A METHOD, A SYSTEM, A MEDICAL DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS, A COMPUTER PROGRAM AND A GRAPHIC USER INTERFACE FOR DIAGNOSTIC WORKFLOW MANAGEMENT

摘要

According to the method of a workflow management according to the invention, at step 2 an available time for executing a sequence of handlings is accessed. At step 4 the template comprising the sequence of handlings 4a is accessed, whereby each handling is assigned its corresponding duration 4b. At step 6 a difference between the available time span and a sum of said corresponding durations is calculated, whereas at step 8 an allowable duration for executing the sequence is assigned based on said difference. At step 14 of the method the sequence 4a is adjusted yielding the adjusted sequence 14a, which integral duration 14b fits into the available time span, as given at step 2. Preferably, the step of adjusting the sequence 14 is performed using a suitable optimization routine which is arranged to optimize a parameter "scan time" while keeping other parameters within acceptable level Examples of such parameters are spatial or temporal resolution, expected image contrast, signal to noise ratio, artifact sensitivity, etc. For circumstances when it is not desirable to adjust every handling within the selected sequence, the method according to the invention after step 8 proceeds to step 16, whereat unalterable sub-sequence 16a" within said sequence 16a is detected. The respective duration 16b" of the unalterable handling 16a" is detected as well. Furtheron at step 13, the duration 16b" is subtracted from the allowable duration yielding further allowable duration and the remaining sub-sequence 16a" is adjusted at step 15 so that it"s cumulative duration 16b" fits into the further allowable duration. As a result, the corresponding sub-sequences 16a" and 16a" are combined at step 17 yielding thus adjusted sequence 16a at step 18 fitting into the allowable duration as determined at step 8. Preferably, the unalterable handling is identified at step 12a by automatic means. Alternatively, it can be assigned as such by the user interactively at step 12b. Still preferably, at step 11 the user is prompted on the assignment of the unalterable handling for quality control purposes. Still preferably the adjusted sequence is executed at step 19. The invention further relates to a system, a computer program and a graphic user interface. FIG. 1