System for Real-Time Monitoring of Radiology Resources

Application

An automated, real-time computed tomography (CT) status display software and hardware system for reducing delays in imaging in the hospital.

Key Benefits

  • Analytics engine anticipates delays and recommends available scanners.
  • Non-metallic & radiolucent pressure sensor is safe for use in CT scanners.
  • Durable hardware holds up under harsh conditions and bodily fluids.
  • Real-time observation of CT scanners may reduce patient treatment time.

Market Summary

A computed tomography (CT) scan uses X-ray measurements taken from multiple angles to produce cross-sectional (tomographic) images. CT scans may be used to aid diagnosis of many conditions throughout the body. More recently, CT scanners are being utilized in preventive or proactive health care. The increased demand for CT scanners places a higher burden on tracking and managing their usage. This can become a big challenge in large hospitals as well as hospitals in highly populated areas. A system for real-time monitoring of CT scanners in hospital systems can reduce the patient treatment time and increase overall efficiency in radiology.

Technical Summary

Practitioners and researchers from Emory University and Georgia Tech have developed an automated Computed Tomography (CT) Status Display for reducing delays in acute stroke imaging at the hospital. The system reports the real-time status of CT scanner occupancies with the aim of enabling physicians to better utilize existing resources. The system includes specially designed pressure sensors for detecting patients and a proprietary analytics engine for anticipating delays and recommending available scanners. The systems can use commercial off the shelf microcontrollers and utilizes a web-server for communicating CT availability within the hospital. This software system can increase utilization of computed tomography machines and overall efficiency in radiology at hospitals.

Developmental Stage

The system has been developed and tested using chest phantom in trials.

Publication: Prater, A. et al. (2017). Journal of the American College of Radiology, 14(2), 231-234.

Patent Information

Tech ID: 17175
Published: 11/26/2018