Dual Display CT Scanner Interface Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing CT scanner user interfaces are inefficient due to their linear, sequential architecture, which leads to bottlenecks and fails to support multi-tasking workflow, collaboration, and consistency in scan quality, as they are consumed with system tasks and lack proper identification of users involved in the patient experience.
Innovation Solution
A dual-display user interface for CT scanners, where one display is dedicated to set-up and scanning tasks and the other to post-processing, with distinct zones for each, allowing operators to focus on specific tasks and collaborate while only displaying context-relevant information, thereby simplifying the interface and improving workflow efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a linear, sequential user interface architecture is used, then the interface is simple to implement, but it creates bottlenecks and reduces overall scanner efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The user interface is segmented into multiple concurrent workflows displayed on separate screens: a scanning workflow screen showing real-time scan parameters and images, and a post-processing workflow screen showing image reconstruction and analysis tasks. This segmentation allows operators to perform multiple tasks simultaneously without blocking each other, resolving the bottleneck issue while maintaining manageable complexity through modular display design.
Solution Approach 2:
The interface transitions from a single-dimensional sequential workflow to a multi-dimensional concurrent workflow by adding a temporal and spatial dimension to task execution. Operators can view and control scanning parameters while simultaneously monitoring post-processing status, effectively adding a dimension of parallel processing to the interface architecture.
2Ease of operation
If all user interface elements are displayed at all times, then the interface provides complete information, but it creates clutter and reduces ease of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The user interface elements are made dynamic rather than static. The scanning workflow screen and post-processing workflow screen can be independently activated, deactivated, or minimized based on the current operational phase. Interface elements automatically appear or disappear based on the selected workflow mode, providing complete information when needed while eliminating clutter when not required.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the interface are given different qualities based on their functional requirements. The scanning workflow screen prioritizes real-time scan parameters and live images, while the post-processing workflow screen prioritizes reconstruction algorithms and quality metrics. Each screen can be customized to display only the locally relevant elements for the current task, improving usability without losing necessary information.
Data Source
AI summary
A CT user interface includes first and second displays that selectively display distinct display zones thereon. The first display includes a zone enabling the operator to create a record for each of a plurality of patients and an exam set-up and a protocol selection zone enabling the operator to select a scan protocol for performing a CT scan on a selected patient. A task list zone on the first display displays all steps and sub-steps of a CT scan for a selected patient based on the selected scan protocol, and a settings zone and a scanning zone on the first display displays and enables operator selection of a plurality of scan parameters related to the selected scan protocol. Any general user interface elements not needed for the selected scan protocol are not displayed on the first and second displays, so as to simplify the user interface for the operator.