Remote Expert Matching for Medical Imaging Exam Guidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Diagnostic imaging centers face disruptions due to lack of proper guidance for newly appointed technicians, varying imaging machine interfaces, and insufficient knowledge of protocols, which can delay examinations and disrupt workflow.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for connecting local medical imaging device operators with remote experts using a database to match characteristics, providing a user interface to select a suitable expert, and establishing telephonic or video communication for assistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If remote expert assistance is provided during imaging examinations, then examination quality and safety are improved, but system complexity and implementation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a remote expert system as an intermediary between local operators and examination quality control. The system includes a database of remote experts with specialized knowledge, a matching algorithm that connects operators with appropriate experts based on examination type and operator skill level, and communication interfaces that enable real-time guidance. This intermediary structure provides quality improvement without requiring direct complex integration into each local imaging device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the need for physically present experts or complex local training systems with a digital communication-based remote assistance system. Instead of mechanical or physical presence requirements, the system uses electronic communication channels (video, audio, screen sharing) to deliver expert guidance, thereby reducing physical and logistical complexity while maintaining or improving examination quality.
2Reliability
If remote expert matching based on multiple characteristics is implemented, then assistance effectiveness is improved, but data processing requirements and system resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-storing expert characteristics, examination parameters, and matching criteria in a database before actual examinations occur. The system pre-processes and structures data about expert skills, experience levels, and specializations, so that during an actual examination, the matching algorithm can quickly retrieve and compare pre-organized information rather than processing raw data in real-time, thereby reducing data processing requirements during critical moments.
3Ease of operation
If screen sharing and video communication are provided, then guidance quality is improved, but network bandwidth and communication resources are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by providing selective screen sharing and video communication only when and where needed, rather than continuous full-resource transmission. The system can adjust the level of communication resources allocated based on the specific guidance requirements, examination complexity, and operator needs, thereby optimizing network bandwidth usage while maintaining adequate guidance quality.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method (100) of connecting a local medical imaging device operator (LO) with a remote medical imaging expert (RE) during an imaging examination performed using a medical imaging device (2) includes: determining characteristics for available remote medical imaging experts who are available to assist the local operator; matching one or more of the available remote medical imaging experts based on the determined characteristics for the remote medical imaging experts with characteristics of the imaging examination; and providing a user interface (UI) (28, 28´) to at least one display device (24, 24´) operable by the local operator and the remote medical imaging expert, the UI displaying a list (44) of the matched available remote medical imaging experts and via which the local medical imaging device operator can select a matched available medical imaging expert from the displayed list.