Abstract: The invention relates to a method for optimizing an examination protocol for executing a magnetic resonance (MR) image acquisition from a body of a patient. It is an object of the invention to facilitate efficient implementation of accelerated (e.g., artificial intelligencebased) examination protocols that are a true or very close replacement for examination protocols already existing in clinical practice. It should be made possible to provide each individual clinic with specific optimized versions of their own standard examination protocols.

Abstract: The invention relates to an imaging accessory positioning system (11) and method for medical imaging. Haptic feedback (151) is used to assist a user (16) with positioning an imaging accessory (12) relative to a reference position (122). A position sensor (13) measures the position (121) of the imaging accessory (12) and provides a position signal (131). A processing unit (14) derives the position (121) of the imaging accessory (12) from the position signal (131), computes a feedback signal (141) based on the deviation between the position (121) of the imaging accessory (12) and the reference position (122), and provides the feedback signal (141) to a haptic feedback unit (15). The haptic feedback unit (15) generates haptic feedback (151) to assist the user (16). In one embodiment, the reference position (122) relative to a patient is automatically determined.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method (100) is described. The method comprises receiving (102) information about an activity of a worker associated with an organization. The method further comprises predicting (104), using a prediction model, a stress state of the worker based on the information and a stress assessment provided by the worker. The method further comprises generating (106) an indication of whether a process for implementation by the organization is to be modified in view of the predicted stress state of the worker.

Abstract: When acquiring detailed utilization information from imaging equipment in a cross-vendor approach, one or more sensors (16, 18, 22, 24) are positioned within a data security zone (14) in which an imaging procedure is performed. Sensor data is pre-processed on an isolated processing unit (20) to remove any sensitive information and keep a selection of features only. The resultant feature pattern is transmitted outside of the data security zone to a processing unit (28) where pattern recognition is performed on feature pattern to identify the type of imaging modality, scan, etc. being performed as well as to determine whether the scan is being performed according to schedule.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a medical system (100, 300) comprising a memory (110) storing machine executable instructions (120) and an MRF scoring module (122). The MRF scoring module is configured for outputting an MRF quality score (126) in response to receiving MRF data (124) as input. The medical system further comprises a computational system (106) configured for controlling the medical system, wherein execution of the machine executable instructions causes the computational system to: receive (200) the MRF data; receive (202) the MRF quality score in response to inputting the MRF data into an MRF scoring module; append (206) the MRF quality score to the MRF data if the MRF quality score is within a predetermined range (128); and provide (208) a signal (132) if the MRF quality score is outside of the predetermined range.

Abstract: A non-transitory storage medium stores instructions readable and executable by a first computer (14) to perform an image processing method (100, 200, 400). The method includes: encrypting image data portions to generate encrypted image data portions; transmitting the encrypted image data portions from the first computer to a second server (16) different from the first computer; decrypting encrypted processed image data portions received at the first computer from the second server to produce processed image data portions and generating a processed image from the processed image data portions; and controlling a display device (24) to display the processed image or storing the processed image in a database (30).

Abstract: A non-transitory computer readable medium (26) stores instructions executable by at least one electronic processor (20) to perform a medical process or workflow compliance monitoring method (100). The method includes: monitoring (102) progress of an in-progress instance of a medical process or workflow using a Business Process Model (BPM) that includes a number of defined roles in the medical process or workflow; extracting (104) a non-compliance vector (c) from the BPM during the monitoring of the in-progress instance, the non-compliance vector comprising vector elements storing values of non-compliance metrics for the in-progress instance; converting (106) the non-compliance vector to a role assignments vector (a) whose vector elements store values indicative of role assignments for remediating non-compliance of the in-progress instance; and generating (108) one or more alerts directed to one or more roles on the basis of the vector elements of the role assignments vector.

Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to a container builder (110) for building a container image for providing an individualized network service based on sensitive data (122) in a database (121). The container builder (110) retrieves the sensitive data (122) from the database (121), builds the container image (140), and provides it for deployment to a cloud service provider (111). The container image (140) comprises the sensitive data (122) and instructions that, when deployed as a container, cause the container to provide the individualized network service based on the sensitive data (122) comprised in the container image (140).

Abstract: A method (100) for offline entry of execution information to be used by an associated execution device (14) in executing a task includes: providing a user interface (UI) (24) for receiving execution information via the at least one user input device of the defining device and for storing the execution information on the defining device or on an associated data storage accessed by the defining device via an electronic network; constructing at least one graphical pattern (42) encoding the execution information; receiving a trigger input to transfer the stored execution information to the associated execution device; and after receiving the trigger input, displaying the at least one graphical pattern encoding the execution information on the display of the defining device.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a magnetic resonance imaging system (100) controlled by a processor (130). The execution of the machine executable instructions causes the processor to sort (200) multiple preparatory scan commands (142) into fixed duration preparatory scan commands (144) and indeterminate duration preparatory scan commands (146). The execution of the machine executable instructions further causes the processor to first control (202) the magnetic resonance imaging system with the indeterminate duration preparatory scan commands and then (204) with the fixed duration preparatory scan commands. The execution of the machine executable instructions further causes the processor to calculate (206) a gradient pulse starting time (160). The execution of the machine executable instructions further causes the processor to provide (208) the warning signal at a predetermined time (162) before the gradient pulse starting time.

Abstract: A non-transitory computer readable medium (26) stores instructions executable by at least one electronic processor (20) to perform a method (100) of providing assistance from a remote expert (RE) to a local operator (LO) of a medical imaging device (2) during a medical imaging examination. The method includes: extracting image features from image frames displayed on a display device (24?) of a controller (10) of the medical imaging device operable by the local operator during the medical imaging examination; converting the extracted image features into a representation (43) of a current status of the medical imaging examination; and providing a user interface (UI) (28) displaying the representation on a workstation (12) operable by the remote expert.

Abstract: A method (100) of controlling a user interface (UI) provided by a remote operator workstation of a remote expert (RE) providing assistance to local operators (LO) of respective medical imaging devices (2) during a medical imaging examination includes: analyzing signal feeds (17, 18, 9) received by a feed aggregator (15) to detect events occurring in workspaces of the local operators; identifying a highest priority event from amongst the detected events using an event prioritization mapping; identifying a highest priority local operator as the local operator in whose workspace the highest priority event occurred; selecting a highest priority UI view corresponding to the highest priority event using the event-to-UI view mapping; and presenting information derived from the signal feeds from the workspace of the highest priority local operator in accordance with the highest priority UI view.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a medical system (100, 300) comprising a memory (110) storing machine executable instructions (120) and an MRF scoring module (122). The MRF scoring module is configured for outputting an MRF quality score (126) in response to receiving MRF data (124) as input. The medical system further comprises a computational system (106) configured for controlling the medical system, wherein execution of the machine executable instructions causes the computational system to: receive (200) the MRF data; receive (202) the MRF quality score in response to inputting the MRF data into an MRF scoring module; append (206) the MRF quality score to the MRF data if the MRF quality score is within a predetermined range (128); and provide (208) a signal (132) if the MRF quality score is outside of the predetermined range.

Abstract: A non-transitory computer readable medium (26) stores instructions readable and executable by at least one electronic processor (20) to perform a method (100) of maintaining a machine log (30) for a medical imaging device (2). The method includes: extracting event annotations (38) from video (17, 18) acquired by at least one video camera (12, 16) positioned to image an examination region of the medical imaging device and/or an imaging bay (3) containing the medical imaging device, the event annotations representing activities occurring during a medical imaging examination performed using the medical imaging device; and recording machine log entries (32) in the machine log of the medical imaging device wherein the machine log entries are generated by the medical imaging device.

Abstract: A communication system between an imaging bay containing a medical imaging device and a control room containing a controller for controlling the medical imaging device includes an intercom with a bay audio speaker and bay microphone in the imaging bay, and a communication path via which bay audio from the bay microphone is transmitted to the control room and via which instructions are transmitted from the control room to the bay audio speaker. An electronic processing device operatively connected with the communication path is programmed to at least one of (i) generate the instructions; (ii) modify the bay audio and output the modified bay audio in the control room; and/or (iii) analyze the bay audio to determine actionable information, determine a modification of or addition to a medical workflow based on the actionable information, and automatically implement the modification of or addition to the medical workflow.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus (10) for monitoring of a patient undergoing a Magnetic Resonance Image (MRI) scan. The apparatus comprises an input unit (20), a processing unit (30), and an output unit (40). The input unit is configured to provide the processing unit with at least one sensor data of a patient undergoing an MRI scan by an MRI scanner. The input unit is configured to provide the processing unit with at least one scan parameter of the MRI scanner for the MRI scan. The input unit is configured to provide the processing unit with at least one characteristic of the patient. The processing unit is configured to predict a stress level of the patient and/or a predicted motion state of the patient, the prediction or predictions comprising utilization of the at least one sensor data of the patient, the at least one scan parameter of the MRI scanner, and the at least one characteristic of the patient.

Abstract: A non-transitory computer readable medium (26s) stores instructions executable by at least one electronic processor (14s) to perform an automated ticketing method (100) including receiving a support request ticket (40) for assistance with a medical device (2), the support request ticket being entered by a requestor via a ticket entry user interface (UI) (42) of an automated ticket management system; analyzing the support request ticket to identify ticket enhancement information not included in the support request ticket; retrieving the ticket enhancement information from one or more databases (46, 48); adding the ticket enhancement information to the support request ticket to generate an enhanced support request ticket (50); and transmitting one of the support request ticket or the enhanced support request ticket to a ticket recipient electronic processing device (12) operable by a ticket recipient.

Abstract: A non-transitory computer readable medium (26s) stores instructions readable and executable by at least one electronic processor (14s) to perform a method (100) managing a schedule (42) of a medical professional. The method includes maintaining a schedule of tasks for the medical professional, the schedule including time intervals (44) with planned tasks; maintaining or receiving other schedules of tasks for others that interact with the medical professional; computing a likelihood of interruption of the medical professional as a function of time from the maintained or received other schedules; and outputting, on a display device (24, 36) of an electronic processing device (12, 8) operable by the medical professional, a representation (40) of the schedule of the medical professional with an indication of the likelihood of interruption as a function of time in the schedule.

Abstract: The invention provides for a magnetic resonance imaging system component. The magnetic resonance imaging system component comprises an acoustic shield (124) for a magnetic resonance imaging cylindrical magnet assembly (102). The acoustic shield comprises a cylindrical portion (125) configured for being inserted into a bore (106) of the magnetic resonance imaging cylindrical magnet assembly and for completely covering the bore of the magnetic resonance imaging system. The cylindrical portion comprises a smooth exposed surface (126) configured for facing away from the magnetic resonance imaging cylindrical magnet assembly. The cylindrical portion further comprises an attachment surface (127). The acoustic shield further comprises an acoustic metamaterial layer (128) attached to the attachment surface.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for operating a medical imaging system (100), the method carried out by use of a data processing unit (120), the method comprising: obtaining (SI), by a computational prediction model, time-invariant patient information, generating (S2), by the computational prediction model, a patient profile parametrized based on at least the obtained time-invariant patient information, obtaining (S3), by the computational prediction model, at least one current clinical workflow parameter, providing (S4), by the computational prediction model, a prediction comprising at least a patient-specific operation workflow based on at least correlating the generated patient profile with the obtained current clinical workflow parameter, wherein the patient-specific operation workflow comprises a specific one of a selection of operational modes of the medical imaging system, and operating the medical imaging system (100) based on the specific one of the selection of operational modes.