Workflow GUI for Radiotherapy Pendant Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional radiation therapy systems are complex and inefficient, with operators often distracted by multiple screens displaying voluminous data, leading to errors and inefficiencies in patient and machine setup due to the inconvenient placement of display screens and the complexity of input mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A workflow-oriented graphical user interface that segments data into interconnected pages relevant to specific treatment stages, allowing operators to focus on the patient and machine without diverting attention, controlled by a pendant that simplifies navigation and input, and a console monitoring system that displays relevant data in a structured manner.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If all radiotherapy data is displayed on a single screen at once, then complete information is available to the operator, but the interface becomes complex and difficult to understand
Solution Approach 1:
The graphical user interface is divided into multiple pages, each displaying a specific subset of radiotherapy data relevant to a particular treatment stage. This segmentation allows operators to access complete information across different pages while maintaining simplicity on each individual page, resolving the contradiction between information completeness and interface complexity.
2Loss of information
If the display screen is placed on a wall near the radiotherapy machine, then the operator can see the data, but the operator must turn away from the patient and machine, interrupting the workflow
Solution Approach 1:
The display interface is moved from a fixed wall-mounted position to a portable tablet device that can be positioned in the operator's line of sight while facing the patient and machine. This dimensional change from wall-mounted to handheld positioning allows simultaneous viewing of data and maintenance of focus on the treatment area, eliminating the need to turn away.
3Ease of manufacture
If a pendant with many input mechanisms is used to control the radiotherapy system, then precise control over different parameters is achieved, but the operator requires extensive training and familiarity with the system
Solution Approach 1:
The pendant interface is made dynamic and adaptive, changing its displayed controls and options based on the current treatment stage and context. Rather than presenting all possible controls simultaneously, the system dynamically displays only the relevant controls for the current workflow step, reducing the cognitive load and training requirements while maintaining precise control capabilities.
4Loss of information
If conventional static GUIs display all radiotherapy data at once, then comprehensive information is provided, but the data is difficult to understand and follow
Solution Approach 1:
The comprehensive radiotherapy data is segmented into multiple organized pages within the graphical user interface, with each page focusing on a specific aspect or treatment stage. This segmentation improves comprehensibility by presenting information in manageable, contextually-relevant groups rather than overwhelming the operator with all data simultaneously, while still providing access to complete information across the entire interface.
Data Source
AI summary
A method comprises presenting, by a server for display on a screen associated with a radiotherapy machine, a series of consecutive graphical user interfaces (GUIs), wherein a first GUI comprises: a first graphical indicator (GI) corresponding to a first attribute associated with configuration of the radiotherapy machine, and a second GI corresponding to a second attribute associated with the patient; when the server receives an indication that a user interacting with a pendant in communication with the server has inputted a first input corresponding to a first direction towards the first GI, presenting for display a second GUI comprising data associated with the first attribute; and when the server receives an indication that the user has inputted a second input corresponding to a second direction towards the second GI, presenting for display a third GUI comprising data associated with the second attribute.