Tile-Based Remote Layout Control for Medical Image Viewports

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for displaying medical images in multiple render views lack intuitive and efficient methods for remotely controlling the layout of viewports, particularly in surgical environments with multiple monitors, making it difficult for surgeons to easily switch between and arrange different render views.

Innovation Solution

A layout control computing device and system that includes a control user interface with a layout template featuring tiles, each with an indicator of a render view, allowing users to swap tiles and rearrange viewports on a display interface intuitively, enabling remote control of the layout of medical images across multiple render views.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If all various render views are displayed on a large display screen, then the physician can view anatomy from various perspectives simultaneously, but it becomes inconvenient for the user to move the viewport of a render view to a desired location on the screen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to view multiple render views simultaneouslyVSAvoidconvenience of moving viewport to desired location
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a layout control computing device as an intermediary between the user and the display system. This device provides a control user interface that allows remote manipulation of viewport layouts without requiring direct interaction with the large display screen itself, thus maintaining the ability to view multiple render views while simplifying the operation of repositioning viewports

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a control user interface that is a simplified copy or representation of the actual display layout. This control interface allows users to manipulate viewport positions and configurations remotely through a more manageable interface, avoiding the need to directly interact with the complex large display screen

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple monitors and control screens are present in the operating room, then medical images can be displayed from various perspectives, but the system complexity increases and remote control capability is needed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to display medical images on multiple monitorsVSAvoidnumber of monitors and control screens
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The layout control computing device is designed to work with multiple display configurations and monitor arrangements. It provides a universal control interface that can manage various render views across different display devices, reducing the need for separate control mechanisms for each monitor and simplifying the overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the surgeon needs to focus on a certain render view while other render views are simultaneously presented, then the focused view can be emphasized, but the layout control becomes more difficult without remote control capability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to focus on specific render viewVSAvoiddifficulty of layout control
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The control user interface acts as an intermediary that simplifies the process of adjusting viewport layouts. Surgeons can remotely control the positioning and configuration of viewports through this interface, making it easier to focus on specific render views while maintaining awareness of other views presented simultaneously

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3828683B1Systems and methods for remote layout control of medical image viewers
Publication Date: 2025.10.08 GE PRECISION HEALTHCARE LLC
  • EP3828683B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2A
  • EP3828683B1 patent drawingFigure 2B
  • EP3828683B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

A layout control computing device is provided. The computing device includes a processor programmed to display a control user interface via a first display screen and a display user interface via a second display screen. The control user interface includes a layout template having a plurality of tiles, each tile having an indicator of a render view. The display user interface includes a plurality of viewports arranged according to the layout template, and each viewport is configured to display the medical images in a render view as indicated by an indicator of a corresponding tile. The processor is also programmed to receive a command of moving a first tile to a location of a second tile, update the layout template, instruct to arrange the viewports according to the updated layout template, and instruct to display the images in the viewports in render views as indicated in the updated layout template.