@article {1266, title = {From paper maps to digital maps: enhancing routine immunisation microplanning in Northern Nigeria.}, journal = {BMJ Glob Health}, volume = {4}, year = {2019}, month = {2019}, pages = {e001606}, abstract = {

Geographical information systems (GIS) can be effective decision-support tools. In this paper, we detail a GIS approach implemented by the Bauchi and Sokoto state primary healthcare development agencies in Nigeria to generate and convert routine immunisation (RI) paper maps to digital maps for microplanning. The process involved three stages: primary and secondary data collection and reconciliation, geospatial data processing and analysis, and production and validation of maps. The data collection and reconciliation stage identified a number of challenges with secondary data sources, including the need to standardise and reconcile health facility and settlement names. The study team was unable to apply population estimates generated from the Global Polio Eradication Initiative to RI planning because operational boundaries for polio activities are defined differently from RI activities. Application of open-source GIS software enabled the combination of multiple datasets and analysis of geospatial data to calculate catchment areas for primary health centres (PHCs) and assign vaccination strategies to communities. The activity resulted in the development of PHC catchment area digital maps, and captured next steps and lessons learnt for RI microplanning in the two states. While the digital maps provided input into the microplanning process, more work is needed to build capacity, standardise processes and ensure the quality of data used to generate the maps. RI service providers and communities must be engaged in the process to validate, understand the data, the contextual factors that influence decisions about which vaccination strategies RI microplans include and how resources are allocated.

}, issn = {2059-7908}, doi = {10.1136/bmjgh-2019-001606}, author = {Dougherty, Leanne and Abdulkarim, Masduq and Mikailu, Fiyidi and Tijani, Usman and Owolabi, Kazeem and Gilroy, Kate and Naiya, Ahmed and Abdullahi, Adamu and Bodinga, Hadiza and Olayinka, Folake and Moise, Imelda} } @article {1150, title = {Free and open-source automated 3-D microscope.}, journal = {J Microsc}, year = {2016}, month = {2016 Aug 29}, abstract = {

Open-source technology not only has facilitated the expansion of the greater research community, but by lowering costs it has encouraged innovation and customizable design. The field of automated microscopy has continued to be a challenge in accessibility due the expense and inflexible, noninterchangeable stages. This paper presents a low-cost, open-source microscope 3-D stage. A RepRap 3-D printer was converted to an optical microscope equipped with a customized, 3-D printed holder for a USB microscope. Precision measurements were determined to have an average error of 10 μm at the maximum speed and 27 μm at the minimum recorded speed. Accuracy tests yielded an error of 0.15\%. The machine is a true 3-D stage and thus able to operate with USB microscopes or conventional desktop microscopes. It is larger than all commercial alternatives, and is thus capable of high-depth images over unprecedented areas and complex geometries. The repeatability is below 2-D microscope stages, but testing shows that it is adequate for the majority of scientific applications. The open-source microscope stage costs less than 3-9\% of the closest proprietary commercial stages. This extreme affordability vastly improves accessibility for 3-D microscopy throughout the world.

}, issn = {1365-2818}, doi = {10.1111/jmi.12433}, author = {Wijnen, Bas and Petersen, Emily E and Hunt, Emily J and Pearce, Joshua M} } @article {1136, title = {Full body musculoskeletal model for muscle-driven simulation of human gait.}, journal = {IEEE Trans Biomed Eng}, year = {2016}, month = {2016 Jul 7}, abstract = {

OBJECTIVE: Musculoskeletal models provide a noninvasive means to study human movement and predict the effects of interventions on gait. Our goal was to create an open-source, three-dimensional musculoskeletal model with high-fidelity representations of the lower limb musculature of healthy young individuals that can be used to generate accurate simulations of gait.

METHODS: Our model includes bony geometry for the full body, 37 degrees of freedom to define joint kinematics, Hill-type models of 80 muscle-tendon units actuating the lower limbs, and 17 ideal torque actuators driving the upper body. The model{\textquoteright}s musculotendon parameters are derived from previous anatomical measurements of 21 cadaver specimens and magnetic resonance images of 24 young healthy subjects. We tested the model by evaluating its computational time and accuracy of simulations of healthy walking and running.

RESULTS: Generating muscle-driven simulations of normal walking and running took approximately 10 minutes on a typical desktop computer. The differences between our muscle-generated and inverse dynamics joint moments were within 3\% (RMSE) of the peak inverse dynamics joint moments in both walking and running, and our simulated muscle activity showed qualitative agreement with salient features from experimental electromyography data.

CONCLUSION: These results suggest that our model is suitable for generating muscle-driven simulations of healthy gait. We encourage other researchers to further validate and apply the model to study other motions of the lower-extremity.

SIGNIFICANCE: The model is implemented in the open source software platform OpenSim. The model and data used to create and test the simulations are freely available at https://simtk.org/home/full_body/, allowing others to reproduce these results and create their own simulations.

}, issn = {1558-2531}, doi = {10.1109/TBME.2016.2586891}, author = {Rajagopal, Apoorva and Dembia, Christopher and DeMers, Matthew and Delp, Denny and Hicks, Jennifer and Delp, Scott} } @article {1023, title = {A framework for integration of heterogeneous medical imaging networks.}, journal = {Open Med Inform J}, volume = {8}, year = {2014}, month = {2014}, pages = {20-32}, abstract = {

Medical imaging is increasing its importance in matters of medical diagnosis and in treatment support. Much is due to computers that have revolutionized medical imaging not only in acquisition process but also in the way it is visualized, stored, exchanged and managed. Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS) is an example of how medical imaging takes advantage of computers. To solve problems of interoperability of PACS and medical imaging equipment, the Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) standard was defined and widely implemented in current solutions. More recently, the need to exchange medical data between distinct institutions resulted in Integrating the Healthcare Enterprise (IHE) initiative that contains a content profile especially conceived for medical imaging exchange: Cross Enterprise Document Sharing for imaging (XDS-i). Moreover, due to application requirements, many solutions developed private networks to support their services. For instance, some applications support enhanced query and retrieve over DICOM objects metadata. This paper proposes anintegration framework to medical imaging networks that provides protocols interoperability and data federation services. It is an extensible plugin system that supports standard approaches (DICOM and XDS-I), but is also capable of supporting private protocols. The framework is being used in the Dicoogle Open Source PACS.

}, issn = {1874-4311}, doi = {10.2174/1874431101408010020}, author = {Viana-Ferreira, Carlos and Ribeiro, Lu{\'\i}s S and Costa, Carlos} } @article {954, title = {Free/Libre open source software in health care: a review.}, journal = {Healthc Inform Res}, volume = {20}, year = {2014}, month = {2014 Jan}, pages = {11-22}, abstract = {

OBJECTIVES: To assess the current state of the art and the contribution of Free/Libre Open Source Software in health care (FLOSS-HC).

METHODS: The review is based on a narrative review of the scientific literature as well as sources in the context of FLOSS-HC available through the Internet. All relevant available sources have been integrated into the MedFLOSS database and are freely available to the community.

RESULTS: The literature review reveals that publications about FLOSS-HC are scarce. The largest part of information about FLOSS-HC is available on dedicated websites and not in the academic literature. There are currently FLOSS alternatives available for nearly every specialty in health care. Maturity and quality varies considerably and there is little information available on the percentage of systems that are actually used in health care delivery.

CONCLUSIONS: The global impact of FLOSS-HC is still very limited and no figures on the penetration and usage of FLOSS-HC are available. However, there has been a considerable growth in the last 5 to 10 years. While there where only few systems available a decade ago, in the meantime many systems got available (e.g., more than 300 in the MedFLOSS database). While FLOSS concepts play an important role in most IT related sectors (e.g., telecommunications, embedded devices) the healthcare industry is lagging behind this trend.

}, issn = {2093-3681}, doi = {10.4258/hir.2014.20.1.11}, author = {Karopka, Thomas and Schmuhl, Holger and Demski, Hans} } @article {891, title = {Fundus image diagnostic agreement in uveitis utilizing free and open source software.}, journal = {Can J Ophthalmol}, volume = {48}, year = {2013}, month = {2013 Aug}, pages = {227-34}, abstract = {

OBJECTIVE: To assess the adequacy of image agreement regarding uveitis based on color fundus and fluorescein angiography images alone, and to use free and open source applications to conduct an image agreement study.

DESIGN: Cross-sectional agreement study.

PARTICIPANTS: Baseline fundus and fluorescein images of patients with panuveitis, posterior, or intermediate uveitis enrolled in the Multi-center Uveitis Steroid Treatment (MUST) trial.

METHODS: Three fellowship-trained specialists in uveitis independently reviewed patient images using ClearCanvas{\texttrademark} and responded using Epi Info{\texttrademark}. The diagnoses of the 3 reviewers were compared with the MUST clinician as a gold standard. A rank transformation adjusted for the possible variation in number of responses per patient. Chance-corrected interobserver agreement among the 3 reviewers was estimated with the ι coefficient. Confidence interval (CI) and SE were bootstrapped.

RESULTS: Agreement between the diagnoses of the respondents and the baseline MUST clinician{\textquoteright}s diagnosis was poor across all diagnostic categories, ι = 0.09 (95\% CI, 0.07-0.11). The agreement among respondents alone also was poor, ι = 0.11 {\textpm} 0.02 (95\% CI, 0.08-0.13). The specialists requested more patient historical and clinical information to make a diagnosis on all patients.

CONCLUSIONS: The role in distinguishing the multiple conditions in uveitis appears to be limited when based on fundus imaging alone. Future studies should investigate different categories of clinical data to supplement image data. Freely available applications have excellent utility in ophthalmic imaging agreement studies.

}, issn = {0008-4182}, doi = {10.1016/j.jcjo.2013.02.010}, author = {Hsieh, Jane and Honda, Andrea F and Su{\'a}rez-Fari{\~n}as, Mayte and Samson, C Michael and Kedhar, Sanjay and Mauro, John and Francis, Jasmine and Badamo, Jason and Diaz, Vicente A and Kempen, John H and Latkany, Paul A} } @article {799, title = {A framework for mapping, visualisation and automatic model creation of signal-transduction networks.}, journal = {Mol Syst Biol}, volume = {8}, year = {2012}, month = {2012}, pages = {578}, abstract = {Intracellular signalling systems are highly complex. This complexity makes handling, analysis and visualisation of available knowledge a major challenge in current signalling research. Here, we present a novel framework for mapping signal-transduction networks that avoids the combinatorial explosion by breaking down the network in reaction and contingency information. It provides two new visualisation methods and automatic export to mathematical models. We use this framework to compile the presently most comprehensive map of the yeast MAP kinase network. Our method improves previous strategies by combining (I) more concise mapping adapted to empirical data, (II) individual referencing for each piece of information, (III) visualisation without simplifications or added uncertainty, (IV) automatic visualisation in multiple formats, (V) automatic export to mathematical models and (VI) compatibility with established formats. The framework is supported by an open source software tool that facilitates integration of the three levels of network analysis: definition, visualisation and mathematical modelling. The framework is species independent and we expect that it will have wider impact in signalling research on any system.}, issn = {1744-4292}, doi = {10.1038/msb.2012.12}, author = {Tiger, Carl-Fredrik and Krause, Falko and Cedersund, Gunnar and Palm{\'e}r, Robert and Klipp, Edda and Hohmann, Stefan and Kitano, Hiroaki and Krantz, Marcus} } @article {815, title = {Free and open-source software application for the evaluation of coronary computed tomography angiography images.}, journal = {Arq Bras Cardiol}, year = {2012}, month = {2012 Oct 2}, abstract = {BACKGROUND: The standardization of images used in Medicine in 1993 was performed using the DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine) standard. Several tests use this standard and it is increasingly necessary to design software applications capable of handling this type of image; however, these software applications are not usually free and open-source, and this fact hinders their adjustment to most diverse interests. OBJECTIVE: To develop and validate a free and open-source software application capable of handling DICOM coronary computed tomography angiography images. METHODS: We developed and tested the ImageLab software in the evaluation of 100 tests randomly selected from a database. We carried out 600 tests divided between two observers using ImageLab and another software sold with Philips Brilliance computed tomography appliances in the evaluation of coronary lesions and plaques around the left main coronary artery (LMCA) and the anterior descending artery (ADA). To evaluate intraobserver, interobserver and intersoftware agreements, we used simple and kappa statistics agreements. RESULTS: The agreements observed between software applications were generally classified as substantial or almost perfect in most comparisons. CONCLUSION: The ImageLab software agreed with the Philips software in the evaluation of coronary computed tomography angiography tests, especially in patients without lesions, with lesions < 50\% in the LMCA and < 70\% in the ADA. The agreement for lesions > 70\% in the ADA was lower, but this is also observed when the anatomical reference standard is used.}, issn = {1678-4170}, author = {Hadlich, Marcelo Souza and Oliveira, Gl{\'a}ucia Maria Moraes and Feij{\'o}o, Ra{\'u}l A and Azevedo, Clerio F and Tura, Bernardo Rangel and Ziemer, Paulo Gustavo Portela and Blanco, Pablo Javier and Pina, Gustavo and Meira, M{\'a}rcio and Souza E Silva, Nelson Albuquerque de} } @article {589, title = {FieldTrip: Open source software for advanced analysis of MEG, EEG, and invasive electrophysiological data.}, journal = {Computational intelligence and neuroscience}, volume = {2011}, year = {2011}, month = {2011}, pages = {156869}, abstract = {This paper describes FieldTrip, an open source software package that we developed for the analysis of MEG, EEG, and other electrophysiological data. The software is implemented as a MATLAB toolbox and includes a complete set of consistent and user-friendly high-level functions that allow experimental neuroscientists to analyze experimental data. It includes algorithms for simple and advanced analysis, such as time-frequency analysis using multitapers, source reconstruction using dipoles, distributed sources and beamformers, connectivity analysis, and nonparametric statistical permutation tests at the channel and source level. The implementation as toolbox allows the user to perform elaborate and structured analyses of large data sets using the MATLAB command line and batch scripting. Furthermore, users and developers can easily extend the functionality and implement new algorithms. The modular design facilitates the reuse in other software packages.}, keywords = {Electroencephalography, Electrophysiological Phenomena, Humans, Magnetoencephalography, Numerical Analysis, Computer-Assisted, Software, User-Computer Interface}, issn = {1687-5273}, author = {Oostenveld, Robert and Fries, Pascal and Maris, Eric and Schoffelen, Jan-Mathijs} } @article {597, title = {Forward field computation with OpenMEEG.}, journal = {Computational intelligence and neuroscience}, volume = {2011}, year = {2011}, month = {2011}, pages = {923703}, abstract = {To recover the sources giving rise to electro- and magnetoencephalography in individual measurements, realistic physiological modeling is required, and accurate numerical solutions must be computed. We present OpenMEEG, which solves the electromagnetic forward problem in the quasistatic regime, for head models with piecewise constant conductivity. The core of OpenMEEG consists of the symmetric Boundary Element Method, which is based on an extended Green Representation theorem. OpenMEEG is able to provide lead fields for four different electromagnetic forward problems: Electroencephalography (EEG), Magnetoencephalography (MEG), Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT), and intracranial electric potentials (IPs). OpenMEEG is open source and multiplatform. It can be used from Python and Matlab in conjunction with toolboxes that solve the inverse problem; its integration within FieldTrip is operational since release 2.0.}, issn = {1687-5273}, author = {Gramfort, Alexandre and Papadopoulo, Th{\'e}odore and Olivi, Emmanuel and Clerc, Maureen} } @article {1039, title = {The future of telepathology for the developing world.}, journal = {Arch Pathol Lab Med}, volume = {135}, year = {2011}, month = {2011 Feb}, pages = {211-4}, abstract = {

Physician shortages are acute in developing countries, where disease burden is the greatest and resources for health care are very limited. A lack of pathologists in these countries has lead to delays in diagnosis and misdiagnoses that adversely affect patient care and survival. The introduction of telepathology into countries with limited resources for health care is but one of multiple approaches that can be used to alleviate the problem. Telepathology is the electronic transmission of digital images that can be used for education and diagnostic consultation. A basic system consists of a microscope with a mounted digital camera linked to a computer. The ability to produce histologic slides, to repair and maintain equipment, and to provide training are also needed for the successful use of this technology. iPath is a Web-based, open platform, software application which was developed at the University of Basel, Switzerland, for telepathology and which brings together pathologists from around the world to provide telepathology support for diagnostic consultation and provides education to centers with limited resources. The use of virtual-slide technology to provide a digital image of an entire glass slide is another technology for diagnostic consultation and pathology education. This technology requires more costly resources to support it, which may limit its utility in many areas. Telepathology can generate collections of digital images and virtual slides needed for training indigenous pathologists in their countries to become self-sufficient. Thus, the long-term goal of this technology is to improve patient care and survival.

}, keywords = {Developing Countries, Humans, Pathology, Clinical, Software, telepathology}, issn = {1543-2165}, doi = {10.1043/1543-2165-135.2.211}, author = {Hitchcock, Charles L} } @article {1046, title = {Facilitating secondary use of medical data by using openEHR archetypes.}, journal = {Stud Health Technol Inform}, volume = {160}, year = {2010}, month = {2010}, pages = {1117-21}, abstract = {

Clinical trials are of high importance for medical progress. But even though more and more clinical data is available in electronic patient records (EPRs) and more and more electronic data capture (EDC) systems are used in trials, there is still a gap which makes EPR / EDC interoperability difficult and hampers secondary use of medical routine data. The openEHR architecture for Electronic Health Records is based on a two level modeling approach which makes use of {\textquoteright}archetypes{\textquoteright}. We want to analyze whether archetypes can help to bridge this gap by building an integrated EPR / EDC system based on openEHR archetypes. We used the {\textquoteright}openEHR Reference Framework and Application{\textquoteright} (Opereffa) and existing archetypes for medical data. Furthermore, we developed dedicated archetypes to document study meta data. We developed a first prototype implementation of an archetype based integrated EPR / EDC system. Next steps will be the evaluation of an extended prototype in a real clinical trial scenario. Opereffa was a good starting point for our work. OpenEHR archetypes proved useful for secondary use of health data.

}, keywords = {Clinical Trials as Topic, Feasibility Studies, Humans, Medical Record Linkage, Medical Records Systems, Computerized, Semantics, Systems Integration}, issn = {0926-9630}, author = {Kohl, Christian D and Garde, Sebastian and Knaup, Petra} } @article {901, title = {Free as in freedom: open source software{\textquoteright}s role in remaking healthcare in the twenty-first century.}, journal = {Annals of health law / Loyola University Chicago, School of Law, Institute for Health Law}, volume = {19}, year = {2010}, pages = {259{\textendash}263}, url = {http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-79959513549\&partnerID=40\&md5=d95a66f5d3c54586adda1675dda72e1a}, author = {Loiterman, J} } @article {20974022, title = {Functionalities of free and open electronic health record systems.}, journal = {International journal of technology assessment in health care}, volume = {26}, year = {2010}, month = {2010 Oct}, pages = {382-9}, abstract = {Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine open-source electronic health record (EHR) software to determine their level of functionalities according to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards.Methods: ISO standards were used as a guideline to determine and describe the reference architecture and functionalities of a standard electronic health record system as well the environmental context for which the software has been built. Twelve open-source EHR systems were selected and evaluated according to two-dimensional criteria based on ISO/TS 18308:2004 functional requirements and ISO/TR 20514:2005 context of the EHR system.Results: Open EHR software programs mostly fulfill structural, procedural, evolutional, and medicolegal requirements at the minimal and full functionality levels. Communication, privacy, and security requirements are accomplished in less than 23 percent of the cases, mainly at minimal functional level. Ethical, cultural, and consumer requirements still need to be fulfilled by free and open-source EHR applications.Conclusions: Most analyzed systems had several functional limitations. Nevertheless, especially for clinicians and decision makers in developing countries, open-source EHR systems are an option. The limited functionalities are likely to become requirements for further releases of open-source EHR systems.}, author = {Flores Zuniga, Alejandro Enrique and Win, Khin Than and Susilo, Willy} } @conference {1083, title = {Free and Open Source in Healthcare: Enough Waste}, booktitle = {Proceedings of the 1st International Workshop on Open Source in European Health Care: The Time is Ripe (BIOSTEC 2009)}, year = {2009}, isbn = {978-989-8111-79-1}, doi = {10.5220/0001827800080017}, author = {Nuno Rua} } @article {19457798, title = {Free and open source software for the manipulation of digital images.}, journal = {AJR. American journal of roentgenology}, volume = {192}, year = {2009}, month = {2009 Jun}, pages = {W330-4}, abstract = {OBJECTIVE: Free and open source software is a type of software that is nearly as powerful as commercial software but is freely downloadable. This software can do almost everything that the expensive programs can. GIMP (gnu image manipulation program) is the free program that is comparable to Photoshop, and versions are available for Windows, Macintosh, and Linux platforms. This article briefly describes how GIMP can be installed and used to manipulate radiology images. CONCLUSION: It is no longer necessary to budget large amounts of money for high-quality software to achieve the goals of image processing and document creation because free and open source software is available for the user to download at will.}, author = {Solomon, Robert W} } @article {20124747, title = {Fundamental of medical image processing with personal computer system--Image processing of computed tomography with imageJ}, journal = {Nippon Hoshasen Gijutsu Gakkai zasshi}, volume = {65}, year = {2009}, month = {2009 Dec 20}, pages = {1680-2}, author = {Yamamoto, Shuji} } @article {547, title = {Free and Open Source Software in Healthcare 1.0}, year = {2008}, publisher = {American Medical Informatics Association Open Source Working Group}, type = {White Paper}, abstract = {The possible benefits of widespread adoption of Electronic Health Record/Electronic Medical Record (EHR/EMR) technologies are widely documented, yet progress is slow and few propose a viable mechanism to achieve shared goals. Multiple problems of cost, interoperability, vendor lock-in, standardization and longevity have been identified and have persisted. Even {\textquotedblleft}successes{\textquotedblright} have problems. While multiple initiatives and much money is spent on finding answers, Free/Open Source Software (FOSS) licensing holds promise for solving these problems or at least making them more tractable. Multiple deployments, novel applications, and multiple companies offering support appear to be occurring. Interoperability and connectivity may be an area of particular proliferation. By vendor and site self-report there are a substantial number of patient records, 3,959,065 in 898 non-Federal government sites and 24,442,000 patient records in 1607 Federal government sites that use FOSS or public domain software EHR/EMR{\textquoteright}s. To date, 232 Open Source titled works on various aspects are listed in PubMed. Local and national education is needed to ensure that equal attention be given to FOSS licensed EHR/EMR software.}, keywords = {Electronic Health Record, Electronic Medical Record, Free and Open Source}, url = {https://www.amia.org/files/Final-OS-WG\%20White\%20Paper_11_19_08_0.pdf}, author = {Ignacio Valdes} } @article {17700908, title = {Free and open source enabling technologies for patient-centric, guideline-based clinical decision support: a survey.}, journal = {Yearbook of medical informatics}, year = {2007}, month = {2007}, pages = {74-86}, abstract = {OBJECTIVES: Guideline-based clinical decision support is an emerging paradigm to help reduce error, lower cost, and improve quality in evidence-based medicine. The free and open source (FOS) approach is a promising alternative for delivering cost-effective information technology (IT) solutions in health care. In this paper, we survey the current FOS enabling technologies for patient-centric, guideline-based care, and discuss the current trends and future directions of their role in clinical decision support. METHODS: We searched PubMed, major biomedical informatics websites, and the web in general for papers and links related to FOS health care IT systems. We also relied on our background and knowledge for specific subtopics. We focused on the functionalities of guideline modeling tools, and briefly examined the supporting technologies for terminology, data exchange and electronic health record (EHR) standards. RESULTS: To effectively support patient-centric, guideline-based care, the computerized guidelines and protocols need to be integrated with existing clinical information systems or EHRs. Technologies that enable such integration should be accessible, interoperable, and scalable. A plethora of FOS tools and techniques for supporting different knowledge management and quality assurance tasks involved are available. Many challenges, however, remain in their implementation. CONCLUSIONS: There are active and growing trends of deploying FOS enabling technologies for integrating clinical guidelines, protocols, and pathways into the main care processes. The continuing development and maturation of such technologies are likely to make increasingly significant contributions to patient-centric, guideline-based clinical decision support.}, author = {Leong, T Y and Kaiser, K and Miksch, S} } @article {762, title = {A flexible registration framework for multimodal image data.}, journal = {Conf Proc IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc}, volume = {3}, year = {2004}, month = {2004}, pages = {1755-8}, abstract = {This paper describes a registration framework based on the insight segmentation and registration toolkit (ITK) which can be used for matching multimodal image data. Different target groups with individual needs and precognition are addressed. The framework offers tools for supporting different matching tasks in a clinical environment. A setup editor defines specific rigid or non rigid matching approaches and the appropriate parameters. Different metrics including a correlation metric, a difference metric and mutual information based metrics are available. Furthermore, a test series editor can be used to evaluate the selected setup. The evaluation results, which are expressed in statistical figures, trends and performance measures, can be visualized and used for an optimal adapted setup configuration. Tests for matching precision, quality and parameter adjustments are offered. For export and import of image data, the most frequently used file formats of clinical environments like DICOM and ANALYZE are supported. We demonstrate some registration examples which frequently occur in the neurosurgical routine of a University Hospital.}, issn = {1557-170X}, doi = {10.1109/IEMBS.2004.1403526}, author = {Dickhaus, H and Floca, R and Eisenmann, U and Metzner, R and Wirtz, C R} }