Medical Imaging Communication Unit for Operator Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical imaging technologies face challenges in achieving shorter examination times and ensuring accurate patient positioning, which can lead to safety issues and measurement errors due to the need for frequent operator intervention and patient movement during examinations.
Innovation Solution
A method and device for efficient communication between a control unit in a control room and an operator or patient in an examination room, using object data acquisition units to monitor patient and accessory positioning, generating human-perceptible output information for safety and instruction, and allowing for real-time correction of positioning errors without the operator leaving the control room.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the operator leaves the examination room to communicate with the control unit, then communication between the control unit and operator is achieved, but examination time is increased and workflow efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A communication unit with acoustic output device is introduced as an intermediary between the control unit and the operator. The control unit transmits communication signals to the communication unit, which then outputs acoustic signals in the examination room, enabling the operator to receive information without leaving the examination room, thus saving time while maintaining communication effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of physical movement (operator leaving examination room) with an acoustic signal transmission system. The control unit sends signals that are converted into acoustic outputs by the communication unit, allowing information transfer through sound waves rather than physical displacement, thereby eliminating the time loss associated with operator movement
2Reliability
If the operator remains in the examination room for continuous monitoring, then patient safety and positioning accuracy are improved, but the operator cannot efficiently manage the control unit located in the control room
Solution Approach 1:
The communication unit establishes a feedback loop between the control unit and the operator in the examination room. The control unit sends control signals and receives status information through the communication unit, enabling the operator to monitor patient positioning and safety conditions in real-time while remaining in the examination room, thus maintaining reliability without compromising productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The communication unit serves multiple functions: it transmits control signals from the control unit to the examination room equipment, conveys status information back to the operator, and provides acoustic communication between the operator and patient. This multi-functionality allows the operator to maintain patient safety while efficiently managing the control unit without physical presence in the control room
3Manufacturing precision
If object data acquisition and monitoring systems are implemented, then positioning accuracy and error detection are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The object data acquisition unit automatically detects and monitors the positioning of objects in the examination room without requiring additional manual intervention. The system self-services by continuously acquiring position data, processing it, and providing feedback to the operator, thereby improving positioning accuracy while adding minimal operational complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The object data acquisition unit acts as an intermediary between the physical objects in the examination room and the control system. It automatically captures position data, processes it through the control unit, and presents it to the operator via the communication unit, thereby improving positioning accuracy while managing system complexity through automated intermediate processing
Data Source
AI summary
In a method and apparatus for communication between a control unit of a medical imaging device, the control unit being arranged within a control room, and an operator located in an examination room examination and/or a patient located in the examination room and positioned on a patient support device, wherein the control room is arranged outside of the examination room, object data of objects positioned on the patient support device and/or of the operator are acquired by an object data acquisition unit, the acquired object data are transferred from the object data acquisition unit to the control unit, information of the objects positioned on the patient support device and/or the operator is determined by the control unit using the acquired object data, and output information is generated using the determined information and the output information is presented within the examination room.