Design and Development of a Diagnostic Expert System for Kidney Diseases
Chapter One
PURPOSE OF THE PROJECT
The objectives of the project are:
- To provide necessary results on the various symptoms of kidney diseases as provided by the users.
- To develop an expert system that wills enable patients to provide necessary answers to the various diagnostic questions in order to arrive at a detailed conclusion.
- To advice uses and patients on solution(s) or necessary steps to be taken in order to manage the aliment.
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
Overview of Expert System
According to omenyi A.S,(1995),The most common form of expert system is a computer program, with a set of rules that analyzes information (usually supplied by the user of the system) about a specific class of problems, and recommends one or more courses of user action. The expert system may also provide mathematical analysis of the problem(s). The expert system utilizes what appears to be reasoning capabilities to reach conclusions.
A related term is wizard. A wizard is an interactive computer program that helps a user solves a problem. Originally the term wizard was used for programs that construct a database search query based on criteria supplied by the user. However, some rule-based expert systems are also called wizards. Other “Wizards” are a sequence of online forms that guide users through a series of choices, such as the ones which manage the installation of new software on computers, and these are not expert systems. Nissanoff, Daniel (2006).
Prominent expert systems and languages
- ART- An early general-purpose programming language used in the development of expert systems
- CADUCEUS (expert system)- Blood-borne infectious bacteria
- CLIPS- Programming language used in the development of expert systems
- Drools- An open source offering from JBOSS labs
- Dendral- Analysis of mass spectra
- Jess- Java Expert System Shell. A CLIPS engine implemented in Java used in the development of expert systems
- KnowledgeBench– expert system for building new product development applications
- LogicNets- Web based expert system modeling environment to create expert systems (in collaboration with NASA)
- MQL 4- MetaQuotes Language 4, a customized language for financial strategy programming
- Mycin- Diagnose infectious blood diseases and recommend antibiotics (by Stanford University)
- Prolog- Programming language used in the development of expert systems
- Forth- Programming language used in the development of expert systems
- STD Wizard- Expert system for recommending medical screening test
The study of expert systems
Knowledge representation
Knowledge representation is an issue that arises in both cognitive science and artificial intelligence. In cognitive science, it is concerned with how people store and process information. According to Kelly D,(2001).In artificial intelligence (AI) the primary aim is to store knowledge so that programs can process it and achieve the verisimilitude of human intelligence. AI researchers have borrowed representation theories from cognitive science. Thus there are representation techniques such as frames, rules and semantic networks which have originated from theories of human information processing. Since knowledge is used to achieve intelligent behavior, the fundamental goal of knowledge representation is to represent knowledge in a manner as to facilitate inferencing i.e. drawing conclusions from knowledge.
Knowledge engineer
According to Seybold, pat (2001), engineers are concerned with the representation chosen for the expert’s knowledge declarations and with the inference engine used to process that knowledge. He / she can use the knowledge acquisition component of the expert system to input the several characteristics known to be appropriate to a good inference technique, including:
- A good inference technique is independent of the problem domain.
- In order to realize the benefits of explanation, knowledge transparency, and reusabilityof the programs in a new problem domain, the inference engine must not contain domain specific expertise.
- Inference techniques may be specific to a particular task, such as diagnosisof hardware configuration. Other techniques may be committed only to a particular processing technique.
- Inference techniques are always specific to the knowledge structures.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLGYAND SYSTEM ANALYSIS
SYSTEM DESIGN The concept research design is simply referred to the specification of the relevant procedures for collection and analysis of information (data) which would help solve the research problem at hand (Agburu 2001).
Facts Finding Methods
This project was achieved by gathering materials from different sources. One of the invaluable sources of data was oral interview, which I conducted with staff of Park lane Hospital. I had some time with doctors and nurses, who assisted me by providing some key technical facts, especially on issues that border around treatment of some common diseases.
Another source that gave me a wealth of information was the internet, which provided some of the details used to analyze some key issues. Several web sites were willing to let go vital information on medical disease diagnosis.
The state and federal library were also resourceful in these achievements.
Objective of the Existing System
The main objective of the existing system was to be able to determine the level at which a particular disease has grown in a patient, especially kidney disease. Other objectives include the following:
- Provide a means of examining a patient
- To create a medical record for a patients health history
- To provide useful information that will help the doctor make some critical decision concerning a patient’s health.
CHAPTER FOUR
DESIGN, IMPLEMENTATION AND TESTING OF THE NEW SYSTEM
System Design
The design and analysis conducted were divided into two sections. These are:
1 User Interface
2 The Database Design
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, RECOMMENDATION AND CONCLUSION
Summary
At the end of this research work, several lessons were leant. These include among others, kidney disease conditions and their diagnosis based on symptoms.
Again I achieved the major aim and objective of this project work, which was to implement a computer Expert system on kidney Disease diagnosis.
Problems Encountered and Solutions
There were several problems encountered in the process of this design. The most important aspect of the problem was the aspect of information gathering. It was very difficult to for me source information for the relevant thing that I needed to do.
Finance was another important aspect of the work that rendered everything almost impossible.
Suggestions for Further Improvements
I would rather here suggest that anybody wishing to repeat this work should dwell more on incorporating sound into the system. Higher programming languages such as java, .Net, etc may be used for future development.
Recommendations
I strongly suggest that more time should be allocated to school project. This will go a long way to helping the student involved to truly participate actively in developing his work.
Another important suggestion is financial support. Government and agencies should come to the aid of the student carrying out such project work as this financially. This can only be possible if the school will link the student to such agencies and governmental institutions.
Conclusions
Expert systems have been found to be very useful in our today’s world driven by technology. When expert’s knowledge is extracted and stored, such knowledge can be used to replace the expert in case of demise.
Medical diagnosis will have greater part of the advantages of expert system, knowing that only a few specialties exist in the medical field. The knowledge of such specialist can be replicated and made use of in times extreme necessity.
The development of expert system need be encouraged.
Medical diagnosis will have greater part of the advantages of expert system, knowing that only a few specialties exist in the medical field. The knowledge of such specialist can be replicated and made use of in times extreme necessity.
The development of expert system need be encouraged.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
BOOKS
- Chaudhury, A. J(2002). Medical Infrastructure. McGraw-Hill. ISBN 0-07-247875-6.
- Elwood F, Hotton II, James W, Trott Jr, (1996). Programming and the artificial thinking Development. New York, ACM Press, pp 99-107.
- French,C.S.(1993).Data processing and information technology” Dp publication Ltd, London.
- Grirr mk, Buchamm,E.M.N.R,Greig,W.R.and Bayer, J.a.(1985)Progress in medical computing ”Black –wills Scientific Publication, London.
- Kelly D, (2001): Expert Systemandmedical issues ,Ibadan,SME’s. London, Oxford University Press, pp 48-62.
- Meacham A, Stab S, Stajanovic N, Studer R, Sure Y, (2003). Theories of system experT . London, MIT Press, pp 317-359.
