It is a fundamental technique for clinical applications to map natural language expression to controlled vocabraries (normalization). This paper proposes a new model for internal structure of body sites description towards the development of high-performance normalization technique. The proposed model represents word-formation process based on the knowledge in the field of linguistics and consists of a set of elemental words, a classification scheme of elemental words, a set of synthesis rules of elemental words, and an anatomic terminology. The model expresses contractions which were merely targeted in the previous studies and relationships or combinations of individual elemental words. This function enables a robust analysis of descriptions with semantic change caused by modifying words. As a result of the evaluation, I succeeded in analyzing the internal structures of 73 anatomical terms out of the 80 using an algorithm based on the model and it indicated the practical utility of the model.

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 In cardiovascular medicine and surgery, an understanding of the 3-dimensional structure of the heart is crucial for successful treatment of patients with heart disease. However, the real anatomy of the heart is complicated in some structural heart diseases and it is often difficult to understand it appropriately. Therefore, we developed a new multi-touch interaction technique for better understanding of the heart structure. We also implemented a prototype system for educational and explanatory purpose. In our system, a 3-dimensional heart model is simulated as an elastic object that the user can manipulate on a multi-touch tablet computer. By using a pulling motion, the user can observe the external and internal structure of heart. We have demonstrated our prototype to medical doctors, and reviewed their comments and requests for future practice.

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 It is thought that having to move across long distances between outpatient units for multiple consultations and examinations would increase the burden of these outpatients, especially those who are elderly and find moving difficult. In this study, the arrangement of outpatient units was examined, where moving distances were compared among patients receiving multiple consultations on the same day at Gunma University Hospital. Twenty sets of 2 consultations were analyzed, using outpatient data from November 1, 2009, to September 30, 2012. Moving distances between the 2 consultation and examination rooms were measured with a pedometer. The majority of combinations of consultations occurred between the internal medicine department and the dermatology department, and between the internal medicine department and surgery department, with approximately 50％ of outpatients seen here aged between 15 and 64 years. Further, more male than female outpatients who were 65 years old or older received consultations in a combination of the radiology and urology departments or of the internal medicine and urology departments. Meanwhile, orthopedic and dermatological patients―approximately half of whom were aged 65 years and above―had the longest moving distances. The results suggested that these patients were also those who found moving difficult. It was thought that the combinations and cases of multiple consultations changed with the features of a hospital.

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