Internet-based gynecologic telecytology with remote automated image selection: results of a first-phase developmental trial.

A retrospective set of 191 gynecologic cytology slides with reference interpretations was run on an automated screening device that selects fields of view (FOVs) based on a hierarchical probability of abnormality being present. An interface was developed between the device and a remote server using customized image review software. FOVs were reviewed by 3 cytotechnologists and 3 cytopathologists, and binary triage (unsatisfactory for evaluation/negative for intraepithelial lesion or malignancy [NILM] vs "abnormal" [neither unsatisfactory nor NILM]) and specific interpretations were done. No morphologic training before FOV review was provided. Three or more reviewers agreed on the correct categorization of NILM/unsatisfactory in 89% (85/96) and abnormal in 83% (79/95). Three or more reviewers triaged cases to abnormal as follows: atypical squamous cells of uncertain significance, 83% (5/6); atypical squamous cells, cannot exclude high-grade lesion, 100% (3/3); low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL), 83% (52/63); high-grade SIL, 94% (17/18); and atypical glandular cells, 40% (2/5). This procedure may have comparable sensitivity and specificity and possibly could provide effective initial triage to further evaluation. A review of individual cases suggests that further accuracy can be achieved with additional training and experience.

A web-based system for home monitoring of patients with Parkinson's disease using wearable sensors.

This letter introduces MercuryLive, a platform to enable home monitoring of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) using wearable sensors. MercuryLive contains three tiers: a resource-aware data collection engine that relies upon wearable sensors, web services for live streaming and storage of sensor data, and a web-based graphical user interface client with video conferencing capability. Besides, the platform has the capability of analyzing sensor (i.e., accelerometer) data to reliably estimate clinical scores capturing the severity of tremor, bradykinesia, and dyskinesia. Testing results showed an average data latency of less than 400 ms and video latency of about 200 ms with video frame rate of about 13 frames/s when 800 kb/s of bandwidth were available and we used a 40% video compression, and data feature upload requiring 1 min of extra time following a 10 min interactive session. These results indicate that the proposed platform is suitable to monitor patients with PD to facilitate the titration of medications in the late stages of the disease.