MRI Scanner Control Panel Integration for Contrast Agent Injector
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Solution Overview
Problem
Operators face substantial effort and increased chances of input errors when controlling contrast agent injectors for magnetic resonance imaging scanners, as they need to constantly switch between the scanner's control panel and the injector to configure operating parameters like injection dosage and rate.
Innovation Solution
A user interface for configuring the injector is displayed on the magnetic resonance imaging scanner's control panel, allowing communication through a CAN-bus system, enabling operators to control the injector without leaving the scanner panel, with features like automatic injector recognition, patient-specific data access, and warnings for safe operation modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the operator configures the injector through its own control panel, then the injector can be controlled directly, but the operator must constantly switch between the scanner control panel and the injector, increasing operational effort and time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the injector control interface with the MRI scanner control panel, allowing the operator to configure and control the injector directly from the scanner's control panel. This integration eliminates the need to physically move between devices, combining two separate control interfaces into one unified system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a communication bus system as an intermediary between the scanner control panel and the injector. This mediator enables data and control signals to be transmitted between the two devices, allowing the scanner's control panel to remotely configure and control the injector without direct physical interaction with the injector's own interface.
2Reliability
If the operator enters configuration data directly into the injector, then the injector is properly configured, but the risk of input errors increases due to manual data entry and lack of automated verification
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the scanner control system can read back and verify the configuration parameters that have been sent to the injector. This allows the system to confirm that the injector has been properly configured with the intended parameters, providing automated verification that reduces input errors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent allows configuration parameters to be prepared and reviewed on the scanner control panel before being transmitted to the injector. This preliminary action enables the operator to verify the correctness of parameters before final execution, preventing erroneous configurations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the injector operates independently with its own interface, then it maintains manufacturer-specific functionality, but the operator cannot access scanner-specific patient data to optimize injection parameters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the scanner control panel a universal interface that can control both the MRI scanner and the contrast agent injector. By integrating the injector control functions into the scanner's control panel, the system achieves multi-functionality where one interface handles multiple devices, allowing access to scanner-specific patient data for optimizing injection parameters.
Data Source
AI summary
In a method and magnetic resonance system for controlling a contrast agent injector used with a magnetic resonance imaging scanner of the system, a user interface is displayed at the control panel of the scanner, for configuring the operating parameters of the injector connected to the magnetic resonance imaging scanner and for controlling the injector in accordance with the operating parameters configured on said user interface, from the scanner control panel.