Claim 43. A system for performing a computer-assisted data operation on medical data comprising, in a programmed computer system: means for accessing, from an integrated knowledge base, patient-specific clinical data derived from a plurality of controllable and prescribable data resources, and data representative of available resources at a health care provider directly interacting with a patient; means for analyzing the accessed data to identify a medical procedure to be performed on the patient via the resources based at least upon the patient-specific clinical data and the available resource data; and means for generating at least one medical procedure recommendation from a plurality of candidate procedures based upon the analysis. [0299] As noted above, the integrated knowledge base employed in the present technique can be a highly integrated resource comprised of one or more memory devices at one or more locations linked to one another via any desired network links. The integrated knowledge base may further include memory devices on client components, such as the resources themselves, as will commonly be the case in certain imaging systems. [0300] The presently contemplated integrated knowledge base may include raw data as well as semi-processed data, processed data, reports, tabulated data, tagged data, and so forth. In a minimal implementation, the integrated knowledge base may comprise a subset of raw data or raw data basis. However, in a more preferred implementation, the integrated knowledge base is a superset of such raw databases and further includes filtered, processed, or reduced dimension data, expert opinion information, such as relating to rules of clinical events, predictive models, such as based upon symptoms or other inputs and disease or treatment considerations or other outputs, relationships, interconnections, trends, and so forth. [0329] ... Where a user, such as a clinician, physician, insurance company, clinic or hospital employee, management or staff user, and the like initiates a request that draws upon the integrated knowledge base or the various integrated resources described above, a processing string may begin that calls upon information either already stored within the integrated knowledge base or accessible by locating, accessing, and processing data within one or more of the various resources. In a typical setting, a user may initiate such processing at a workstation where a query or other function is performed. [0323] As used herein, the term “processing string” is intended to relate broadly to computer-based activities performed to acquire, analyze, manipulate, enhance, generate or otherwise modify or derive data within the integrated knowledge base or from data within the integrated knowledge base. The processing may include, but is not limited to analysis of patient-specific clinical data. Processing strings may act upon such data, or upon entirely non-clinical data, but in general will act upon both. [0332] ... For example, the user or context string 238 may include specific query-based processing as indicated at reference numeral 240, designed to identify and return data which is responsive to specific queries posed by a user.

Claim 43. A system for performing a computer-assisted data operation on medical data comprising, in a programmed computer system: means for accessing, from an integrated knowledge base, patient-specific clinical data derived from a plurality of controllable and prescribable data resources, and data representative of available resources at a health care provider directly interacting with a patient; means for analyzing the accessed data to identify a medical procedure to be performed on the patient via the resources based at least upon the patient-specific clinical data and the available resource data; and means for generating at least one medical procedure recommendation from a plurality of candidate procedures based upon the analysis. [0299] As noted above, the integrated knowledge base employed in the present technique can be a highly integrated resource comprised of one or more memory devices at one or more locations linked to one another via any desired network links. The integrated knowledge base may further include memory devices on client components, such as the resources themselves, as will commonly be the case in certain imaging systems. [0300] The presently contemplated integrated knowledge base may include raw data as well as semi-processed data, processed data, reports, tabulated data, tagged data, and so forth. In a minimal implementation, the integrated knowledge base may comprise a subset of raw data or raw data basis. However, in a more preferred implementation, the integrated knowledge base is a superset of such raw databases and further includes filtered, processed, or reduced dimension data, expert opinion information, such as relating to rules of clinical events, predictive models, such as based upon symptoms or other inputs and disease or treatment considerations or other outputs, relationships, interconnections, trends, and so forth. [0329] ... Where a user, such as a clinician, physician, insurance company, clinic or hospital employee, management or staff user, and the like initiates a request that draws upon the integrated knowledge base or the various integrated resources described above, a processing string may begin that calls upon information either already stored within the integrated knowledge base or accessible by locating, accessing, and processing data within one or more of the various resources. In a typical setting, a user may initiate such processing at a workstation where a query or other function is performed. [0323] As used herein, the term “processing string” is intended to relate broadly to computer-based activities performed to acquire, analyze, manipulate, enhance, generate or otherwise modify or derive data within the integrated knowledge base or from data within the integrated knowledge base. The processing may include, but is not limited to analysis of patient-specific clinical data. Processing strings may act upon such data, or upon entirely non-clinical data, but in general will act upon both. [0332] ... For example, the user or context string 238 may include specific query-based processing as indicated at reference numeral 240, designed to identify and return data which is responsive to specific queries posed by a user.

All

[0052] As used herein, the term "integrated knowledge base" is intended to include one or more repositories of medical-related data in a broad sense, as well as interfaces and translators between the repositories, and processing capabilities for carrying out desired operations on the data, including analysis, diagnosis, reporting, display and other functions. The data itself may relate to patient-specific characteristics as well as to non-patient specific information, as for classes of persons, machines, systems and so forth. Moreover, the repositories may include devoted systems for storing the data, or memory devices that are part of disparate systems, such as imaging systems. As noted above, the repositories and processing resources making up the integrated knowledge base may be expandable and may be physically resident at any number of locations, typically linked by dedicated or open network links. [0466] The business model implementation for the present techniques may include software installed on one or more memory devices or machine-readable media, such as disks, hard drives, flash memory, and so forth. A user may then employ the techniques individually, or by access to specific sites, links, services, databases, and so forth through a network. Similarly, a business model based upon the techniques may be developed such that the technique is offered on a pay-per-use, subscription, or any other suitable basis.

[0052] As used herein, the term "integrated knowledge base" is intended to include one or more repositories of medical-related data in a broad sense, as well as interfaces and translators between the repositories, and processing capabilities for carrying out desired operations on the data, including analysis, diagnosis, reporting, display and other functions. The data itself may relate to patient-specific characteristics as well as to non-patient specific information, as for classes of persons, machines, systems and so forth. Moreover, the repositories may include devoted systems for storing the data, or memory devices that are part of disparate systems, such as imaging systems. As noted above, the repositories and processing resources making up the integrated knowledge base may be expandable and may be physically resident at any number of locations, typically linked by dedicated or open network links. [0466] The business model implementation for the present techniques may include software installed on one or more memory devices or machine-readable media, such as disks, hard drives, flash memory, and so forth. A user may then employ the techniques individually, or by access to specific sites, links, services, databases, and so forth through a network. Similarly, a business model based upon the techniques may be developed such that the technique is offered on a pay-per-use, subscription, or any other suitable basis.

All

[0343] Among the various recommendations which may be made based upon the analysis, pre-visit imaging, laboratory examinations, and so forth may be recommended and scheduled to provide the most relevant information likely to be needed for efficient diagnosis and feedback during or immediately after the patient visit. Such recommendations may entail one or more of the various types of resources described above, and one or more of the modalities within each resource. The various information may also be correlated with information in the integrated knowledge base to provide indications of potential diagnoses or relevant questions and information that can be gathered during the patient visit. The entire set of data can then be uploaded to the integrated knowledge base to create or supplement a patient history database within the integrated knowledge base. [0346] A further output action which may be taken by the system prior to and on-site visit might include reports or recommendations for clinicians and physicians. In particular, the reports may include output based upon the indications and designation of symptoms experienced by the patient, patient history information collect, and so forth. The report may also include electronic versions of images, computer-assisted processed (e.g. enhanced) images, and so forth. Moreover, such physician reports may include recommendations or prioritized lists of information or examinations which should be performed during the visit to refine or rule out specific diagnoses.

[0343] Among the various recommendations which may be made based upon the analysis, pre-visit imaging, laboratory examinations, and so forth may be recommended and scheduled to provide the most relevant information likely to be needed for efficient diagnosis and feedback during or immediately after the patient visit. Such recommendations may entail one or more of the various types of resources described above, and one or more of the modalities within each resource. The various information may also be correlated with information in the integrated knowledge base to provide indications of potential diagnoses or relevant questions and information that can be gathered during the patient visit. The entire set of data can then be uploaded to the integrated knowledge base to create or supplement a patient history database within the integrated knowledge base. [0346] A further output action which may be taken by the system prior to and on-site visit might include reports or recommendations for clinicians and physicians. In particular, the reports may include output based upon the indications and designation of symptoms experienced by the patient, patient history information collect, and so forth. The report may also include electronic versions of images, computer-assisted processed (e.g. enhanced) images, and so forth. Moreover, such physician reports may include recommendations or prioritized lists of information or examinations which should be performed during the visit to refine or rule out specific diagnoses.

All

Claim 43. A system for performing a computer-assisted data operation on medical data comprising, in a programmed computer system: means for accessing, from an integrated knowledge base, patient-specific clinical data derived from a plurality of controllable and prescribable data resources, and data representative of available resources at a health care provider directly interacting with a patient; means for analyzing the accessed data to identify a medical procedure to be performed on the patient via the resources based at least upon the patient-specific clinical data and the available resource data; and means for generating at least one medical procedure recommendation from a plurality of candidate procedures based upon the analysis. [0299] As noted above, the integrated knowledge base employed in the present technique can be a highly integrated resource comprised of one or more memory devices at one or more locations linked to one another via any desired network links. The integrated knowledge base may further include memory devices on client components, such as the resources themselves, as will commonly be the case in certain imaging systems. [0300] The presently contemplated integrated knowledge base may include raw data as well as semi-processed data, processed data, reports, tabulated data, tagged data, and so forth. In a minimal implementation, the integrated knowledge base may comprise a subset of raw data or raw data basis. However, in a more preferred implementation, the integrated knowledge base is a superset of such raw databases and further includes filtered, processed, or reduced dimension data, expert opinion information, such as relating to rules of clinical events, predictive models, such as based upon symptoms or other inputs and disease or treatment considerations or other outputs, relationships, interconnections, trends, and so forth. [0329] ... Where a user, such as a clinician, physician, insurance company, clinic or hospital employee, management or staff user, and the like initiates a request that draws upon the integrated knowledge base or the various integrated resources described above, a processing string may begin that calls upon information either already stored within the integrated knowledge base or accessible by locating, accessing, and processing data within one or more of the various resources. In a typical setting, a user may initiate such processing at a workstation where a query or other function is performed. [0323] As used herein, the term “processing string” is intended to relate broadly to computer-based activities performed to acquire, analyze, manipulate, enhance, generate or otherwise modify or derive data within the integrated knowledge base or from data within the integrated knowledge base. The processing may include, but is not limited to analysis of patient-specific clinical data. Processing strings may act upon such data, or upon entirely non-clinical data, but in general will act upon both. [0332] ... For example, the user or context string 238 may include specific query-based processing as indicated at reference numeral 240, designed to identify and return data which is responsive to specific queries posed by a user.

Claim 43. A system for performing a computer-assisted data operation on medical data comprising, in a programmed computer system: means for accessing, from an integrated knowledge base, patient-specific clinical data derived from a plurality of controllable and prescribable data resources, and data representative of available resources at a health care provider directly interacting with a patient; means for analyzing the accessed data to identify a medical procedure to be performed on the patient via the resources based at least upon the patient-specific clinical data and the available resource data; and means for generating at least one medical procedure recommendation from a plurality of candidate procedures based upon the analysis. [0299] As noted above, the integrated knowledge base employed in the present technique can be a highly integrated resource comprised of one or more memory devices at one or more locations linked to one another via any desired network links. The integrated knowledge base may further include memory devices on client components, such as the resources themselves, as will commonly be the case in certain imaging systems. [0300] The presently contemplated integrated knowledge base may include raw data as well as semi-processed data, processed data, reports, tabulated data, tagged data, and so forth. In a minimal implementation, the integrated knowledge base may comprise a subset of raw data or raw data basis. However, in a more preferred implementation, the integrated knowledge base is a superset of such raw databases and further includes filtered, processed, or reduced dimension data, expert opinion information, such as relating to rules of clinical events, predictive models, such as based upon symptoms or other inputs and disease or treatment considerations or other outputs, relationships, interconnections, trends, and so forth. [0329] ... Where a user, such as a clinician, physician, insurance company, clinic or hospital employee, management or staff user, and the like initiates a request that draws upon the integrated knowledge base or the various integrated resources described above, a processing string may begin that calls upon information either already stored within the integrated knowledge base or accessible by locating, accessing, and processing data within one or more of the various resources. In a typical setting, a user may initiate such processing at a workstation where a query or other function is performed. [0323] As used herein, the term “processing string” is intended to relate broadly to computer-based activities performed to acquire, analyze, manipulate, enhance, generate or otherwise modify or derive data within the integrated knowledge base or from data within the integrated knowledge base. The processing may include, but is not limited to analysis of patient-specific clinical data. Processing strings may act upon such data, or upon entirely non-clinical data, but in general will act upon both. [0332] ... For example, the user or context string 238 may include specific query-based processing as indicated at reference numeral 240, designed to identify and return data which is responsive to specific queries posed by a user.

All

Claim 43. A system for performing a computer-assisted data operation on medical data comprising, in a programmed computer system: means for accessing, from an integrated knowledge base, patient-specific clinical data derived from a plurality of controllable and prescribable data resources, and data representative of available resources at a health care provider directly interacting with a patient; means for analyzing the accessed data to identify a medical procedure to be performed on the patient via the resources based at least upon the patient-specific clinical data and the available resource data; and means for generating at least one medical procedure recommendation from a plurality of candidate procedures based upon the analysis. [0299] As noted above, the integrated knowledge base employed in the present technique can be a highly integrated resource comprised of one or more memory devices at one or more locations linked to one another via any desired network links. The integrated knowledge base may further include memory devices on client components, such as the resources themselves, as will commonly be the case in certain imaging systems. [0300] The presently contemplated integrated knowledge base may include raw data as well as semi-processed data, processed data, reports, tabulated data, tagged data, and so forth. In a minimal implementation, the integrated knowledge base may comprise a subset of raw data or raw data basis. However, in a more preferred implementation, the integrated knowledge base is a superset of such raw databases and further includes filtered, processed, or reduced dimension data, expert opinion information, such as relating to rules of clinical events, predictive models, such as based upon symptoms or other inputs and disease or treatment considerations or other outputs, relationships, interconnections, trends, and so forth. [0329] ... Where a user, such as a clinician, physician, insurance company, clinic or hospital employee, management or staff user, and the like initiates a request that draws upon the integrated knowledge base or the various integrated resources described above, a processing string may begin that calls upon information either already stored within the integrated knowledge base or accessible by locating, accessing, and processing data within one or more of the various resources. In a typical setting, a user may initiate such processing at a workstation where a query or other function is performed. [0323] As used herein, the term “processing string” is intended to relate broadly to computer-based activities performed to acquire, analyze, manipulate, enhance, generate or otherwise modify or derive data within the integrated knowledge base or from data within the integrated knowledge base. The processing may include, but is not limited to analysis of patient-specific clinical data. Processing strings may act upon such data, or upon entirely non-clinical data, but in general will act upon both. [0332] ... For example, the user or context string 238 may include specific query-based processing as indicated at reference numeral 240, designed to identify and return data which is responsive to specific queries posed by a user.

Claim 43. A system for performing a computer-assisted data operation on medical data comprising, in a programmed computer system: means for accessing, from an integrated knowledge base, patient-specific clinical data derived from a plurality of controllable and prescribable data resources, and data representative of available resources at a health care provider directly interacting with a patient; means for analyzing the accessed data to identify a medical procedure to be performed on the patient via the resources based at least upon the patient-specific clinical data and the available resource data; and means for generating at least one medical procedure recommendation from a plurality of candidate procedures based upon the analysis. [0299] As noted above, the integrated knowledge base employed in the present technique can be a highly integrated resource comprised of one or more memory devices at one or more locations linked to one another via any desired network links. The integrated knowledge base may further include memory devices on client components, such as the resources themselves, as will commonly be the case in certain imaging systems. [0300] The presently contemplated integrated knowledge base may include raw data as well as semi-processed data, processed data, reports, tabulated data, tagged data, and so forth. In a minimal implementation, the integrated knowledge base may comprise a subset of raw data or raw data basis. However, in a more preferred implementation, the integrated knowledge base is a superset of such raw databases and further includes filtered, processed, or reduced dimension data, expert opinion information, such as relating to rules of clinical events, predictive models, such as based upon symptoms or other inputs and disease or treatment considerations or other outputs, relationships, interconnections, trends, and so forth. [0329] ... Where a user, such as a clinician, physician, insurance company, clinic or hospital employee, management or staff user, and the like initiates a request that draws upon the integrated knowledge base or the various integrated resources described above, a processing string may begin that calls upon information either already stored within the integrated knowledge base or accessible by locating, accessing, and processing data within one or more of the various resources. In a typical setting, a user may initiate such processing at a workstation where a query or other function is performed. [0323] As used herein, the term “processing string” is intended to relate broadly to computer-based activities performed to acquire, analyze, manipulate, enhance, generate or otherwise modify or derive data within the integrated knowledge base or from data within the integrated knowledge base. The processing may include, but is not limited to analysis of patient-specific clinical data. Processing strings may act upon such data, or upon entirely non-clinical data, but in general will act upon both. [0332] ... For example, the user or context string 238 may include specific query-based processing as indicated at reference numeral 240, designed to identify and return data which is responsive to specific queries posed by a user.

All

[0343] Among the various recommendations which may be made based upon the analysis, pre-visit imaging, laboratory examinations, and so forth may be recommended and scheduled to provide the most relevant information likely to be needed for efficient diagnosis and feedback during or immediately after the patient visit. Such recommendations may entail one or more of the various types of resources described above, and one or more of the modalities within each resource. The various information may also be correlated with information in the integrated knowledge base to provide indications of potential diagnoses or relevant questions and information that can be gathered during the patient visit. The entire set of data can then be uploaded to the integrated knowledge base to create or supplement a patient history database within the integrated knowledge base. [0346] A further output action which may be taken by the system prior to and on-site visit might include reports or recommendations for clinicians and physicians. In particular, the reports may include output based upon the indications and designation of symptoms experienced by the patient, patient history information collect, and so forth. The report may also include electronic versions of images, computer-assisted processed (e.g. enhanced) images, and so forth. Moreover, such physician reports may include recommendations or prioritized lists of information or examinations which should be performed during the visit to refine or rule out specific diagnoses.

[0343] Among the various recommendations which may be made based upon the analysis, pre-visit imaging, laboratory examinations, and so forth may be recommended and scheduled to provide the most relevant information likely to be needed for efficient diagnosis and feedback during or immediately after the patient visit. Such recommendations may entail one or more of the various types of resources described above, and one or more of the modalities within each resource. The various information may also be correlated with information in the integrated knowledge base to provide indications of potential diagnoses or relevant questions and information that can be gathered during the patient visit. The entire set of data can then be uploaded to the integrated knowledge base to create or supplement a patient history database within the integrated knowledge base. [0346] A further output action which may be taken by the system prior to and on-site visit might include reports or recommendations for clinicians and physicians. In particular, the reports may include output based upon the indications and designation of symptoms experienced by the patient, patient history information collect, and so forth. The report may also include electronic versions of images, computer-assisted processed (e.g. enhanced) images, and so forth. Moreover, such physician reports may include recommendations or prioritized lists of information or examinations which should be performed during the visit to refine or rule out specific diagnoses.

All