Mobile Stroke Unit CT Data Reduction for Bandwidth Constraints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mobile stroke units face delays in transmitting CT-scans due to limited cellular bandwidth, preventing timely expert opinion in areas with poor network speeds, which can worsen medical outcomes for stroke patients.
Innovation Solution
A method involving processing raw image datasets into reduced datasets to minimize data transfer, using techniques like multiplanar reconstruction and maximum intensity projection, and storing these on a data server connected to a network within the mobile unit, allowing for faster access by remote experts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If CT-scans are transmitted over cellular network in mobile stroke units, then remote expert diagnosis can be obtained, but transmission time becomes excessively long or interruptions occur due to limited bandwidth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complete CT-scan dataset into multiple data packets for transmission. This allows partial transmission of essential diagnostic information first, enabling the remote expert to begin analysis while remaining data is being transmitted, thereby reducing the effective diagnosis time despite network limitations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transmits a partial dataset containing the most diagnostically critical information first, rather than waiting for complete transmission. This partial action approach allows the remote expert to provide timely diagnosis based on essential data, with the option to request additional data if needed.
2Measurement precision
If complete raw image datasets are transmitted to ensure diagnostic accuracy, then diagnosis quality is maintained, but data transfer time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and transmits only the most diagnostically relevant portions of the CT-scan data first. By identifying and separating critical diagnostic information from the complete dataset, the system enables timely remote consultation with sufficient data for accurate diagnosis, while minimizing transmission time over limited bandwidth networks.
3Measurement precision
If high-resolution image data is transmitted for accurate stroke classification, then diagnostic precision is improved, but network bandwidth consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by transmitting high-resolution data only for the specific regions of interest within the CT-scan that are critical for stroke diagnosis, rather than transmitting high resolution for the entire dataset. This focuses the data quality where it is most needed while reducing overall data volume for transmission.
Data Source
AI summary
A storage medium, computer program product, data server, imaging device, telemedicine system and method are for providing at least one image dataset. In an embodiment, the method includes processing at least one raw image dataset, acquired from a patient by an imaging device of a mobile unit, to create a processed image dataset; generating a reduced image dataset by reducing an amount of data of the processed image dataset; and storing at least one of the at least one raw image dataset, the processed image dataset and the reduced image dataset on a data server, the data server being part of the mobile unit and being connected to a network.