Abstract
This paper presents a study of the heterogeneity and interoperability of Information Systems (IS) that exist in Northern Portuguese Hospitals. Structured interviews to each Hospital CIO were performed regarding their opinions, existing IS and integrations. The number of IS is exponentially related of the dimension of the hospital (number of beds), and the relation between the number of IS and the number of integrations follows an exponential model. The ratio between the number of effective integrations and the total possibilities is very low and follows a quadratic model, indicating that the energy spent grows rapidly with the increase of IS number and with poor results. Admission/discharge/transfer and drug related IS are installed more often, and therefore are better candidates for a regional network. Despite numerous efforts to develop standards, it seems that there is a large gap between their development and their applicability. Interoperability inside organizations is a crucial first step, looking for the goal of achieving regional and national EHR. Standardization is vital considering the number of IS and multitude of organizations involved.

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This paper presents a detailed architecture model for the Brain Imaging Network Grid (BING) that will be the main IT infrastructure of the recently created Portuguese Brain Imaging Consortium. The proposed architecture follows a service oriented philosophy and is designed to empower medical data sharing and processing, specifically brain images. Allowing the use of computationally intensive methods like feature extraction and retrieving of structured information, this system will take advantage of Grid computing new paradigm. In BING context, Grid infrastructure is the right option to provide the ability to seamless aggregate distributed computational power, extensive storage resources and high-bandwidth networking. The goal is to develop a system that simultaneously can provide basic data services, allow collaborative research between geographically distributed partners (e.g. analysis processes, workflows) and make use of the Grid computational power.

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Recent advances in computer hardware and signal processing assert that controlling certain functions by thoughts may represent a landmark in the way we interact with many output devices. This paper exploits the possibility of achieving a communication channel between the brain and a mobile robot through the modulation of the electroencephalogram (EEG) signal during motor imagery tasks. A major concern was directed towards designing a generalized and multi-purpose framework that supports rapid prototyping of various experimental strategies and operating modes. Preliminary results of brain-state estimation using EEG signals recorded during a self-paced left/right hand movement task are also presented. The user successfully learned to operate the system and how to better perform the motor-related tasks based on outcomes produced by its mental focus.

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