MR Scanner Aggregation File for Interoperable Scheduling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current MR systems lack the ability to automatically provide interoperable information about their operating parameters, making it difficult and error-prone for clinical staff to manage and schedule the use of multiple MR scanners with different equipment configurations, particularly in large hospitals or clinic chains.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced to create an aggregation file that structures and standardizes the operating parameters of an MR scanner, allowing for interoperability between different devices. This involves acquiring sensor data, processing it with detection algorithms, and converting it into a uniform format, which can be accessed by external systems, enabling automated planning and scheduling without the need for skilled personnel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual procedures are used to obtain and manage information about MR scanner capabilities, then clinical staff can plan examinations, but the process becomes difficult and error-prone especially when managing multiple scanners
Solution Approach 1:
The MR scanner automatically provides its own capability information through the aggregation file, eliminating the need for manual data collection and management by clinical staff. The system serves itself by generating and maintaining up-to-date technical parameter information.
Solution Approach 2:
The aggregation file acts as an intermediary data structure that standardizes and transmits scanner capability information between the MR scanner and external systems or scheduling software, enabling automated planning without direct human intervention.
2Productivity
If experienced staff manually manage multiple MR scanners, then scheduling can be performed, but it requires specialized knowledge and increases operational complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of staff reviewing scanner specifications and making scheduling decisions with an automated computer-based system that reads the aggregation file and performs scheduling algorithms, eliminating the need for specialized human expertise.
Solution Approach 2:
The aggregation file is prepared in advance with all necessary scanner capability information, allowing external systems to perform scheduling planning before actual examinations are booked, enabling proactive rather than reactive management.
3Adaptability or versatility
If standardized aggregation files are created for all MR scanners, then interoperability is improved, but additional data processing and standardization steps are required
Solution Approach 1:
The aggregation file uses a universal standardized format that can represent capability information from different MR scanner models and manufacturers in a consistent manner, allowing a single data structure to serve multiple scanner types and multiple scheduling systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms diverse scanner-specific technical parameters into a standardized set of parameters in the aggregation file, changing the representation format to enable comparison and scheduling across different device types while maintaining the essential technical information.
Data Source
AI summary
In a method and an imaging apparatus for creating an aggregation file on an MR scanner, operating parameters on the MR scanner are acquired by a computer, and are aggregated and structured in the computer into a predefined uniform format for creating an aggregation file.