Laboratory of Biomedical Sciences and Information Management

Members

Laboratory chief: 

Kazuo Nakazawa

Research staff:

Ryo Haraguchi

Research fellow:

Shoko Tani

Trainees:

Michiaki Iwata (Osaka University) , Kazuma Maeda (Nara Institute of Science and Technology) , Seiji Minami (Osaka University)

Visiting Researcher:

Hiroshi Inada (University of Hyogo) , Tsunetoyo Namba (Himeji Dokkyo University) , Takeo Igarashi (University of Tokyo) , Haruhiko Hiramatsu (Hyogo College of Medicine) , Takashi Ashihara (Shiga University of Medical Science)

Supporting services

To efficiently promote the research activity in prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases in the research institute, we are coordinating and managing the purchase and maintenance of common research instruments as well as the facilities to house these instruments. In cooperation with related departments and laboratories, we are also developing new research instruments and systems, and are accumulating research and therapeutic information for further advancement in the field, in order to overcome cardiovascular diseases in the 21st century.

1. Introduction, Coordination, and Management of Common Research Instruments

The National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center provides the latest medical care to the public and promotes intensive research in prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. It is a highly advanced and specialized medical center under the control of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare.

For this purpose, we introduce the newest model of research instruments. By coordinating the introduction of research instruments, we are organizing and optimizing the research facility so that we may conduct world-leading research at the institute.

2. Management of Computer Network System and Support for Users

We manage the computer network system in order to promote the sharing of information as well as to support research activities at the National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center Research Institute.

  - Management of network equipment
  - Management and disclosure of information in relation to research activities.
  - Support for users in the research institute

Research activities

We are developing methodological tools and systems for diagnosis, treatment and prevention of cardiovascular diseases in the field of medical engineering (ME) and informatics.

(A) Virtual Heart : Computer simulation and visualization of arrhythmia

We are currently developing a project called "Virtual Heart". Electrophysiological characteristics, propagation paths, the shape of the whole heart, etc. have been integrated into our virtual model. Utilizing this, we can perform a computer simulation and visualization of arrhythmia. Our current research is the elucidation mechanism, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of fatal arrhythmia. This project is being conducted in combination with various methodological technologies: High Performance Computing by supercomputer, computer graphics, image processing, and so on.

(B) Pen-based Interface for the Electronic Medical Recording System

We are developing a pen-based interface to assist the electronic entry of medical records. A regular keyboard-based interface would force unnecessary stress on medical staff when they input information into an electronic device. Our interface consists of a pen and tablet display. In a natural manner, we have evolved our interface from handwritten records usually kept on paper. The revolutionary, fresh and innovative features of our interface were widely noticed and we were awarded with the Good Design Award in 2003.