Networked Surgical Imaging System with PACS Server
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical imaging systems lack efficient centralized scheduling, remote viewing capabilities, and data management, leading to inefficiencies in operating room operations and post-operative reporting, with challenges in accessing and archiving surgical images and videos.
Innovation Solution
A networked surgical imaging system with camera control units connected to a system server, enabling remote viewing, communication, cloud-based archiving, and analytics for reporting, using a web server infrastructure that supports user preferences and device integration for seamless data and video management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If surgical images and videos are archived using traditional methods (hard copies or local storage), then data security and accessibility are limited, but storage costs and data management complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) server as an intermediary between surgical imaging devices and users. This centralized server mediates data storage, management, and distribution, eliminating the need for complex local storage systems at multiple locations while ensuring secure and accessible retrieval of surgical images and videos through a standardized interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The PACS server provides universal access to surgical images for multiple user roles (surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, administrators) through a single centralized system. It handles diverse functions including image storage, retrieval, display, printing, and reporting across different departments and locations, replacing multiple specialized storage systems with one multi-functional platform.
2Productivity
If multiple video streams and data are displayed simultaneously for remote viewing, then support capability for surgeons is improved, but system complexity and bandwidth requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The PACS server acts as an intermediary that receives, processes, and distributes multiple video streams from surgical rooms to remote users. It manages bandwidth allocation, video encoding, and simultaneous stream distribution, enabling multiple users to view different surgical rooms or the same room from different angles without requiring direct peer-to-peer connections that would increase system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adds a network dimension to video distribution by using IP-based networking infrastructure. Instead of requiring direct physical connections or dedicated broadcast systems, video streams are transmitted through the hospital's existing network infrastructure, allowing remote viewing on standard devices (computers, tablets, smartphones) without specialized display equipment.
3Measurement precision
If manual recording of surgical data is performed by independent auditors or additional staff, then data accuracy for reporting is improved, but labor costs and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automatic data capture and reporting through integration with surgical imaging devices and hospital information systems. The PACS server automatically extracts surgical data (procedure type, duration, outcomes) from images and video metadata, eliminating the need for manual recording by auditors. Data is self-populated into standardized reports that can be generated, stored, and analyzed automatically.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements automated feedback loops where surgical data is continuously captured, validated, and fed back into the database for analysis. Quality control algorithms automatically verify data completeness and accuracy, flagging anomalies for review. This automated feedback mechanism ensures high data accuracy without requiring constant manual verification by staff.
4Productivity
If centralized scheduling and data delivery systems are implemented, then operating room efficiency is improved, but system integration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The PACS server provides a universal platform that handles multiple functions including centralized scheduling, patient data management, image archiving, remote viewing, and reporting. By consolidating these diverse functions into a single system with standardized interfaces, the patent reduces the need for multiple separate integrated systems, thereby lowering overall integration complexity while improving operating room efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging system having at least two surgical systems, each surgical system having a camera control unit with a network port; a camera head coupled to the camera control unit; and a monitor coupled to the camera control unit; a network is coupled to the network port of each camera control unit; and a server is coupled to the network, the server having a storage device with a user database and a case database; and wherein the server is configured as a web server to provide data, video and images from the camera control units to users connected to the network.