Radiology Study Description Assignment via Protocol Parameter Mapping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for radiological imaging examinations face challenges in accurately assigning study descriptions, leading to inconsistencies when the original indication changes during the examination, affecting diagnosis, billing, and dose reporting accuracy.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method that receives a configuration data set and assignment data to uniquely assign a relevant study description to a radiological imaging examination protocol, allowing for flexible adaptation based on patient data and indications, reducing the need for multiple specific protocols and improving data alignment with actual examinations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single radiological imaging protocol is configured to handle multiple indications, then the number of protocols to manage is reduced, but the accuracy of study description assignment deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of protocols to manageVSAvoidstudy description assignment accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the protocol configuration into multiple independent configuration parameters (e.g., scan type, contrast agent, body part, patient condition) that can be individually set and combined. This allows a single protocol to handle multiple indications through parameter combinations while maintaining accurate study description assignment by selecting the matching parameter set.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses parameter changes to adapt the protocol configuration dynamically. By defining multiple configuration parameters with different values (e.g., scan type: native/contrast, body part: head/thorax/abdomen), the system can generate accurate study descriptions based on the specific parameter combination selected, resolving the contradiction between protocol simplicity and assignment accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If the protocol is adapted based on patient data during the examination, then the examination can be optimized for the actual indication, but discrepancies arise between the original study description and the actual examination performed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotocol adaptation to patient dataVSAvoidconsistency between study description and actual examination
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary configuration of multiple possible examination scenarios within the protocol definition phase. All potential indication-parameter combinations are pre-defined and stored as configuration sets. During examination, the system selects the appropriate pre-configured parameter set based on actual patient data, ensuring consistency between study description and actual examination while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the system continuously monitors the actual examination parameters and compares them with the configured protocol parameters. When discrepancies are detected (e.g., original indication vs. actual indication), the system automatically updates the study description to reflect the actual examination performed, maintaining reliability while allowing necessary adaptations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If multiple specific protocols are created for different indications, then study description assignment accuracy is improved, but the maintenance effort and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestudy description assignment accuracyVSAvoidnumber of protocols to maintain
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal protocol template that can serve multiple indications through parameter configuration. Instead of maintaining separate protocols for each indication, a single multi-functional protocol contains all possible indication-specific parameter combinations. This reduces the number of protocols to maintain while preserving accurate study description assignment by selecting the appropriate parameter set for each examination type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4250307A1Method and data processing system for providing a study description for a radiological imaging examination
Publication Date: 2023.09.27 SIEMENS HEALTHINEERS AG
  • EP4250307A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4250307A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4250307A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a computer-implemented method for providing a study description for a radiological imaging examination, the method comprising: - receiving a configuration data set relating to a configuration of a protocol for the radiological imaging examination, - receiving mapping data, wherein each configuration description of a plurality of configuration descriptions is assigned a study description from a plurality of study descriptions by means of the mapping data, - determining a relevant configuration description from the plurality of configuration descriptions based on the configuration data set and the mapping data, - providing that study description of the plurality of study descriptions which is assigned to the relevant configuration description by means of the mapping data.