Medical Study Parameter Validation via DICOM Protocol Comparison
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manual definition of imaging protocols in medical studies leads to a high likelihood of errors in DICOM file attributes, such as dose values, which can result in invalid medical studies and incorrect medical analyses.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that validate parameters in medical studies by comparing them with corresponding parameters in the imaging protocol, correcting mismatches to ensure accuracy, using a processing unit to identify and correct erroneous data, and generating alerts for user intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manual definition of imaging protocols is used, then flexibility and adaptability are improved, but error rate and reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements automatic validation that compares captured DICOM attributes against the imaging protocol definition, providing feedback when mismatches are detected. This feedback mechanism identifies errors in manually entered attributes and enables correction, thereby improving reliability while preserving manual adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual verification processes with automated computational validation. The processing unit automatically compares captured attributes with protocol specifications, substituting human checking with machine-based validation to reduce errors while maintaining flexibility.
2Ease of operation
If manual input of attributes is used, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The validation system provides automatic feedback by comparing manually entered attributes against the imaging protocol, highlighting mismatches and enabling correction. This maintains the ease of manual input while improving the accuracy of the captured data through systematic verification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary validation layer between manual input and final DICOM file creation. This intermediary process automatically checks entered attributes against protocol specifications, acting as a mediator that preserves operator convenience while ensuring data accuracy.
3Reliability
If validation and correction processes are added, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The validation system is integrated into the existing imaging workflow, with the processing unit performing both image processing and attribute validation functions. This multi-functionality approach improves reliability without requiring entirely separate validation equipment, thereby limiting the increase in overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary validation module that sits between the imaging device and the DICOM output. This mediator performs validation and correction without fundamentally redesigning the core imaging system, improving reliability while containing complexity growth through modular integration.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and system for validating a parameter in a medical study are disclosed. In one aspect of the invention, the method includes receiving by an interface (104) the medical study from a source (107, 102). In another aspect of the invention, the method includes determining by a processing unit (201) a first parameter of the medical study to be validated. In yet another aspect of the invention, the method includes receiving an imaging protocol from a configuration file in an imaging unit (107) by the interface (104) wherein the imaging protocol comprises a second parameter corresponding to the first parameter in the medical study. In a further aspect of the invention, the method includes determining by the processing unit (201) if there is a mismatch of the first parameter in the medical study and the second parameter in the imaging protocol; and if there is a mismatch, correcting by the processing unit (201) the first parameter in the medical study based on the second parameter in the imaging protocol to validate the medical study.