Protocol Conversion System for Medical Imaging

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current fluid injection protocols in medical imaging often rely on fixed, non-adaptive methods, failing to account for patient-specific parameters and scanner settings, leading to suboptimal contrast media delivery and inefficient workflow.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for converting standard injection protocols into 'smart' protocols that adjust based on patient-specific factors such as weight and scanner parameters, allowing for personalized contrast media delivery rates and volumes, without requiring extensive knowledge of pharmacokinetic models or development of new algorithms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If fixed injection protocols are used for all patients, then device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision and reliability of contrast media delivery are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidprecision of contrast media delivery

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically adjusts injection protocol parameters (flow rate, volume, timing) based on patient-specific data (weight, height, age, renal function) and scanner settings, transforming fixed protocols into dynamic, personalized protocols without requiring manual calculation by the operator

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The protocol conversion system performs automatic calculations and protocol generation based on input patient data, eliminating the need for technologists to manually calculate protocols using spreadsheets or lookup tables, thereby improving both ease of operation and delivery precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Manufacturing precision

If smart protocols with patient-specific parameters are implemented, then precision of contrast media delivery is improved, but device complexity and difficulty of operation are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecision of contrast media deliveryVSAvoidcomplexity of protocol system

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The protocol conversion system acts as an intermediary layer between simple fixed protocols and complex patient-specific requirements, automatically translating fixed protocol parameters into smart protocol parameters using patient data and conversion algorithms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-calculates and stores conversion factors and protocol variations based on patient population characteristics, allowing rapid generation of personalized protocols during clinical operation without real-time complex calculations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If manual protocol calculation using spreadsheets and lookup tables is used, then adaptability to patient-specific parameters is improved, but productivity and time efficiency are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to patient parametersVSAvoidworkflow efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces manual mechanical calculation methods (spreadsheets, lookup tables, mental arithmetic) with automated computer-based calculations, maintaining adaptability while dramatically improving workflow efficiency and reducing technologist burden

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The protocol conversion system provides a universal solution that works across different patient populations, scanner types, and contrast media formulations, replacing multiple specialized calculation methods with a single integrated system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Ease of operation

If fixed protocols are used regardless of scanner settings, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability of imaging outcome is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidreliability of imaging outcome

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates scanner timing parameters and acquisition settings into the protocol calculation process, automatically adjusting injection parameters based on feedback from scanner settings to ensure optimal contrast enhancement for each specific imaging study

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS20240120060A1System, method, and computer program product for protocol conversion

Publication Date: 2024.04.11 BAYER HEALTHCARE LLC

AI summary

A system, method, and computer program product for protocol conversion may obtain a fixed protocol including the following fixed protocol parameters: a flow rate of at least one fluid to be delivered to a patient in at least one phase of an injection and a volume of the at least one fluid to be delivered to the patient in the at least one phase of the injection; provide a series of prompts, and receive a series of user responses in response to the series of prompts; and generate, based on the series of user responses and the fixed protocol, a smart protocol including the following smart protocol parameters according to which the injection system is configured to control delivery of the at least one fluid to the patient in the injection: a dosing factor and a dosing method.