214results about How to "Lower cost of care" patented technology

A computer implemented system for the production of medical records, legal documents and other frequently produced semi-technical documents. This is accomplished by generating an intelligent computer-guided interview and the use of serialized scriptable objects. Major program elements include a knowledge base text file, a parse engine, and an execution module. The knowledge base uses a unique rule syntax. The parse engine converts the textual knowledge base file to a compiled binary representation which can then be interpreted by the execution module. The execution module leads the user through the interview by generating a series of questions and presents possible answers in the form of pick lists. The data is recorded with a computer pen and collated into a document file. This file is coded in binary format and can be written to and recalled from disk. If the file is recalled from disk the user can continue to answer questions or change answers previously given. The result is a mobile computing system whereby data is input in a structured format. When the program is executed the user is prompted for answers to questions and, based upon the user's response, the final document can change considerably. Depending upon each answer, the program may change the subsequent questions being asked, change the list associated with a question, change the text being generated, or change the entire structure of the document. The data collected may be also be stored in a database for analysis at a later date. Finally, the data collected is output in a narrative text format which can be tailored according to the traditions and expectations of the user's profession. The program will output the text via a printer or it can be transmitted via electronic means.

Described are implantable devices and methods for treating various disorders of the pelvic floor by means of electrical stimulation of the pudendal and sacral nerves, or portions thereof, and optional means for delivering drugs in association therewith. Two or more electrical stimulation regimes are applied on a continuous, alternating, intermittent or other basis to the sacral and pudendal nerves, and optionally one or more drugs are infused, injected or otherwise administered, to appropriate portions of a patient's pelvic floor and pudendal nerve and/or sacral nerve, or portions thereof, in an amount and manner effective to treat a number of disorders, including, but not limited to, urinary and/or fecal voiding dysfunctions such as constipation, incontinence disorders such as urge frequency and urinary retention disorders, sexual dysfunctions such as orgasmic and erectile dysfunction, pelvic pain, prostatitis, prostatalgia and prostatodynia.

A method for providing insurance coverage to a subscriber comprises offering an insurance policy to said subscriber wherein said insurance policy comprises providing allowances to pay for one or more expenses covered by said insurance policy and providing monetary credits to said subscriber for any unused portion of a given allowance where said monetary credits can be used to cover the cost of a subsequent allowed expense. The insurance policy may be a pharmacy benefits plan. The covered expenses may be pharmacy expenses. The allowed expenses may be medical expenses which qualify under section 213 of the US Internal Revenue code for payment by an employer without said subscriber having to declare said payment as taxable income.

The evolution of a skin condition over time can be useful in its assessment. In an illustrative arrangement, a user captures skin images at different times, using a smartphone. The images are co-registered, color-corrected, and presented to the user (or a clinician) for review, e.g., in a temporal sequence, or as one image presented as a ghosted overlay atop another. Image registration can employ nevi, hair follicles, wrinkles, pores, and pigmented regions as keypoints. With some imaging spectra, keypoints from below the outermost layer of skin can be used. Hair may be removed for image registration, and restored for image review. Transformations in addition to rotation and affine transforms can be employed. Diagnostic correlations with reference image sequences can be made, employing machine learning in some instances. A great variety of other features and arrangements are also detailed.

Described are implantable devices and methods for treating various disorders of the pelvic floor by means of electrical stimulation of the pudendal or other nerves, and optional means for delivering drugs in association therewith. A method of precisely positioning and implanting a medical electrical lead so as to provide optimal stimulation of the pudendal nerve or a portion thereof is also described. Placement of a stimulation lead next to or on the pudendal nerve may be performed using conventional prior art techniques through gross anatomical positioning, but usually does not result in truly optimal lead placement. One method of the present invention utilizes neurophysiological monitoring to assess the evoked responses of the pudendal nerve, and thereby provide a method for determining the optimal stimulation site. Additionally, one or more electrical stimulation signals are applied, and optionally one or more drugs are infused, injected or otherwise administered, to appropriate portions of a patient's pelvic floor and pudendal nerve or portions thereof in an amount and manner effective to treat a number of disorders, including, but not limited to, urinary and/or fecal voiding dysfunctions such as constipation, incontinence disorders such as urge frequency and urinary retention disorders, sexual dysfunctions such as orgasmic and erectile dysfunction, pelvic pain, prostatitis, prostatalgia and prostatodynia.

A system and method for the efficient administration of health care plans, particularly as to the reduction and/or elimination of avoidable medical costs for select individuals who participate in the plan, is disclosed. Existing health care data is processed to determine an indication as to the relative desirability of an intervention in a plan participant's health care regimen. The data is also processed to determine the status of one or more flags, each of which potentially indicates the relative desirability of an intervention in a plan participant's health care regimen. A predictive model is used to determine the status of a flag relating to the likelihood of an insurance plan participant making a disability claim within a certain period of time. The information relating to desirability of an intervention in a plan participant's health care regimen, as well as a plan participant's medical information and claim history, is presented to case managers and/or health care providers in a user-friendly format

The present invention is directed to a portable monitor for use by elderly/infirm individuals that desires a significant degree of independence but recognizes that their ability to handle many situations by themselves is or will become substantially attenuated. In one embodiment, the portable monitor includes: (a) a sensor system that receives data reflecting environmental and personal aspects associated with the monitored individual from various sensors, (b) a user interface that allows the monitored individual to interact with the monitor; (c) a communication interface that provides for the ability to communicate with a third party if the monitored individual is or is likely to enter into a situation in which assistance is likely needed; and (d) a processing system for processes data produced by sensor system and data input from the user interface to determine if the monitored individual is in a situation or likely is in a situation in which assistance is likely needed.

A user interface for a computer-implemented Multi-Planar Reformatting (MPR) system comprises three display areas in which are displayed three orthogonal MPR images of the volume data set; a curve drawing tool to allow a user to define a curve through the volume data set; six selectable icons each representing one of six possible combinations of a plane parallel to one of the orthogonal MPR images and a direction substantially normal to a plane parallel to one of the other two MPR images, using which the user selects an approximate direction for the curve; and a fourth display area displaying a curve-related MPR image related to one or more points along the curve. The icons may be individually selectable to allow user input of adequate orientational information for a curved MPR image, or selectable in pairs for input of directional information for a cross-curve MPR image. Alternatively, three icons may be provided for a cross-curve MPR system. A tool to allow rotation of a curved MPR image about the curve can be provided, as can visual indicators of the depth of the curve within the volume, and of the orientation of the cross-curve image.

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to a system and method for increasing medication adherence rates. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention relate to a system and method for decreasing global health care costs by monitoring, reminding, and facilitating medication adherence utilizing mobile communication devices. In one embodiment, a method of increasing medication adherence rates comprises: enabling a user to download an application to a mobile device via a network, the application comprising a set of instructions for permitting a user to access: a medication reminder means for providing a reminder to the user to follow prescribed instructions regarding medication; and an adherence tracking means for tracking the user's compliance with the prescribed instructions; and receiving data from the mobile device at a remote server via the network, the data comprising information from the medication reminder means and the adherence tracking means.

A healthcare tool allows a patient to record daily parameters associated with the patient's clinical status, for example, body weight for congestive heart failure patients. A graph may be created showing the parameters on a control chart. The parameters are statistically analyzed against a control range, and when a parameter moves out of the control range, the system automatically creates a pop-up window alerting the patient that the parameter is outside the control range, and that the patient should consider informing a healthcare professional.

Hemodialysis systems and methods with streamlined blood flow paths are provided. Such streamlined blood flow paths facilitate flow without undue damage to circulating cells.

A lightweight concrete composition containing from 10 to 90 volume percent of a cement composition, from 10 to 90 volume percent of particles having an average particle diameter of from 0.2 mm to 8 mm, a bulk density of from 0.03 g/cc to 0.64 g/cc, an aspect ratio of from 1 to 3, and from 0 to 50 volume percent of aggregate, where the particles contain an antimicrobial agent; where the sum of components used does not exceed 100 volume percent, and where after the lightweight concrete composition is set it has a compressive strength of at least 1700 psi as tested according to ASTM C39 after seven days. The concrete composition can be used to make concrete masonry units, construction panels, dining tables, counter surfaces, bench tops, and/or examination tables as well as other articles.

Methods for enhancing blood and lymph flow in the extremities of a human subject are disclosed. In one aspect, the methods rely on a stimulus effective to displace the skin of a plantar or palmer surface of the subject, thereby enhancing blood and lymph flow in the extremity associated with the stimulated plantar or palmer surface. In another aspect, the methods rely on an electrical stimulus to directly stimulate cutaneous receptors in a plantar or palmer surface of the subject, thereby enhancing blood and lymph flow in the extremity associated with the stimulated cutaneous receptors. Apparatus for enhancing blood and lymph flow in the extremities of a human subject according to the methods of the present invention are also disclosed.

A method for motivating a user including the steps of providing a device with an image capturing feature; capturing an image of the user with the image capturing feature; transmitting the captured image to an identity verification device; comparing biometric data from the image to a biometric profile provided by the user; generating a motivational image of the user with a processing device, the motivational image being produced from an acquired image of the user, the acquired image depicting at least one feature of the user; and displaying the motivational image from the processing device in substantially real time to the user; wherein the motivational image exclusively depicts a real image of the user having enhanced dimensions for the at least one feature.

Systems and methods for measuring saliva sodium concentration using a chromatographic reaction enable rapid-results, low-cost diagnosis of various medical conditions in an outpatient setting. In one embodiment, measured patient saliva sodium concentration is used by the patient or the patient's healthcare provider to guide medical decision making. In another embodiment, measured patient saliva sodium concentration is processed to mechanically adjust the concentration of sodium in an aqueous solution to be delivered to the patient for oral administration. In yet another embodiment, a closed loop system measures saliva sodium concentration and uses any of a number of different types of feedback control systems to monitor and control the fluid and/or electrolyte state of the patient.

DNA-based methods employing amplification primers or probes for detecting, identifying, and quantifying in a test sample DNA from (i) any bacterium, (ii) the species Streptococcus agalactiae, Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Enterococcus faecium, Neisseria meningitidis, Listeria monocytogenes and Candida albicans, and (iii) any species of the genera Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, Enterococcus, Neisseria and Candida are disclosed. DNA-based methods employing amplification primers or probes for detecting, identifying, and quantifying in a test sample antibiotic resistance genes selected from the group consisting of blatem, blarob, blashv, blaoxa, blaZ, aadB, aacC1, aacC2, aacC3, aacA4, aac6'-lla, ermA, ermB, ermC, mecA, vanA, vanB, vanC, satA, aac(6')-aph(2''), aad(6'), vat, vga, msrA, sul and int are also disclosed. The above microbial species, genera and resistance genes are all clinically relevant and commonly encountered in a variety of clinical specimens. These DNA-based assays are rapid, accurate and can be used in clinical microbiology laboratories for routine diagnosis. These novel diagnostic tools should be useful to improve the speed and accuracy of diagnosis of microbial infections, thereby allowing more effective treatments. Diagnostic kits for (i) the universal detection and quantification of bacteria, and/or (ii) the detection, identification and quantification of the above-mentioned bacterial and fungal species and/or genera, and/or (iii) the detection, identification and quantification of the above-mentioned antibiotic resistance genes are also claimed.