System and method for building and manipulating a centralized measurement value database

• US 20020186818A1
• Filed: 02/27/2002
• Published: 12/12/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/29/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: OsteoNet, Inc.
• Original Assignee: OsteoNet, Inc.
• Inventors: Lang, Philipp, Linder, Barry J., Steines, Daniel, Arnaud, Claude
• Application Number:
  US10/087,071
• Publication Number:
  US 20020186818A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 378/165
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/002 Monitoring the patient using a local or closed circuit, e.g. in a room or building A61B5/0017 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0022 Monitoring a patient using a global network, e.g. telephone networks, internet
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7264 Classification of physiological signals or data, e.g. using neural networks, statistical classifiers, expert systems or fuzzy systems neural networks per se G06N3/00; expert systems per se G06N5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4423 related to hygiene or sterilisation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/505 for diagnosis of bone
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/508 for non-human patients
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/563 involving image data transmission via a network
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/583 using calibration phantoms
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/10116 X-ray image
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/30036 Dental; Teeth
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/80 Analysis of captured images to determine intrinsic or extrinsic camera parameters, i.e. camera calibration
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/155 use of biometric patterns for forensic purposes
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/60 for patient-specific data, e.g. for electronic patient records
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/10 relating to drugs or medications, e.g. for ensuring correct administration to patients
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 30/20 for handling medical images, e.g. DICOM, HL7 or PACS
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 50/30 for calculating health indices; for individual health risk assessment
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 50/80 for detecting, monitoring or modelling epidemics or pandemics, e.g. flu

Abstract

A system and method for building and/or manipulating a centralized medical image quantitative information database aid in diagnosing diseases, identifying prevalence of diseases, and analyzing market penetration data and efficacy of different drugs. In one embodiment, the diseases are bone-related, such as osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. Subjects'"'"' medical images, personal and treatment information are obtained at information collection terminals, for example, at medical and/or dental facilities, and are transferred to a central database, either directly or through a system server. Quantitative information is derived from the medical images, and stored in a central database, associated with subjects'"'"' personal and treatment information. Authorized users, such as medical officials and/or pharmaceutical companies, can access the database, either directly or through the central server, to diagnose diseases and perform statistical analysis on the stored data. Decisions can be made regarding marketing of drugs for treating the diseases in question, based on analysis of efficacy, market penetration, and performance of competitive drugs.

Claims

1. A system for building a quantitative information database, said system comprising:

a computer program for deriving quantitative information from subjects'"'"' medical images,

a computer receiving database information, said database information comprising said subjects'"'"' medical images, obtained during routine medical or dental care, or said quantitative information derived from said subjects'"'"' medical images, and subjects'"'"' personal information, said personal information being selected from the group consisting of demographic information, geographic information, information on risk factors associated with one or more diseases, disease-related factors, and disease-preventive factors, and

a central database collecting data from at least two sources, storing the quantitative information, and associating the quantitative information with the subjects'"'"' personal information.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein said computer further receives subjects'"'"' treatment information comprising information regarding treatment that subjects are receiving for said one or more diseases.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein said central database is installed on said computer.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein said computer comprises a central system server.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein said computer comprises a plurality of connected computers.

6. The system according to claim 2, wherein said central database and said treatment information provide data on efficacy of one or more treatments or drugs being administered to said subjects.

7. The system according to claim 2, wherein said central database and said treatment information provide data on market penetration of one or more drugs being administered to said subjects.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein said computer receives said database information via a medium selected from the group consisting of a network, e-mail, a data storage medium, a scanner with text recognition software, and manual input.

9. The system according to claim 8, wherein when the medium is a network, the network is selected from the group consisting of the Internet, a local area network, and a network that is accessed via a remote connection.

10. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of information collection terminals, selected from the group consisting of a personal computer, a notebook computer, an embedded computer, a handheld computer, a personal digital assistant, and a pocket PC, for providing said database information.

11. The system according to claim 1, further comprising user access to said central database via a medium selected from the group consisting of the Internet, a local area network, a network accessed via a remote connection, e-mail, and a data storage medium.

12. The system according to claim 1, wherein the medical images are selected from the group consisting of medical x-rays, dental x-rays, computed radiographic images, digital radiographic images, ultrasound images, single x-ray absorptiometry scans, dual x-ray absorptiometry scans, CT scans, MRI scans, PET scans, and SPECT scans.

13. The system according to claim 1, wherein the computer further comprises a medical imaging apparatus for providing said medical images.

14. The system according to claim 13, wherein the medical imaging apparatus comprises a system selected from the group consisting of an x-ray apparatus, a computed radiography apparatus, a digital radiography apparatus, an ultrasound apparatus, a single x-ray absorptiometry apparatus, a dual x-ray absorptiometry apparatus, a CT scanner, an MRI apparatus, a PET scan apparatus, and a SPECT scan apparatus.

15. The system according to claim 14, wherein when the medical imaging apparatus is an x-ray apparatus, said x-ray apparatus is a dental x-ray apparatus.

16. The system according to claim 14, wherein when the medical imaging apparatus is an x-ray apparatus, said x-ray apparatus acquires images of skeletal areas selected from the group consisting of the hip joint, one or more vertebral bodies, forearm, upper arm, hand, wrist, lower leg, thigh, foot, ankle, knee joint, elbow joint, shoulder joint, ribs, cranium, mandible, or maxilla.

17. The system according to claim 1, wherein the quantitative information is selected from the group consisting of bone mass, bone mineral density, and bone structure information.

18. The system according to claim 2, wherein the central database further stores derived data points, calculated from the quantitative information and associated with the subjects'"'"' personal and treatment information.

19. The system according to claim 18, wherein the derived data points are selected from the group consisting of subjects'"'"' bone mass changes over time, subjects'"'"' bone density changes over time, and subjects'"'"' bone structure changes over time.

20. The system according to claim 19, wherein the derived data points indicate changes in dermatologic condition of said subjects over time.

21. The system according to claim 19, wherein the derived data points indicate changes in ophthalmic condition of said subjects over time.

22. The system according to claim 2, wherein subjects'"'"' medical images, and personal and treatment information are transferred in digital form to said computer.

23. The system according to claim 1, wherein when said subjects'"'"' personal information comprises demographic information, the demographic information comprises information selected from the group consisting of age, gender, race, address, area code, zip or postal code, city, county, state or province, and country.

24. The system according to claim 1, wherein said subjects'"'"' personal information comprises physical characteristic information.

25. The system according to claim 24, wherein the physical characteristic information comprises information selected from the group consisting of height and weight.

26. The system according to claim 1, wherein when said subjects'"'"' personal information comprises information on risk factors, the one or more diseases are bone-related diseases.

27. The system according to claim 26, wherein the bone-related disease is selected from the group consisting of osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and metabolic bone disease.

28. The system according to claim 2, wherein subjects'"'"' treatment information comprises drug and dosage information.

30. The method according to claim 29, further comprising receiving subjects'"'"' treatment information comprising information regarding treatment that subjects are receiving for said one or more diseases.

31. The method according to claim 30, further comprising providing data on efficacy of one or more treatments or drugs being administered to said subjects.

32. The method according to claim 30, further comprising providing data on market penetration of one or more drugs being administered to said subjects.

33. The method according to claim 29, wherein the medical images are selected from the group consisting of medical x-rays, dental x-rays, computed radiographic images, digital radiographic images, ultrasound images, single x-ray absorptiometry scans, dual x-ray absorptiometry scans, CT scans, MRI scans, PET scans, and SPECT scans.

34. The method according to claim 29, wherein the quantitative information is selected from the group consisting of bone mass, bone mineral density, and bone structure information.

35. The method according to claim 29, further comprising storing derived data points, calculated from the quantitative information and associated with the subjects'"'"' personal and treatment information.

36. The method according to claim 35, wherein the derived data points are selected from the group consisting of subjects'"'"' bone mass changes over time, subjects'"'"' bone density changes over time, and subjects'"'"' bone structures changes over time.

37. The method according to claim 35, wherein the derived data points indicate changes in dermatologic condition of said subjects over time.

38. The method according to claim 35, wherein the derived data points indicate changes in ophthalmic condition of said subjects over time.

40. The system according to claim 39, wherein said computer further receives subjects'"'"' treatment information comprising information regarding treatment that subjects are receiving for said one or more diseases.

41. The system according to claim 39, wherein said central database is installed on said computer.

42. The system according to claim 39, wherein said computer comprises a central system server.

43. The system according to claim 39, wherein said computer comprises a plurality of connected computers.

44. The system according to claim 40, wherein said central database and said treatment information provide data on efficacy of one or more treatments or drugs being administered to said subjects.

45. The system according to claim 40, wherein said central database and said treatment information provide data on market penetration of one or more drugs being administered to said subjects.

46. The system according to claim 39, wherein said computer receives'"'"' said database information via a medium selected from the group consisting of a network, e-mail, a data storage medium, a scanner with text recognition software, and manual input.

47. The system according to claim 46, wherein when the medium is a network, the network is selected from the group consisting of the Internet, a local area network, and a network that is accessed via a remote connection.

48. The system according to claim 39, further comprising a plurality of information collection terminals, selected from the group consisting of a personal computer, a notebook computer, an embedded computer, a handheld computer, a personal digital assistant, and a pocket PC, for providing said database information.

49. The system according to claim 39, further comprising user access to said central database via a medium selected from the group consisting of the Internet, a local area network, a network accessed via a remote connection, e-mail, and a data storage medium.

50. The system according to claim 39, wherein said medical tests are selected from the group consisting of liver tests, renal tests, tests for diabetes, EKGs, EEGs, heart disease tests, blood pressure tests, cholesterol tests, and tests for enzyme changes.

51. The system according to claim 39, wherein the central database further stores derived data points, calculated from the quantitative information and associated with the subjects'"'"' personal and treatment information.

52. The system according to claim 51, wherein the derived data points are selected from the group consisting of cholesterol changes over time, renal function changes over time, liver function changes over time, heart condition changes over time, blood sugar level changes over time, blood pressure changes over time, and enzyme changes over time.

53. The system according to claim 39, wherein subjects'"'"' medical test results, and personal and treatment information are transferred in digital form to said computer.

54. The system according to claim 39, wherein subjects'"'"' personal information comprises demographic information.

55. The system according to claim 54, wherein the demographic information comprises information selected from the group consisting of age, gender, race, address, area code, zip or postal code, city, county, state or province, and country.

56. The system according to claim 39, wherein subjects'"'"' personal information comprises physical characteristic information.

57. The system according to claim 56, wherein the physical characteristic information comprises information selected from the group consisting of height and weight.

58. The system according to claim 39, wherein subjects'"'"' personal information comprises risk factors for a predetermined group of diseases.

59. The system according to claim 58, wherein the predetermined group of diseases are selected from the group consisting of liver related diseases, kidney related diseases, and heart related diseases.

60. The system according to claim 39, wherein subjects'"'"' treatment information comprises drug and dosage information.

151. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least two sources are selected from the group consisting of healthcare provider offices and dental provider offices.

152. A method as claimed in claim 29, wherein the at least two sources are selected from the group consisting of healthcare provider offices and dental provider offices.

153. A system as claimed in claim 39, wherein the at least two sources are selected from the group consisting of healthcare provider offices and dental provider offices.

29. A method of building a quantitative information database, said method comprising:

receiving database information from at least two sources, said database information comprising subjects'"'"' medical images, obtained during routine medical or dental care, or quantitative information derived from said subjects'"'"' medical images, and subjects'"'"' personal information, said personal information being selected from the group consisting of demographic information, geographic information, information on risk factors associated with one or more diseases, disease-related factors, and disease-preventive factors,

wherein said receiving comprises either receiving said subjects'"'"' medical images and deriving quantitative information from said subjects'"'"' medical images, or receiving said quantitative information derived from said subjects'"'"' medical images,

storing the quantitative information; and

associating the quantitative information with the subjects'"'"' personal information in said database.

39. A system for building a quantitative information database, said system comprising:

a computer program for deriving quantitative information from subjects'"'"' medical tests,

a computer receiving database information, said database information comprising said subjects'"'"' medical tests, obtained during routine medical or dental care, or said quantitative information derived from said subjects'"'"' medical tests, and subjects'"'"' personal information, said personal information being selected from the group consisting of demographic information, geographic information, information on risk factors associated with one or more diseases, disease-related factors, and disease-preventive factors, and

a central database collecting data from at least two sources, storing the quantitative information, and associating the quantitative information with the subjects'"'"' personal information.

61. A method of building a quantitative information database, said method comprising:

receiving database information from at least two sources, said database information comprising subjects'"'"' medical tests, obtained during routine medical or dental care, or quantitative information derived from said subjects'"'"' medical tests, and subjects'"'"' personal information, said personal information being selected from the group consisting of demographic information, geographic information, information on risk factors associated with one or more diseases, disease-related factors, and disease-preventive factors,

wherein said receiving comprises either receiving said subjects'"'"' medical tests and deriving quantitative information from said subjects'"'"' medical tests, or receiving said quantitative information derived from said subjects'"'"' medical tests,

storing the quantitative information; and

associating the quantitative information with the subjects'"'"' personal information in said database.

62. The method according to claim 61, further comprising receiving subjects'"'"' treatment information comprising information regarding treatment that subjects are receiving for said one or more diseases.

63. The method according to claim 62, further comprising providing data on efficacy of one or more treatments or drugs being administered to said subjects.

64. The method according to claim 62, further comprising providing data on market penetration of one or more drugs being administered to said subjects.

65. The method according to claim 61, wherein the medical tests are selected from the group consisting of liver tests, renal tests, tests for diabetes, EKGs, EEGs, heart disease tests, blood pressure tests, cholesterol tests, and tests for enzyme changes.

66. The method according to claim 61, further comprising storing derived data points, calculated from the quantitative information and associated with the subjects'"'"' personal and treatment information.

67. The method according to claim 66, wherein the derived data points are selected from the group consisting of cholesterol changes over time, renal function changes over time, liver function changes over time, heart condition changes over time, blood sugar level changes over time, blood pressure changes over time, and enzyme changes over time.

69. The system according to claim 68, wherein said computer further receives subjects'"'"' treatment information comprising information regarding treatment that subjects are receiving for said one or more diseases.

70. The system according to claim 68, wherein said central database is installed on said computer.

71. The system according to claim 68, wherein said computer comprises a central system server.

72. The system according to claim 68, wherein said computer comprises a plurality of connected computers.

73. The system according to claim 69, wherein said central database and said treatment information provide data on efficacy of one or more treatments or drugs being administered to said subjects.

74. The system according to claim 69, wherein said central database and said treatment information provide data on market penetration of one or more drugs being administered to said subjects.

75. The system according to claim 68, wherein said computer receives said database information via a medium selected from the group consisting of a network, e-mail, a data storage medium, a scanner with text recognition software, and manual input.

76. The system according to claim 75, wherein when the medium is a network, the network is selected from the group consisting of the Internet, a local area network, and a network that is accessed via a remote connection.

77. The system according to claim 68, further comprising a plurality of information collection terminals, selected from the group consisting of a personal computer, a notebook computer, an embedded computer, a handheld computer, a personal digital assistant, and a pocket PC, for providing said database information.

78. The system according to claim 68, further comprising user access to said central database via a medium selected from the group consisting of the Internet, a local area network, a network accessed via a remote connection, e-mail, and a data storage medium.

79. The system according to claim 68, wherein the standard x-ray images are selected from the group consisting of dental x-ray images, and medical x-ray images.

80. The system according to claim 68, wherein said standard x-ray images include x-ray images of skeletal areas selected from the group consisting of the hip joint, one or more vertebral bodies, forearm, upper arm, hand, wrist, lower leg, thigh, foot, ankle, knee joint, elbow joint, shoulder joint, ribs, cranium, mandible, or maxilla.

81. The system according to claim 68, wherein the quantitative information is selected from the group consisting of bone mass, bone mineral density, and bone structure information.

82. The system according to claim 69, wherein the central database further stores derived data points, calculated from the quantitative information and associated with the subjects'"'"' personal and treatment information.

83. The system according to claim 82, wherein the derived data points are selected from the group consisting of subjects'"'"' bone mass changes over time, subjects'"'"' bone density changes over time, and subjects'"'"' bone structure changes over time.

84. The system according to claim 69, wherein subjects'"'"' medical data, and personal and treatment information are transferred in digital form to said separate computer.

85. The system according to claim 68, wherein, when the personal information comprises demographic information, the demographic information comprises information selected from the group consisting of age, gender, race, address, area code, zip or postal code, city, county, state or province, and country.

86. The system according to claim 68, wherein, when the personal information comprises physical characteristic information, the physical characteristic information comprises information selected from the group consisting of height and weight.

87. The system according to claim 68, wherein, when the personal information comprises risk factors for a predetermined group of diseases, the predetermined group of diseases are bone-related diseases.

88. The system according to claim 87, wherein the bone-related diseases are selected from the group consisting of osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and metabolic bone disease.

89. The system according to claim 69, wherein subjects'"'"' treatment information comprises drug and dosage information.

154. A method as claimed in claim 61, wherein the at least two sources are selected from the group consisting of healthcare provider offices and dental provider offices.

155. A system as claimed in claim 68, wherein the at least two sources are selected from the group consisting of healthcare provider offices and dental provider offices.

68. A system for building a quantitative information database, said system comprising:

a computer program for deriving quantitative information from subjects'"'"' standard x-ray images,

a computer receiving database information, said database information comprising said subjects'"'"' standard x-ray images or said quantitative information derived from said subjects'"'"' standard x-ray images, and personal information, said personal information being selected from the group consisting of demographic information, geographic information, information on risk factors associated with one or more diseases, disease-related factors, and disease-preventive factors, and

a central database collecting data from at least two sources, storing the quantitative information, and associating the quantitative information with the subjects'"'"' personal information.

90. A method of building a quantitative information database, said method comprising:

receiving database information from at least two sources, said database information comprising subjects'"'"' standard x-ray images, or quantitative information derived from said subjects'"'"' standard x-ray images, and subjects'"'"' personal information, said personal information being selected from the group consisting of demographic information, geographic information, information on risk factors associated with one or more diseases, disease-related factors, and disease-preventive factors,

wherein said receiving comprises receiving said subjects'"'"' standard x-ray images and deriving said quantitative information from said subjects'"'"' standard x-ray images, or receiving said quantitative information derived from said subjects'"'"' standard x-ray images,

storing the quantitative information; and

associating the quantitative information with the subjects'"'"' personal information in said database.

91. The method according to claim 90, further comprising receiving subjects'"'"' treatment information comprising information regarding treatment that subjects are receiving for said one or more diseases.

92. The method according to claim 91, further comprising providing data on efficacy of one or more treatments or drugs being administered to said subjects.

93. The method according to claim 91, further comprising providing data on market penetration of one or more drugs being administered to said subjects.

94. The method according to claim 90, wherein the standard x-ray images are selected from the group consisting of medical x-rays and dental x-rays.

95. The method according to claim 90, wherein the quantitative information is selected from the group consisting of bone mass, bone mineral density, and bone structure information.

96. The method according to claim 90, further comprising storing derived data points, calculated from the quantitative information and associated with the subjects'"'"' personal and treatment information.

97. The method according to claim 96, wherein the derived data points are selected from the group consisting of subjects'"'"' bone mass changes over time, subjects'"'"' bone density changes over time, and subjects'"'"' bone structures changes over time.

156. A method as claimed in claim 90, wherein the at least two sources are selected from the group consisting of healthcare provider offices and dental provider offices.

98. A method for determining a screening rate for diseases in a system, said system comprising:

a computer receiving database information comprising subjects'"'"' medical images or quantitative information derived from said medical images, and personal information; and

a central database storing the quantitative information, associating the quantitative information with geographic regions and with the subjects'"'"' personal information, wherein the method comprises;

correlating the geographic regions to census information to produce data in terms of a number of data points per unit of population in one or more of said geographic regions; and

correlating the number of data points to a number of screening tests performed per geographic region per unit of time for a predetermined disease or a group of diseases to produce said screening rate.

99. The method according to claim 98, further comprising receiving subjects'"'"' treatment information comprising information regarding treatment that subjects are receiving for said one or more diseases.

100. The method according to claim 99, further comprising providing data on efficacy of one or more treatments or drugs being administered to said subjects.

101. The method according to claim 99, further comprising providing data on market penetration of one or more drugs being administered to said subjects.

102. The method according to claim 98, wherein the medical images are selected from the group consisting of medical x-rays, dental x-rays, computed radiographic images, digital radiographic images, ultrasound images, single x-ray absorptiometry scans, dual x-ray absorptiometry scans, CT scans, MRI scans, PET scans, and SPECT scans.

103. The method according to claim 98, wherein the quantitative information is selected from the group consisting of bone mass, bone mineral density, and bone structure information.

104. The method according to claim 98, further comprising storing derived data points, calculated from the quantitative information and associated with the subjects'"'"' personal and treatment information.

105. The method according to claim 104, wherein the derived data points are selected from the group consisting of subjects'"'"' bone mass changes over time, subjects'"'"' bone density changes over time, and subjects'"'"' bone structure changes over time.

106. The method according to claim 104, wherein the derived data points indicate changes in dermatologic condition of said subjects over time.

107. The method according to claim 104, wherein the derived data points indicate changes in ophthalmic condition of said subjects over time.

108. A method for determining a screening rate for diseases in a system, said system comprising:

a computer receiving database information comprising subjects'"'"' medical tests, or quantitative data derived from said medical tests, and personal information, and

a central database storing the quantitative information, associating the quantitative information with geographic regions and with the subjects'"'"' personal information, wherein the method comprises;

correlating the geographic regions to census information to produce data in terms of a number of data points per unit of population in one or more of said geographic regions; and

correlating the number of data points to a number of screening tests performed per geographic region per unit of time for a predetermined disease or a group of diseases to produce said screening rate.

109. The method according to claim 108, further comprising receiving subjects'"'"' treatment information comprising information regarding treatment that subjects are receiving for said one or more diseases.

110. The method according to claim 109, further comprising providing data on efficacy of one or more treatments or drugs being administered to said subjects.

111. The method according to claim 109, further comprising providing data on market penetration of one or more drugs being administered to said subjects.

112. The method according to claim 108, wherein the medical tests are selected from the group consisting of liver tests, renal tests, tests for diabetes, EKGs, EEGs, heart disease tests, blood pressure tests, cholesterol tests, and tests for enzyme changes.

113. The method according to claim 108, further comprising storing derived data points, calculated from the quantitative information and associated with the subjects'"'"' personal and treatment information.

114. The method according to claim 113, wherein the derived data points are selected from the group consisting of cholesterol changes over time, renal function changes over time, liver function changes over time, heart condition changes over time, blood sugar level changes over time, blood pressure changes over time, and enzyme changes over time.

116. The method according to claim 115, wherein the stored database information is time-stamped.

117. The method according to claim 116, wherein the geographic information comprises information selected from the group consisting of address, area code, zip or postal code, city, county, state or province, and country of the subjects.

118. The method according to claim 117, wherein the method further comprises normalizing the market penetration data according to the subjects'"'"' personal information.

119. The method according to claim 118, wherein the personal information is selected from the group consisting of demographic information, physical characteristic information of said subjects, and risk factors for a predetermined group of diseases.

120. The system according to claim 115, wherein the medical images are selected from the group consisting of medical x-rays, dental x-rays, computed radiographic images, digital radiographic images, ultrasound images, single x-ray absorptiometry scans, dual x-ray absotptiometry scans, CT scans, MRI scans, PET scans, and SPECT scans.

122. The method according to claim 121, wherein the stored database information is time-stamped.

123. The method according to claim 122, wherein the geographic information comprises information selected from the group consisting of address, area code, zip or postal code, city, county, state or province, and country of the subjects.

124. The method according to claim 123, wherein the method further comprises normalizing the market penetration data according to the subjects'"'"' personal information.

125. The method according to claim 124, wherein the personal information is selected from the group consisting of demographic information, physical characteristic information of said subjects, and risk factors for a predetermined group of diseases.

126. The method according to claim 121, wherein the medical tests are selected from the group consisting of liver tests, renal tests, tests for diabetes, EKGs, EEGs, heart disease tests, blood pressure tests, cholesterol tests, and tests for enzyme changes.

128. The method according to claim 127, wherein the stored database information is time-stamped.

129. The method according to claim 128, wherein the geographic information comprises information selected from the group consisting of address, area code, zip or postal code, city, county, state or province, and country of the subjects.

130. The method according to claim 129, wherein the method further comprises normalizing the market penetration data according to the subjects'"'"' personal information.

131. The method according to claim 130, wherein the personal information is selected from the group consisting of demographic information, physical characteristic information of said subjects, and risk factors for a predetermined group of diseases.

132. The system according to claim 127, wherein the medical images are selected from the group consisting of medical x-rays, dental x-rays, computed radiographic images, digital radiographic images, ultrasound images, single x-ray absorptiometry scans, dual x-ray absorptiometry scans, CT scans, MRI scans, PET scans, and SPECT scans.

134. The method according to claim 133, wherein the stored database information is time-stamped.

135. The method according to claim 134, wherein the geographic information comprises information selected from the group consisting of address, area code, zip or postal code, city, county, state or province, and country of the subjects.

136. The method according to claim 135, wherein the method further comprises normalizing the market penetration data according to the subjects'"'"' personal information.

137. The method according to claim 136, wherein the personal information is selected from the group consisting of demographic information, physical characteristic information of said subjects, and risk factors for a predetermined group of diseases.

138. The method according to claim 133, wherein the medical tests are selected from the group consisting of liver tests, renal tests, tests for diabetes, EKGs, EEGs, heart disease tests, blood pressure tests, cholesterol tests, and tests for enzyme changes.

140. The method according to claim 139, wherein the method further comprises normalizing the derived data points by subjects'"'"' personal information.

141. The method according to claim 140, wherein the personal information is selected from the group consisting of demographic information, physical characteristic information, and risk factors for a predetermined group of diseases.

142. The system according to claim 139, wherein the medical images are selected from the group consisting of medical x-rays, dental x-rays, computed radiographic images, digital radiographic images, ultrasound images, single x-ray absorptiometry scans, dual x-ray absorptiometry scans, CT scans, MRI scans, PET scans, and SPECT scans.

143. The method according to claim 139, wherein the derived data points are selected from the group consisting of bone mass changes over time, bone mineral density changes over time, and bone structure change over time.

145. The method according to claim 144, wherein the method further comprises normalizing the derived data points by subjects'"'"' personal information.

146. The method according to claim 145, wherein the personal information is selected from the group consisting of demographic information, physical characteristic information, and risk factors for a predetermined group of diseases.

147. The method according to claim 144, wherein the medical tests are selected from the group consisting of liver tests, renal tests, tests for diabetes, EKGs, EEGs, heart disease tests, blood pressure tests, cholesterol tests, and tests for enzyme changes.

148. The method according to claim 144, wherein the derived data points are selected from the group consisting of bone mass changes over time, bone mineral density changes over time, and bone structure change over time.

158. A system as claimed in claim 157, wherein said quality checks are fully automated.

159. A system as claimed in claim 157, wherein said quality checks are carried out with human interaction.

160. A system as claimed in claim 157, wherein said quality checks are carried out on a sample of the subjects'"'"' medical images.

161. A system as claimed in claim 157, wherein said quality checks are carried out on a portion of selected ones of the subjects'"'"' medical images.

162. A system as claimed in claim 157, wherein said quality checks are fully automated.

115. A method for producing market penetration data of different drugs in geographical regions, said system comprising:

a computer receiving database information comprising subjects'"'"' medical images or quantitative data derived from medical images, personal information, and treatment information, said treatment information comprising identifying information for one or more drugs taken by the subjects for one or more disorders; and

a central database storing the medical images or the quantitative data derived from medical images, associated with the subjects'"'"' personal and treatment information,

wherein said method comprises;

correlating respective drugs to geographic information;

obtaining numbers of subjects on each of the respective drugs in each geographic region identified by the geographic information; and

correlating the numbers of subjects to a reference, wherein the reference is selected from the group consisting of census information, and a total number of subjects on each of the respective drugs.

121. A method for producing market penetration data of different drugs in geographical regions, said system comprising:

a computer receiving database information comprising subjects'"'"' medical tests or quantitative data derived from medical tests, personal information, and treatment information, said treatment information comprising identifying information for one or more drugs taken by the subjects for one or more disorders; and

a central database storing the medical tests or the quantitative data derived from the medical tests, associated with the subjects'"'"' personal and treatment information,

wherein said method comprises;

correlating respective drugs to geographic information;

obtaining numbers of subjects on each of the respective drugs in each geographic region identified by the geographic information; and

correlating the numbers of subjects to a reference, wherein the reference is selected from the group consisting of census information, and a total number of subjects on each of the respective drugs.

127. A method for producing market penetration data of different drugs in certain regions by a system, said system comprising:

a computer receiving database information comprising subjects'"'"' medical images or quantitative data derived from medical images, personal information, and treatment information, said treatment information comprising identifying information for one or more drugs taken by the subjects for one or more disorders; and

a central database storing the quantitative data derived from medical images or the quantitative data derived from medical images, associated with the subjects'"'"' personal and treatment information,

wherein said method comprises, for the one or more disorders;

correlating respective drugs, administered for the one or more disorders, to geographic information;

obtaining the consumption amount of each of the respective drugs in each region identified by the geographic information; and

correlating that consumption amount of each of the respective drugs to the sum of the consumption amount of all of the respective drugs.

133. A method for producing market penetration data of different drugs in certain regions by a system, said system comprising:

a computer receiving database information comprising subjects'"'"' medical tests or quantitative data derived from medical tests, personal information, and treatment information, said treatment information comprising identifying information for one or more drugs taken by the subjects for one or more disorders; and

a central database storing the quantitative data derived from medical tests or the quantitative data derived from medical tests, associated with the subjects'"'"' personal and treatment information,

wherein said method comprises, for the one or more disorders;

correlating respective drugs, administered for the one or more disorders, to geographic information;

obtaining the consumption amount of each of the respective drugs in each region identified by the geographic information; and

correlating that consumption amount of each of the respective drugs to the sum of the consumption amount of all of the respective drugs.

139. A method for comparing efficacy of different drugs by a system, said system comprising:

a computer receiving database information comprising subjects'"'"' medical images or quantitative data derived from medical images, personal information, and treatment information, said treatment information comprising identifying information for one or more drugs taken by the subjects for one or more disorders; and

a central database storing the quantitative data derived from medical images or the quantitative data derived from medical images, associated with the subjects'"'"' personal and treatment information,

wherein the method comprises;

grouping subjects into groups by the drugs taken; and

obtaining derived data points by comparing quantitative information from subsequent medical images with respect to that of a baseline medical image taken of each subject in each of said groups.

144. A method for comparing efficacy of different drugs by a system, said system comprising:

a computer receiving database information comprising subjects'"'"' medical tests or quantitative data derived from medical tests, personal information, and treatment information, said treatment information comprising identifying information for one or more drugs taken by the subjects for one or more disorders; and

a central database storing the quantitative data derived from medical tests or the quantitative data derived from medical tests, associated with the subjects'"'"' personal and treatment information,

wherein the method comprises;

grouping subjects into groups by the drugs taken; and

obtaining derived data points by comparing quantitative information from subsequent medical tests with respect to that of a baseline medical test performed on each subject in each of said groups.

149. A system for providing quantitative information to a central database for tracking treatment efficacy, said system comprising a plurality of information collection terminals receiving data selected from the group consisting of medical images, dental images, dermatological tests, ophthalmological tests, and laboratory tests, said plurality of information collection terminals also receiving subjects'"'"' treatment information, wherein said treatment information provides data regarding said treatment efficacy.

150. A system for providing quantitative information to a central database for tracking market penetration of drugs, said system comprising a plurality of information collection terminals receiving data selected from the group consisting of medical images, dental images, dermatological tests, ophthalmological tests, and laboratory tests, said plurality of information collection terminals also receiving subjects'"'"' personal information, said subjects'"'"' personal information including geographic information, said information collection terminals also receiving subjects'"'"' drug administration information, wherein said drug administration information, together with said geographic information, in said central database, provides data regarding said market penetration.

157. A system for providing assurance of quality of subjects'"'"' medical images, said system comprising:

a computer receiving either said subjects'"'"' medical images or said quantitative information derived from said subjects'"'"' medical images from a remotely located site; and

a computer program for performing quality checks on the subjects'"'"' medical images, wherein the medical images are selected from the group consisting of x-ray, ultrasound, single x-ray absorptiometry, dual x-ray absorptiometry, CT, MRI, radionuclide, SPECT scan, PET scan or data derived from analysis of medical photographic techniques, laser enhanced imaging, and various biomicroscopy techniques, and

wherein the quality checks are selected from the group consisting of assessments of image quality, assessments of image resolution, and assessments of image contrast.