Unified Tablet Control for Medical Imaging and Contrast Injection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current contrast agent-based medical imaging systems face challenges in synchronizing imaging and injection procedures across different user interfaces, often located in separate rooms, which can lead to inefficiencies and errors due to the distribution of operating elements across multiple devices.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes a gantry of a medical imaging device, a contrast agent injection device, and a support arm with a frame element and connecting elements, allowing the contrast agent injection device to be mounted relative to the gantry, along with a touch-sensitive screen for inputting information for both devices, enabling synchronized operation through a tablet computer with integrated software applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If operating elements are distributed across multiple user interfaces in different rooms, then each device can be operated independently, but synchronization between imaging and injection becomes difficult and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the operating elements for both the medical imaging device and contrast agent injection device into a single user interface (tablet computer). This consolidation allows centralized control and synchronization of both devices from one location, eliminating the coordination problems associated with distributed interfaces while maintaining the ability to operate both devices independently when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The tablet computer serves as a universal control interface that can operate both the medical imaging device and the contrast agent injection device. This multi-functional interface reduces the number of separate control systems needed while improving synchronization through centralized parameter management and coordinated control of both devices.
2Ease of operation
If contrast agent injection device is on a movable trolley or suspended arm, then accessibility is improved, but stable mounting and precise positioning become challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a support arm with frame elements that can be moved and positioned dynamically within the examination room while maintaining stable mounting of the contrast agent injection device. The arm allows the device to be accessed from different positions but can be locked or stabilized when positioned, combining mobility with mounting stability for precise operation.
3Productivity
If operating elements are distributed across multiple devices in different locations, then specialized control for each device is maintained, but operator workload and coordination time increase
Solution Approach 1:
By combining operating elements for both devices into a single tablet computer interface, the patent eliminates the need for operators to switch between multiple devices and locations. All controls for imaging and injection are accessible from one interface, reducing coordination time and improving examination efficiency through streamlined workflow.
Data Source
AI summary
A system is for contrast agent-based medical imaging. In an embodiment, the system includes a gantry of a medical imaging device; a contrast agent injection device; and a support arm including a frame element, a first connecting element and a second connecting element. In an embodiment, the frame element is connected to a stationary support frame of the gantry via the first connecting element such that at least part of the frame element is mounted to be movable relative to the stationary support frame of the gantry, and the contrast agent injection device is connected to at least part of the frame element via the second connecting element such that the contrast agent injection device is mounted to be movable relative to at least part of the frame element.