Annotated Image Persistence in Medical Imaging Workflow
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The current medical imaging workflow is inefficient as sonographers must leave the exam room to convey findings to physicians, relying on verbal and handwritten notes, which is time-consuming and prone to information loss, and does not effectively utilize the sonographer's additional observations and images in the diagnostic process.
Innovation Solution
A medical imaging system that includes an operator terminal to annotate and store images with sonographer notes and findings, allowing these annotated images to be reviewed by physicians electronically, reducing the need for in-person meetings and enabling automatic deletion of non-persistent content after diagnosis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If sonographers use handwritten notes and verbal communication to transfer findings to physicians, then information can be conveyed, but time is wasted and information loss occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates digital copies of sonographer notes and findings that can be electronically transmitted to physicians. The operator terminal captures notes, photographs, and audio recordings, converts them into digital format, and transmits them through the network to the physician terminal, eliminating the need for physical handwritten notes and reducing information loss during transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary communication platform consisting of the operator terminal, server, and network infrastructure. This intermediary system facilitates the transfer of findings from sonographers to physicians through electronic means, replacing direct verbal communication and reducing both time loss and information distortion.
2Reliability
If sonographers wait for physicians to become available to convey findings, then accurate communication can occur, but workflow efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables sonographers to prepare and transmit their findings, notes, and observations to physicians in advance using the operator terminal. Findings can be uploaded to the server immediately after the examination, allowing physicians to review them at their convenience without requiring the sonographer to wait in person, thus maintaining communication accuracy while improving workflow efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows sonographers to continue their workflow by preparing the next examination while their previous findings are being reviewed by physicians. The electronic transmission system operates independently of physician availability, enabling continuous productive action rather than interrupting the sonographer's workflow to wait for physician availability.
3Loss of information
If sonographers leave the exam room to convey findings, then physician review can occur, but the exam room cannot be prepared for the next patient
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates electronic copies of all findings, notes, and observations that can be transmitted to physicians without requiring the sonographer's physical presence. This digital copying mechanism ensures complete information transfer while allowing the sonographer to remain in the exam room and prepare for the next patient, thereby increasing patient throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables the findings transmission process to occur automatically through the electronic platform without requiring the sonographer to personally deliver information to the physician. The operator terminal automatically uploads and transmits data through the network, allowing the sonographer to continue preparing the exam room and reducing idle time between patients.
Data Source
AI summary
A medical imaging system comprises an operator terminal configured to obtain at least one image of a patient generated by a medical imaging device, receive one or more notes pertaining to the at least one image from an operator of the medical imaging device, store a clean set of images including the at least one image in at least one server, annotate the at least one image with the one or more notes to generate a set of annotated images; tag the set of annotated images as non-persistent, and store the set of annotated images in the at least one server; wherein the at least one server is configured to provide to a physician terminal both the clean set of images and the annotated set of images stored for the patient and automatically delete the one or more images tagged as non-persistent after review thereof by the physician.