Parallel Image Reconstruction Pipelines with Priority Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing complexity and detail of medical images from CT and PET scans require significant computing power for reconstruction, leading to serial processing and prolonged wait times, especially when multiple processes need to be executed on a single computer, which hampers real-time analysis and diagnosis.
Innovation Solution
A method that assigns medical image reconstruction processes to multiple pipelines with prioritization, allowing high-priority processes like real-time scans to be executed promptly while lower-priority processes are distributed across available pipelines, with continuous monitoring and redistribution to optimize computing capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple reconstruction processes are executed serially on a single computer, then the computing resources are utilized efficiently, but the wait times for image reconstruction increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single reconstruction process into multiple parallel pipelines (first pipeline, second pipeline, third pipeline, etc.), each capable of independently processing reconstruction tasks. This segmentation allows multiple reconstruction processes to execute simultaneously rather than serially, resolving the contradiction between efficient resource utilization and reduced wait times.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a hierarchical dimension to process management by classifying reconstruction processes into different priority levels (high priority, medium priority, low priority) and assigning them to different pipelines. This dimensional approach enables parallel processing while maintaining priority-based ordering, allowing the system to handle multiple requests without significant wait times.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a single computer performs both real-time scan reconstruction and remote reconstruction tasks, then the system remains compact and cost-effective, but real-time analysis capability is compromised due to process queuing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the computer's processing capacity into multiple independent pipelines, each capable of handling different reconstruction tasks. The first pipeline handles real-time scan reconstructions with high priority, while the second and third pipelines handle remote reconstruction tasks. This segmentation allows the single computer to perform multiple functions simultaneously without compromising real-time capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic priority assignment where processes are classified into different priority levels (high, medium, low) and assigned to appropriate pipelines based on their urgency. Real-time scan processes receive high priority and are routed to the first pipeline, ensuring they are processed immediately, while remote tasks are handled by other pipelines. This dynamic approach maintains system versatility while ensuring real-time performance.
3Speed
If reconstruction processes are prioritized and assigned to multiple pipelines, then real-time image reconstruction speed improves, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the reconstruction system into multiple independent pipelines (first pipeline, second pipeline, third pipeline), each with dedicated processing capacity. This segmentation achieves high reconstruction speeds through parallel processing while keeping each individual pipeline relatively simple in structure, managing complexity through modular architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a priority determination unit and pipeline assignment mechanism that acts as an intermediary between the process queue and the pipelines. This intermediary component handles the complexity of priority classification and routing, allowing the pipelines themselves to remain simple while achieving fast reconstruction through intelligent process distribution.
Data Source
AI summary
In a method, system, computer-readable medium and watchdog module to control a number of medical technology processes that are executed in multiple computerized pipelines according to a predetermined organizational structure, a priority is associated with an incoming process, with a high priority and multiple low priorities being provided. A process with a high priority is executed in a priority pipeline among the multiple pipelines.