Ambulance Imaging System Destination Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for treating trauma or stroke patients using medical imaging devices in ambulances face delays due to the need for image data transmission to hospitals for diagnosis, which can hinder timely treatment decisions and location selection based on equipment availability and cost efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A method that uses a medical imaging device in an ambulance to generate image data sets, which are evaluated locally by a computing unit to determine the optimal treatment location, considering factors like equipment level and travel time, thereby selecting the best destination for immediate and cost-effective treatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If image data is transmitted to a hospital for diagnosis, then comprehensive medical evaluation can be performed, but time is lost during data transmission
Solution Approach 1:
A telemedicine evaluation unit acts as an intermediary between the mobile imaging device and the hospital, performing preliminary automated assessment of image data on-site. This intermediary system uses AI algorithms to evaluate stroke and trauma cases, providing rapid preliminary diagnosis without requiring immediate data transmission to the hospital, thus reducing time loss while maintaining diagnostic reliability through subsequent confirmation by physicians.
2Reliability
If the patient is taken to a comprehensive stroke center with advanced equipment, then optimal treatment can be provided, but travel time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The telemedicine evaluation unit performs preliminary assessment of the patient's condition using image data before the patient reaches the hospital. This preliminary action identifies the specific type of stroke or trauma and determines the appropriate level of care needed, enabling the system to direct the patient to the most suitable facility (primary stroke center, comprehensive stroke center, or thrombectomy-capable center) rather than automatically routing to the most advanced facility, thus optimizing the balance between treatment quality and travel time.
Solution Approach 2:
Different treatment locations are assigned different functional qualities based on their equipment capabilities. Primary stroke centers handle routine cases, comprehensive stroke centers handle complex cases requiring advanced imaging and intervention, and thrombectomy-capable centers handle specific severe cases. The telemedicine evaluation unit matches the patient's specific condition to the appropriate local quality level, ensuring optimal treatment without unnecessary travel to over-equipped facilities.
3Loss of time
If a primary stroke center is used for treatment, then travel time is reduced, but advanced treatment options may not be available
Solution Approach 1:
The telemedicine evaluation unit provides real-time feedback about the patient's condition based on image data analysis. This feedback includes specific diagnostic findings (e.g., type of stroke, location, severity) that inform the selection of the appropriate treatment center. The system continuously monitors and adjusts the destination recommendation based on the evaluated medical needs, ensuring that the patient is directed to a facility with the precise level of equipment and expertise required for their specific condition.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for determining a preferred destination for a vehicle (100), in particular an ambulance, comprising a medical imaging device (101), comprising the steps of: - providing (S1) an image data set of a patient (103), which was generated by the medical imaging device (101), via a first interface (105); - evaluating (S2) the provided image data set by means of a processing unit (107); - first determining (S3) a position (4) of the vehicle (100) by means of the processing unit (107); - second determining (S4) a number of optional destinations (1, 2, 3) for treating the patient, at least based on the determined position (4) of the vehicle (100) by means of the processing unit (107); - third determining (S5) the preferred destination from the number of optional destinations (1, 2, 3).3) at least based on the evaluated image data set and the determined position (4) of the vehicle (100) by means of the computing unit (107), - output (S6) of the selected, preferred destination via a second interface (109).,