their relevance in the health care sector. As the reader will gather from this paper, legally speaking information technology is still a relatively new entity in the health care sector, which means that legal research and any resulting recommendations may have a real impact on the future course of the law in this field.
Virtual Design Prototyping Applied to Medical Facilities
Authors: Breen Paul T.  , Grinstein Georges G.  , Leger Jeffrey R.  , Southard David A.  , Wingfield Michael A.
Published: February 2025

Over the past five years, MITRE has developed rapid 3D modeling and immersive environment capabilities that supports the application of virtual environment technology to many traditional and non-traditional domains [1].
Simultaneous Planning and Execution in Cranio- and Maxillofacial Surgery
Authors: Bohner Petra  , Pokrandt Peter  , Hassfeld Stefan
Published: February 2025

This paper describes the development of a system for simultaneous planning and execution of surgical operations in the cranio-maxillo facial area. Simultaneous planning and execution is the process of taking an implicit task description, planning a sequence of explicit execution commands e.g. for robots and monitoring their execution. As the execution planning process is running completely on-line, that means during the actual execution of the assembly task, the planning process is highly reactive based on sensor information about the robot’s present environment. In order to meet the problem that medical data is usually complex and needs time-costly preprocessing an appropriate architecture for evaluating sensor data has been developed. In this paper, a detailed presentation of the phases of execution planning and sensor data evaluation is given. As an example, the execution of a LeFort I osteotomy is presented.
Annex: Guideline for Cryptographic Mechanisms for Health Care System Users
Authors: Bleumer G.
Published: February 2025

The comprehensive objective of SEISMED (a \underbar{S}ecure \underbar{E}nvironment for \underbar{I}nformation \underbar{S}ystems in \underline{MED}icine) was to elaborate a consistent, harmonized framework for medical data protection throughout Europe. The specific technical proposals of SEISMED are thus accompanied by a high level security policy which presents the underlying principles. This approach is consistent with the forthcoming European ITSEC activity.
Health Informatics Deontology Code
Authors: Gallens S.  , Nys H.
Published: February 2025

One main objective of SEISMED (Secure Environment for Information Systems in Medicine) is to develop a consistent, harmonised and transferable framework which can be used to efficiently implement security and data protection in computerised information systems throughout Europe. In order to provide guidelines for professional conduct and to promote international cooperation, it would be useful to have an international deontology code for the protection of medical data. The purpose of such a code would be to provide general guidelines as a foundation for national codes that may be developed within individual countries.
Gymnaste, a Solver for Nurse Scheduling using Constraint Programming: a Technical and Sociological Challenge
Authors: Weil Georges  , Heus Kamel  , François Patrice  , Jacques Pierre  , Poujade Marc
Published: February 2025

Nurse scheduling is a task which aims is to affect nurses on a time schedule, in respect with the needs of each time shift, taking in account legal and collective constraints, and individual wishes. It is a highly difficult and complicated problem that has already be explored using several operational research methods. Nevertheless, those methods are not flexible enough to match the individual requests from nursing staff and they don't allow for effective management of unforeseen absences. Therefore, they did not lead to commercialized software packages. This paper explores the use of Constraint Programming and Object Programming to build a powerful tool providing a flexible way to manage nursing schedules capable of scheduling 30 nurses in a single skill-class in under 12 seconds. But the challenge is not only technical but also sociological, because such a tool may affect the relations inside the team, leading to a more participate management of the head-nurse, and inside the hospital.
Specifying Hospital Information Systems Using Business Process Modeling
Authors: Amberg Michael  , Gräber Stefan
Published: February 2025

One important step in the development of a comprehensive hospital information system (HIS) is the analysis phase. In this phase information modeling is commonly used but it lacks in some important aspects. In this paper a two-level analysis procedure is proposed suitable for the development of enterprise-wide and computerized HIS. The first level uses business process modeling for initial analysis and a WFMS based simulation for validation. The second level uses information modeling to specify data models. This approach allows the specification of models for HIS covering structural as well as behavioral aspects of a hospital more accurately.
THE BENEFITS OF A LANGUAGE OF HEALTH
Authors: Read J D  , Sanderson H F  , Sutton Y M
Published: February 2025

A cornerstone of the National Health Services (NHS) Executive’s Information and Technology strategy is fully operational, person-based clinical information systems, from which flow all of the data needed for direct and indirect care of patients by healthcare providers, and local, and national management of the NHS.
An Online Migration Strategy for a Large University Hospital ADT Database
Authors: Michel A.  , Dudeck J.
Published: February 2025

A strategie is described, how a large Admission Discharge Transfer (ADT) database of a legacy patient management system is under an ongoing migration process to a new ADT database which is part of an expanding Hospital Information System (HIS).
OOMM - OBJECT-ORIENTED MATRIX MODELING: A Framework for Hospital Information System Modeling
Authors: Cammarota Márcio  , Huppes Vilson  , Gaia Sergio
Published: February 2025

The aim of this paper is to present the OOMM (Object-Oriented Matrix Modeling) as a method of analyzing and modeling complex systems such as Hospital Information Systems (HIS). The construction of a highly integrated HIS in Brasilia University Hospital has been obtained by using OOMM methodology. Using this methodology, it is possible to develop a shell structure in a tridimentional matrix format that is able to integrate the majority of hospital information processing. This shell is constructed upon concepts of the Object-Oriented paradigm and placed over a relational database structure. In this situation it assumes the management of the dynamic of the information flow to the relational database, simplifying the complexity of the system. The OOMM produces a modular matrix structure that gives to this modeling method, greater flexibility in the integration of generalization-specialization, necessary for the control of the distributed processing.
Identification of Empirically “Suspicious” Data Sets in Data Quality Assurance For a New Hospital Financing System in Austria
Authors: Pfeiffer K.P.  , Bechter E.  , Embacher G.  , Erhart K.  , Fürst W.  , Gruber U.  , Neuner L.  , Pesec B.  , Pöll M.  , Pregartbauer M.  , Reindl R.  , Wohlgenannt D.
Published: February 2025

A Minimum Basic Data Set is used for a new hospital financing system in Austria. Therefore different data quality assurance plans have been developed which help to identify “suspicious” data sets. Furthermore strategies for continuous data quality improvement will be discussed.
COMPUTER MEDICAL RECORD SYSTEM FOR BRAIN DISEASES AND TRAUMAS
Authors: Gizatullin Shamil Kch.  , Amirov Anvar Kh.  , Osipov Igor S.
Published: February 2025

Unified information system for multitude of brain diseases and traumas is presented. Descriptions of patient's conditions and the methods of treatment include more than 600 parameters. System has two parts -- Patient record block and Scientific block. Details of description of condition of patient's nervous system are reported.
Knowledge-based Electronic Medical Record (matching different level knowledge handling technologies)
Authors: Balkányi L.  , Molnár K.  , Farkas Zs.  , Umann G.  , Szeredi P.  , Surján G.  , Kékes E.
Published: February 2025

The electronic medical record (EMR) is a central issue of health care computing. Pursuing the knowledge-based focus of interest, this paper reports the results of 3GEMR (3. Generation Electronic Medical Record management system), a subproject of CUBIQ [1].
Dynamic Computer Analyser for 24-Hour ECG Holter Recordings
Authors: Mavromatis A.  , Maglaveras N.  , Koufoyiannis D.  , Boufidou A.  , Pappas C.
Published: February 2025

A combination of hardware and software modules are presented for dynamic analysis of 24-hour ECG Holter recordings. The proposed system can acquire Holter tapes with user selectable sampling rate (up to 1600 Hz), can store and retrieve files that follow standardised formats (SCP-ECG, MIT-BIH etc.) and can analyse data through an open collection of external software modules. The system is also a part of an integrated computer cardiological environment that collects and organises patient information from different sites of a typical cardiological department.
Optimal method for time series analysis of mortality rates and their relations with other factors
Authors: Kocev N  , Marinković J  , Vlajinac H  , Milosavljević M
Published: February 2025

Influence of factors which fluctuate in time is usually described in term of residuals present in general linear or nonlinear models. The aim of this paper has been to identify relationship between mortality rates and major social and economic factors and to compare three methods in detecting (hidden) relations between them. Data on frequencies for all causes of death, e.g. mortality rates have been collected for Central Serbia for 21 years, from 1973. until 1993. We have used two models based on the general linear model, variance-covariance regression and correlation and Box-Jenkins time series method and one nonlinear model based on neural networks. The relationship has been established, according to our results. Among presented methods we consider the analysis based on multilayer neural networks techniques has several advantages over classical approach.
Multivariate Time-Variant Autoregressive Techniques for Closed-loop Cardiovascular Control using Simulations and Comparisons
Authors: Barbieri Riccardo  , Di Virgilio Valerio  , Cerutti Sergio  , Saul J.Philip
Published: February 2025

Mutual interactions between heart rate, arterial blood pressure, and instantaneous lung volume have been previously described by parametric bivariate models, which only take into account two signals at a time. An expanded trivariate autoregressive model is introduced which is able to identify simultaneously all of the possible interactions among three signals, computing the transfer functions between each pair of signals. In addition, the model computes the autospectra and its parameters for each of the three signals. For comparison, simulations using simple sinusoidal signals with superimposed white noise and an example from a gradual tilting protocol with a random interval breathing technique were analyzed with both the bivariate and the trivariate techniques. As expected, differences were found between the bivariate and trivariate technique, for the gain values of the transfer function blocks, possibly because the bivariate technique is theoretically not able to separate the true interaction between two of the signals from the contributions of the third. Further application of the trivariate expanded technique could lead to a better understanding of specific physiological mechanisms or particular pathological and non-pathological phenomena occurring in the cardiovascular control system.
Heart Rate Variability and Baroreflex Sensitivity in Rest: a Study into Stationarity
Authors: TenVoorde B.J.  , Peereboom J.C.  , Faes Th.J.C.  , Kingma R.  , Heethaar R.M.
Published: February 2025

Mean heart rate (HR), spectral power of HR variability in a LF and HF-band, a normalized power ratio, and baroreflex sensitivity (BRS): all these are parameters which somehow reflect sympathetic and/or vagal modulating influence on the SA-node rhythm. In this study the stationarity of these parameters in 5 minute windows is investigated during 2 hours of steady state (sitting rest condition). Mean HR appeared by far the most stable parameter. HR LF-power was the least stable parameter, showing the most variance. Even the normalized power ratio, LF/(LF+ HF), although more stable, appeared to be rather non-stationary. The hypothesis that these results could be explained by a marginally stable baroreflex BP control system, which causes a “waxing and waning” resonance power (LF-power) in HR and BP, was tested by a model of short term BP control. Baroreflex sensitivity, being a system parameter, estimated from spontaneous variations in BP and HR, showed considerable variance in the experimental data too, not reproduced by the model. The rather low coherence found between BP and HR variations makes this BRS estimation technique less reliable, and may at least partly explain this low stationarity of BRS.
Spontaneous Baroreflex Sensitivity: From the Cardiovascular Laboratory to Patient's Bedside
Authors: Parati Gianfranco  , Di Rienzo Marco  , Castiglioni Paolo  , Villani Alessandra  , Tortorici Elena  , Mancia Giuseppe
Published: February 2025

The sensitivity of the baroreceptor-heart rate reflex has been suggested to have a prognostic value in a number of diseases. In particular, mortality after myocardial infarction, in heart failure patients and in diabetic patients seems to be inversely related to the sensitivity of cardiac baroreflex modulation. These data were obtained, however, by means of traditional laboratory tests, which are affected by important limitations. A deeper insight into the features of daily life baroreflex cardiovascular control can now be obtained by techniques which allow spontaneous baroreflex sensitivity to be assessed in daily life conditions, without need of any intervention on the patient. The various methods currently available to assess spontaneous baroreflex sensitivity are hereby discussed, focusing on the similarities and differences between them and with the traditional laboratory approaches. In particular, the characteristic features and the possible clinical usefulness of the sequence method will be discussed more in details.
How to Access the Internet
Authors: Barengols Alberto
Published: February 2025

People around the world access the Internet on one of two main modalities. The traditionally well established one, in universities, companies, research institutes, and in mid to large size organisations, through local area networks and servers that act as gateways to the external world. The more recent modality, and the one that is growing very fast is that of people accessing from their homes through normal telephone lines, with the help of an Internet service provider. In the first case, the end user is spared most of the often complicated technicalities involved in getting connected to Internet, and can concentrate on the contents he is interested in for his professional purposes. In the case of organisations, the main computers and networks are well structured and managed by specialists that take care of keeping the systems running, developing new applications and services, providing support to users and similar functions. On the other hand, the user at home, even if skilled in technical matters may have to cope with the possible difficulties arising from connecting to Internet, alone and without much of expert support.
A COMPUTER-ASSISTED SYSTEM FOR LEARNING CLINICAL DIAGNOSIS
Authors: De Dombal F.T.  , Hartley J. R.  , Sleeman D.H.
Published: February 2025

It is becoming more and more difficult to teach medical diagnosis, as expanding numbers of students face a relatively static population of patients and teachers. A computer-based system is described which is being used in Leeds for simulation exercises in clinical diagnosis. Over thirty students have used the Leeds system. Initial student reactions and performances have been very favourable.
An Information system for the Elderly and Disabled People
Authors: Cabrera Maria Fernanda  , Arredondo Maria Teresa  , Hernando Maria Elena  , Del Pozo Francisco
Published: February 2025

This chapter outlines the strategy being employed to address the issue of using telematic technology in the development of an information delivery service. A running system is presented in detail as a practical demonstration of this strategy. The main objective of the system is to provide an integrated information delivery service to the elderly and disabled. The system provides information about health and social services at a local and regional level, such as: rehabilitation centers, assistance on the activities of the daily living, nursing assistance, transportation, economical benefits, health care,...including cost, access modalities, waiting lists, transportation facilities and service providers. Tools to administrate the information service are provided including statistics on the use of the system, the evolution of the elderly and professional degree of satisfaction and their influence on the service improvement.
3-D Personalized Reconstruction and Modelling of Human Intervertebral Facet Joints
Authors: Petit Y.  , Dansereau J.  , de Guise J.A.  , Labelle H.
Published: February 2025

This paper presents a personalized three dimensional (3D) reconstruction method of human intervertebral facet joints. The proposed reconstruction method consists of a combination of biplanar radiographic reconstruction and computed tomography techniques. Thoracic facet joints were modelled by planar elliptic surfaces defined by eight geometrical indices while lumbar posterior articulations were described as cylindrical surfaces in terms of twelve indices. 3D facet joint geometry of a thoracic and lumbar (T1 to L5) dry spine specimen have been computed with this new method and compared with their corresponding serial tomographic reconstructed models. Differences observed between both representations of facet joints were about 2.0 mm for the 3-D position and dimensions and 2.5° for orientations. The new 3D personalized model of facet joints will help to understand their role in spinal disorders and provide important data for personalized biomechanical simulations.
Biomechanical Study of the Geometrical and Mechanical Parameters of the Anterior and Posterior Spines
Authors: Aubin C.-É.  , Legault M.-C.  , Skalli W.  , Descrimes J.-L.  , Labelle H.  , Lavaste F.  , Dansereau J.
Published: February 2025

This study was conducted to better understand the biomechanical behavior of the different parts of the spine and to quantify their effects. Four different loadings of 5 Nm (flexion, extension, torsion and lateral bending) were individually applied on functional segments (T3-T4, T7-T8, T12-L1& L2-L5). extracted from a finite element model of the whole spine. In each case, several geometrical and mechanical parameters were modified one by one on the anterior and posterior spines. The following mean differences were found for the most influent parameters (as compared to the reference control model) : moduli of elasticity of the intervertebral disk (60%), the vertebral body (55%), the pedicles (40%) and the posterior ligaments (20%), and 25% for the interfacet gap. On the other hand, the following parameters were found to have a negligible influence (<10%): orientation and size of the articular facets, the sizes of the pedicles, the intervertebral disks and the vertebral bodies. The mechanical parameters of both the anterior and posterior spines have a higher effect than the geometrical parameters. The structural importance of the anterior spine was highlighted by this sensitivity study.
In Vitro Opto-electronic Analysis of the 3-D Segmental Movements During Gradual Rib Lengthening in the Pig
Authors: Sevastik B.  , Xiong B.  , Lundberg A.  , Sevastik J.
Published: February 2025

The effects of gradual rib elongation on the 3-D position of the vertebrae of the spine were studied in vitro in two pigs. The ends of an osteotomized rib were gradually distracted and the movements of the vertebra corresponding numerically to the osteotomized rib were registered in relation to the suprajacent and subjacent vertebra using opto-electronic motion analysis equipment. The study showed that gradual lengthening of the rib resulted in micromovements of the central vertebra in relation to the neighbouring vertebrae registered as: a) lateral translation at the coronal plane, b) rotation at the horizontal plane, both movements towards the opposite side of the lengthened rib, and c) ventral translation at the sagittal plane. Moreover rotating movements of the central vertebrae were registered at the coronal and sagittal planes. All registered movements occurred instantaneously and simultaneously, and there was a significant linear correlation to the degree of rib elongation. It is concluded that the forces generated by unilateral rib elongation affect the 3-D position of the central vertebra in such a way that it becomes positioned in the same way as the apex vertebra is in IS.
Influence of Leg Length Discrepancy on Rasterstereographic Back Shape Parameters
Authors: Hierholzer E.  , Drerup B.  , Meyer zu Bentrup F.
Published: February 2025

Rasterstereographic back shape measurement and analysis provide various shape parameters including pelvis tilt and torsion, trunk imbalance and the symmetry line of the back. In addition, estimates of the lateral deviation of the spinal midline and of vertebral rotation are given. In the case of leg length discrepancies all these parameters are generally affected. Theoretically, they are simultaneously minimised by optimum leg length compensation. The aptitude of the different parameters for assessing the optimum is tested in a sample of 50 patients with moderate scolioses. The test is performed by variation of foot elevation in the range of ±2 cm. Examples and some preliminary results are presented.
The Automated Surface Measurement of the Trunk. Technical Error
Authors: Weiss H.-R.  , Lohschmidt K.  , El Obeidi N.
Published: February 2025

The repeatability of radiographic measurements has been investigated frequently. Errors of Cobb angles of 5 degrees or more are very common when evaluating the same radiograph. When evaluating two different radiographs, further errors arise. The error margin in surface meas- urements of the trunk is normally estimated to be low, as evaluation of measurement is automated and as in repeat measurements of a plastic model, no significant differences have been found. When measuring living and moving objects, however, certain measurement errors are naturally to be expected. Purpose of this study is to evaluate the size of measurement error. 95 scoliosis pa- tients between 7 and 65 years of age, presenting a Cobb angle between 16 and 95 degrees were measured twice within 5 minutes in a standardized way with the Formetric System. The cor- relation coefficient for the maximal and the average lateral deviation was 0.961 respectively 0.987, the correlation coefficient for the maximal and average surface rotation was 0.967 respectively 0.935. The differences were not significant in the t-test. The relatively high technical error in the comparative analysis of the surface changes of the trunk due to positioning and movement of the living object has to be considered during the control follow-up. For the maximal respectively average lateral de- viation an error of 5.1 respectively 2.6 mm was evaluated, for the maximal respectively average ro- tation 2.3 respectively 0.9 degrees were evaluated.
The Effect of the Universal Spine System (USS) on Segmental Vertebral Derotation in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) Assessed by CT Scans
Authors: Cole A.A.  , Webb J.K.  , Burwell R.G.  , Kirby A.S.  , Preston B.J.  , Hoare M.A.
Published: February 2025

The posterior Universal Spine System (USS) was developed for use in many areas of spinal surgery. In the treatment of AIS, it is proposed to be ‘user friendly’, to avoid distraction and to produce vertebral derotation with subsequent improvement in the rib hump and cosmesis. This CT study of 22 patients with AIS treated with the posterior USS reports a significant derotation of the apical vertebra relative to the pelvis (26%). There is also significant derotation of the apical vertebra relative to the lower end-vertebra but not to the upper end-vertebra. It is proposed that the rotational constraints imposed by the ribs prevent segmental derotation in the upper half of the curves. However, a relaxation of these constraints in the lower half of the curves allows segmental derotation by the USS. This segmental derotation in the lower half of the curve is associated with a decrease in the rib hump.
Mid-term Effects of Isola Instrumentation on the Configuration of the Spine and the Thoracic Cage in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis
Authors: Gondo H.  , Asher M.A.
Published: February 2025

The effect of Isola instrumentation on the three dimensional spinal deformity in 10 consecutive patients with idiopathic scoliosis was investigated by biplanar radiographs and CT preoperatively, postoperatively, and at mean follow-up of 2 years 5 months (range: 2 years - 2 years 10 months). At follow-up the mean Cobb angel correction rate was 69.4%, and the loss of correction was 2%. The correction rate AV offset was 85.6% postoperatively, and at follow-up it was 84.4%. The mean preoperative kyphosis of 30° decreased to 24° postoperatively. At follow-up it was decreased 21° (n.s.). The mean preoperative RAsag was 20.8°. It was reduced to 15.7° postoperatively, the correction rate was 29.0%. At follow-up it was 16.9° (25.8%). The mean RAml improved from 33.2° to 22.0° (35.7%) postoperatively, and maintained the correction at follow-up 22.4° (35.3%). The mean RHi decreased from 0.41 to 0.35 postoperatively. At follow-up it was decreased to 0.34. The numbers of utilizing facet hooks and screws on concave side were 5 cases. The average of RAsag was 18.4° preoperatively, It was improved to 9.4° (53.3%) postoperatively, At follow-up it was increased to 10.6° (43.9%), but the loss of correction was 9%. Isola instrumentation improved the coronal and transverse plane deformity, especially utilizing facet hooks and screws on concave side produced better correction in the transverse plane deformity and maintained the correction fairly at mid-term follow-up.
The Given Biomechanical Individuality of the Patient has to be Considered in Brace Construction
Authors: Weiss H.-R.
Published: February 2025

The effectiveness of orthotic treatment has meanwhile been proven by controlled studies. Literature also shows, that a successful bracing in scoliosis treatment depends on the primary (initial) correction. A correction effect of more than 50% should be obtained in order to avoid further curve progression as far as possible. To achieve an optimum of correction braces should be built individually from a plaster positive. This plaster positive can be formed to reach the best possible derotation and deflection of all spinal curves. With an optimum of correction a total correction after weaning can be achieved in smaller curves, whereas in curves beyond 40 degrees progression can be halted in most of the cases.
TELENURSE - An Overview
Authors: Mortensen Randi Annikki
Published: February 2025

Maintenance care and palliative care are major challenges to the European society. Care for the elderly, disabled and chronically ill relies mainly on nurses who account for close to 50% of salaries in hospital charges. But no systematised standardised data are available to describe and compare nursing care activity, quality and cost effectiveness in hospitals. TELENURSE will as an accompanying measure of the Telematics Application Programme in the health care sector start to fill up this gap by promoting the use of the emerging ICNP and an associated clinical nursing minimum data set (NMDS) in electronic patient care records.
Virtual Reality in Surgical Practice In vitro and In vivo Evaluations
Authors: Molin S.-O.  , Jirås A.  , Hall-Angerås M.  , Falk A.  , Martens D.  , Gilja O.H.  , Nesje L.B.  , Ødegaard S.
Published: February 2025

This paper describes a method for the acquisition and integrative processing of laparoscopic and endoluminal ultrasound images. We used a stepping motor attached to a stabilizing rig, interfaced to the laparoscope, or the ultrasound probe. 360° laparoscopic scenes were constructed during minimally invasive surgery, and three-dimensional reconstructions were made of related ultrasound data. Integration of 360° panoramas with geometric ultrasound models could be displayed as interactive scenes. This resulted in a better demonstration of the surgical field and topographic anatomy. In conclusion, this type of visualizations may be used in virtual reality simulations for documentation, education and in operative planning.
Fast Finite Elements for Surgery Simulation
Authors: Bro-Nielsen Morten
Published: February 2025

This paper discusses volumetric deformable models for modeling human body parts and organs in surgery simulation systems. These models are built using finite element models of linear elastic materials. To achieve real-time response condensation has been applied to the system stiffness matrix, and selective matrix vector multiplication has been used to minimize the computational cost.
Simulated Casualties and Medics for Emergency Training
Authors: Chi Diane M.  , Kokkevis Evangelos  , Ogunyemi Omolola  , Bindiganavale Rama  , Hollick Michael J.  , Clarke John R.  , Webber Bonnie L.  , Badler Norman I.
Published: February 2025

The MediSim system extends virtual environment technology to allow medical personnel to interact with and train on simulated casualties. The casualty model employs a three-dimensional animated human body that displays appropriate physical and behavioral responses to injury and/or treatment. Medical corpsmen behaviors were developed to allow the actions of simulated medical personnel to conform to both military practice and medical protocols during patient assessment and stabilization. A trainee may initiate medic actions through a mouse and menu interface; a VR interface has also been created by Stansfield’s research group at Sandia National Labs.
Productivity and Quality Improvements in Health Care through Airboss Mobile Messaging Services
Authors: Shah Pinkesh J.  , Martinez Ralph  , Cooney Edward
Published: February 2025

The US health care industry is in the midst of revolutionary changes. Under tremendous pressures from third-party payers and managed care programs to control costs while providing high quality medical services, health care entities are now looking at information technologies to help them achieve their goals. These goals typically include improved productivity, efficiency and decision-making capabilities among staff members. Moreover, hospitals and other health care facilities that provide a broad and integrated range of inpatient and outpatient care, wellness and home care services are in the best position to offer comprehensive packages to managed care and private insurers.
ERASMUS Master of Science in Health Informatics
Authors: Diomidus Marianna  , Mantas John
Published: February 2025

Health Informatics is an emerging and important multi-disciplinary field that involves not only Informatics but also Medicine, Nursing, Engineering, Biology and other related subjects. A coordination of this field at a postgraduate level becomes important now in Europe where other European Community programs such as the “Telematics for Health Care” will require at the 4th Framework Programme (94-99) adequate human resources of higher potential and knowledge. This European M.Sc. course meets all the above objectives.
Improving Global Competitiveness in Automation by Continuous Learning, Firsthand Experiences From A Company Active Worldwide
Authors: Klinger Hermann
Published: February 2025

To reach new levels of global industrial competitiveness efforts all over the world show a new paradigm for success:
Spreading the clinical information system: which users are satisfied?
Authors: Mazzoleni M.C.  , Baiardi P.  , Giorgi I.  , Franchi G.  , Marconi R.  , Cortesi M.
Published: February 2025

The present study deals with the assessment of the perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use of the clinical core of the HIS we are building, and progressively spreading into the medical centre, through the use of two questionnaires. The differences in subjective perception among clinical units and professional roles have been analyzed. Results show that the system, in use on a mandatory basis, has been accepted. Most of the users are satisfied, and probable removable causes of dissatisfaction have been identified.
Medical Liability, Safety and Confidentiality in Maritime Telemedicine - The MERMAID position on issues of importance
Authors: Ladas P.  , Giatagatzidis P.  , Anogianakis G.  , Maglavera S.
Published: February 2025

Telemedicine dates to the days of “wireless telegraphy”. As an “extraordinary” arrangement for medical services delivered at time of need, telemedicine has thus far escaped the developments that have taken place over the last 50 years in the areas of medical liability, safety and confidentiality. Today, however, telemedicine is also used to increase quality and cost effectiveness of healthcare provision. This trend is set by the U.S. where the U.S. federal government funds telemedicine at an annual rate of more than $100 million i.e., at a rate 30 times or more than what the EU does while state and local agency support and private business investment in telemedicine is 3 to 4 times larger than that of the U.S. federal government. In this respect it must be stressed that technology tends to satisfy the relevant demand for telecommunications. Telemedicine is used in diverse areas such as pathology, surgery, physical therapy, and psychiatry. It is expected to revolutionise health care in the coming decade and, therefore, it will certainly take into account requirements for medical liability, safety and confidentiality in the same way as traditional "establisment" medicine does.
Hepatocellular Carcinoma: the Virtual Hospitalization in Day-Hospital
Authors: Maceratini Riccardo  , Rafanelli Maurizio  , Ricci Fabrizio L.
Published: February 2025

The virtual hospitalization can be considered as the telematic evolution of the Day-Hospital, implementing the integration between hospital care and home care and predefining an hospital system which “goes to the patient home”. In this paper the authors describe characteristics, motivations and advantages of this proposal, as well as the interaction model. Then the medical problem is illustred: the liver tumors, which are the more frequent malignant neoplasms, and, in particular, the epatocellular carcinomas, which represent about the 50% of these tumors. The Organization Model, the Information System and the Modalities of Telemonitoring for Hepatocellular Carcinoma are still illustrated and a brief cunclusion is given.
Computer-Based Patient Records and Mathematical Processing: Brain-Unicard System Experience
Authors: Gizatullin Shamil Kh.  , Amirov Anvar Kh.
Published: February 2025

The ways of usage of the data from Brain-UniCard Computer-based Patient Records in biomedical and statistical studies is discussed. Mathematical procedures used in computer program are presented. Problems of data presentation for advanced biomedical studies are discussed with the examples of studies of patients with brain traumas and deseases.
Implementation Problems of Decision Support System for Nosocomial Infection
Authors: Rems Miran  , Bohanec Marko  , Urh Božo  , Kramar Zdenka
Published: February 2025

Decision support system for nosocomial infection therapy Ptah can reduce antibiotic misuse with data about bacteria resistance and antibiotic ineffectiveness. Resistance vectors in time series show epidemiological problems with resistant bacterias, named house-bacteria. Most important implementation factors are integrated hospital information system and doctors, nurses and managers interested in problems of nosocomial infection.
Five steps from a simple data base to an expert system in nutrition
Authors: Vicol Claudia  , Dobre Ioana  , Ionescu-Tirgoviste Constantin
Published: February 2025

The paper describes the experience from the Medical Informatics Department - ITC in the field of the human nutrition. The informatic systems were developed staring from a minimal data base and simple programs. The final versions are expert systems running within complex medical informatic products.
On Different Roles of Natural Language Information in Medicine
Authors: Surján György  , Balkányi László
Published: February 2025

In this paper the authors analyze the main different function types of language in medical environment in different communicative situations and descriptive tasks. These functions are categorized as knowledge transfer, documentation, directive function, expression of emotions. The computer representation of the information have to be different according to the different tasks. The paper highlights the most important differences and concludes that further research is necessary in the details.
The Read Thesaurus -Creation and Beyond
Authors: Stuart-Buttle C D G  , Brown P J B  , Price C  , O'Neil M  , Read J D
Published: February 2025

The creation of the Read Thesaurus was a unique undertaking, involving over 2000 clinicians. This clinically-led, multidisciplinary enterprise posed many organisational and professional challenges. The process of term collection and integration and the problems encountered are described. A brief account is given of the large task of maintenance and refinement. This paper looks at the practical and cultural aspects and describes how problems were tackled by good organisation, clear guidelines and much goodwill.
Semi-Automatic Coding with ICPC: The Thesaurus, the Algorithm and the Dutch Subtitles
Authors: Gebel Rudolph S.
Published: February 2025

In the ICPC Thesaurus Project, which ran from 1990 to 1992, the Dutch translation of the English version of the ICPC-components 1 and 7 was made available for automated coding by structuring and improving the thesaurus and by developing an algorithm for selecting possible ICPC-codes from a set of medical terms given as input to the program. The thesaurus and algorithm are available to the developers of GP information systems and are at present incorporated in all Dutch GP-systems. This paper brings you up to date with the semi-automatic coding system and the so called Dutch subtitles, an extension to the ICPC.
Health Telematics in Ukraine: Problems and Prospects
Authors: Yu.Mayorov Oleg  , Ponomarenko Victor M.  , Kalnish Valentin V.  , Charin Igor V.  , Sergienko Vladimir V.  , Sleduk Dmitrij V.
Published: February 2025

The state of medical telecommunication networks in Ukraine is described. The concepts of creating and architecture of the National Direct Access Computer Network ‘UkrMedNet’ are given.
Collection of Data in Clinical Studies via Internet
Authors: Keim E.  , Sippel H.  , Eich H.-P.  , Ohmann C.
Published: February 2025

This paper describes a system enabling data collection in multicenter clinical trials via WWW and Internet. The form-based data entry is based on HTML documents with JavaScript linked to a relational database (mSQL) via a cgi program (w3-msql). The design has been applied to a multi-national study in acute abdominal pain, for which eight clinical forms have been developed. The system is now in test use and experiences with this approach are presented.
A New Object Request Broker Architecture in Implementing a Medical Picture Retrieval System
Authors: Silberzahn Nicolas  , Lefevre Franck  , Le Beux Pierre
Published: February 2025

This paper describes the approach we used to implement the world wide web user interface of MediPict, a medical picture retrieval system. The best software architecture seemed to be the three-tier client/server architecture using Objects Request Brokers (ORB) which appears to have many benefits. Although CORBA appears to be the standard ORB, we found it more adequate to develop a different approach. This new ORB resolves many of CORBA's weaknesses (non coherent types, need of a static IDL, maintenance difficulties) by using the same language on the top and middleware tiers.
Application of a Standard Methodology for the Development of Messages and Aspects of Realization in the Area of Tumour Documentation
Authors: Altmann Udo  , Haeberlin Volker  , Tafazzoli Ali  , Dudeck Joachim
Published: February 2025

The “Methodology for the Development of Health Care Messages” was published in 1995 by CEN TC251. This contribution describes the application of the methodology in a project of developing messages for the exchange of tumour patient data. A standard data set, the “Basisdokumentation fir Tumorkranke” was already available for the data of tumour documentation. The development of the messages as well as the design and implementation of a communication interface in a documentation system could therefore be carried out straight forward. Problems arise due to the import of data from different sources. Up to now, there is no standardized method for identifying patients and numbering of different tumours. An automated matching of new data to a specific patient or tumour is therefore not always possible. Methods are presented which try to make a compromise between fully automatic data import and complete user control.
Responsibility Modelling: A New Approach to the Process of Re-Engineering the Health-Care Organisation
Authors: Blyth Andrew
Published: February 2025

Technology changes our world. It is an accepted fact that the adoption and utilization of information technology by an organization will change the work patterns and power structures of that organization. Health-Care organizations realize that the process of re-alignment and re-engineering is a critical one, as it exposes consumers of health-care to the possible risk of death, or at least the loss of personal information. In this paper I will present the idea of modeling responsibilities as a vehicle for the re-engineering of the processes by which social values are mediated and health-care is delivered.
Virtual Reality Therapy: An Effective Treatment for Psychological Disorders
Authors: North Max M.  , North Sarah M.  , Coble Joseph R.
Published: February 2025

Behavioral therapy techniques for treating phobias often includes graded exposure of the patient to anxiety-producing stimuli (Systematic Desensitization). However, in utilizing systematic desensitization, research reviews demonstrate that many patients appear to have difficulty imagining the prescribed anxiety-evoking scene. They also express strong aversion to experiencing real situations.
Virtual Reality for the Treatment of Body Image Disturbances
Authors: Riva Giuseppe  , Melis Luca
Published: February 2025

This chapter describes the characteristics and preliminary evaluation of The Virtual Environment for Body Image Modification (VEBIM), a set of tasks aimed at treating body image disturbances and body dissatisfaction associated with eating disorders. Two methods are commonly used to treat body image: (1) a cognitive/behavioural therapy to influence patients' feelings of dissatisfaction; (2) a visual/motorial therapy with the aim of influencing the level of bodily awareness. VEBIM tries to integrate these two therapeutic approaches within an immersive virtual environment. This choice would not only make it possible to intervene simultaneously on all of the forms of bodily representations, but also to use the psycho-physiological effects provoked on the body by the virtual experience for therapeutic purposes. The chapter, together with the description of the VEBIM theoretical approach, it also presents a study on two preliminary samples (71 normal subjects, uncontrolled study, 48 normal subjects, controlled study) to test its efficacy.
First Do No Harm: A Standard for Electronic Communication in Healthcare
Authors: Alschuler Liora
Published: February 2025

This paper summarizes recent work on the application of document processing technology, specifically, Standard Generalized Markup Language (SGML) to the problems of electronic exchange of healthcare related information. It includes a short description of the HL7 SGML SIG and current work on SGML standards for healthcare information exchange.
Hospital Information System Engineering Using the PROMISE Architecture
Authors: Szczurko P.
Published: February 2025

This paper presents the novel Process Oriented Medical Information System Architecture (PROMISE) which has been developed in detail especially for the requirements of hospital information system engineering processes. The architecture is given in three colums and three layers along the following three dimensions: business process modeling, process specification and engineering. The heart of the architecture is a purpose-built framework for hospital information systems called PROSIGHT whose implementation can be used easily as a workbench. The single components can be customized according to detailed modeled hospital business processes which form in common a complete hospital information system. Any other framework can be used instead PROSIGHT if it can be used as a reference hospital information system in the same manner. Although the PROMISE architecture is presented in common with the given framework it can be seen as an open architecture. The hospital information system engineering process comprising the development as well as the adaptation process for a certain hospital will be skeched out.