Medical Workflow Management Server for Parallel Device Coordination
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Solution Overview
Problem
It is challenging for a single user to efficiently operate multiple medical devices in parallel, such as X-ray computed tomography (CT) devices, due to the complexity of managing and coordinating the operations across different devices remotely.
Innovation Solution
A medical information processing apparatus and method that includes a server and terminal system, which collectively manages multiple medical devices via a communication network, automatically selects devices and processes, and generates a medical operations execution plan to optimize parallel workflow execution. This plan is based on status information, performance data, and user characteristics, ensuring efficient operation and minimizing standby times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single user remotely operates multiple medical devices in parallel, then inspection efficiency is improved, but operational complexity and difficulty of coordination increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the complex task of operating multiple medical devices by introducing a workflow management server that divides workflows into individual tasks. Each task is assigned to specific devices, and the system manages them independently through a timeline-based scheduling mechanism, making the overall complex operation manageable through decomposition into smaller controllable units.
Solution Approach 2:
The workflow management server acts as an intermediary between the user and multiple medical devices. It receives workflow information, generates optimized execution plans, and coordinates task allocation across devices. This intermediary layer abstracts the complexity from the user, who only needs to input high-level workflow requirements rather than manually coordinate each device operation.
2Ease of operation
If manual coordination of multiple medical devices is performed, then flexibility in operation is maintained, but time consumption and user workload increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-planning the entire workflow execution before actual device operation begins. The workflow management server generates a comprehensive execution plan that sequences tasks across multiple devices, predicting optimal timing and resource allocation in advance. This preliminary planning eliminates the need for real-time manual coordination during execution, reducing both user workload and overall time consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the workflow management server continuously monitors device status information and execution progress. Based on this feedback, the server can dynamically adjust the execution plan, reassign tasks, and optimize timing. This closed-loop control ensures efficient resource utilization while minimizing user intervention requirements.
3Productivity
If parallel execution of workflows on multiple medical devices is implemented, then throughput is increased, but coordination difficulty and risk of errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamic task allocation and scheduling mechanisms that adapt to changing device statuses and workflow requirements. The workflow management server can dynamically adjust the execution plan based on real-time feedback from devices, reassigning tasks and optimizing timing to maintain reliable coordination while maximizing parallel throughput. This dynamic adaptation prevents errors that would arise from rigid static scheduling.
Data Source
AI summary
A medical information processing apparatus includes processing circuitry configured to acquire status information indicating a status of a plurality of medical devices connected to each other via a network and/or a status around the plurality of medical devices, generate, based on the status information, operation information indicating an operation to be performed on the medical device, and control a display unit so as to display the generated operation information.