Medical Imaging Protocol Comparison via Semantic Matching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for comparing medical imaging protocols face challenges due to the complexity of comparing numerous parameters and protocol steps across different versions and systems, especially when structural changes such as addition, deletion, or modification of protocol steps occur, leading to ambiguity in step assignment and ignoring the order of steps which may not affect examination results.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method that receives two protocols, determines various arrangements of the first protocol steps, calculates comparison values based on these arrangements, and provides an agreement value to improve the comparison process, allowing for better matching of protocol steps regardless of their order and handling of structural changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If known methods compare protocols by matching protocol steps based on position, then the comparison is simple, but structural alterations such as addition or deletion of protocol steps lead to ambiguous assignment and incorrect comparisons
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the comparison approach from position-based to content-based by changing the parameters used for matching. Instead of comparing protocol steps based on their positional indices, the system compares them based on their semantic content, parameters, and characteristics. This allows the system to correctly identify corresponding protocol steps even when structural alterations such as addition, deletion, or reordering have occurred, thereby resolving the contradiction between simplicity and accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary comparison mechanism that acts as a mediator between different protocol versions. This intermediary system evaluates multiple possible assignments of protocol steps between two protocols and selects the optimal assignment based on comparison metrics. This mediator approach enables accurate matching despite structural changes, resolving the ambiguity problem without requiring complex manual intervention.
2Adaptability or versatility
If known methods seek the most closely matching protocol step irrespective of position, then order changes can be handled, but the method fails when protocol steps are deleted or added
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic comparison approach that adapts to structural changes in protocols. The system evaluates multiple possible assignments and dynamically selects the optimal matching based on the actual content and parameters of protocol steps. This dynamic evaluation allows the system to correctly handle cases where steps are deleted or added, as it can identify the correct correspondences based on semantic similarity rather than fixed positional relationships.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary evaluation of multiple possible protocol step assignments before finalizing the comparison. By pre-calculating and evaluating different assignment scenarios, the system prepares multiple candidate matchings and selects the best one. This preliminary action ensures that when structural changes occur, the system has already considered various possibilities and can correctly identify the intended correspondences.
3Measurement precision
If protocols are compared with high attention to detail for each parameter, then comparison accuracy is improved, but the complexity and time required for comparison increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by focusing the comparison on the most critical parameters and characteristics of protocol steps rather than exhaustively analyzing every single parameter. The system identifies key distinguishing features that are sufficient for accurate matching, performing comparisons only on these essential attributes. This approach maintains high accuracy while significantly reducing the time and computational resources required, as it avoids unnecessary detailed analysis of less important parameters.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method is for comparing protocols. In an embodiment, the computer-implemented method includes first receipt of a first protocol relating to a performance of a measurement at a first medical device, including a plurality of first protocol steps; and second receipt of a second protocol relating to a performance of a measurement at a second medical device. The computer-implemented method further includes determination of a plurality of arrangements of the first protocol steps; determination of a plurality of comparison values, each of the comparison values being based on a comparison of the second protocol with one of the arrangements of the first protocol steps; determination of an agreement value based upon the plurality of comparison values; and provision of the agreement value.