Patient-Based Injection Parameter Generation for Medical Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical imaging procedures rely on standard, fixed protocols for contrast medium delivery, which can result in varying image quality and contrast due to individual patient differences, and existing injector systems lack the flexibility and safety features to adapt to these variations, particularly with the introduction of advanced CT scanners.
Innovation Solution
A parameter generation system that determines injection parameters based on patient-specific data, such as weight, body mass index, and cardiac output, to optimize contrast delivery, including the use of a multiphasic injection protocol with adjustable flow rates and volumes, ensuring safe pressure limits and convenience in operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If standard fixed protocols are used for contrast medium delivery, then the procedure is simple to operate, but image quality and contrast vary due to individual patient differences
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts injection parameters (flow rate, volume, timing) based on real-time patient-specific data such as weight, body surface area, and cardiac output. The protocol transitions from fixed static values to dynamically calculated values that adapt to each patient's physiological characteristics, ensuring optimal image quality while maintaining ease of operation through automated calculations.
2Manufacturing precision
If patient-specific parameters are used to customize injection protocols, then image quality is optimized, but the complexity of determining parameters increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically calculating optimal injection parameters using embedded algorithms that process patient-specific data (weight, body surface area, cardiac output). The clinician simply inputs basic patient information, and the system autonomously determines the customized protocol, eliminating the need for manual parameter determination while achieving optimized contrast enhancement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes multiple injection parameters simultaneously based on patient characteristics: contrast volume is adjusted according to body surface area, flow rate is modified based on cardiac output, and timing parameters are customized for each patient. This comprehensive parameter adjustment achieves optimized image quality without increasing operational complexity.
3Productivity
If advanced CT scanners with increased scan speed are used, then productivity is improved, but the suitability of standard contrast protocols becomes uncertain
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts contrast delivery parameters to match the specific scan speed and timing characteristics of different CT scanner models. By calculating injection profiles based on actual scan duration and timing requirements, the system ensures optimal compatibility between the contrast delivery and the scanner's performance characteristics, whether single-slice or multi-slice with varying speeds.
Data Source
AI summary
A system has a parameter generation system that includes a processor, an input system and a memory system in which an algorithm is stored. Upon execution by the processor, the algorithm is used to determine parameters of at least one phase of an injection procedure to be performed on a patient based at least in part upon the type of injection procedure selected via the input system. The volume of a pharmaceutical to be delivered to the patient during the injection procedure is determined at least in part on the basis of the concentration of a contrast enhancing agent contained in the pharmaceutical and at least in part on the basis of a function that depends upon and varies with a parameter of the patient such as the weight, the body mass index, the body surface area or the cardiac output of the patient.