A semistructured data model for multimedia and temporal clinical information

In this paper, we propose a semistructured data model for multimedia and temporal clinical information. Our Multimedia Temporal Graphical Model (MTGM) allows one to represent and store clinical information in a semistructured, temporal, and multimedia database. Moreover, the physician can define multimedia presentations based on the stored data. Multimedia presentations are then stored in the same MTGM database together with clinical information and are thus represented according to the same data model. We focus on the issue of providing physicians with the capability of representing in a seamless way both temporal aspects of multimedia data and their temporal presentation requirements. In this context, the valid time is associated both to semistructured information and to multimedia presentations. Furthermore, synchronization constraints can be specified for multimedia presentations. Motivations for our proposal are provided, taken from the domain of cardiac angiography. Taking into account the most recent web-related technologies, we deal also with the translation of MTGM presentations into XML and SMIL documents.