Workflow-Oriented GUI for Radiotherapy Setup Time Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional radiation therapy systems are complex and inefficient, with operators often distracted from the patient and machine due to cumbersome and static graphical user interfaces (GUIs) that display excessive data, leading to errors and prolonged setup times.
Innovation Solution
A workflow-oriented GUI system that segments data into stages relevant to the current task, displayed on electronic devices near the radiotherapy machine, allowing operators to focus on the patient and machine without distraction, with a pendant for easy control and a console monitoring system for efficient data management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If conventional GUIs display all radiotherapy data at once, then complete information is available, but operator focus is lost and setup time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The GUI is segmented into multiple task-specific pages, each displaying only the data and controls relevant to a particular stage of the radiotherapy workflow. This segmentation allows operators to focus on one task at a time without being overwhelmed by unnecessary information, while all data remains accessible through the structured navigation system.
2Loss of information
If conventional GUIs display all radiotherapy data at once, then complete information is available, but operator errors increase due to distraction
Solution Approach 1:
Each GUI page is customized to display only the specific data and controls needed for the current task, creating a locally optimized interface for each workflow stage. This local quality approach ensures that operators see only relevant information, reducing cognitive load and minimizing errors while maintaining access to complete system data through structured navigation.
3Ease of operation
If display screen is placed on wall near radiotherapy machine, then information is accessible, but operator must turn away from patient and machine
Solution Approach 1:
The display interface is moved from a fixed wall-mounted position to a portable tablet device that can be positioned in the treatment room. This dimensional change allows the operator to view the workflow-oriented GUI at eye level while maintaining focus on the patient and machine, eliminating the need to turn away from the treatment area.
4Adaptability or versatility
If conventional pendants have many input mechanisms, then comprehensive control is available, but operator familiarity is required and errors occur
Solution Approach 1:
The pendant interface is made dynamic and adaptive, changing its displayed controls based on the current workflow stage and task. Instead of showing all possible input mechanisms simultaneously, the pendant dynamically presents only the relevant controls for the current operation, reducing cognitive load while maintaining comprehensive control capability through workflow-based adaptation.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are radiotherapy systems and methods that can display a workflow-oriented graphical user interface(s). In an embodiment, a system comprises a first display in communication with a server, the first display configured to display a first graphical user interface; a second display in communication with the server, the second display configured to display a second graphical user interface, wherein the server is configured to: present the first graphical user interface for displaying on the first display, wherein the first graphical user interface contains one or more pages corresponding to one or more stages of a radiotherapy treatment, wherein the server transitions from a first page of the one or more pages representing a first stage to a second page of the one or more pages representing a second stage responsive to an indication that at least a predetermined portion of tasks associated with the first stage has been satisfied.