Medical Imaging Scan Planning With Registered Prior Findings

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medical imaging workflows rely on manual communication and search for prior scans, leading to inefficiencies and errors in planning examination scans, particularly for follow-up examinations.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method that automatically retrieves and registers prior imaging results with a preparation image to display relevant features of interest, reducing the need for manual search and visual comparison, and allowing for improved acquisition parameter setting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual communication and search for prior scans is used, then users can obtain prior imaging results, but the process is time-consuming and error-prone

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of planning examination scanVSAvoidtime for planning examination scan

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically retrieves and stores prior imaging results and their associated features in advance, so that when planning a new examination, the relevant information is already prepared and available for immediate use, eliminating the need for manual search and communication

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-service by automatically retrieving prior scans, registering them with the current preparation image, and displaying relevant features without requiring manual intervention from the radiographer, thus reducing both time and potential for human error

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Loss of information

If manual checking of prior scans is performed, then comprehensive review is possible, but the process introduces inefficiencies and requires additional expertise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompleteness of prior scan reviewVSAvoidease of planning examination scan

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces the manual mechanical process of radiographers reviewing prior scans with an automated computational system that retrieves, registers, and displays relevant features from prior imaging results, maintaining completeness while significantly improving ease of operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system acts as an intermediary between prior imaging results and the current examination planning process, automatically processing and presenting relevant information so that radiographers do not need to manually search or interpret prior scans

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If communication between radiologist and radiographer is increased, then accuracy of feature identification improves, but workflow efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of feature identificationVSAvoidworkflow efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service by automatically identifying and displaying relevant features from prior imaging results based on registration with the current preparation image, eliminating the need for communication between radiologist and radiographer while maintaining accuracy and improving workflow efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4636777A1Computer-implemented method for operating a medical imaging device, medical imaging device, computer program, and electronically readable storage medium

Publication Date: 2025.10.22 SIEMENS HEALTHINEERS AG

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AI summary

The invention relates to a computer-implemented method for operating a medical imaging device (14), wherein, for preparing an examination scan of a subject, a preparation image (6) of an acquisition region (5) is acquired, the preparation image (6) being defined with respect to a first coordinate system and used to define at least one parameter for acquiring an examination image, comprising the steps of - retrieving, from a storage (2) comprising at least one prior imaging result data set (1) of the subject, a source data set chosen from the at least one prior imaging result data set (1), each prior imaging result data set (1) comprising a prior image showing at least a part of the acquisition region (5) and annotation information indicating at least one feature of interest (9) of the subject, wherein the annotation information comprises a location information describing a location of a respective feature of interest (9) in a second coordinate system of the prior image, - registering the prior image of the source data set and the preparation image (6) to obtain registration information comprising a transformation from the second coordinate system to the first coordinate system, - compiling an output image (3, 12) comprising the preparation image (6) and at least one visual representation (8), which is positioned correctly according to the location information of the source data set for at least one direction, of all features of interest (9) within a display region (4) comprising the acquisition region (5), and - outputting the output image (3, 12) at a display device.