Interface Device Synchronizing Injector and Imaging Equipment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The lack of synchronization between injector devices and imaging equipment in medical diagnostic procedures leads to inefficiencies and poor image quality due to separate interfaces, requiring clinicians to monitor and control multiple systems concurrently, which can result in suboptimal timing and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
An interface device that facilitates communication and synchronization between injector devices and imaging equipment, allowing for real-time monitoring and control from a single interface, using a control unit with stored operational protocols and binary logic signals to coordinate the operation of both systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate interfaces are used for injector device and imaging equipment, then each device can be operated independently, but synchronization between the devices becomes difficult and requires concurrent monitoring by clinicians
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the control of the injector device and imaging equipment into a single integrated interface system. The interface device receives control signals for both devices through a unified communication protocol, allowing synchronized operation without requiring clinicians to monitor multiple separate interfaces concurrently. This merging resolves the contradiction by maintaining independent operation capability while eliminating synchronization difficulty.
Solution Approach 2:
The interface device acts as an intermediary between the injector device and imaging equipment, mediating communication and coordination between them. It translates and relays control signals between the two devices through a standardized protocol, enabling automatic synchronization without requiring manual concurrent monitoring. This intermediary function resolves the synchronization difficulty while preserving independent device operation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate interfaces are used for injector and imaging equipment, then device independence is maintained, but the overall process becomes less efficient and may require procedure repetition
Solution Approach 1:
The interface device merges the control functions of both devices into a coordinated system that operates them as a unified workflow. By integrating control signals and synchronization logic, the system ensures proper timing between injection and imaging without requiring procedure repetition, thereby improving productivity while maintaining device independence through standardized communication protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The interface device implements feedback mechanisms where the imaging equipment communicates its operational status and timing requirements back to the injector device, and vice versa. This closed-loop feedback system ensures synchronized operation and prevents procedure failures that would require repetition, thus improving overall procedure efficiency while preserving device independence.
3Ease of operation
If separate interfaces are used, then clinicians can control each device individually, but timing synchronization between injection and imaging energy exposure becomes suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
The interface device serves as an intermediary that precisely coordinates timing between the injector and imaging equipment. It receives and processes control signals for both devices, applying precise timing logic to ensure optimal synchronization between contrast media injection and imaging energy exposure. This maintains individual device control capability while achieving high timing synchronization accuracy through centralized coordination.
Solution Approach 2:
The interface device performs preliminary timing calculations and preparations before initiating the actual injection and imaging sequence. It pre-coordinates the timing parameters based on the selected imaging protocol and injector settings, ensuring that when the procedure starts, both devices are synchronized with optimal timing. This preliminary action maintains individual control while achieving precise timing synchronization.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is an interface device and system for establishing an operating interface between an injector device and diagnostic imaging equipment. In one embodiment, the interface device may permit an operator to concurrently operate and control the injector device and the imaging equipment. The interface device may permit the injector system and the imaging system to communicate information regarding their current and future operational status with each other. The interface device may be used to synchronize the operation of the imaging equipment and the injector device. In one embodiment, the injector device and the imaging equipment may be able to communicate with each other directly or through the interface device via a communications protocol comprising binary logic signals. The binary logic signals may comprise one or more of a low strength signal, a high strength signal, an oscillating signal that oscillates between low and high signal strength, and combinations thereof.