Biosignal interpretationIFMBE and the International Medical Informatics Association (IMIA), in collaboration with the Japan Society of Medical Electronics & Biological Engineering, organised the 2nd working conference on Biosignal Interpretation (BSI 96) at Shonan Village Center, Kanagawa, Japan on 23-28 September, 1996. The workshop explored the relatively new field of biosignal interpretation, including model-based biosignal analysis, biosignal interpretation and integration, and extension of existing signal processing technology for an effective utilisation of biosignals in practical environments and a deeper understanding of biological function. This was the second workshop in this emerging field. The first was in Denmark in 1993. One of the aims of medical research is to understand the mechanisms of biological functions. To this end, linear systems theory and spectral analysis have been successfully applied to analyse, for instance, circulatory, haemodynamic and respiratory systems as well as stimulus-response relationships in various sensory organs. Biological signals play an important role as they provide valuable information on the states of the underlying physiochemical processes in biological systems. Many living organisms, however, respond non-linearly to perturbations from the environment. Recent advances in the theory of non-linear dynamical systems and the availability of the computation power have stimulated and promoted research on non-linear phenomena such as the rhythmical activity shown by living organisms. In this workshop, non-linear and non-stationary analysis of biological systems proved to be a common tool among researchers. For instance, investigations of cardiac arrhythmia by means of non-linear dynamical system theory and applications of wavelet and time-frequency analysis to biosignal processing were presented. It seems that biosignal analysis has finally broken from the spell of the traditional spectrum analysis. The papers presented at the workshop can be classified into
The time schedule was very tight. Presentations were made from early morning till late in the evening during three and half days. The scientific program included 64 papers organised into two keynote lectures and oral and poster sessions. Participants received the papers before the workshop. In the style of a working conference thirty minutes was assigned for each oral paper. However, much of that time was allocated for discussion as the presenter only had to go through the main points. For this reason there was only one track, i.e. all participants were together all the time. Even with the 30 minutes allocation the time was not enough for in-depth discussion. Therefore, some of the papers were presented in poster sessions. The selection for oral and poster presentations was made on the basis of authors' requests rather than on paper quality. For the future we need to consider whether we need to narrow the focus and limit participation. Before the workshop, a satellite symposium on Time Series Analyses of Cardiovascular and Respiratory Dynamics was held on 22 September at The University of Tokyo. The symposium was presented in a tutorial style, including state of the art lectures by some of the participants in the main workshop. The contents were directed towards clinicians, researchers and students in the fields of cardiovascular and respiratory physiology and medicine. Subsequently, 36 papers were selected by the International Program Committee to be published as refereed papers in a special issue of Methods of Information in Medicine (IMIAÕs official journal) in 1997. Agreement was also reached on the next BSI site. Prof. Ben Hi from Chicago volunteered to take responsibility for organising it there in 1999. This workshop received financial support from Suzuken Memorial Foundation and other companies. For this support the Organising Committee expresses its sincere thanks. Finally, on behalf of the local organising committee, I appreciate the helpful suggestions made by Profs. van Bemmel and Saranummi, the founders of this workshop. Prof. Fumihiko Kajiya, Chairman, Local Organising Committee and I thank all the committee members, especially Profs. Kazuo Yana and Yoshiharu Yamamoto, for their help in planning and preparation, and thanks should also be forwarded to all participants coming from many parts of the world. PROFESSOR SHUNSUKE SATO Vice Chairman, Local Organising Committee email: sato@bpe.es.osaka-u.ac.jp | ||