Automated Patient-Image Association in Medical Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for associating patient information with images in medical settings are labor-intensive, requiring manual identification and association by doctors or photographers.

Innovation Solution

An information system that automatically obtains and associates patient information from an electronic medical record terminal with image data captured by an image capturing apparatus, using a control apparatus to communicate and manage metadata, reducing the workload and ensuring accurate patient-image information matching.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual identification and association of patient information with images is performed by doctors or photographers, then accurate patient-image matching can be achieved, but the workload and time consumption increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveworkload of associating patient information with imagesVSAvoidtime for manual association

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables automatic self-service association of patient information with images through the control apparatus that automatically obtains patient information from the electronic medical record terminal and associates it with captured images without requiring manual intervention by medical staff or photographers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical process of identification and association is replaced by an automated information processing system that uses electronic communication between the control apparatus and electronic medical record terminal to automatically link patient data with image files

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If automatic association of patient information with images is implemented, then workload is reduced, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveefficiency of patient-image associationVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control apparatus serves as an intermediary device that bridges the electronic medical record terminal and the image capturing apparatus, automatically obtaining patient information and associating it with images without requiring complex integration between the medical record system and imaging system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The control apparatus performs multiple functions including obtaining patient information from the electronic medical record terminal, managing image data from the capturing apparatus, and associating patient information with images, thereby consolidating complexity into a single multi-functional device

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20230410964A1Information system, information processing method, and storage medium

Publication Date: 2023.12.21 CANON KK

AI summary

A first obtainment unit of a control apparatus obtains first information pertaining to a first patient from an electronic medical record terminal in response to a patient for display of an electronic medical record changing to the first patient in the electronic medical record terminal. The control apparatus is capable of communicating with the electronic medical record terminal. An association unit associates the first information with a first image captured between when the patient for display is changed to the first patient and when the patient for display is changed to another patient. The first image is captured by a specific image capturing apparatus capable of communicating with the control apparatus.