State Machine Workflow Guidance for Medical Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Limited access to trained operators and inefficient use of medical imaging systems, particularly in developing countries, along with inadequate documentation of imaging procedures, hinder effective medical imaging operations and quality assurance.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a state machine representation of MRI examination workflows to provide operator guidance and create quality assurance records, incorporating user feedback and machine log data, with machine learning for adaptive workflow optimization and remote expert supervision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If complex medical imaging systems are deployed in developing countries, then imaging capability is improved, but the lack of trained operators prevents effective utilization
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides automated guidance and workflow management that enables the imaging device to assist itself in operating correctly. The computer automatically monitors workflow states, retrieves appropriate instructions, and presents them to operators, allowing the system to self-correct and self-guide without requiring highly trained personnel.
Solution Approach 2:
A computer acts as an intermediary between the complex imaging system and the operator. It translates complex system states into simple, actionable instructions and workflows, mediating the interaction between the sophisticated technology and less-trained operators to bridge the skill gap.
2Ease of operation
If medical imaging devices are used only during normal working hours due to limited personnel availability, then operational simplicity is maintained, but device utilization efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging system with integrated computer guidance can operate autonomously during off-hours with minimal human intervention. The automated workflow monitoring and instruction provision enable the system to self-manage examinations even when trained personnel are unavailable, extending operational hours beyond traditional shifts.
Solution Approach 2:
Workflow states and instructions are pre-configured and stored in the system database. When an examination begins, the computer automatically retrieves and applies the appropriate pre-prepared workflow instructions, enabling the system to operate independently during off-hours without requiring real-time expert intervention.
3Reliability
If machine logs are maintained for documentation, then an auditable record is created, but the logs remain at a low level and are not easily related to specific imaging sessions
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges machine log data with workflow state information and examination-specific data into a unified documentation structure. The computer correlates log entries with specific workflow states and imaging sessions, creating integrated records that combine low-level machine data with high-level contextual information about the examination being performed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors workflow states and uses this information to enrich documentation in real-time. The computer provides feedback loops that capture the relationship between machine operations and examination progress, ensuring that documentation automatically reflects the contextual state of each imaging session without requiring separate manual recording.
4Ease of operation
If remote command centers are set up to supervise and train medical personnel, then operator capability is improved, but the centers become expensive and time-consuming to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging system incorporates built-in automated guidance capabilities that eliminate the need for external remote command centers. The computer provides training and supervision functions directly at the device location through automated workflow instructions, allowing the system to self-teach and self-supervise operators without requiring expensive centralized infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential supervision and training functions from the complex remote command center infrastructure and integrates them directly into the imaging system's computer. This removes the need for separate centralized facilities while retaining the core functionality of operator guidance and quality assurance.
Data Source
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AI summary
An imaging system (10) includes: an image acquisition device (12), a device controller (16) comprising an electronic processor (20) programmed to operate the image acquisition device to acquire medical images of a patient and to maintain a machine log (26) storing an operating history of the image acquisition device; a server computer (34) programmed to retrieve patient information from at least one health information system (HIS) (18); and at least one feedback device (50, 52). The device controller, the server computer, or a combination of the device controller and server computer is programmed to implement at least one state machine (30, 44) having a plurality of states defined by values of state variables wherein the states represent respective attainable states of an image acquisition procedure (100) and the image acquisition device. The at least one state machine is configured to transition between states during the image acquisition procedure whereby the at least one state machine represents a current state of the image acquisition procedure and the image acquisition device, wherein the values of the state variables of the at least one state machine are determined based at least on content of the machine log for the image acquisition device and patient information retrieved by the server computer from the at least one HIS. The at least one feedback device is configured to provide guidance to an operator for performing the image acquisition procedure based on a current state of the at least one state machine.