AU2014200288A1 - A computing device, computer readable storage medium, a computer implemented method and a data schema for the visualisation of aetiological factors - Google Patents

Abstract

A COMPUTING DEVICE, COMPUTER READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM, A COMPUTER IMPLEMENTED METHOD AND A DATA SCHEMA FOR THE VISUALISATION OF AETIOLOGICAL FACTORS Abstract There is provided a computing device (100) for the visualisation of aetiological factors, the computing device (100) comprising a processor (1000) for processing digital data, a memory device for storing digital data including computer program code, the memory device being coupled to the processor (1000), a display device (1020) for displaying digital data, the display device (1020) being coupled to the processor (1000), and a user input interface adapted for receiving user input, the user input interface being coupled to the processor (1000), wherein the processor (1000) is controlled by the computer program code to receive, via the user input interface, contributory factor data representing a factor contributing to illness, display, using the display device (1020), a representation, wherein the representation comprises a node representing the contributory factor. Aetiologicod Factors Visudisotion Contributory faors 200 Add cnstoomr kictr tepdprvw 305 Ckssff 3c-Qn Ip __,nrt ~rd ~31 0 / petweer Skeep dep- ucn:ae i 320 Lov~~ t~ie ioy325 Knowledge for relooship of S I 1335 Figure 3

Description

A COMPUTING DEVICE, COMPUTER READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM, A COMPUTER IMPLEMENTED METHOD AND A DATA SCHEMA FOR THE VISUALISATION OF AETIOLOGICAL FACTORS 5 Field of the Invention The present invention relates to medical and e-health platforms and in particular to a computing device, computer readable storage medium, a computer implemented method and a data schema for the visualisation of aetiological factors. Background 0 In health care, the education of patients suffering from chronic complex diseases is difficult. Furthermore, single treatments are generally not possible in cases of chronic and complex disease often requiring a multi-pronged treatment approach. Furthermore, the same disease does not manifest as the same illness in any two patients, but varies in expression because of factors in addition to physiological factors, 5 including psychological, social, and environmental factors. As such, the education of patients in the treatment of illness and disease is notoriously difficult to do. It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms part of the o common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country. Summary The invention seeks to provide a computing device, computer readable storage medium, a computer implemented method and a data schema for the visualisation of aetiological factors which will overcome or substantially ameliorate at least some of the 25 deficiencies of the prior art, or to at least provide an alternative, including by allowing patients and health practitioners to visualize, analyse and identify the factors that are involved with causing and maintaining the patient's suffering. According to one aspect, there is provided a computing device for the visualisation of aetiological factors, the computing device comprising a processor for processing digital 30 data, a memory device for storing digital data including computer program code, the memory device being coupled to the processor, a display device for displaying digital data, the display device being coupled to the processor, and a user input interface adapted for receiving user input, the user input interface being coupled to the processor, wherein the processor is controlled by the computer program code to receive, via the user input interface, contributory factor data representing a factor contributing to illness, display, using the display device, a representation, wherein the representation 5 comprises a node representing the contributory factor. Preferably, the processor is further controlled by the computer program code to receive, via the user input interface, further contributory factor data representing a further factor contributing to illness, display, using the display device, the representation, wherein the representation comprises a further node representing the further contributory factor. 0 Preferably, the processor is further controlled by the computer program code to receive, via the user input interface, relationship data representing a relationship between the contributory factor in the further contributory factor, and display, using the display device, the representation, wherein the representation comprises a relationship between the node and the further node representing the relationship. 5 Preferably, the relationship data represents whether the relationship is causative or perpetuating. Preferably, the computing device further comprises a data interface for sending and receiving data across a data network, and wherein the processor is further controlled by the computer program code to receive, via the data interface, knowledge data o representing further knowledge in relation to the relationship. Preferably, the processor is further controlled by the computer program code to receive, via the user input interface, note data representing a note in relation to the contributory factor, and store, in the memory device, the note data. Preferably, the contributory factor data further represents a contributory factor 25 classification, and wherein the processor is further controlled by the computer program code to display, using the display device, the representation, wherein the node is displayed in accordance with the contributory factor classification. Preferably, the contributory factor classification comprises at least one of the classifications comprising physiological, psychosocial, suffering, behaviors adopted or 30 abandoned and environmental factors Preferably, in displaying the node in accordance with the contributory factor classification, the processor is further controlled by the computer program code to display, the node in association with a strand, the strand representing the contributory factor classification.

Preferably, the computing device further comprises a data interface for sending and receiving data across a data network, and herein the processor is further controlled by the computer program code to generate model data at least in accordance with the contributory factor data, and send, via the data interface, the model data. 5 Preferably, the processor is further controlled by the computer program code to display, using the display device, the representation in a 3-D representation Preferably, the processor is further controlled by the computer problem code, to receive, via the use input interface, image manipulation data, and display, using the display device, the representation in a further 3-D representation in accordance with the image o manipulation data. According to another aspect, there is provided a computer readable storage medium for the visualisation of aetiological factors, the computer readable storage medium comprising computer code instructions for execution by the computing device including instructions for receiving, via a user input interface, contributory factor data representing 5 a factor contributing to illness, displaying, using a display device, a representation, wherein the representation comprises a node representing the contributory factor. Preferably, the computer readable storage medium further comprises instructions for receiving, via the user input interface, further contributory factor data representing a further factor contributing to illness, displaying, using the display device, the o representation, wherein the representation comprises a further node representing the further contributory factor. Preferably, the computer readable storage medium further comprises instructions for receiving, via the user input interface, relationship data representing a relationship between the contributory factor in the further contributory factor, and displaying, using 25 the display device, the representation, wherein the representation comprises a relationship between the node and the further node representing the relationship. Preferably, the relationship data represents whether the relationship is causative or perpetuating. Preferably, the computer readable storage medium further comprises instructions for 30 receiving, via the data interface, knowledge data representing further knowledge in relation to the relationship. Preferably, the computer readable storage medium further comprises instructions for receiving, via the user input interface, note data representing a note in relation to the contributory factor, and storing, in a memory device, the note data.

Preferably, the contributory factor data further represents a contributory factor classification, and further comprising instructions for displaying, using the display device, the representation, wherein the node is displayed in accordance with the contributory factor classification. 5 Preferably, the contributory factor classification comprises at least one of the classifications comprising physiological, psychosocial, suffering, behaviours adopted or abandoned and environmental factors Preferably, the computer readable storage medium further comprises instructions for displaying, the node in association with a strand, the strand representing the 0 contributory factor classification. Preferably, the computer readable storage medium further comprises instructions for generating model data at least in accordance with the contributory factor data, and sending, via the data interface, the model data. Preferably, the computer readable storage medium further comprises instructions for 5 displaying, using the display device, the representation in a 3-D representation. Preferably, the computer readable storage medium further comprises instructions for receiving, via the use input interface, image manipulation data, and displaying, using the display device, the representation in a further 3-D representation in accordance with the image manipulation data. 0 According to another aspect, there is provided a computer implemented method for the visualisation of aetiological factors, the computer implemented method comprising receiving, via a user input interface, contributory factor data representing a factor contributing to illness, displaying, using a display device, a representation, wherein the representation comprises a node representing the contributory factor. 25 Preferably, the computer implemented method further comprises receiving, via the user input interface, further contributory factor data representing a further factor contributing to illness, displaying, using the display device, the representation, wherein the representation comprises a further node representing the further contributory factor. Preferably, the computer implemented method further comprises receiving, via the user 30 input interface, relationship data representing a relationship between the contributory factor in the further contributory factor, and displaying, using the display device, the representation, wherein the representation comprises a relationship between the node and the further node representing the relationship. Preferably, the relationship data represents whether the relationship is causative or 35 perpetuating.

Preferably, the computer implemented method further comprises receiving, via the data interface, knowledge data representing further knowledge in relation to the relationship. Preferably, the computer implemented method further comprises receiving, via the user input interface, note data representing a note in relation to the contributory factor, and 5 storing, in a memory device, the note data. Preferably, the contributory factor data further represents a contributory factor classification, and further comprising displaying, using the display device, the representation, wherein the node is displayed in accordance with the contributory factor classification. 0 Preferably, the contributory factor classification comprises at least one of the classifications comprising physiological, psychosocial, suffering, behaviors adopted or abandoned and environmental factors Preferably, the computer implemented method further comprises displaying, the node in association with a strand, the strand representing the contributory factor classification. 5 Preferably, the computer implemented method further comprises generating model data at least in accordance with the contributory factor data, and sending, via the data interface, the model data. Preferably, the computer implemented method further comprises displaying, using the display device, the representation in a 3-D representation 0 Preferably, the computer implemented method further comprises receiving, via the use input interface, image manipulation data, and displaying, using the display device, the representation in a further 3-D representation in accordance with the image manipulation data. According to another aspect, there is provided a data schema for the visualisation of 25 aetiological factors, the data schema comprising first data field for contributory factor data representing a factor contributing to illness, second data field for contributory factor data representing a further factor contributing to illness, and a relation representing a relationship between the first data field in the second data field. Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed. 30 Brief Description of the Drawings Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 shows a computing device on which the various embodiments described herein may be implemented in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 shows a representation for the visualisation of aetiological factors in 5 accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. 3 shows an exemplary graphical user interface comprising the visualisation of Fig. 2 for the manipulation of model data for the visualisation of aetiological factors. Description of Embodiments It should be noted in the following description that like or the same reference numerals o in different embodiments denote the same or similar features. Computing device Fig. 1 shows a computing device 100 on which the various embodiments described herein may be implemented. In particular the visualisation of aetiological factors, described in further detail below, may be implemented as computer program code 5 instructions executable by the computing device 100. The computer program code instructions may be divided into one or more computer program code instruction libraries, such as dynamic link libraries (DLL), wherein each of the libraries performs a one or more steps of the method. Additionally, a subset of the one or more of the libraries may perform graphical user interface tasks relating to the steps of the method. 0 The device 100 comprises semiconductor memory 110 comprising volatile memory such as random access memory (RAM) or read only memory (ROM). The memory 100 may comprise either RAM or ROM or a combination of RAM and ROM. The device 100 comprises a computer program code storage medium reader 130 for reading the computer program code instructions from computer program code storage 25 media 120. The storage media 120 may be optical media such as CD-ROM disks, magnetic media such as floppy disks and tape cassettes or flash media such as USB memory sticks. The device further comprises I/O interface 140 for communicating with one or more peripheral devices. The 1/O interface 140 may offer both serial and parallel interface 30 connectivity. For example, the 1/O interface 140 may comprise a Small Computer System Interface (SCSI), Universal Serial Bus (USB) or similar 1/O interface for interfacing with the storage medium reader 130. The 1/O interface 140 may also communicate with one or more human input devices (HID) 160 such as keyboards, pointing devices, joysticks and the like. The 1/O interface 140 may also comprise a computer to computer interface, such as a Recommended Standard 232 (RS-232) interface, for interfacing the device 100 with one or more personal computer (PC) devices 190. The 1/O interface 140 may also comprise an audio interface for 5 communicate audio signals to one or more audio devices 1050, such as a speaker or a buzzer. The device 100 also comprises a network interface 170 for communicating with one or more computer networks 180. The network 180 may be a wired network, such as a wired EthernetTM network or a wireless network, such as a Bluetoothm network or IEEE 0 802.11 network. The network 180 may be a local area network (LAN), such as a home or office computer network, or a wide area network (WAN), such as the Internet or private WAN. The device 100 comprises an arithmetic logic unit or processor 1000 for performing the computer program code instructions. The processor 1000 may be a reduced instruction 5 set computer (RISC) or complex instruction set computer (CISC) processor or the like. The device 100 further comprises a storage device 1030, such as a magnetic disk hard drive or a solid state disk drive. Computer program code instructions may be loaded into the storage device 1030 from the storage media 120 using the storage medium reader 130 or from the network 180 0 using network interface 170. During the bootstrap phase, an operating system and one or more software applications are loaded from the storage device 1030 into the memory 110. During the fetch-decode-execute cycle, the processor 1000 fetches computer program code instructions from memory 110, decodes the instructions into machine code, executes the instructions and stores one or more intermediate results in memory 2 5 100. In this manner, the instructions stored in the memory 110, when retrieved and executed by the processor 1000, may configure the computing device 100 as a special-purpose machine that may perform the functions described herein. The device 100 also comprises a video interface 1010 for conveying video signals to a 30 display device 1020, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), cathode-ray tube (CRT) or similar display device. The device 100 also comprises a communication bus subsystem 150 for interconnecting the various devices described above. The bus subsystem 150 may offer parallel connectivity such as Industry Standard Architecture (ISA), conventional Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) and the like or serial connectivity such as PCI Express (PCle), Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (Serial ATA) and the like. Visualisation of aetiological factors The computing device 100 is adapted for the visualisation of the aetiological factors by 5 displaying the representation 200 as substantially shown in figure 2 using the display device 1020. It should be noted that the computing device 100 may take on differing embodiments depending on the application, such as by way of stand-alone computing device (such as a personal computer or portable tablet computing device such as an iPadTM) executing an application for the purposes of displaying the representation 200, o a Web server computing device adapted to display the representation 200 using a browser application (such as by using AdobeTM FashTM, HTML 5, JavaScript or the like) on a client computing device. As will become apparent from the description herein, the representation 200 is adapted for displaying a plurality of contributory factors and links between such factors for the 5 purposes of allowing patients and health practitioners in diagnosing and managing complex health issues by identifying links between contributory factors, defining health goals, sharing of information and the like. It should be noted that while the representation 200 is primarily discussed herein, the computing device 100 may furthermore be adapted for creating, storing and retrieving data representing the o representation 200, referred to herein as the "model". For example, the computing device 100 may be adapted to create a model for each patient for storage (such as by way of XML) such that the computing device 100 is able to generate the representation 200 from such model data files, edit the model data files, share the data files across a data network and the like. 25 According to various embodiments, the model may provide several advantages including: Assisting the primary practitioner (usually a GP) to help the patient identify which health practitioners could be of help to him or her in pursuing those goals. The model assists in putting together a collaborative team to help the patient achieve better health even 30 though cure may not be possible; Allowing patients the right to choose their own health goals, with the support of their health practitioners; Assisting in a patient's communication with health practitioners; Displaying the latest research pertaining to a link between one or more aetiological factors and an identified health outcome; Use for in-service training and basic training for health practitioners of all types; Generating and recording notes on how the factors selected affect the patient's health 5 for data collection, e-health and the like; Sharing of data regarding the patient with other health practitioners; Integration with medical record keeping software including Medical DirectorTM and Genie TM; Assisting patients in identifying problems in their health management the model can 0 also be used to trouble shoot for potential future problems. Referring now to figure 3, there is shown an exemplary graphical user interface 300 comprising the representation 200 is adapted for display using the display device 1020. It should be appreciated that the interface 300 may differ according to the application suffice to say that it should at least be capable of allowing a user to view data in relation 5 to the model. In the embodiment shown the interface 300 comprises the representation 200 indicative of the underlying model, and various input and output interface fields 315 340 for inputting data in relation to the model and viewing data in relation to the model, as will be described in further detail below. It should be noted that the interface 300 may be adapted such that the user may 0 interact directly with the representation 200 as opposed to utilising the input and output interface fields 315-340. For example, a user may click on the representation to add a contributory factor, create links, view information and the like (as described in further detail below). Generally, the interface 300 is adapted for use by the health practitioner (usually the 25 GP) in consultation with the patient in understanding conflict disease processors, illnesses and the like. As will be described in further detail below, the computing device 100 may be adapted to send model data across a data network 180 for allowing other health practitioners (such as a physiotherapist) view data relating to the model relating to the patient for treatment. In this regard, the computing device 100 may be adapted for 30 allowing various health practitioners treating the patient to collaborate and share information. Referring specifically now to the interface 300 as shown in figure 3, the interface 300 comprises input fields 305, 310, 350 adapted for allowing the user to input data relating to a contributory factor. Referring to the exemplary interface 300, it is apparent that the 35 user has input sleep deprivation as being a contributory factor using input 305.

Having input this contributory factor, the computing device 100 is adapted to update the model to record sleep deprivation as a contributory factor. Furthermore, the computing device 100 is adapted to update the representation to reflect such a contributory factor. Specifically, referring to the exemplary representation 5 200 shown magnified in figure 2, the representation 200 comprises an indica of such a contributory factor represented by the representation 200 as node 21 0a. In this manner, the computing device 100 is adapted to allow the user to input a plurality of contributory factors. As is apparent from the representation 200, such a plurality of contributory factors is represented by the plurality of nodes 210 shown. Furthermore, 0 the representation 200 may comprise a further node 210b indicative of the patient suffering from low self-esteem. Referring again to the exemplary interface 300 as shown in figure 3, it is apparent that the user is able to classify each contributory factor using drop-down box 310. In this manner, the computing device 100 is adapted to store each contributory factor in 5 accordance with a classification in the model. Referring to the representation 200, each classification of contributory factor is represented by a different strand 205 each according with a different classification. The exemplary classifications represented may comprise: A first category relating to physiological aspects of the illness including the cause of the o illness, maintaining variables, measures of physiological aspects and the like; A second category relating to psychosocial factors impacting on the illness; A third category relating to information about the way the illness causes change and suffering in the patient's life; A fourth category relating to information about how the illness has caused changes in 25 behaviour in order to cope with it; and A fifth category relating to environmental factors that have impacted the illness. Continuing with the example, the contributory factor node 210a relating to sleep deprivation on account of work stress may be represented on the strand 205d relating to environmental factors (e.g. work stress), whereas the contributory factor 21 Gb relating to 30 low self-esteem, may be represented on the strand 205b relating to psychosocial factors (e.g. low self-esteem). Referring again to the exemplary interface 300 it is apparent that the computing device 100 is adapted to record notes in relation to each contributory factor which may be input into the interface 300 by the user using text input 350. As is apparent from the example provided, notes have been entered in relation to the patient's sleep deprivation. Interface 300, further comprises inputs 320, 325 for allowing the user to create links between contributory factors. For example, the health practitioner may realise that a 5 patient's low self-esteem is caused by sleep deprivation. In this manner, using drop down boxes 320, three and 25, the user is able to create a relationship between the sleep deprivation and low self-esteem. As alluded to above, such a relationship may be created by the user by interacting directly with the representation 200, such as by utilising a dragging gesture between nodes 210. In this manner, the computing device 0 100 is adapted to update the model to reflect such a relationship between these two contributory factors. Referring to the representation 200 shown in figure 2, such a relationship is indicated by Link 215 between the node 210a relating to sleep deprivation and the node 21 Ob relating to low self-esteem. In various embodiments, the computing device 100 may be adapted to record further 5 information in relation to the relationship, such as whether the relationship is causative (i.e. does sleep deprivation cause low self-esteem) or perpetuating (i.e. does sleep deprivation perpetuate low self-esteem). Of course, other data may be recorded in relation to the relationship, such as the date of first manifestation, duration and the like. Having received such a relationship, the computing device 100 may be adapted to o present further information in relation to the relationship. For example, referring to the interface 300 and in particular text field 330, there is shown further information presented in relation to this relationship. In one embodiment, the user may activate buttons 335 to receive knowledge relating to the relationship. In this manner, the computing device 100 may be adapted to 25 communicate across the data network 180 to retrieve such knowledge from a remote knowledge database. Yet further, the computing device 100 may be adapted to allow the user to update such knowledge using button 340. In this manner, a knowledge database may be built up over time with information being contributed by differing health professionals. 30 In one embodiment, the computing device 100 is adapted to allow health professionals to share information relating to the patient. In this manner, the computing device 100 may be adapted to allow health professionals to send and receive model data relating to a model of the patient's contributory factors. Specifically, referring to the exemplary graphical user interface 300, there is shown selection input 345 and button 350 allowing 35 the user to select the option of sending the model data relating to the patient to a particular health professional. In the example provided, a set of health professionals have been configured within the computing device 100 such that the user is able to select the appropriate professional. However, in alternative embodiments, the computing device 100 may be adapted to allow the user to identify a health professional 5 by other means, such as by inputting an e-mail address and the like. Also, (as is not shown in the interface 300) the user may operate the interface for the purposes of requesting or receiving model data from other health professionals. In a preferred embodiment, the visualisation 200 is represented in 3-D so as to provide the user with a more intuitive understanding of the relationships. Furthermore, the o computing device 100 may be adapted to allow the user to interact with the visualisation, such as to zoom, pan and tilt the visualisation 200. However, it should be noted that in differing embodiments, the visualisation 200 need not necessarily be represented in 3-D, and may be represented in 2-D or even in text format, for example. Yet further, the representation 200 need not necessarily be interactive as described in 5 the embodiments herein. Walk-thoiugh An exemplary walk-through will now be described providing an exemplary interaction of a user with the computing device 100. For the walk-through, the computing device 100 displays, using the displays device 0 1020, the representation comprising the five strand 205 helical representation, each strand 205 winding around the other strands 205, to give the impression of interactive relationships. As alluded to above, one strand 205 carries information about physiological aspects of the illness.. cause, maintaining variable, measures of physiological aspects, etc. One 25 strand 205 carries information about all psychosocial factors impacting on the illness. One strand 205 carries information about the way the illness causes change and suffering in the patient's life. One strand 205 carried information about how the illness has caused changes in behaviour in order to cope with it. And the final strand 205 carries information about environmental factors that have impacted the illness. It should 30 be noted that a different number of strands 205 may be employed depending on the application. The representation 200 can be manipulated by the computer mouse to turn and present different aspects of the relationship, so patients can see relationships between factors more easily.

Each contributory factor is represented as a node 210 that looks as if it has been threaded onto the appropriate strand 205. The nodes 210 are coloured differently, depending on which strand they appear. For example, physiological nodes 210, representing physiological factors, are coloured blue. Psychosocial nodes 210 are red. 5 Nodes 210 representing factors that describe the suffering to the patient are green. Factors that describe behaviours adopted or abandoned because of the illness are gold. Factors that represent environmental factors are depicted in magenta. Every time a patient and/or a health practitioner identifies a node 210 that contributes to causing or maintain the illness, it is placed on the appropriate strand using a mouse. 0 As a patient identifies relationships between nodes 210 representing the various causative and maintaining factors, use of the mouse can cause a link 215 to appear between the two factors being discussed. Furthermore, the interface 300 is adapted to display the research underlying the current knowledge of the relationship is displayed. The link 215 can be removed with another move of the mouse. 5 As a patient identifies a contributory factor (and associated node 210), notes can be input using the interface 300. The notes can be extended to encompass all that the patient and the health practitioners can identify about the effects of this factor on the patient's condition. Furthermore, the computing device 100 may be adapted to save the notes to become a permanent record available to all who are part of this case 0 management. If a patient identifies one particular factor to work on because he/she feels it will make a difference to his/her wellbeing, this node 210 starts to glow and becomes a "hot node" 21 0. A computing device 100 may allow the user (either by using the notes functionality described above or by other data recording manner) input a describe a goal for working 25 for better health and also a record of the progress of work on that goal. Furthermore, each health practitioner may provide separate entries involved in helping the patient pursue that goal. This goal has been chosen by the patient, and the health practitioners concerned might support the goal by offering ideas of how the patient can work to improve that aspect of the illness. 30 Interpretation Disease and illness For the purposes of this discussion the word 'disease' refers to the pathological processes that have caused and are maintaining the symptoms the patient is suffering, 5 whereas the word 'illness' refers to the lived experience of that disease in the patient's life. Data schema the term data schema as used herein should not be construed as necessarily be limited for application with and a relational database. 0 Bus In the context of this document, the term "bus" and its derivatives, while being described in a preferred embodiment as being a communication bus subsystem for interconnecting various devices including by way of parallel connectivity such as Industry Standard Architecture (ISA), conventional Peripheral Component Interconnect 5 (PCI) and the like or serial connectivity such as PCI Express (PCIe), Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (Serial ATA) and the like, should be construed broadly herein as any system for communicating data. In accordance with: As described herein, 'in accordance with' may also mean 'as a function of' and is not 0 necessarily limited to the integers specified in relation thereto. Composite items As described herein, 'a computer implemented method' should not necessarily be inferred as being performed by a single computing device such that the steps of the method may be performed by more than one cooperating computing devices. 5 Similarly objects as used herein such as 'web server', 'server', 'client computing device', 'computer readable medium' and the like should not necessarily be construed as being a single object, and may be implemented as a two or more objects in cooperation, such as, for example, a web server being construed as two or more web servers in a server farm cooperating to achieve a desired goal or a computer readable medium being 30 distributed in a composite manner, such as program code being provided on a compact disk activatable by a license key downloadable from a computer network.

Database: In the context of this document, the term "database" and its derivatives may be used to describe a single database, a set of databases, a system of databases or the like. The system of databases may comprise a set of databases wherein the set of databases 5 may be stored on a single implementation or span across multiple implementations. The term "database" is also not limited to refer to a certain database format rather may refer to any database format. For example, database formats may include MySOL, MySQLi , XML or the like. Wireless: 0 The invention may be embodied using devices conforming to other network standards and for other applications, including, for example other WLAN standards and other wireless standards. Applications that can be accommodated include IEEE 802.11 wireless LANs and links, and wireless Ethernet. In the context of this document, the term "wireless" and its derivatives may be used to 5 describe circuits, devices, systems, methods, techniques, communications channels, etc., that may communicate data through the use of modulated electromagnetic radiation through a non-solid medium. The term does not imply that the associated devices do not contain any wires, although in some embodiments they might not. In the context of this document, the term "wired" and its derivatives may be used to describe o circuits, devices, systems, methods, techniques, communications channels, etc., that may communicate data through the use of modulated electromagnetic radiation through a solid medium. The term does not imply that the associated devices are coupled by electrically conductive wires. PIocesses: 25 Unless specifically stated otherwise, as apparent from the following discussions, it is appreciated that throughout the specification discussions utilizing terms such as 'processing", "computing", "calculating", "determining", "analysing" or the like, refer to the action and/or processes of a computer or computing system, or similar electronic computing device, that manipulate and/or transform data represented as physical, such 30 as electronic, quantities into other data similarly represented as physical quantities. Processor: In a similar manner, the term "processor" may refer to any device or portion of a device that processes electronic data, e.g., from registers and/or memory to transform that electronic data into other electronic data that, e.g., may be stored in registers and/or memory. A "computer" or a "computing device" or a "computing machine" or a "computing platform" may include one or more processors. The methodologies described herein are, in one embodiment, performable by one or 5 more processors that accept computer-readable (also called machine-readable) code containing a set of instructions that when executed by one or more of the processors carry out at least one of the methods described herein. Any processor capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken are included. Thus, one example is a typical processing system that includes one or o more processors. The processing system further may include a memory subsystem including main RAM and/or a static RAM, and/or ROM. Computer-Readable Medium: Furthermore, a computer-readable carrier medium may form, or be included in a computer program product. A computer program product can be stored on a computer 5 usable carrier medium, the computer program product comprising a computer readable program means for causing a processor to perform a method as described herein. Networked or Multiple Processors: In alternative embodiments, the one or more processors operate as a standalone device or may be connected, e.g., networked to other processor(s), in a networked 0 deployment, the one or more processors may operate in the capacity of a server or a client machine in server-client network environment, or as a peer machine in a peer-to peer or distributed network environment. The one or more processors may form a web appliance, a network router, switch or bridge, or any machine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that 25 machine. Note that while some diagram(s) only show(s) a single processor and a single memory that carries the computer-readable code, those in the art will understand that many of the components described above are included, but not explicitly shown or described in order not to obscure the inventive aspect. For example, while only a single machine is 30 illustrated, the term "machine" shall also be taken to include any collection of machines that individually or jointly execute a set (or multiple sets) of instructions to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein.

Additional Embodiments: Thus, one embodiment of each of the methods described herein is in the form of a computer-readable carrier medium carrying a set of instructions, e.g., a computer program that are for execution on one or more processors. Thus, as will be appreciated 5 by those skilled in the art, embodiments of the present invention may be embodied as a method, an apparatus such as a special purpose apparatus, an apparatus such as a data processing system, or a computer-readable carrier medium. The computer readable carrier medium carries computer readable code including a set of instructions that when executed on one or more processors cause a processor or processors to o implement a method. Accordingly, aspects of the present invention may take the form of a method, an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Furthermore, the present invention may take the form of carrier medium (e.g., a computer program product on a computer-readable storage medium) carrying computer-readable program code 5 embodied in the medium. Carrier Medium.: The software may further be transmitted or received over a network via a network interface device. While the carrier medium is shown in an example embodiment to be a single medium, the term "carrier medium" should be taken to include a single medium or o multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers) that store the one or more sets of instructions. The term "carrier medium" shall also be taken to include any medium that is capable of storing, encoding or carrying a set of instructions for execution by one or more of the processors and that cause the one or more processors to perform any one or more of the methodologies of 25 the present invention. A carrier medium may take many forms, including but not limited to, non-volatile media, volatile media, and transmission media. Implementation: It will be understood that the steps of methods discussed are performed in one embodiment by an appropriate processor (or processors) of a processing (i.e., 30 computer) system executing instructions (computer-readable code) stored in storage. It will also be understood that the invention is not limited to any particular implementation or programming technique and that the invention may be implemented using any appropriate techniques for implementing the functionality described herein. The invention is not limited to any particular programming language or operating system.

Means For Carrying out a Method or Function Furthermore, some of the embodiments are described herein as a method or combination of elements of a method that can be implemented by a processor of a processor device, computer system, or by other means of carrying out the function. 5 Thus, a processor with the necessary instructions for carrying out such a method or element of a method forms a means for carrying out the method or element of a method. Furthermore, an element described herein of an apparatus embodiment is an example of a means for carrying out the function performed by the element for the purpose of carrying out the invention. o Connected Similarly, it is to be noticed that the term connected, when used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being limitative to direct connections only. Thus, the scope of the expression a device A connected to a device B should not be limited to devices or systems wherein an output of device A is directly connected to an input of device B. It 5 means that there exists a path between an output of A and an input of B which may be a path including other devices or means. "Connected" may mean that two or more elements are either in direct physical or electrical contact, or that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other but yet still co-operate or interact with each other. 0 Embodiments: Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various 25 places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments. Similarly it should be appreciated that in the above description of example embodiments 30 of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments are hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments, with each claim standing on its own 5 as a separate embodiment of this invention. Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those in the art. For example, in the following 0 claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination. Specific Details In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description. Terminology In describing the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood 0 that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar technical purpose. Terms such as "forward", "rearward", "radially", "peripherally", "upwardly", "downwardly", and the like are used as words of convenience to provide reference points and are not to be construed as limiting terms. 25 Different Instances of Objects As used herein, unless otherwise specified the use of the ordinal adjectives "first", "second", "third", etc., to describe a common object, merely indicate that different instances of like objects are being referred to, and are not intended to imply that the objects so described must be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, in 30 ranking, or in any other manner. Comprising and Including In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" are used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention. Any one of the terms: including or which includes or that includes as used herein is also 5 an open term that also means including at least the elements/features that follow the term, but not excluding others. Thus, including is synonymous with and means comprising. Scope of In venton Thus, while there has been described what are believed to be the preferred o embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the invention. For example, any formulas given above are merely representative of procedures that may be used. Functionality may be added or deleted from the block diagrams and operations may be interchanged among functional blocks. Steps may be added or deleted to methods described within the scope of the present invention. Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other o forms. Industrial Applicability It is apparent from the above, that the arrangements described are applicable to the medical and e-health industries.

Claims (37)

1. A computing device for the visualisation of aetiological factors, the computing device comprising: a processor for processing digital data, 5 a memory device for storing digital data including computer program code, the memory device being coupled to the processor, a display device for displaying digital data, the display device being coupled to the processor, and a user input interface adapted for receiving user input, the user input interface 0 being coupled to the processor, wherein the processor is controlled by the computer program code to: receive, via the user input interface, contributory factor data representing a factor contributing to illness, display, using the display device, a representation, wherein the representation 5 comprises a node representing the contributory factor.

2. A computing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processor is further controlled by the computer program code to: receive, via the user input interface, further contributory factor data representing a further factor contributing to illness, o display, using the display device, the representation, wherein the representation comprises a further node representing the further contributory factor.

3. A computing device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the processor is further controlled by the computer program code to: receive, via the user input interface, relationship data representing a relationship 25 between the contributory factor in the further contributory factor, and display, using the display device, the representation, wherein the representation comprises a relationship between the node and the further node representing the relationship.

4. A computing device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the relationship data 30 represents whether the relationship is causative or perpetuating.

5. A computing device as claimed in claim 3, further comprising a data interface for sending and receiving data across a data network, and wherein the processor is further controlled by the computer program code to: receive, via the data interface, knowledge data representing further knowledge in 35 relation to the relationship.

6. A computing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processor is further controlled by the computer program code to: receive, via the user input interface, note data representing a note in relation to the contributory factor, and 5 store, in the memory device, the note data.

7. A computing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the contributory factor data further represents a contributory factor classification, and wherein the processor is further controlled by the computer program code to: display, using the display device, the representation, wherein the node is o displayed in accordance with the contributory factor classification.

8. A computing device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the contributory factor classification comprises at least one of the classifications comprising physiological, psychosocial, suffering, behaviours adopted or abandoned and environmental factors

9. A computing device as claimed in claim 7, wherein , in displaying the node in 5 accordance with the contributory factor classification, the processor is further controlled by the computer program code to display, the node in association with a strand, the strand representing the contributory factor classification.

10. A computing device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a data interface for sending and receiving data across a data network, and herein the processor is further 0 controlled by the computer program code to: generate model data at least in accordance with the contributory factor data, and send, via the data interface, the model data.

11. A computing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processor is further controlled by the computer program code to display, using the display device, the 25 representation in a 3-D representation

12. A computing device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the processor is further controlled by the computer problem code, to: receive, via the use input interface, image manipulation data, and display, using the display device, the representation in a further 3-D representation 30 in accordance with the image manipulation data.

13. A computer readable storage medium for the visualisation of aetiological factors, the computer readable storage medium comprising computer code instructions for execution by the computing device including instructions for: receiving, via a user input interface, contributory factor data representing a factor 35 contributing to illness, displaying, using a display device, a representation, wherein the representation comprises a node representing the contributory factor.

14. A computer readable storage medium as claimed in claim 13, further comprising instructions for: 5 receiving, via the user input interface, further contributory factor data representing a further factor contributing to illness, displaying, using the display device, the representation, wherein the representation comprises a further node representing the further contributory factor.

15. A computer readable storage medium as claimed in claim 14, further comprising 0 instructions for: receiving, via the user input interface, relationship data representing a relationship between the contributory factor in the further contributory factor, and displaying, using the display device, the representation, wherein the representation comprises a relationship between the node and the further node 5 representing the relationship.

16. A computer readable storage medium as claimed in claim 15, wherein the relationship data represents whether the relationship is causative or perpetuating.

17. A computer readable storage medium as claimed in claim 15, further comprising instructions for: 0 receiving, via the data interface, knowledge data representing further knowledge in relation to the relationship.

18. A computer readable storage medium as claimed in claim 13, further comprising instructions for: receiving, via the user input interface, note data representing a note in relation to 25 the contributory factor, and storing, in a memory device, the note data.

19. A computer readable storage medium as claimed in claim 13, wherein the contributory factor data further represents a contributory factor classification, and further comprising instructions for: 30 displaying, using the display device, the representation, wherein the node is displayed in accordance with the contributory factor classification.

20. A computer readable storage medium as claimed in claim 19, wherein the contributory factor classification comprises at least one of the classifications comprising physiological, psychosocial, suffering, behaviours adopted or abandoned and 35 environmental factors

21. A computer readable storage medium as claimed in claim 19, further comprising instructions for displaying, the node in association with a strand, the strand representing the contributory factor classification.

22. A computer readable storage medium as claimed in claim 13, further comprising 5 instructions for: generating model data at least in accordance with the contributory factor data, and sending, via the data interface, the model data.

23. A computer readable storage medium as claimed in claim 13, further comprising instructions for displaying, using the display device, the representation in a 3-D 0 representation

24. A computer readable storage medium as claimed in claim 23, further comprising instructions for: receiving, via the use input interface, image manipulation data, and displaying, using the display device, the representation in a further 3-D 5 representation in accordance with the image manipulation data.

25. A computer implemented method for the visualisation of aetiological factors, the computer implemented method comprising: receiving, via a user input interface, contributory factor data representing a factor contributing to illness, 0 displaying, using a display device, a representation, wherein the representation comprises a node representing the contributory factor.

26. A computer implemented method as claimed in claim 25, further comprising: receiving, via the user input interface, further contributory factor data representing a further factor contributing to illness, 2 5 displaying, using the display device, the representation, wherein the representation comprises a further node representing the further contributory factor.

27. A computer implemented method as claimed in claim 26, further comprising : receiving, via the user input interface, relationship data representing a relationship between the contributory factor in the further contributory factor, and 30 displaying, using the display device, the representation, wherein the representation comprises a relationship between the node and the further node representing the relationship.

28. A computer implemented method as claimed in claim 27, wherein the relationship data represents whether the relationship is causative or perpetuating. 35

29. A computer implemented method as claimed in claim 27, further comprising: receiving, via the data interface, knowledge data representing further knowledge in relation to the relationship.

30. A computer implemented method as claimed in claim 25, further comprising: receiving, via the user input interface, note data representing a note in relation to 5 the contributory factor, and storing, in a memory device, the note data.

31. A computer implemented method as claimed in claim 25, wherein the contributory factor data further represents a contributory factor classification, and further comprising: displaying, using the display device, the representation, wherein the node is o displayed in accordance with the contributory factor classification.

32. A computer implemented method as claimed in claim 31, wherein the contributory factor classification comprises at least one of the classifications comprising physiological, psychosocial, suffering, behaviours adopted or abandoned and environmental factors 5

33. A computer implemented method as claimed in claim 31, further comprising displaying, the node in association with a strand, the strand representing the contributory factor classification.

34. A computer implemented method as claimed in claim 25, further comprising: generating model data at least in accordance with the contributory factor data, and 0 sending, via the data interface, the model data.

35. A computer implemented method as claimed in claim 25, further comprising displaying, using the display device, the representation in a 3-D representation

36. A computer implemented method as claimed in claim 35, further comprising: receiving, via the use input interface, image manipulation data, and 2 5 displaying, using the display device, the representation in a further 3-D representation in accordance with the image manipulation data.

37. A data schema for the visualisation of aetiological factors, the data schema comprising: first data field for contributory factor data representing a factor contributing to 30 illness, second data field for contributory factor data representing a further factor contributing to illness, and a relation representing a relationship between the first data field in the second data field.