SBIR-STTR Award

Data entry is a major bottleneck in the collection of pathology data. This includes in-life animal data collection where it may not be practical to keep computer equipment in animal rooms; gross pathology examinations where the pathologist's hands are busy; and microscopic pathology observations where the pathologist is operating a microscope. Although transcriptionists or paper systems can be utilized, there is a distinct need for the development of better methods for gathering pathology data into computer systems. The main objective of this project is to develop a voice-driven computer system for the collection and analysis of large volumes of pathology data to support chemical, drug, cancer, or other types of research. The innovative use of voice recognition technology will provide pathologists and technicians with hands-free and sight-free operation during animal handling, necropsy, and microscopic exams. Using a wireless headset, the actual computer equipment can be stored in a clean location away from animal rooms and other work areas. In Phase I, a prototype system of limited scope will be developed and field tested. This will verify the feasibility of the project and provide a basis for the development of a complete voice-driven pathology data management system during Phase II.

Thesaurus Terms:
artificial intelligence, computer processing of laboratory data, computer program /software, computer system design /evaluation, information system, pathology, voice computer graphics /printing, computer human interaction, data collection microscopy, personal computer

Data entry has become the bottleneck of many scientific applications designed to collect and manage information related to experimental studies. In animal drug toxicology studies, this is true because of the need to collect data in hands-busy or eyes-busy environments. The objective of this proposal is the continued design of a voice-driven computer system to enable hands-free and eyes-free collection of data related to animal drug toxicology studies. Specifically, we intend to develop a voice-driven computer workstation that can be used for the collection of histopathology, necropsy, and in-life data. The innovative use of speech recognition and speech response technology will provide pathologists and technicians with hands-free and eyes-free operation during animal handling, necropsy, and microscopic exams. For increased commercial viability, the system will employ a scalable architecture and support multiple hardware environments. This type of automation at the source of data collection could be used to greatly reduce the data validation costs associated with bringing new drugs to market. This second phase of research will focus on completing hardware integration, software development, validation, and field testing of the proposed system. PROPOSED COMMERCIAL APPLICATION: An integrated, voice-driven system for data collection, management, and reporting would provide increased productivity to the more than 1000 commercial and government laboratories involved in chemical, drug, cancer, or other types of research where large volumes of animal drug toxicology data must be processed.

Thesaurus Terms:
biomedical automation, biomedical equipment development, computer processing of laboratory data, computer system design /evaluation, data collection, speech recognition, toxicology behavioral /social science research tag