Automated Imaging System Quality Assessment via Test Exam Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical imaging systems require time-consuming manual analysis of test exams to assess performance, lacking automated traceability and notification for performance indicators, leading to potential inaccuracies and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
An integrated system that automatically analyzes test exam data from imaging devices, determines validity, and measures performance indicators, providing reports on imaging device functionality over time, with alerts for deviations and storage of performance metrics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual analysis of test exams is performed by technicians/physicists, then performance assessment can be conducted, but the process is time-consuming and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical analysis process performed by technicians with an automated computer-based system that uses algorithms and software to analyze test exam data, measure performance indicators, and generate reports automatically
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging device performs self-assessment by automatically collecting test exam data, processing it through built-in analysis routines, and generating performance reports without requiring external technician intervention
2Reliability
If manual quality control tests are performed annually or biannually, then some system parameters can be monitored, but frequent parameters cannot be adequately tested
Solution Approach 1:
The automated system enables continuous monitoring of imaging system performance by automatically analyzing test exams as they are performed, providing ongoing assessment of multiple performance indicators rather than periodic snapshots
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-configures multiple performance indicators and acceptance criteria, automatically measuring and comparing them against thresholds before clinical use, enabling proactive detection of performance degradation
3Loss of information
If manual analysis and outsourcing of test exam results are used, then performance evaluation can be achieved, but costs increase and traceability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The automated system provides immediate feedback by automatically comparing measured performance indicators against pre-defined acceptance criteria and generating alerts when thresholds are exceeded, creating a closed-loop quality control process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an automated software intermediary that acts as a mediator between test exam data collection and performance assessment, systematically processing data through standardized algorithms to eliminate manual interpretation variability
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus for automatically assessing quality of imaging systems are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a processor configured to receive data from an imaging device; determine whether the received data corresponds to a test exam; in response to determining that the received data corresponds to the test exam, determine whether the test exam was correctly performed based on a comparison of the data to a validity criterion; and when the test exam was correctly performed, determine that the imaging system satisfies a performance criteria based on a comparison of a characteristic of the data corresponding to the performance indicator with a performance threshold; and a storage configured to store the performance indicator in conjunction with the data.