Abstract
The present invention relates to a system and method for controlling transdermal and automatic release of a sedative during imaging of a subject. A sedation level of a patient is detected during an imaging procedure. An amount of sedative to be applied to the patient to sustain a certain level of sedation is calculated. Further, a time for releasing the amount of the sedative is calculated. The calculated amount of the sedative is released at the calculated time transdermally to the patient.
Claims
1. A method for controlling transdermal and automatic release of a sedative during imaging of a subject, wherein the method comprises: detecting a sedation level of the subject; calculating an amount of the sedative to be released transdermally to the subject; calculating a time for releasing the amount of the sedative transdermally to the subject; and releasing the calculated amount of the sedative at the calculated time transdermally to the subject, the sedative is released transdermally to the subject during imaging of the subject.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein calculating the amount of the sedative by comparing the detected sedation level with a set value of the sedation level.
3. The method according to claim 2, wherein calculating the amount of the sedative includes at least one selected from a group consisting of: a type of the sedative, data of the subject, a type of an imaging procedure, the purpose of sedation.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein calculating the amount of the sedative is performed by a machine learning methods.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein detecting the sedation level, calculating the amount of the sedative, calculating the time for releasing the amount of the sedative, and releasing the calculated amount of the sedative at the calculated time transdermally to the subject are repeatedly calculated during imaging of the subject.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein calculating a time for releasing the amount of the sedative comprises determining a start time, a stop time, and a duration of releasing the sedative transdermally to the subject.
7. The method of claim 1, further including monitoring the amount of the sedative released transdermally to the subject.
8. The method of claim 7, further including detecting a contrast agent released together with the sedative, thereby monitoring the amount of the sedative released transdermally to the subject.
9. The method of claim 1, further including releasing the amount of the sedative with one of the group consisting of: a microneedle array, iontophoresis, or a high velocity jetting of the sedative.
10. The method of claim 1, further including applying a drug penetration enhancement method, thereby improving the uptake of the transdermally released sedative by the subject.
11. The method of claim 1, further including calculating the amount of the sedative by classifying the subject into a category and adjusting the amount of the calculated sedative according to the category.
12. A computer-implemented method for controlling transdermal and automatic release of a sedative during imaging of a subject, the method comprising the steps of: detecting a sedation level of the subject; calculating an amount of the sedative to be released transdermally to the subject; calculating a time for releasing the amount of the sedative transdermally to the subject; and releasing the calculated amount of the sedative at the calculated time transdermally to the subject; and wherein the sedative is released transdermally to the subject during imaging of the subject.
13. A computer program comprising a non-transitory computer readable medium for storing executable instructions, which, when executed on a processing unit, causes the processing unit to perform the method according to claim 12.
14. A processing unit configured for executing the computer program according to claim 13.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0064] FIG. 1 shows a schematic set-up of a system for controlling transdermal and automatic release of a sedative during imaging of a subject according to the invention.
[0065] FIG. 2 shows a schematic set-up of an exemplary embodiment of a system for controlling transdermal and automatic release of a sedative during imaging of a subject.
[0066] FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of a method for controlling transdermal and automatic release of a sedative during imaging of a subject according to the invention.
[0067] FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a method for controlling transdermal and automatic release of a sedative during imaging of a subject.
[0068] FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of a method for training an artificial intelligence module for controlling transdermal and automatic release of a sedative during imaging of a subject.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0069] FIG. 1 shows a schematic set-up of a system 100 for controlling transdermal and automatic release of a sedative 140 during imaging of a subject 150 according to the invention. A subject 150 is located inside a medical imaging device 190. A sedation level monitoring system 160 detects and determines a sedation level of the subject 150. A processing unit 200 is communicationally connected to the sedation level monitoring system 160 and receives data regarding the sedation level. By comparing the sedation level with a set value of the sedation level, an amount of sedative 140 to be released to the subject 150 is calculated. In addition, a time is calculated, where the amount of sedative 140 is to be released to the subject 150. These calculations can be performed by the processing unit 200, or by an artificial intelligence module 170 connected communicationally to the processing unit 200. The amount of sedative 140 is released at the determined time by, for example, a microneedle array 110 to the subject. This release is performed with a system and/or a method, which releases the sedative 140 transdermally to the subject 150. The transdermal release can be a noninvasive way to incorporate the sedative 140 into the body of the subject 150. The sedative is up-taken by the subject through the skin of the subject without necessarily resulting in a violation of deeper layers of the skin.
[0070] FIG. 2 shows a schematic set-up of an exemplary embodiment of a system 100 for controlling transdermal and automatic release of a sedative 140 during imaging of a subject 150. A subject 150 is located in an imaging system 190. A sedative 140 is applied to the skin of the subject 150. The system 100 comprises a microneedle array 110, which releases the sedative 140 to transdermally to the subject 150. A penetration enhancement system 130 facilitates the transdermal up-take and incorporation of the sedative 140 through the skin of the subject 150. The release of the sedative 140 as well as the up-take of the sedative 140 can be monitored. Therefore, a sensor or a camera 120 provides information to the processing unit 120, which is indicative of the amount of sedative released to and/or incorporated by the subject. Additionally or as an alternative, a contrast agent can be released in combination with the sedative 140. Thus, the medical imaging device 190 can be used to determine the amount of the contrast agent and thereby the amount of sedative 140 incorporated by the subject. Also another medical imaging device different from the medical imaging device 190 can be used for monitoring the up-take of the contrast agent. By monitoring the release and/or the up-take of the sedative 140 and/or the contrast agent, the processing unit 200 can be enabled to adjust the amount of sedative in order to maintain the required set value of the sedation level.
[0071] FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of a method for controlling transdermal and automatic release of a sedative 140 during imaging of a subject 150 according to the invention. The method comprise the first step of detecting a sedation level of the subject 150. This step is followed by the second step of calculating an amount of the sedative 140 to be released transdermally to the subject 150. The third step comprises calculating a time for releasing the amount of the sedative 140 transdermally to the subject 150. The fourth step comprises releasing the calculated amount of the sedative 140 at the calculated time transdermally to the subject 150.
[0072] FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a method for controlling transdermal and automatic release of a sedative 140 during imaging of a subject 150. In this workflow of a clinical procedure, a patient needs to undergo an autonomous scan using controlled transdermal release of a sedative. The different steps of the method can be performed on processing units, which can be located at different locations and which can be digitally linked via cable or a wireless network. For preparation of sedation, a stress level of the patient can be detected via a physiological state and movement by sensors of a sedation level monitoring device. An operator of the system can be trained by a specific training program to operate the system correctly. Further, a demo mode can be provided to ease an adaption of the patient to the system. After preparation, input parameters are transmitted to the system, which may comprise scan duration and noise level, and patient data like weight, age, or patient history. The method of sedation and a sedation device can be selected, as well as a sedation level monitoring system. Further, safety and risk of the patient can be monitored. During sedation and imaging of the patient, the sedative is released transdermally to the patient. The status of the patient can be monitored in real time, and feedback of the sedation level can be provided in order to adjust the amount of sedative transmitted to the patient. Further, an emergency stop module can be provided, which stops the procedure of sedation in case of panic of the patient or other risky occurrences. After finishing of the imaging procedure, the release of the sedative is stopped and the imaging quality can be checked. The sedation device can be removed from the patient, and a wake up sequence can be initiated.
[0073] FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of a method for training an artificial intelligence module 170 for controlling transdermal and automatic release of a sedative 140 during imaging of a subject 150. The method comprises the steps of loading the data-independent variables, converting the variables to vectors to apply machine learning, converting category variables to vectors with label encoding/frequency rate, feeding the data to the machine learning regression model to predict dosage and duration, training the model with the available data, saving the model, using the model in the inference phase to get the output, monitoring continuously the output with patients measured sedation level, and providing feedback to the model with adaptive learning. Further, feedback on suitability of the approach for the particular patient can be provided.
[0074] While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive. The invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing a claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the dependent claims.
[0075] In the claims, the word “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are re-cited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.
LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS
[0076] 100 system [0077] 110 microneedle array [0078] 120 sensor/camera [0079] 130 penetration enhancement system [0080] 140 sedative [0081] 150 subject [0082] 160 sedation level monitoring system [0083] 170 artificial intelligence module [0084] 190 imaging device [0085] 200 processing unit
