Graphic method for reporting risk to a patient
First Claim
1. A graph report for simultaneously displaying the distribution of different values of an indicator within a population and a risk associated with the value of the indicator, the amount of risk varying continuously with the value of the indicator, comprising:
- a distribution curve for displaying the frequency of occurrence of the various values of the indicator within the population; and
a varying density gradient overlying the distribution curve for displaying a continuous change in the amount of risk associated with values of the indicator, the density of the gradient at a particular value of the indicator being representative of the risk associated with that value.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A graph comprising a distribution curve for displaying a distribution of test results for given population and a density gradient superimposed over the distribution curve for displaying the probability of an event or condition occurring for each such test result in the distribution. Typically the distribution curve is plotted against a cartesian coordinate system. The density gradient is superimposed below the distribution curve and shows the increasing risk of a condition as a function of a test result by an increase in density of the gradient with increasing risk. A marker imposed on the distribution curve shows the test result for a specific individual.
17 Citations
16 Claims
-
1. A graph report for simultaneously displaying the distribution of different values of an indicator within a population and a risk associated with the value of the indicator, the amount of risk varying continuously with the value of the indicator, comprising:
-
a distribution curve for displaying the frequency of occurrence of the various values of the indicator within the population; and a varying density gradient overlying the distribution curve for displaying a continuous change in the amount of risk associated with values of the indicator, the density of the gradient at a particular value of the indicator being representative of the risk associated with that value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A method of displaying the results of testing maternal blood serum of a patient for alphafetoprotein level, the method comprising the steps of:
-
representing on a surface a distribution curve of alphafetoprotein levels in maternal blood serum for a population increasing alphafetoprotein level from one side of the surface to the other; superimposing over the distribution curve on the surface a density gradient that decreases from said one side to the other, the density of the gradient representing the risk of Down Syndrome at each alphafetoprotein level on the distribution curve; and placing on the surface a mark representing the alphafetoprotein level of the patient, and thus the risk of Down Syndrome to the patient by the density of the gradient at the mark. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
-
-
15. A method of displaying the results of testing maternal blood serum of a patient for alphafetoprotein level, the method comprising the steps of:
-
representing on a surface a distribution curve of alphafetoprotein levels in maternal blood serum for a population of patients such that the distribution curve represents increasing alphafetoprotein level from one side to the other; superimposing over the distribution curve on the surface a density gradient that increases from said one side to the other, the density of the gradient representing the risk of Open Spina Bifida at each alphafetoprotein level on the distribution curve; and placing on the surface a mark representing the alphafetoprotein level of the patient, and thus the risk of Open Spina Bifida to the patient by the density of the gradient at the mark. - View Dependent Claims (16)
-
Specification