Imaging Exam State Estimation From Console Screen Actions
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Solution Overview
Problem
In medical imaging, remote technologists assisting multiple imaging bays face challenges in determining the current state of examinations asynchronously, leading to potential delays or errors due to lack of proactive assistance from experts.
Innovation Solution
A state machine is used to determine the current state of medical imaging examinations by analyzing video feeds from imaging device consoles, enabling real-time tracking and providing alerts or assistance based on state transitions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If remote technologists monitor multiple imaging bays simultaneously, then productivity increases, but the ability to provide focused assistance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically determines exam states by monitoring user actions on console screens, eliminating the need for remote technologists to manually check exam status. The automated state detection performs the monitoring function that would otherwise require continuous human attention across multiple bays.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides real-time feedback to remote technologists about which exams require assistance by displaying current exam states and triggering notifications when assistance is needed. This feedback mechanism enables focused intervention only when required, improving both productivity and assistance quality.
2Device complexity
If remote technologists wait for local technologists to call for assistance, then device complexity is reduced, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors exam states in advance and proactively identifies when assistance is needed before the local technologist realizes the problem or decides to call for help. This preliminary detection and notification eliminates response time delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated state detection system performs the monitoring and assessment function that would otherwise require manual checking by remote technologists, reducing the complexity of the communication system while enabling timely intervention.
3Measurement precision
If the system automatically determines exam state from video feeds, then measurement precision of exam state improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses an intermediary approach by capturing video feeds from existing console screens and processing them through automated state detection algorithms. This intermediary video processing layer translates visual console states into structured exam state information without requiring direct complex integration with the imaging device's control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a visual copy of the console screen through video capture and analyzes this copy to determine exam state. This copying approach allows precise state determination from existing video feeds without requiring direct access to or modification of the imaging device's internal state management systems.
4Productivity
If remote technologists assist multiple imaging bays, then productivity increases, but loss of information about current exam states worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously provides feedback to remote technologists about the current state of all monitored exams through automated detection and display interfaces. This real-time feedback ensures that remote technologists maintain accurate information about all exam states while managing multiple bays simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated state determination system performs the information gathering function, continuously monitoring and updating exam states without requiring remote technologists to manually check each bay. This self-service monitoring preserves complete information about all exams while enabling remote technologists to manage multiple bays efficiently.
Data Source
AI summary
A non-transitory computer readable medium (26s) stores instructions executable by at least one electronic processor (14s) to perform a method (100) of providing assistance during a medical imaging examination performed using a medical imaging device (2). The method includes acquiring video (17) of the medical imaging examination; determining, using a state machine (40) implemented in the at least one electronic processor, a current state of an imaging examination from the acquired video; and displaying an indication (46) of the determined current state of the imaging examination on an electronic processing device (8).