Medical Imaging Device Configuration via Centralized Parameter Repository
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Solution Overview
Problem
In medical imaging systems, especially in geographically distributed radiological centers, manual selection of acquisition parameters can lead to inconsistencies and inferior image quality due to obsolete protocols and lack of synchronization, resulting in motion artifacts and inappropriate adjustments, which can lead to erroneous conclusions and re-acquisition challenges.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that configures medical imaging devices by selecting a reference image with associated acquisition parameters from a central repository, allowing for consistent and up-to-date parameter application across sites, with a feedback loop for continuous quality improvement using physician feedback and machine learning for image quality assessment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If technicians manually select acquisition parameters from locally stored protocols, then the system allows flexibility in parameter selection, but inconsistencies and errors occur across distributed sites due to obsolete protocols and lack of synchronization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a central repository that stores master copies of acquisition parameters and protocols. These parameters are then copied and distributed to multiple medical imaging devices across different sites, ensuring all devices use identical, synchronized parameter sets. This eliminates the problem of obsolete local protocols while maintaining the ability to select from multiple standardized options.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the parameter storage and management functionality into a centralized system rather than keeping separate local copies at each site. The central repository consolidates all acquisition parameters, and the system automatically distributes updated parameters to all connected imaging devices, ensuring consistency across distributed centers while preserving selection flexibility.
2Ease of operation
If acquisition parameters are stored locally at each imaging device, then each site has independent access to parameters, but parameter synchronization across geographically distributed sites becomes challenging and inconsistent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a central repository as an intermediary between the radiologist who creates parameters and the multiple imaging devices that use them. This intermediary automatically distributes parameter updates to all connected devices, ensuring synchronization without requiring manual intervention at each site while maintaining independent access capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary distribution of acquisition parameters to all imaging devices before they are needed for image acquisition. When parameters are created or updated at the central repository, they are proactively pushed to all connected devices in advance, ensuring synchronization is maintained without requiring real-time coordination during actual imaging operations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If technicians adjust acquisition parameters locally, then on-site customization is possible, but inappropriate adjustments occur and image quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the central repository tracks which parameters are used at each site and monitors image quality outcomes. This feedback loop allows the system to identify successful parameter configurations and automatically distribute them as updated standards, preventing inappropriate local adjustments while maintaining necessary adaptability through standardized options.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service parameter selection at the imaging site through standardized protocols from the central repository, eliminating the need for technicians to manually adjust parameters. The automated distribution and selection process maintains image quality consistency while providing on-site access to multiple validated parameter options.
4Extent of automation
If quantitative image quality measurements are used, then automatic verification is achieved, but the measurements may not capture all aspects of image quality and insufficient differentiation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary quality criteria and acceptance thresholds to images before they are released for clinical use. The system automatically evaluates images against predefined quality standards embedded in the acquisition parameters, performing quality assurance in advance to prevent release of substandard images while maintaining comprehensive assessment through standardized criteria.
Data Source
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AI summary
A technique for configuring a medical imaging device by a set of acquisition parameters for acquiring a medical image is disclosed. A method implementation of the technique comprises selecting (S102) a reference image from a plurality of reference images, each of the plurality of reference images being stored in association with a set of acquisition parameters which has been used to acquire the respective reference image, and configuring (S104) the medical imaging device by the set of acquisition parameters stored in association with the selected reference image for acquiring the medical image.