Report on Product Development to Investors

This quarter, Acuscape focused on improving the accuracy and efficiency of creating digital patient models as well as raising the quality and security of model delivery. Progress to date has included software programming of the functional modules and feasibility studies on some of the more significant aspects of the Acuscape system. When asked about product development, Chief Executive Officer Terry J Sorensen said, "Creating new, advanced software tools is always a challenge, but a comprehensive planning approach in the best way to ensure superior product performance." The latest advances to the four key pieces of the Acuscape system are detailed below:
 
Acuscape® Clinician:
At the last Technical Interchange Meeting, SAIC demonstrated a Java-based software called Pioneer that runs strings of processes involving image processing and model viewing. Pioneer will enhance the current capabilities of the Acuscape® Clinician since it is an easy way to combine software modules into a single program. Pioneer also utilizes an advanced Graphical User Interface (GUI) that includes a workflow tool totally new to the industry. Using the workflow tool (shown along the left-hand side of the graphic) allows doctors flexibility in how they diagnose patients and easy access to advanced functions. For example, to overlay sets of data, such as a cephalometric tracing over a photo, the user clicks on the elements then right-clicks to superimpose.
 
Acuscape® Executor
Information Technology will play a key role in Acuscape's success and set a standard in the industry for ease of use and patient privacy. With that in mind, Acuscape is developing an Internet engine that will incorporate 128-bit encryption from SAIC to protect patient privacy and accurately deliver datasets. In addition to being the tracker and messenger of files between Acuscape's central processing and customers worldwide, the Acuscape® Executor will provide access to online help, web-based training and account maintenance.

Acuscape® Sculptor
To further improve the precision and consistency of patient model creation, Acuscape is working with SAIC to develop an Automatic Anatomy Recognition (AAR) software module. In addition to the benefit of improved model processing turnaround, the increased accuracy over strictly human processing will be a marketable advantage over Acuscape's competitors and provide the best data capture. AAR development will take advantage of SAIC's experience in ultra-reliable automated weapon, air search and scanning systems that detect and identify a variety of targets using different imaging modes. Following a series of studies, the team is developing specialized "snake" algorithms to accomplish AAR. Snake algorithms are a preferred method for mathematically "tuning" datasets to each other and work well in 3D applications. They can also be employed for finding a "best fit" of landmarks between different imaging modalities.

In addition to using snake algorithms for AAR, similar techniques might be used to enhance the sculpting of patient specific data from stock anatomical models. For advanced comparison analyses, Acuscape could employ snake algorithms to stretch like springs between the patient's curves and an anatomic norm or the patient at different times during treatment for the most mathematically accurate assessments. This is the perfect technology for Acuscape to develop to its fullest as any time a comparison of complex data is needed, this technique might be useful.
 
Acuscape® Universal Anatomic Database: 
Since the Acuscape® Universal Anatomic Database is one of the most powerful aspects of the Acuscape system, a discovery study was conducted by SAIC to determine the best approach for the database architecture. Acuscape wanted to ensure the greatest adaptability and longevity in order to make the database as comprehensive and approachable as possible. After investigating complex platforms such as ObjectStore, Objectivity, and Versant, the team decided to take a simple, elegant method and utilize XML.

Designed to work well over the web, XML gives Acuscape all of the advantages of an object-oriented database including the ability to change or expand the structure of the database without the need for extensive software updates. Since XML is an inexpensive option, it positions Acuscape to become a universal platform for several imaging technologies to use. This open approach will allow even other software manufacturers to take advantage of Acuscape's file formats, increasing market penetration.

XML (Extensible Markup Language) is a markup language for documents containing structured information. The data stored and organized can be as simple as words or file links or as complicated as vector graphics, e-commerce transactions, mathematical equations, object meta-data, server APIs, or a thousand other kinds of structured information. XML is similar to HTML, the language for creating most web documents, but XML is infinitely more adaptable. In HTML, there is a limited, standard set of "tags" used to trigger actions and organize how the information should be viewed. In XML, the tags can be anything, depending on the situation, making it meaningful within the semantics of the application. Since XML is straightforward to work with and translate for use in other applications, Acuscape can easily share data with a variety of sources providing powerful research opportunities.

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