XML-BSPM: an XML format for storing Body Surface Potential Map recordings

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The Body Surface Potential Map (BSPM) is an electrocardiographic method, for recording and displaying the electrical activity of the heart, from a spatial perspective. The BSPM has been deemed more accurate for assessing certain cardiac pathologies when compared to the 12-lead ECG. Nevertheless, the 12-lead ECG remains the most popular ECG acquisition method for non-invasively assessing the electrical activity of the heart. Although data from the 12-lead ECG can be stored and shared using open formats such as SCP-ECG, no open formats currently exist for storing and sharing the BSPM. As a result, an innovative format for storing BSPM datasets has been developed within this study.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The XML vocabulary was chosen for implementation, as opposed to binary for the purpose of human readability. There are currently no standards to dictate the number of electrodes and electrode positions for recording a BSPM. In fact, there are at least 11 different BSPM electrode configurations in use today. Therefore, in order to support these BSPM variants, the XML-BSPM format was made versatile. Hence, the format supports the storage of custom torso diagrams using SVG graphics. This diagram can then be used in a 2D coordinate system for retaining electrode positions.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>This XML-BSPM format has been successfully used to store the Kornreich-117 BSPM dataset and the Lux-192 BSPM dataset. The resulting file sizes were in the region of 277 kilobytes for each BSPM recording and can be deemed suitable for example, for use with any telemonitoring application. Moreover, there is potential for file sizes to be further reduced using basic compression algorithms, i.e. the deflate algorithm. Finally, these BSPM files have been parsed and visualised within a convenient time period using a web based BSPM viewer.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This format, if widely adopted could promote BSPM interoperability, knowledge sharing and data mining. This work could also be used to provide conceptual solutions and inspire existing formats such as DICOM, SCP-ECG and aECG to support the storage of BSPMs. In summary, this research provides initial ground work for creating a complete BSPM management system.</p

Clinical map document based on XML (cMDX): document architecture with mapping feature for reporting and analysing prostate cancer in radical prostatectomy specimens

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The pathology report of radical prostatectomy specimens plays an important role in clinical decisions and the prognostic evaluation in Prostate Cancer (PCa). The anatomical schema is a helpful tool to document PCa extension for clinical and research purposes. To achieve electronic documentation and analysis, an appropriate documentation model for anatomical schemas is needed. For this purpose we developed cMDX.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The document architecture of cMDX was designed according to Open Packaging Conventions by separating the whole data into template data and patient data. Analogue custom XML elements were considered to harmonize the graphical representation (e.g. tumour extension) with the textual data (e.g. histological patterns). The graphical documentation was based on the four-layer visualization model that forms the interaction between different custom XML elements. Sensible personal data were encrypted with a 256-bit cryptographic algorithm to avoid misuse. In order to assess the clinical value, we retrospectively analysed the tumour extension in 255 patients after radical prostatectomy.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The pathology report with cMDX can represent pathological findings of the prostate in schematic styles. Such reports can be integrated into the hospital information system. "cMDX" documents can be converted into different data formats like text, graphics and PDF. Supplementary tools like cMDX Editor and an analyser tool were implemented. The graphical analysis of 255 prostatectomy specimens showed that PCa were mostly localized in the peripheral zone (Mean: 73% ± 25). 54% of PCa showed a multifocal growth pattern.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>cMDX can be used for routine histopathological reporting of radical prostatectomy specimens and provide data for scientific analysis.</p

Refined electrophysiological recording and processing of neural signals from the retina and ascending visual pathways

The purpose of this thesis was the development of refined methods for recording and processing of neural signals of the retina and ascending visual pathways. The first chapter describes briefly the fundamentals of the human visual system and the basics of the functional testing of the retina and the visual pathways. The second and third chapters are dedicated to the processing of visual electrophysiological data using the newly developed software ERG Explorer, and present a proposal for an open and standardized data format, ElVisML, for future proof storage of visual electrophysiological data. The fourth chapter describes the development and application of two novel electrodes: First a contact lens electrode for the recording of electrical potentials of the ciliary muscle during accommodation, and second, the marble electrode, which is made of a super-absorbant polymer and allows for a preparation-free recording of visual evoked potentials. Results obtained in studies using the both electrodes are presented. The fifths and last chapter of the thesis presents the results from four studies within the field of visual electrophysiology. The first study examines the ophthalmological assessment of cannabis-induced perception disorder using electrophysiological methods. The second study presents a refined method for the objective assessment of the visual acuity using visual evoked potentials and introduces therefore, a refined stimulus paradigm and a novel method for the analysis of the sweep VEP. The third study presents the results of a newly developed stimulus design for full-field electrophysiology, which allows to assess previously non-recordable electroretinograms. The last study describes a relation of the spatial frequency of a visual stimulus to the amplitudes of visual evoked potentials in comparison to the BOLD response obtained using functional near-infrared spectroscopy and functional magnetic resonance imaging

Design and application of a wireless torque sensor for CNC milling

A Smart Machining System for Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Milling continually adjusts the cutting process parameters to optimize for cutting tool life and material removal rate. The system depends on sensors to gather information from the machine during cutting, but commercially available sensors detract from the effectiveness of the cutting system by lowering the system stiffness. This research focuses on the development of the electronics for a Smart Tool Holder (STH) and potential applications such as measurement of mechanical cutting power and suppression of chatter. The STH is a standard milling tool holder modified to hold a torque strain gauge bridge, a thermocouple and a Bluetooth radio transmitter. The STH is meant to overcome some of the different limitations imposed by bed dynamometers, microphones and spindle power sensors without reducing the system stiffness. Comparison of the mechanical power estimates from the STH and a conventional power sensor showed 10% difference

Sécurité d'une application de communication multimédia sous protocole IP dans un contexte médical

L'application MédiclP est un logiciel de télémédecine permettant à des spécialistes de la santé d'entrer en communication lors de situations d'urgence. Ce prototype, développé depuis 2005, permet des communications audio ainsi que le transfert d'électrocardiogrammes en temps réel. Le scénario typique visé par ce projet était de permettre à une équipe ambulancière qui récupère un blessé sur la route, ou quelqu'un victime d'un malaise cardiaque, d'entrer en contact avec les hôpitaux les plus près afin de déterminer lequel est le plus apte à recevoir adéquatement ce patient. Cette approche permettrait d'améliorer la préparation, la qualité et la rapidité des opérations médicales à l'hôpital lorsque le patient se présente. Le présent projet, SécureMédic, se veut un moyen d'aborder le problème de la sécurité entourant ce prototype, étant donné son utilisation dans un contexte médical. Une analyse de MédicIP a permis d'identifier quatre failles de sécurité critiques reliées aux authentifications usagers, aux établissements des conférences, aux transferts des données audio ainsi qu'aux transferts des électrocardiogrammes. La contribution majeure de ce projet a été la création d'une infrastructure dédiée au processus d'authentification des usagers. Le système développé permet deux types d'authentification, fournissant ainsi un excellent niveau de robustesse. De plus, le serveur principal développé dans cette infrastructure intègre des mesures de protection permettant de minimiser les impacts de certains types d'attaque. Le projet SécureMédic a permis de démontrer la faisabilité de la sécurisation d'une application de télémédecine en utilisant les techniques de protection et les standards actuels de l'industrie. Les résultats de tests comparatifs ont cependant permis de constater que des impacts reliés à la performance ont été engendrés par l'ajout des mesures de sécurité, dus principalement aux ressources requises pour le chiffrement et le déchiffrement des données dans un environnement multimédia temps réel. Bien qu'il soit encore trop tôt pour envisager le déploiement du système actuel dans le milieu de la santé, les projets MédicIP et SécureMédic sont un pas dans la bonne direction. Le prototype actuel répond aux exigences techniques voulues, répond à un besoin bien réel et est parmi les premières solutions concrètes à démontrer la faisabilité d'un tel système. D'ici quelques années, l'apparition de solutions similaires est assurée

Plataforma Tele-ECG para dispositivos móveis

Mestrado em Engenharia de Computadores e TelemáticaNos dias de hoje, os sistemas Tele-ECG têm ganho cada vez mais importância, permitindo melhorar principalmente a qualidade de serviço prestado aos utentes de saúde que sofrem de doenças cardiovasculares. Estes sistemas permitem reduzir o tempo de interpretação de um ECG ao fornecer os requisitos necessários para que um cardiologista efetue a sua analise de forma remota, melhorando a capacidade de resposta em pequenas cidades, áreas remotas ou países em desenvolvimento; locais estes onde não existe, frequentemente, pessoal qualificado disponível para realizar a tarefa. Esta dissertação foca-se no estudo da área emergente da computação móvel, mais especificamente na analise de diferentes tecnologias de desenvolvimento multi-plataforma capazes de atingir eficazmente as varias frentes do atualmente segmentado mercado móvel. Numa fase posterior e apresentada e discutida a implementação de uma estação de visualização de ECG para dispositivos móveis através da utilização de uma das tecnologias previamente discutidas, assegurando sempre os aspetos de segurança e confidencialidade inerentes ao manuseamento de dados clínicos. Esta estação permitira reduzir substancialmente o tempo de resposta em situações de emergência medica ao tirar partido da disponibilidade de cardiologistas prontos a realizar uma interpretação clínica 24 horas por dia, independentemente da sua localização, através de um dispositivo móvel (smartphones, tablets, etc.).Tele-ECG systems have gained an extreme importance in the last decade, making it possible to increase the quality of service provided to health care patients with cardiovascular diseases. These systems outperform a regular and traditional ECG analysis by reducing the response time in small villages, remote locations or in Third World countries; places that frequently lack of qualified professionals to accomplish such tasks. This dissertation focuses on the study of the ever-emerging mobile computing field, where a thorough analysis is presented regarding various cross-platform development technologies, capable of targeting effectively all the major platforms currently available in the today's highly segmented mobile market. Furthermore, this work presents an implementation of a mobile station with the capability of visualizing and analyzing an ECG, yet always assuring all the confidentiality and security aspects that should be taken into account while handling clinical data. This station will lead to a significant improvement of the response time in medical emergencies, mainly as a consequence of the constant availability of a group of cardiologists, regardless of their location, at a distance of a mobile device (smartphones, tablets, etc.)

An ontology-based system for representation and diagnosis of electrocardiogram (ECG) data

Electrocardiogram (ECG) data are stored and analyzed in different formats, devices, and computer platforms. There is a need to have an independent platform to support ECG processes among different resources for the purposes of improving the quality of health care and proliferating the results from research. Currently, ECG devices are proprietary. Devices from different manufacturers cannot communicate with each other. It is crucial to have an open standard to manage ECG data for representation and diagnosis. This research explores methods for representation and diagnosis of ECG by developing an Ontology for shared ECG data based on the Health Level Seven (HL7) standard. The developed Ontology bridges the conceptual gap by integrating ECG waveform data, HL7 standard data descriptions, and cardiac diagnosis rules. The Ontology is encoded in Extensible Markup Language (XML) providing human and machine readable format. Thus, the interoperability issue is resolved and ECG data can be shared among different ECG devices and systems. This developed Ontology also provides a mechanism for diagnostic decision support through an automated ECG diagnosis system for a medical technician or physician in the diagnosis of cardiac disease. An experiment was conducted to validate the interoperability of the Ontology, and also to assess the accuracy of the diagnosis model provided through the Ontology. Results showed 100% interoperability from ECG data provided through eight different databases, and a 93% accuracy in diagnosis of normal and abnormal cardiac conditions