Recommending at least one imaging protocol for scanning a patient
Inventors
Sharma, Sonal • Krishna Teja, Karasani
Assignees
Publication Number
US-12340894-B2
Publication Date
2025-06-24
Expiration Date
2042-07-19
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Abstract
The present disclosure relates to a system and a method for recommending at least one imaging protocol for scanning a patient. The method includes receiving, by a processor, an imaging protocol, wherein the imaging protocol includes information pertaining to set of imaging parameters for imaging a patient, determining at least one imaging identifier for the received imaging protocol based on a clinical intent of the received imaging protocol, determining at least one harmonized imaging protocol out of the plurality of harmonized imaging protocols based on the determined at least one imaging identifier, and providing the determined at least one harmonized imaging protocol on a graphical user interface.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a system and method for recommending at least one imaging protocol for scanning a patient. The method involves receiving an imaging protocol containing information about a set of imaging parameters for imaging the patient, determining at least one imaging identifier for the received protocol based on its clinical intent, identifying at least one harmonized imaging protocol associated with this imaging identifier from a stored database, and providing the identified harmonized imaging protocol on a graphical user interface. The harmonized imaging protocols are organized hierarchically for ease of selection.
The problem addressed by the invention lies in the challenges faced in radiology concerning protocol standardization and harmonization. Existing imaging protocols are manually documented, often locally tailored and inconsistently named, leading to difficulties in interoperability between different machines and institutions. The manual tuning of imaging parameters for each patient is time-consuming and inefficient, and duplicate or inconsistent protocols may arise. Furthermore, there is no comprehensive overview of protocols across different imaging modalities, limiting radiologists to previously stored or individually created protocols, thus impeding efficiency and consistency.
The disclosed invention aims to harmonize imaging protocols across different imaging modalities and institutions by assigning standardized nomenclature based on clinical intent and a predefined set of rules. The system clusters standard and customized imaging protocols according to clinical intent, assigns imaging identifiers to these clusters, appends patient-specific information, and stores this organized data in a hierarchical first database. When a new imaging protocol is received, it is mapped to an imaging identifier by comparing it against standard protocols in a second database, and if similar matches are insufficient, clustering techniques are employed to find or generate appropriate clusters. This approach standardizes the naming, optimizes protocol recommendations, and streamlines the imaging procedure.
Claims Coverage
The patent includes a single independent method claim and corresponding independent apparatus and system claims describing the inventive features for recommending imaging protocols.
Method for recommending imaging protocols based on mapping and clustering
Receiving an imaging protocol with imaging parameters and mapping it to an imaging identifier based on standard imaging protocols stored in a second database; determining a mapping score; identifying a cluster from a plurality of clusters in a first database when the mapping score is below a threshold, each cluster associated with harmonized imaging protocols based on clinical intent; determining at least one imaging identifier associated with the cluster; determining at least one harmonized imaging protocol based on this identifier; and providing the harmonized protocol on a graphical user interface.
Hierarchical presentation of recommended harmonized imaging protocols
Providing the determined harmonized imaging protocols by recommending them for scanning the patient and presenting them in a hierarchical manner to aid selection.
Harmonization of standard imaging protocols into clusters
Obtaining a plurality of standard imaging protocols from one or more sources; clustering each protocol based on clinical intent; harmonizing them with imaging identifiers and patient-specific information; and storing them hierarchically in a first database based on predefined rules.
Feature-based cluster determination
Determining one or more features comprising textual and numerical attributes of the received imaging protocol to facilitate clustering.
Cluster determination using distance variation and cluster membership
Calculating distance variations between the received and harmonized protocols based on features; comparing the variations to a threshold; and selecting a cluster if the identified harmonized protocols belong to the same cluster.
Refinement cluster selection by numerical feature difference
Calculating the difference between numerical features when harmonized protocols belong to different clusters; selecting harmonized protocols with differences below a threshold; and choosing the associated cluster.
Slope variation analysis for cluster selection or creation
Calculating slope variation between protocols when numerical difference exceeds a threshold; selecting the cluster with slope variation below a fourth threshold; or generating a new cluster if no suitable cluster exists.
Determining imaging identifiers based on mapping score
Determining an imaging identifier directly from the second database when the mapping score exceeds the first threshold.
Appending patient-specific information to imaging identifiers
Adding patient-specific data such as age and weight to imaging identifiers for customized protocols.
The claims collectively cover a comprehensive method, apparatus, and system for harmonizing, clustering, and recommending imaging protocols based on clinical intent, mapping scores, and feature-based clustering to provide hierarchically presented, standardized imaging protocols for patient scanning.
Stated Advantages
The disclosure harmonizes imaging protocols across different modalities and institutions by standardizing the naming based on clinical intent, thus reducing duplication and inconsistency.
It provides a system that recommends harmonized imaging protocols in a hierarchical manner, enabling radiologists to efficiently choose protocols that match clinical intent, saving time and improving effectiveness.
The invention facilitates interoperability by mapping clinical intents to standard conventions, supporting consistent protocol usage across scanners and institutions.
It eliminates the need for radiologists to tune scanner parameters from scratch for each patient, reducing time and effort required for protocol selection and adjustment.
Documented Applications
Use in radiology departments for recommending imaging protocols tailored for patient scans, improving protocol standardization in hospitals and other healthcare institutions.
Integration with multiple imaging modalities such as CT, MRI, Nuclear Medicine, X-ray, and Ultrasound to harmonize diverse imaging protocols.
Utilization in institutional settings including hospital networks and multiple radiology departments to harmonize protocols customized by different radiologists.
Applicability in computer systems with user devices and databases to facilitate real-time recommendations of imaging protocols to clinicians and radiologists prior to patient scanning.
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