Integrated Problem Reporting GUI for Medical Imaging Workflows

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medical imaging devices face challenges in efficient and timely reporting of service requests due to delays in verbal communication, forgetfulness, and incomplete transfer of failure details, leading to prolonged downtime and potential disruption of imaging workflows.

Innovation Solution

Integration of a problem reporting GUI dialog within the medical imaging device's electronic controller, which allows for immediate and detailed reporting of issues during imaging workflows, providing workflow-dependent guidance for continued operations and automated service request generation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If staff call service telephonically to report problems, then service requests can be made, but reporting delays occur and information may be lost due to forgetfulness or verbal communication limitations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproblem detailsVSAvoidservice request delay

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables automated service request generation by the imaging device itself. When a problem is detected, the device automatically creates a service request with complete diagnostic information, eliminating the need for manual staff reporting and ensuring no information is lost or delayed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements automated feedback loops where problem detection triggers immediate service request generation. The system continuously monitors device status and automatically communicates issues to service personnel, creating a closed-loop feedback mechanism that eliminates manual intervention delays.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Loss of time

If imaging workflow is stopped immediately to report device failure, then problem can be reported promptly, but patient care is disrupted and workflow efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproblem reporting timeVSAvoidimaging workflow efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system allows imaging workflows to continue operating even when problems are detected. Automated monitoring and service request generation occur in the background without interrupting the imaging workflow, maintaining continuous useful action while ensuring problems are reported promptly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The automated service request system acts as an intermediary that handles problem reporting separately from the imaging workflow. This mediator captures and transmits diagnostic information without requiring staff to interrupt their workflow, decoupling problem reporting from workflow execution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of information

If staff revisit imaging suite to recall failure details, then more complete information can be provided, but additional time is lost and workflow disruption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefailure details completenessVSAvoidstaff time

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary data collection and diagnostic analysis automatically when a problem occurs. All relevant information is captured and organized in advance, so when service personnel receive the notification, complete diagnostic data is already available without requiring staff to revisit or recall details.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates automated digital copies of diagnostic data and problem information. Instead of relying on staff memory or verbal recall, the system generates and transmits precise digital records of the failure conditions, eliminating the need for staff to revisit the imaging suite.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

4Ease of operation

If service requests are processed manually, then flexibility in handling diverse problems is maintained, but processing speed decreases and errors increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice request handling flexibilityVSAvoidservice request processing speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the parameters of service request processing by automating data collection, classification, and transmission. Problems are categorized using standardized parameters and protocols, enabling rapid automated routing and processing while maintaining flexibility through configurable handling rules for different problem types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20250299809A1Simplified service requests for medical imaging systems

Publication Date: 2025.09.25 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV

AI summary

A medical imaging system (1) includes an electronic controller (10) including a display (24), the electronic controller configured to implement an imaging workflow graphical user interface (GUI) (26) enabling an associated user to set up an imaging workflow, execute the imaging workflow to acquire imaging data of the associated imaging subject using a medical imaging device (2), and display at least one medical image of the associated imaging subject generated by processing of the imaging data acquired by the execution of the imaging workflow; a problem reporting GUI dialog (28) hosted on the electronic controller and integrated with the workflow UI, wherein the problem reporting GUI is configured to receive a problem report indicating a problem with the medical imaging device; and a problem remediation tool (30) configured to perform at least one remedial action in response to receiving the problem report via the problem reporting GUI dialog.