Blade Workstation Switching Across Multiple PACS Platforms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical imaging workstations struggle to integrate multiple distinct PACS platforms due to interoperability issues, requiring multiple physical systems and lacking seamless switching capabilities for peripherals like microphones and USB inputs, leading to inefficiency and high costs.
Innovation Solution
A workstation with a single chassis integrating multiple blade computing devices, each configured for a distinct PACS platform, allowing simultaneous VPN connections and exclusive resource control, with a switching mechanism to seamlessly switch between platforms without interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple independent computer systems are used to support different PACS platforms, then interoperability with multiple hospitals is achieved, but office work area and system complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple independent computer systems into a single workstation by integrating multiple blade computing devices into one chassis. Each blade can be configured for a different PACS platform, allowing the system to support multiple hospitals and imaging centers without requiring separate physical computers. This consolidation reduces office work area while maintaining the ability to connect to multiple VPNs simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The workstation is designed with universal functionality to support multiple PACS platforms through a single system. The blade computing architecture allows each blade to be configured for specific PACS platform requirements while sharing common resources such as display devices, input devices, and network connections. This multi-functional design enables a radiologist to access different hospital systems without needing dedicated equipment for each.
2Ease of operation
If multiple independent computer systems are used for different PACS platforms, then seamless switching between platforms is achieved, but physical space requirements and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple computing systems are merged into a single workstation chassis containing multiple blade computing devices. This integration maintains the ability to switch between different PACS platforms while significantly reducing the physical space required compared to having separate computers for each platform.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates dynamic switching capabilities that allow seamless transition between different blade computing devices within the same workstation. The switching mechanism enables smooth transitions between PACS platforms without requiring physical reconfiguration or loss of connection, maintaining ease of operation while consolidating multiple systems into one compact unit.
3Device complexity
If conventional KVM switches are used to share peripherals between workstations, then device sharing is achieved, but seamless switching of microphone inputs and USB inputs is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using external KVM switches to share peripherals between separate workstations, the patent merges multiple computing blades into a single integrated workstation. This internal integration allows seamless switching of all peripheral connections including microphones and USB inputs directly within the workstation architecture, eliminating the limitations of external switching devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a specialized switching mechanism within the blade workstation that acts as an intermediary for peripheral connections. This internal switching system provides seamless routing of audio inputs, USB connections, and other peripheral signals between different blade computing devices, overcoming the limitations of conventional KVM switches.
4Device complexity
If virtualization of separate systems is used, then system integration is achieved, but high resolution requirements and input switching cannot be met
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple computing systems are merged into a physical blade architecture within a single workstation chassis rather than using virtualization. This physical integration maintains dedicated hardware resources for each blade, ensuring that high display resolution requirements and precise input device connections are met without the limitations imposed by virtualized environments.
Data Source
AI summary
In an example embodiment, a computing system may receive a selection of a medical image study in a user interface and determine whether the medical image study is accessible by a first computing device based at least in part on a token associated with the medical image study, the first computing device being an active computing device, and the token comprising an indication of a source picture archiving and communications systems (PACS) server from which the medical image study originated. In response to determining that the medical image study is inaccessible by the first computing device, the computing system may identify a second computing device among a plurality of computing devices configurable to access the medical image study and generate an output signal to cause the computing system to activate the second computing device for accessing the medical image study.