Flexible Medical Imaging Protocol Structure for Cross-Device Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current measurement protocols for medical imaging are inflexible and lead to image quality issues and discrepancies when transferred between different types of medical imaging apparatuses, requiring frequent parameter adjustments that can result in inaccurate visual representations.

Innovation Solution

A measurement protocol structure is developed with a base class for hardware-independent parameters and supplementary classes for hardware-specific parameters, allowing for seamless conversion and use across various imaging systems without overwriting existing parameters, using a hierarchical class system to detect and adapt parameter values accordingly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If measurement protocols are transferred between different types of medical imaging apparatuses using conventional methods, then the protocols can be used across multiple devices, but parameter adjustments must be made manually which leads to image quality discrepancies and visual representation errors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotocol transferabilityVSAvoidimage quality consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The measurement protocol is segmented into a hierarchical structure with a base class containing hardware-independent parameters and supplementary classes containing hardware-specific parameters. This segmentation allows the protocol to be transferred between different imaging apparatus types while maintaining image quality consistency by automatically handling parameter adaptation at the appropriate class level.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically changes parameters based on the target apparatus type by detecting which supplementary classes are applicable and adjusting only the necessary hardware-specific parameters while preserving the core hardware-independent parameters in the base class, thereby maintaining image quality across different device types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If measurement protocols are saved with all parameters necessary for the current scan unit, then the protocols can be used on identical scan units, but transferring them to different scan unit types requires repeated parameter conversion and adjustment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotocol usabilityVSAvoidparameter adjustment time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The measurement protocol is prepared in advance with a hierarchical structure that anticipates different scan unit types. The base class contains parameters valid for all units, and supplementary classes contain parameters for specific unit types. When transferring to a different scan unit type, the system only needs to activate the appropriate supplementary class rather than performing repeated parameter conversions, thus saving time while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If parameter conversion is performed multiple times when transferring protocols between different scan unit types, then the protocols can be adapted to different systems, but conversion errors accumulate leading to changes in image quality and visual impression

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem compatibilityVSAvoidparameter accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of repeatedly converting parameters between different formats, the system uses a master template approach where the base class serves as the authoritative source and supplementary classes provide type-specific variations. When transferring protocols, the system copies the appropriate supplementary class for the target unit type rather than performing sequential conversions, thereby preventing error accumulation while maintaining system compatibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS10509087B2Flexible measurement protocol for medical imaging

Publication Date: 2019.12.17 SIEMENS HEALTHINEERS AG

AI summary

In a method for generating a measurement protocol for medical imaging of an object under examination, measurement parameters of the measurement protocol are divided into a protocol structure with a base class and classes supplementing the base class. The base class includes only hardware-independent measurement parameters and the supplementary classes includes only hardware-specific measurement parameters. A method for transferring a measurement protocol, a measurement protocol generation computer, a measurement protocol conversion apparatus, and a medical imaging system make use of such a measurement protocol.