Integrating UIMA annotators in a web-based text processing framework

Stud Health Technol Inform. 2013:192:1191.

Abstract

The Unstructured Information Management Architecture (UIMA) [1] framework is a growing platform for natural language processing (NLP) applications. However, such applications may be difficult for non-technical users deploy. This project presents a web-based framework that wraps UIMA-based annotator systems into a graphical user interface for researchers and clinicians, and a web service for developers. An annotator that extracts data elements from lung cancer radiology reports is presented to illustrate the use of the system. Annotation results from the web system can be exported to multiple formats for users to utilize in other aspects of their research and workflow. This project demonstrates the benefits of a lay-user interface for complex NLP applications. Efforts such as this can lead to increased interest and support for NLP work in the clinical domain.

MeSH terms

  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Data Curation / methods
  • Data Curation / standards*
  • Data Mining / standards*
  • Guidelines as Topic
  • Internationality
  • Internet / standards*
  • Medical Record Linkage / methods
  • Medical Record Linkage / standards*
  • Natural Language Processing*
  • Online Systems
  • Systems Integration
  • Translating
  • User-Computer Interface*
  • Vocabulary, Controlled*