A Content-based search engine on medical images for telemedicine

Retrieving images by content and forming visual queries are important functionality of an image database system. Using textual descriptions to specify queries on image content is another important component of content-based search. The authors describe a medical image database system MIQS which supports visual queries such as query by example and query by sketch. In addition, it supports textual queries on spatial relationships between the objects of an image. MIQS is designed as a client-server application in which the client accesses the database and its images via the WWW.published_or_final_versio

MammoApplet: an interactive Java applet tool for manual annotation in medical imaging

Web-based applications in computational medicine have become increasingly important during the last years. The rapid growth of the World Wide Web supposes a new paradigm in the telemedicine and eHealth areas in order to assist and enhance the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of patients. Furthermore, training of radiologists and management of medical databases are also becoming increasingly important issues in the field. In this paper, we present MammoApplet , an interactive Java applet interface designed as a web-based tool. It aims to facilitate the diagnosis of new mammographic cases by providing a set of image processing tools that allow a better visualization of the images, and a set of drawing tools, used to annotate the suspicious regions. Each annotation allows including the attributes considered by the experts when issuing the final diagnosis. The overall set of overlays is stored in a database as XML files associated with the original images. The final goal is to obtain a database of already diagnosed cases for training and enhancing the performance of novice radiologistsPeer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Cross-Platform Presentation of Interactive Volumetric Imagery

Volume data is useful across many disciplines, not just medicine. Thus, it is very important that researchers have a simple and lightweight method of sharing and reproducing such volumetric data. In this paper, we explore some of the challenges associated with volume rendering, both from a classical sense and from the context of Web3D technologies. We describe and evaluate the pro- posed X3D Volume Rendering Component and its associated styles for their suitability in the visualization of several types of image data. Additionally, we examine the ability for a minimal X3D node set to capture provenance and semantic information from outside ontologies in metadata and integrate it with the scene graph

Trends on integrating framework of applications or data

International audienceA lot of telemedicine applications are nowadays tested in medical situation, but the challenges underlined through the best papers selection deals on the ability of proposing integrative framework for application or data in order to handle efficiency of health and clinical management

TELMA: Technology enhanced learning environment for minimally invasive surgery

Background: Cognitive skills training for minimally invasive surgery has traditionally relied upon diverse tools, such as seminars or lectures. Web technologies for e-learning have been adopted to provide ubiquitous training and serve as structured repositories for the vast amount of laparoscopic video sources available. However, these technologies fail to offer such features as formative and summative evaluation, guided learning, or collaborative interaction between users. Methodology: The "TELMA" environment is presented as a new technology-enhanced learning platform that increases the user's experience using a four-pillared architecture: (1) an authoring tool for the creation of didactic contents; (2) a learning content and knowledge management system that incorporates a modular and scalable system to capture, catalogue, search, and retrieve multimedia content; (3) an evaluation module that provides learning feedback to users; and (4) a professional network for collaborative learning between users. Face validation of the environment and the authoring tool are presented. Results: Face validation of TELMA reveals the positive perception of surgeons regarding the implementation of TELMA and their willingness to use it as a cognitive skills training tool. Preliminary validation data also reflect the importance of providing an easy-to-use, functional authoring tool to create didactic content. Conclusion: The TELMA environment is currently installed and used at the Jesús Usón Minimally Invasive Surgery Centre and several other Spanish hospitals. Face validation results ascertain the acceptance and usefulness of this new minimally invasive surgery training environment

TELMA: technology enhanced learning environment for Minimally Invasive Surgery

One of the most important revolutions in the past few decades in clinical practice has been motivated by the introduction of Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) techniques, which have spread amongst almost all surgical specialities. MIS training is a principal component of the education of new surgical residents, with an increasing demand for knowledge and skills for medical students and surgeons. Technology enhanced learning (TEL) solutions can deal with the growing need for MIS learning. This research work aims to develop a MIS learning environment based on web technologies, named TELMA, which will respond to the growing amount of information and multimedia surgical contents available (mainly intervention’s video recording libraries), in compliance with specific learning needs of surgical students and professionals, enhancing their competence on MIS cognitive skills. Furthermore, TELMA will support knowledge capturing, sharing and reuse, and effective management of didactic contents through personalised and collaborative services

History and structures of telecommunication in pathology, focusing on open access platforms

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Telecommunication has matured to a broadly applied tool in diagnostic pathology.</p> <p>Technology and Systems</p> <p>Contemporary with the development of fast electronic communication lines (Integrated digital network services (ISDN), broad band connections, and fibre optics, as well as the digital imaging technology (digital camera), telecommunication in tissue - based diagnosis (telepathology) has matured. Open access (internet) and server - based communication have induced the development of specific medical information platforms, such as iPATH, UICC-TPCC (telepathology consultation centre of the Union International against Cancer), or the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP) teleconsultation system. They have been closed, and are subject to be replaced by specific open access forums (Medical Electronic Expert Communication System (MECES) with embedded virtual slide (VS) technology). MECES uses php language, data base driven mySqL architecture, X/L-AMPP infrastructure, and browser friendly W3C conform standards.</p> <p>Experiences</p> <p>The server - based medical communication systems (AFIP, iPATH, UICC-TPCC) have been reported to be a useful and easy to handle tool for expert consultation. Correct sampling and evaluation of transmitted still images by experts reported revealed no or only minor differences to the original images and good practice of the involved experts. β tests with the new generation medical expert consultation systems (MECES) revealed superior results in terms of performance, still image viewing, and system handling, especially as this is closely related to the use of so - called social forums (facebook, youtube, etc.).</p> <p>Benefits and Expectations</p> <p>In addition to the acknowledged advantages of the former established systems (assistance of pathologists working in developing countries, diagnosis confirmation, international information exchange, etc.), the new generation offers additional benefits such as acoustic information transfer, assistance in image screening, VS technology, and teaching in diagnostic sampling, judgement, and verification.</p

Semantic Search Engine as tool for clinical decision support in Register for Acute Coronary Syndrome

This paper presents the implementation and use of Semantic Search Engine (SSE) as part of knowledge management system functionalities in Register for Acute Coronary Syndrome (REACS). REACS SSE is part of a clinical decision support system and is used as an aid in decision making in clinical processes related to the care and treatment of patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS)

An overview of telemedicine in Turkey

This study focuses on telemedicine in Turkey by the use of the Internet, where the potential for telemedicine of Turkey, telemedicine initiatives conducted in Turkey until now are examined first. The types of applications that the Internet can support in consumer health, clinical care, financial and administrative transactions, public health, health professional education in Turkey are investigated next. Finally, a discussion on the technical, legal and bureaucratic obstacles for realizing telemedicine in Turkey over the Internet and suggestions on how to overcome these obstacles are presented. © 2013 Trade Science Inc.-INDIA