Medical Procedure Optimization via Substep Deviation Monitoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Medical procedures in systems like X-ray, MR, and CT are prone to delays due to unscheduled issues, which can be life-threatening or unpleasant for patients, and existing technologies lack effective real-time optimization to prevent these delays.

Innovation Solution

A method that determines target values for each substep of a medical procedure, compares them to actual values, and identifies deviations, allowing for optimization by adjusting parameters such as patient condition and system load to prevent future deviations, and automatically determines causes for deviations to improve workflow efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple technical devices are deployed to perform different steps of patient examination or treatment, then the procedure can be performed with comprehensive functionality, but the workflow becomes complex and susceptible to delays

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomprehensive functionalityVSAvoidworkflow complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The procedure is divided into multiple substeps, each with defined target values for duration and quality metrics. This segmentation allows individual monitoring and optimization of each step while maintaining overall procedure coordination, reducing workflow complexity through structured breakdown of complex multi-device procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors actual values of substep parameters and compares them against target values, providing feedback that enables real-time detection of deviations. This feedback mechanism allows dynamic adjustment of the workflow to prevent delays, managing complexity through automated monitoring rather than manual coordination

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If the workflow is precisely scheduled to improve efficiency, then productivity increases, but any unscheduled problem causes delays that can be life-threatening or unpleasant for patients

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveworkflow efficiencyVSAvoidprocedure reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Target values for duration and quality metrics are determined in advance for each substep before the procedure begins. This preliminary planning establishes expected parameters that enable proactive detection of deviations, allowing the system to prepare for potential delays before they occur while maintaining scheduled efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system monitors actual values against target values continuously during procedure execution, detecting deviations early enough to allow corrective actions. This real-time monitoring acts as a cushion against workflow disruptions, preventing minor deviations from escalating into life-threatening delays while maintaining productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Reliability

If target values and actual values are compared for each substep to identify deviations, then procedure optimization is enabled, but additional measurement and processing steps are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocedure optimizationVSAvoidmeasurement and processing steps

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The evaluation unit performs multiple functions: it detects actual values, compares them against target values, determines deviations, and triggers optimization actions. This multi-functional approach consolidates what could be separate complex systems into a single integrated unit, enabling procedure optimization without proportionally increasing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10460079B2Method and medical apparatus for optimization of the performance of a procedure involving medical imaging on a patient

Publication Date: 2019.10.29 SIEMENS HEALTHINEERS AG

AI summary

In the performance of a procedure on a patient by a medical system, target values for each substep of the procedure are determined in a computer. Actual values for each substep of the procedure are detected. The target values are compared in the computer to the actual values for each substep of the procedure, in order to determine a deviation between the target values and the actual values.