Radiographic Imaging Session Control for Modular Networked Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical device architectures are static and closed, leading to costly upgrades, lengthy development and testing, and challenges with regulatory compliance, cybersecurity, and serviceability.
Innovation Solution
A distributed radiographic imaging system with a radiographic energy source, digital detector, and computer systems that communicate wirelessly and establish exclusive sessions using session approval tokens, allowing components to be dynamically associated over a network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If hardware and software are deployed in a self-contained medical device, then the device can operate independently, but upgrading and modifying the system becomes costly and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the medical device into separate functional components: an imaging apparatus and a computing device. The imaging apparatus contains the x-ray source and detector, while the computing device handles image reconstruction and processing. This segmentation allows independent upgrading of each component without replacing the entire system, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and architectural rigidity.
Solution Approach 2:
The computing device is designed to work with multiple imaging apparatus units and can perform various functions including image reconstruction, processing, and storage. This universal design enables the system to adapt to different configurations and upgrades, improving versatility while maintaining a flexible architecture rather than rigid integration.
2Productivity
If all device components are integrated in a single unit, then the system is simpler to manage, but development, testing, and regulatory clearance take longer
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the imaging apparatus from the computing device, the patent enables parallel development and testing of each component. The imaging apparatus can be developed and validated independently from the computing device, significantly reducing development time and accelerating time-to-market while managing system integration through defined communication protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a communication interface and protocol as an intermediary between the imaging apparatus and computing device. This mediator layer standardizes interactions, simplifying integration testing and regulatory clearance by providing clear boundaries and interfaces between components, thereby improving productivity without excessive integration complexity.
3Ease of operation
If the device uses wireless communication for portability, then mobility is improved, but connection stability and security may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The computing device is designed to support multiple communication modes including wireless and wired connections. This multi-functionality allows the system to maintain mobility through wireless operation while providing stable wired connections when needed, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and reliability by offering context-appropriate connection options.
Data Source
AI summary
A distributed radiographic imaging system is formed using a radiographic imaging apparatus having a radiographic energy source and a digital radiographic detector, a first computer system, and a second computer system. The components of the distributed imaging system are communicatively connected. The radiographic imaging apparatus and the first computer system wirelessly communicate when they are in a predefined proximity with each other. The second computer system determines if the radiographic imaging apparatus is currently being used in an exclusive imaging session and, in response to an exclusive session request, transmits a session approval token to the first computer system and to the radiographic imaging apparatus if the radiographic imaging apparatus is not currently being used in an exclusive imaging session. The first computer system and the radiographic imaging apparatus establish an exclusive communication and control session in response to receiving the session approval token.