WO2013131569A1 - Method for increasing the success rate in cosmetic surgery - Google Patents

Method for increasing the success rate in cosmetic surgery Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2013131569A1
WO2013131569A1 PCT/EP2012/053964 EP2012053964W WO2013131569A1 WO 2013131569 A1 WO2013131569 A1 WO 2013131569A1 EP 2012053964 W EP2012053964 W EP 2012053964W WO 2013131569 A1 WO2013131569 A1 WO 2013131569A1
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WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
entity
surgery
data
interaction
control system
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Application number
PCT/EP2012/053964
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French (fr)
Inventor
Maurizio DELNEVO
Original Assignee
Beauty Thru Science Ltd.
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Publication date
Application filed by Beauty Thru Science Ltd. filed Critical Beauty Thru Science Ltd.
Priority to PCT/EP2012/053964 priority Critical patent/WO2013131569A1/en
Publication of WO2013131569A1 publication Critical patent/WO2013131569A1/en

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G16—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR SPECIFIC APPLICATION FIELDS
    • G16H—HEALTHCARE INFORMATICS, i.e. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR THE HANDLING OR PROCESSING OF MEDICAL OR HEALTHCARE DATA
    • G16H10/00—ICT specially adapted for the handling or processing of patient-related medical or healthcare data
    • G16H10/20—ICT specially adapted for the handling or processing of patient-related medical or healthcare data for electronic clinical trials or questionnaires
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G16—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR SPECIFIC APPLICATION FIELDS
    • G16H—HEALTHCARE INFORMATICS, i.e. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR THE HANDLING OR PROCESSING OF MEDICAL OR HEALTHCARE DATA
    • G16H20/00—ICT specially adapted for therapies or health-improving plans, e.g. for handling prescriptions, for steering therapy or for monitoring patient compliance
    • G16H20/40—ICT specially adapted for therapies or health-improving plans, e.g. for handling prescriptions, for steering therapy or for monitoring patient compliance relating to mechanical, radiation or invasive therapies, e.g. surgery, laser therapy, dialysis or acupuncture
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G16—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR SPECIFIC APPLICATION FIELDS
    • G16H—HEALTHCARE INFORMATICS, i.e. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR THE HANDLING OR PROCESSING OF MEDICAL OR HEALTHCARE DATA
    • G16H40/00—ICT specially adapted for the management or administration of healthcare resources or facilities; ICT specially adapted for the management or operation of medical equipment or devices
    • G16H40/20—ICT specially adapted for the management or administration of healthcare resources or facilities; ICT specially adapted for the management or operation of medical equipment or devices for the management or administration of healthcare resources or facilities, e.g. managing hospital staff or surgery rooms

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a method for increasing the success rate in cosmetic surgery.
  • the overall complication rate i.e. the number of patients which need to undergo again a surgical treatment within a defined time limit
  • the success rate is the complement of the complication rate.
  • breast augmentation One of the most popular cosmetic procedures performed by plastic surgeons is the breast augmentation.
  • the practice of breast augmentation has also suffered from the lack of a defined process for patient management as indicated by the Article of William P. Adams, Jr. titled "The process of breast augmentation: four sequential steps for optimizing outcomes for patients", published on “Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery", Volume 122 Number 6 December 2008.
  • a definition and an evaluation of the overall process of breast augmentation is defined in order to allow an enhanced patient outcomes.
  • the algorithm provides four subprocesses for patient care, that includes structured patient education and informed consent, tissue-based clinical analysis, refined surgical technique and definite postoperative regimen.
  • the main step of the “algorithm” is the Tissue-based clinical analysis and planning that the surgeon makes preoperatively by basing on “five critical decisions”: pocket plane, implant size, implant type, inframammary fold position and incision.
  • aim of the invention is to provide a method and an interaction control system for managing the interactions between a first and a second entity in cosmetic surgery, which allow for reduced complication rate, i.e. a higher success rate.
  • Another aim of the invention is to provide a method and an interaction control system, which allow to drive the first entity in order to have an auto-definition of the feasibility of the obtainable cosmetic result in relation to the requested kind of surgery.
  • Another purpose of the present invention is to reduce the overall cost of the cosmetic surgery by reducing or eliminating the requests for intervention post-operative (new-intervention or refunds) by the patients who have had surgeon treatments.
  • - Figure 1 shows one possible workflow of an embodiment of method according to the invention.
  • - Figure 2 illustrates one implementation of system configured to control the information flow between a first entity and a second entity
  • such an aim is achieved by a method of controlling the interaction between a first entity and a second entity, wherein said first entity is a patient and said second entity is a member of a surgical team, said method comprising providing an interaction control system comprising first storage space for storing representative data of the first entity, said first storage space comprising first data fields regarding the kind of surgery requested by said first entity, second data fields regarding to the result requested by said first entity after said surgery and effective data fields regarding the most suitable kind of surgery for said first entity; second storage space for storing representative data of said members of said second entity; third storage space for storing a plurality of individual pieces of said first entity, each individual piece of essential information being associated to said first data fields regarding the kind of surgery and being taken before surgery; a collection of standardized forms, in which a plurality of predefined options are available for the first entity and the first entity is only allowed to select one or more of said predefined options;
  • the method further comprising storing in said second data field the result requested by said first entity having said first entity selected one ore more of said predefined options of said standardized forms; collecting said individual pieces of essential information of the first entity by defining real data; providing one or more interaction steps between the first entity and the second entity, in which said real data are available for said first entity and during a driven comparison step by said second entity, said first entity processes said real data by comparing said real data with said selected predefined options; updating said second data field by said second entity according to said driven comparison steps at the end of said one or more interaction steps; said one or more of said interaction steps resulting in the determination of said effective data fields by said second entity, determining said surgery for said first entity according to said updated second data field and said real data.
  • an interaction control system controlling the interaction between a first entity and a second entity, wherein said first entity is a patient and said second entity is a member of a surgical team
  • said interaction control system comprising: first storage space for storing representative data of the first entity, said first storage space comprising first data fields regarding the kind of surgery requested by said first entity, second data fields regarding to the result requested by said first entity after said surgery and effective data fields regarding the most suitable kind of surgery for said first entity; second storage space for storing representative data of said members of the second entity; third storage space for storing a plurality of individual pieces of essential information of said first entity, each individual piece of essential information being associated to said first data fields regarding the kind of surgery; information associated to said kinds of surgery, said information comprising a collection of standardized forms of predefined options, in which a plurality of said predefined options are available for the first entity; - a further storage space for storing an acknowledgement of receipt by said first entity or by said second entity, associated with each of said individual piece
  • the entities normally involved in a cosmetic surgery operation are two: the first entity being the perspective patient and the second entity being the surgical team (surgeon, anesthesiologist, nurses).
  • the method according to the invention adds a third entity to the two ones outlined above, in that it adds a interaction control system, which controls the information flow, in terms of what information and/or when the information has to be exchanged, between the first and the second entity so to make sure that the first entity has received any information it is supposed to have received.
  • the interaction control system provides for a precise organization of the interactions between the parties, so that the likelihood of skipping important information exchanges between the parties is reduced to a minimum.
  • the interaction system provides for the using of driven comparison means that allow to the first entity to modify the result requested after the surgery during the interaction steps between the first entity and the second entity in order to approach to the more suitable kind of surgery for the first entity.
  • the driven comparison means comprising standardized forms for each kind of surgery as morphological models or standardized references.
  • the interaction control system does not comprise only physical persons, even if it may possibly comprise a person or a team; the interaction control system can comprise a database or a project flow management system; the interaction control system may comprise different data to be input for each different type of surgery.
  • the interaction control system behaves in accordance to precisely defined steps, which are stored in the interaction control system itself.
  • the interaction control system comprises second storage space for storing representative data of the members of the second entity. More specifically, the representative data are organized in classes.
  • a first class is homogeneous for all the members of the second entity and may comprise for instance, administrative data and/or personal data (e.g. age, sex, postal address), kind of professional profile (e.g. surgeon, anesthesiologist, nurse), while a second class of data may be different for each kind of professional profile (e.g. the data for the nurses may be different from the data for the surgeons and/or for the anesthesiologists).
  • the interaction control system may also comprise representative data for the first entity, e.g. administrative data and/or personal data. Also, each first entity is associated to one or more requested kinds of surgery, in the interaction control system.
  • All the above representative data may be stored in a suitable database, preferably in an electronic database, but also a paper database may work.
  • the interaction control system may comprise an internal portion which may be configured by a member of the second entity, possibly with restricted access privileges, so that each individual piece of essential information may be flagged as being “not to be collected” and/or “not to be disclosed", according to local regulations.
  • Such an internal control system may also comprise a safety system, which prevents collection of the data flagged as "not to be collected” and/or disclosure of the data flagged as "not to be disclosed”.
  • the interaction control system may comprise flags for each individual data field, which indicate whether or not the individual data field compulsory requires being filled in or whether it is optional.
  • control carried out by a specific subsystem of the interaction control system, on whether each and every compulsory data field has been filled in, for any specific first entity, or whether there is at least one required data field, which has not been filled in.
  • the compulsory data field may be chosen from the group comprising: contact details of the first entity, sex, age, requested kind of surgery.
  • the method and the interaction control system are not limited to a specific kind of surgery and they may be used for surgeries chosen from the group comprising: breast surgery, body surgery, nose surgery and face surgery.
  • the data collection step is the first procedure, which defines the beginning of the interaction between the first entity and the second entity.
  • the first entity does not begin a direct interaction with the second entity, but begins a direct interaction with the interaction control system, preferably with the interaction control system only.
  • the first interaction between the interaction control system and the first entity is the data collection step, in which the first entity is "made known" to the interaction control system, so that further interactions may properly be controlled.
  • a number of first data fields 305 need to be filled in, regarding the first entity representative details.
  • the first data fields to be filled in will only be those already associated to the first entity.
  • control on whether the first data fields 305 have been filled in is performed during or after the end of the first interaction between the interaction control system and the first entity, but before the end of the data collections step.
  • the interaction control system may comprise a second specific subsystem scheduling one or more further interaction attempts in order to retrieve information for filling in the required data field which were not filled in during the first interaction.
  • the interaction control system may provide for preventing further control in the interaction between the first entity and the second entity.
  • the interaction between the first and the second entities is controlled by the interaction control system.
  • the preparation step is a procedure, which can be carried out before any interaction with the first entity.
  • the preparation step is controlled via the interaction control system.
  • the interaction control system comprises a list of elements, which should be present during the interaction with the first entity. Such a list is normally stored within the interaction control system in a further storage space.
  • the list comprises individual pieces of essential information 332 on:
  • Each condition which needs to be fulfilled may also be associated to a flag indicating whether compliance to this condition is or not essential to the subsequent interaction with the first entity.
  • the interaction control system may indicate this as a critical failure and may provide for one or more further attempts to fulfill such a condition.
  • the interaction control system may provide for preventing further control of the interaction between the first and the second entity, if there is at least one critical failure.
  • the clearance step is a preliminary procedure that the first entity must undergo, in order to be put in communication with the second entity.
  • the interaction control system may give to the first entity access to a restricted set of the second entity data (namely contact information) only after the first entity has successfully completed the clearance step.
  • the clearance step is already carried out as interaction between the first and the second entity, the interaction control system limiting the interaction between the first and the second entity in that there must be at least some kind of interaction between the first and the second entity that shall be carried out before proceeding the interaction control system can provide for further control in the interaction between the entities.
  • the clearance step may be carried out through a paper questionnaire, an electronic questionnaire or through any other formalized system.
  • the clearance step is managed through one or more standardized forms, preferably in electronic form, in which a plurality of predefined options are available for the first entity and the first entity is only allowed to select one or more of the predefined options.
  • the predefined options are identical for all the first entities.
  • the predefined options may develop along a hierarchical structure, lower level options becoming available only if predefined higher level options have been selected.
  • the predefined options 337 comprising a first set of general morphological models in which each model of said first set may be associated with one or more models of a second set of more specific morphological models.
  • the square face of Figure 5a may be associated with models 3, 4 and 5, respectively triangle, rectangle and square face that are included in Figure 5b.
  • the predefined options 337 selected by the first entity are stored in the interaction control system in particular in a second data field 306. This process is carried out independently (or on top of) any possible other interaction that may occur between the first entity and the interaction control system.
  • Other interactions could be verbal interactions between the first entity (which may be a person wishing to undergo cosmetic surgery) and a representative requesting to fill in the form, i.e. the second entity or a person taking the actions required by the interaction control system, when the interaction control system is not running on a software but is, e.g., a card file.
  • the clearance step may also comprise a first information step, in which the first entity is comparing with correct information aimed at overcoming the most common possible misconceptions that are commonly found in the field of cosmetic surgery.
  • first information step can be carried out by verbal interaction, it is a feature of a preferred embodiment of the present invention that this information is stored in the interaction control system before the clearance step and it is transferred to the first entity during the clearance step.
  • the information may be stored in the interaction control system as a plurality of individual pieces of essential information 332.
  • each individual piece of essential information 332 is associated to a specific kind of surgery.
  • the interaction control system is therefore able to select the individual pieces of essential information 332 to be delivered to the first entity depending on the specific kind of surgery, i.e. each first entity will have to acknowledge receipt of each and every individual piece of essential information 332 associated with the same surgeries to which the first entity is associated, preferably only those individual pieces of essential information 332.
  • the first information step ends only when all the individual pieces of essential information 332 are flagged as having been received by the first entity. Alternately, it will be possible to terminate the first information step at any time with or without the possibility of resuming it at a later time.
  • the individual pieces of essential information 332 may comprise for instance:
  • the decision on whether to re-operate is a decision to be solely taken by the second entity (i.e. the surgeon and/or the surgeon' s team) and/or that the costs for such a reoperation have to be borne by the first entity;
  • any, some, most or all of the above individual pieces of essential information 332 may be present in different embodiments of the present invention, the most preferred embodiment comprising all the above individual pieces of essential information 332 and requiring the acknowledgement of receipt, by the interaction control system, of each and every individual piece of essential information 332.
  • the first entity is given more detailed information on what are the most likely expectations which are beyond the possibilities of current techniques and/or of the surgical techniques which can be available for the kind of surgery associated with the first entity.
  • the information may relate to one or more of the facts that:
  • the gap between breasts can be corrected only a little and not completely; preferably a precise indication of the minimum gap size which will likely remain after the operation is given, e.g. in centimeters or in inches;
  • the information may be different, but in any case, the kind of information to be given is more technical and related to the surgical options of the chosen kind of surgery than in the first information step.
  • the interaction control system may require that some administrative data are provided at the before surgery, preferably during or after the second information step.
  • Such administrative data may be comprised in the group containing information on:
  • the interaction control system may comprise a full list of physical tests, checks and/or examinations; preferably the second entity associates, in the interaction control system, a subset of the full list to each specific first entity's data.
  • the interaction control system will require input of the completion, by the first entity, of each and every test, check and/or examination associated with the given first entity.
  • the interaction control system may comprise input devices and/or methods/procedures for allowing the operations of data entry, inclusive of a copy of the actual results of the physical tests, checks and/or examinations, and to associate the copies with the data of the first entity to which those copies refer.
  • all these data shall have been input in the interaction control system before the beginning of the surgery, i.e. before the end of the second information step.
  • the interaction control system may comprise control routines that prevent moving further to the actual surgery if any of the required data is missing.
  • these routines are performed closer to the meeting between the first and the second entity than to the surgery, so that there is time to input the required data if these are missing.
  • the interaction control system requires a first picture to be taken and associated to the first entity before surgery.
  • the first picture shall preferably relate to the area of the first entity, which will undergo surgery, so to have a document showing the situation before surgery.
  • the interaction control system does not allow surgery to be undertaken unless a first picture is associated with the first entity data.
  • the interaction control system tracks the correspondence between the first picture associated to the first entity and the area to be operated, e.g., by requesting confirmation of such correspondence to the second entity or to a qualified personnel and by keeping track of the entity which has given confirmation.
  • Further documental step may be totally identical to the first documental step with the exception that the further documental steps are performed after surgery, and not before.
  • the further documental steps comprise a second and a third documental step, scheduled by the interaction control system to be undertaken at predefined intervals after surgery.
  • the second documental step is scheduled to be 2 to 4 months after surgery, 3 months being most preferred;
  • the third documental step is scheduled to be 5 to 13 months after surgery, 6 to 12 months being more preferred, 8 to 10 months being also possible.
  • a preferred embodiment comprises both first and second documental steps.
  • the interaction control system requires a picture to be taken after surgery and to be associated to the first entity.
  • the second picture shall preferably relate to the same area the first picture related to, so to have a document showing the situation after surgery.
  • the interaction control system tracks the correspondence between the first picture associated to the first entity and the area to be operated, e.g., by requesting confirmation of such correspondence to the second entity or to a qualified personnel and by keeping track of the entity which has given confirmation.
  • the interaction control system 230 comprises an automatic control subsystem for checking whether the first and the second picture may in fact relate to the same area, e.g. an automatic picture comparison, which allows to immediately recognize whether a totally unrelated picture is associated with the first entity.
  • the interaction control system will track the correspondence by requesting confirmation of such correspondence to the second entity or to a qualified personnel and by keeping track of the entity, which has given confirmation even in case an automatic picture comparison is performed.
  • any, some or all of the above individual pieces of essential information 332 may be delivered to the first entity and some or each of them may be associated, in the interaction control system, with a flag, the flag being representative of whether the prospect has actually received the individual piece of essential information 332, e.g. by way of acknowledgment.
  • the effect of such a first and second information step is on one side to ensure that the first entity is given all the information that (s)he is entitled to receive, on the other side to allow a constant critical assessment of the first entity's decision to undergo cosmetic surgery.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates one implementation of an interaction control system 200 configured to control the information flow, in terms of what information and/or when the information has to be exchanged, between the first and the second entity so to make sure that the first entity has received any information it is supposed to have received.
  • the interaction control system 200 provides for a precise organization of the interactions between the parties, so that the likelihood of skipping important information exchanges between the parties is reduced to a minimum.
  • the system 200 is implemented by a distributed computer system having multiple computers 202 and 204 interconnected by local area and wide area network communication media 206.
  • the system 200 generally includes a server 202 and at least one remote computer 204.
  • the server 202 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 208, a memory 214, a communications interface 216 for communicating with remote computers 204 as well as other system resources.
  • the memory 214 can be implemented as a non-transitory computer readable medium, for example, as magnetic or optical storage.
  • Remote computers 204 typically include a central processing unit (CPU) 221, a memory 222, a communications interface 223 for communicating with the server 202 and other system resources, an input device 225, and an output device 226.
  • the input device 225 can include any of a keyboard, a touch screen, a pointing device, a microphone, and/or a similar device to allow a user to convey commands to the workstation 204.
  • the output device 226 can comprise any of a display device, a speaker, a printer, a tactile display, and/or a similar device for conveying information to a user in a form comprehensible to a human being.
  • the memory 222 can be used for storing computer programs, such as communications software used to access the server 202.
  • the server memory 214 can include an interaction control system 230 configured to control an interaction between the first and the second entities.
  • the interaction control system 230 can include a data collection component 232, which allows a number of data fields to be filled in with details representing the first entity.
  • the data collection component 232 provides the data fields to the first entity at the remote computer 204 via one of the communication media 206.
  • the data fields can represent, for example, one or more of administrative data and/or personal data for the first entity as well as one or more requested kinds of surgery with which the first entity will be associated by the data collection component 232.
  • the data collection component 232 determines that at least one required data field has not been filled in during the first interaction between the first entity and the interaction control system, the data collection component 232 can include a subsystem not shown) configured to schedule one or more further interaction attempts in order to retrieve information for filling in the required data field which were not filled in during the first interaction.
  • the interaction control system 230 further includes a preparation component 234 configured to ensure that each of a list of elements which should be present during the interaction with the first entity is present.
  • These elements can include information related to the location of the interaction with the first entity, minimal acceptable standards of cleanliness that the location has to fulfill, and the kind and quantity of the items, which shall be available in the location.
  • the preparation component 234 can display the list of elements to a user, such as the second entity or a representative thereof for review.
  • an appropriate graphical interface can be provided to allow the user to indicate that each condition has been met.
  • the preparation component 234 can check the conditions automatically by referencing appropriate data stored in memory 214 or a remote storage medium.
  • the stored data can include information about various locations for an interaction between the first and second entities or an inventory database describing the amount and location of various items that might be available at a given location.
  • each condition monitored by the preparation component 234 can be represented by a flag indicating whether compliance to this condition is or not essential to the subsequent interaction with the first entity. If is at least one essential condition which is not complied with, the preparation component 234 may indicate this as a critical failure and may provide for one or more further attemtps to fulfill such a condition.
  • the interaction control system 230 further includes a clearance component 236.
  • the clearance component 236 can limit the access of first entity to information until one or more conditions are met.
  • the clearance component 236 may give to the first entity access to a restricted set of the second entity data, such as contact information only after the first entity has successfully met the one or more conditions.
  • the clearance component 236 provides the first entity with one or more standardized electronic forms.
  • the forms can be provided at the remote computer 204 via the communications media 206.
  • the standardized forms can include a plurality of predefined options are available for the first entity and the first entity is only allowed to select one or more of the predefined options. The options selected by the first entity are stored by the clearance component 236.
  • the clearance component 236 confronts the first entity with correct information aimed at overcoming the common misconceptions that are commonly found in the field of cosmetic surgery.
  • the information may be stored in the interaction control system 230 as a plurality of individual pieces of essential information 332.
  • each individual piece of essential information 332 is associated to a specific kind of surgery, such that the clearance component 236 is able to select the individual pieces of essential information 332 to be delivered to the first entity depending on the specific kind of surgery.
  • the clearance component 236 can provide the first entity with detailed information on what are the most likely expectations that are beyond the possibilities of current techniques and/or of the surgical techniques that can be available for the kind of surgery associated with the first entity.
  • the clearance component 236 will require that each first entity acknowledge receipt of each and every individual piece of essential information 332 associated with the same surgeries to which the first entity is associated, preferably only those individual pieces of essential information 332.
  • the clearance component 236 may require that some administrative data are provided at the before surgery.
  • the administrative data can include the kind of surgery to be actually performed, an expected surgery time, a kind of hospitalization needed, including an expected length of stay, the names or ID of the surgeon(s) responsible for the operation, the kind of implants and/or consumables needed for the surgery, details regarding the anesthesia, and a list of physical tests, checks and/or examinations that have to be submitted before the surgery.
  • the clearance component 236 may comprise an interface for allowing the operations of data entry, inclusive of a copy of the actual results of the physical tests, checks, and/or examinations, and to associate the copies with the data of the first entity to which those copies refer.
  • the clearance component 236 may comprise control routines that prevent moving further to the actual surgery if any of the required data is missing.
  • a documentation component 238 is configured to ensure that appropriate documentation is provided for evaluating the results of a cosmetic procedure.
  • the documentation component 238 can prompt one of the first entity and the second entity prior to surgery to either upload a first picture or confirm the provision of the first picture to the second entity.
  • the first picture will preferably be taken of the area of the first entity that will undergo surgery.
  • the documentation component 238 does not allow surgery to be undertaken unless a first picture is associated with the first entity data.
  • the documentation component 238 can further prompt the one of the first entity and the second entity to provide at least a second picture of the area undergoing surgery after the surgery is performed.
  • the figure 3 is a more specific indication of a portion 300 of the memory 214 of the interaction control system 200.
  • the portion 300 comprises a first storage space 310 for storing representative data of the first entity.
  • the first storage space 310 comprising first data fields 305 regarding the kind of surgery requested by said first entity, second data fields 306 regarding to the result requested by said first entity after said surgery and effective data fields 307 regarding the most suitable kind of surgery for said first entity.
  • the portion 300 further comprises a second storage space 320 for storing representative data of the members of said second entity, as above indicated, and third storage space 330 for storing a plurality of individual pieces of essential information 332 of the first entity.
  • Each individual piece of essential information 332 is associated to the first data fields 305 by referring to the kind of surgery, in particular, the individual piece of essential information 332 are taken before surgery.
  • a collection of standardized forms 335 are further storing in the second storage space 320, in which a plurality of predefined options 337 are available for the first entity and wherein the first entity is only allowed to select one or more of the predefined options 337.
  • the method further comprises the steps of: - storing in the second data field 306 the result requested by the first entity, having the first entity selected one or more of the predefined options 337 of the standardized forms 335;
  • Each interaction step further comprises a driven comparison step by said second entity, wherein the first entity processes the real data 333 by comparing the real data 333 with the selected predefined options 337, in order to have a self-analysis of the obtainable result.
  • the driven comparison step the first entity compares the obtainable result in respect to the expected result that has been stored in the second data fields 306 and a changing of the selected predefined options 337 can be expected.
  • an updating step of the second data field 306 by said second entity can be performed.
  • the interaction control system selects the quantity and the type of individual pieces of essential information 332, in particular a collection of digital images of the body portion of the first entity, which a member of the surgery team must take according to the first data field 305.
  • the interaction control system selects the predefined options 337 of said standardized forms 335 in order to control the interaction between said first entity and said second entity.
  • Figure 4a-4c show possible predefined options 337 of the standardized forms 335, in the case of "body surgery”.
  • Same standardized forms 335 may be relate to international celebrities as in the Figure 4a, same other may be relates to standardized samples 4b-4d.
  • Figure 5a-5b show possible predefined options 337 of the standardized forms 335, in the case of "face surgery", wherein figure 5a is referred to international celebrities and Figure 5b standardized sample.
  • the second data field 306 comprises the selection by the first entity of one or more of the predefined options 337 of the standardized forms 335, that have been presented by the interaction control system to the first entity.
  • the first entity by the processing of the real data 333 modifies the real data 333 by using a handled interaction system.
  • a copy of the real data 333 is given to the first entity and by the supervision of the second entity, the first entity can process, more in particular, re-draw or modify, the digital images according to his/her expectations.
  • the driven comparing step further comprises the generation of prothesis of augmentated breast, i.e. a sample, for the first entity according to the second data field 306.
  • the interaction step between the first entity and second entity further comprises a patient education step, in which the second entity provides to the first entity the most common effects of aging in a body according to the requested kind of surgery that has been stored in the first data field 305.
  • Figures 6a and 6b show same standardardized body type and profiles that define predefined options 337, which may be use by the second entity during the patient education step.
  • Figure 6c is a block diagram used as a reference by the second entity, during the step of interation, to perform an analysis of the face shape of the first entity.
  • the method and the interaction control system is not linked to a specific kind of surgery. In fact, they may be used for a surgery chosen from the group comprising: breast surgery, body surgery, nose surgery and face surgery.
  • the interaction control system therefore, allows for a more detailed and reliable provision of the relevant information to the first entity, allowing for a more meditated decision of undergoing cosmetic surgery, decreasing the failure rate.
  • the interaction control system also allows for a more precise tracking of the conditions in which surgery is carried out, by providing for the second entity having the possibility of receiving all the necessary information on the health conditions of the first entity and by providing an accurate documentation of the situation before and after surgery, thereby resulting in a decreased complication rate.
  • the interaction control system allows during the interaction steps between the first entity and the second entity to modify the result requested by the first entity by comparing real data with standardized forms, for each kind of cosmetic surgery.
  • the first entity is driven by the second entity and by the standardized form to make an auto- definition of the feasibility of the obtainable cosmetic result.

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method of controlling the interaction between a first entity and a second entity, wherein said first entity is a patient and said second entity is a member of a surgical team, said method comprising providing an interaction control system comprising: first storage space (310) for storing representative data of the first entity, said first storage space (310) comprising first data fields (305) regarding the kind of surgery requested by said first entity, second data fields (306) regarding to the result requested by said first entity after said surgery and effective data fields (307) regarding the most suitable kind of surgery for said first entity; second storage space (320) for storing representative data of the members of said second entity; third storage space (330) for storing: a plurality of individual pieces of essential information (332) of said first entity, each individual piece of essential information (332) being associated to said first data fields (305) regarding the kind of surgery and being taken before surgery; a collection of standardized forms (335), in which a plurality of predefined options (337) are available for the first entity and the first entity is only allowed to select one or more of said predefined options (337). The method further comprising storing in said second data field (306) the result requested by said first entity, having said first entity selected one ore more of said predefined options (337) of said standardized forms (335), collecting said individual pieces of essential information (332) of the first entity by defining real data (333), providing one or more interaction steps between the first entity and the second entity, in which said real data (333) are available for said first entity and during a driven comparison step by said second entity, said first entity processes said real data (333) by comparing said real data (333) with said selected predefined options (337); updating said second data field (306) by said second entity according to said driven comparison steps at the end of said one or more interaction steps; said one or more of said interaction steps resulting in the determination of said effective data fields (307) by said second entity, determining said surgery for said first entity according to said updated second data field (306) and said real data (333).

Description

Title: "Method for increasing the success rate in cosmetic surgery"
TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention relates to a method for increasing the success rate in cosmetic surgery. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The discussion of documents, acts materials, devices, articles and the like is included in this specification solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention. It is not suggested or represented that any or all of these matters formed part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention as it existed before the priority date of each claim of this application.
Modern cosmetic surgery was born after World War I, for caring soldiers who suffered disfiguring facial injuries.
A particular branch of cosmetic surgery, i.e. breast surgery, was developed in the 60' s and has been widely used for the last 40 years.
Although the devices have evolved over time, the outcomes of the surgical operations leave still room for improvement, as reported by clinical trials.
Moreover, in the specific breast surgery techniques, which relate to breast augmentation no defined process for patient management was developed.
As a result, the overall complication rate, i.e. the number of patients which need to undergo again a surgical treatment within a defined time limit, is comparatively higher than with respect to other surgical -non cosmetic- techniques, for which the patient is managed in a standardized approach. For the purposes of this invention, the success rate, as herein referred to, is the complement of the complication rate.
It is also believed that the complication rate is raised because of the kind of specific environment in which cosmetic surgeons operate.
As a matter of facts, cosmetic surgeons' practices are comparatively smaller than surgical practices for other kind of operations. This leads to a reduced statistical base for actually assessing the overall complication rate and, even more important, makes it very complicated to develop a standardized method for patient management.
One of the most popular cosmetic procedures performed by plastic surgeons is the breast augmentation. The practice of breast augmentation has also suffered from the lack of a defined process for patient management as indicated by the Article of William P. Adams, Jr. titled "The process of breast augmentation: four sequential steps for optimizing outcomes for patients", published on "Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery", Volume 122 Number 6 December 2008. Wherein a definition and an evaluation of the overall process of breast augmentation is defined in order to allow an enhanced patient outcomes. The algorithm provides four subprocesses for patient care, that includes structured patient education and informed consent, tissue-based clinical analysis, refined surgical technique and definite postoperative regimen.
Although this innovative process achieves the purposes, it has some drawbacks. The main step of the "algorithm" is the Tissue-based clinical analysis and planning that the surgeon makes preoperatively by basing on "five critical decisions": pocket plane, implant size, implant type, inframammary fold position and incision.
The key factors of the "five critical decisions" are only based on tables of data concerning width and type of the requested breast augmentations in correlation with effective measurements of patient' s tissue. Therefore the surgeon treats new patients only based upon the aforementioned tables of data, in order to determine outcomes for a breast augmentation. In view of the abovementioned state of the art, aim of the invention is to provide a method and an interaction control system for managing the interactions between a first and a second entity in cosmetic surgery, which allow for reduced complication rate, i.e. a higher success rate. Another aim of the invention is to provide a method and an interaction control system, which allow to drive the first entity in order to have an auto-definition of the feasibility of the obtainable cosmetic result in relation to the requested kind of surgery. Another purpose of the present invention is to reduce the overall cost of the cosmetic surgery by reducing or eliminating the requests for intervention post-operative (new-intervention or refunds) by the patients who have had surgeon treatments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The characteristics and the advantages of this invention will become clear from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment, given as non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
-Figure 1 shows one possible workflow of an embodiment of method according to the invention.
-Figure 2 illustrates one implementation of system configured to control the information flow between a first entity and a second entity;
-Figure 3 illustrates a schematic block diagram of the interaction control system according to the present invention;
-Figure 4a-4d show bodies standardized forms used in the method according to the present invention;
-Figure 5a-5b show faces standardized forms used in the method according to the present invention;
-Figure 6a-6c show same standardized forms that are used during a patient education step, according to the present invention
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention, such an aim is achieved by a method of controlling the interaction between a first entity and a second entity, wherein said first entity is a patient and said second entity is a member of a surgical team, said method comprising providing an interaction control system comprising first storage space for storing representative data of the first entity, said first storage space comprising first data fields regarding the kind of surgery requested by said first entity, second data fields regarding to the result requested by said first entity after said surgery and effective data fields regarding the most suitable kind of surgery for said first entity; second storage space for storing representative data of said members of said second entity; third storage space for storing a plurality of individual pieces of said first entity, each individual piece of essential information being associated to said first data fields regarding the kind of surgery and being taken before surgery; a collection of standardized forms, in which a plurality of predefined options are available for the first entity and the first entity is only allowed to select one or more of said predefined options;
wherein the method further comprising storing in said second data field the result requested by said first entity having said first entity selected one ore more of said predefined options of said standardized forms; collecting said individual pieces of essential information of the first entity by defining real data; providing one or more interaction steps between the first entity and the second entity, in which said real data are available for said first entity and during a driven comparison step by said second entity, said first entity processes said real data by comparing said real data with said selected predefined options; updating said second data field by said second entity according to said driven comparison steps at the end of said one or more interaction steps; said one or more of said interaction steps resulting in the determination of said effective data fields by said second entity, determining said surgery for said first entity according to said updated second data field and said real data.
According to the invention, such aim can also be achieved by an interaction control system, controlling the interaction between a first entity and a second entity, wherein said first entity is a patient and said second entity is a member of a surgical team, said interaction control system comprising: first storage space for storing representative data of the first entity, said first storage space comprising first data fields regarding the kind of surgery requested by said first entity, second data fields regarding to the result requested by said first entity after said surgery and effective data fields regarding the most suitable kind of surgery for said first entity; second storage space for storing representative data of said members of the second entity; third storage space for storing a plurality of individual pieces of essential information of said first entity, each individual piece of essential information being associated to said first data fields regarding the kind of surgery; information associated to said kinds of surgery, said information comprising a collection of standardized forms of predefined options, in which a plurality of said predefined options are available for the first entity; - a further storage space for storing an acknowledgement of receipt by said first entity or by said second entity, associated with each of said individual piece of essential information, in which each combination of said predefined options is associated with said individual pieces of essential information and wherein said acknowledgment of receipt from said first entity has to be stored for all the individual pieces of essential information associated with the selection of predefined options, which are stored in said second data field, for the interaction control system to be able to go on in controlling interactions between said first entity and said second entity.
The entities normally involved in a cosmetic surgery operation are two: the first entity being the perspective patient and the second entity being the surgical team (surgeon, anesthesiologist, nurses).
The method according to the invention adds a third entity to the two ones outlined above, in that it adds a interaction control system, which controls the information flow, in terms of what information and/or when the information has to be exchanged, between the first and the second entity so to make sure that the first entity has received any information it is supposed to have received.
The interaction control system provides for a precise organization of the interactions between the parties, so that the likelihood of skipping important information exchanges between the parties is reduced to a minimum.
Moreover, the interaction system provides for the using of driven comparison means that allow to the first entity to modify the result requested after the surgery during the interaction steps between the first entity and the second entity in order to approach to the more suitable kind of surgery for the first entity.
The driven comparison means comprising standardized forms for each kind of surgery as morphological models or standardized references.
The interaction control system does not comprise only physical persons, even if it may possibly comprise a person or a team; the interaction control system can comprise a database or a project flow management system; the interaction control system may comprise different data to be input for each different type of surgery.
In any case, the interaction control system behaves in accordance to precisely defined steps, which are stored in the interaction control system itself.
The interaction control system comprises second storage space for storing representative data of the members of the second entity. More specifically, the representative data are organized in classes. A first class is homogeneous for all the members of the second entity and may comprise for instance, administrative data and/or personal data (e.g. age, sex, postal address), kind of professional profile (e.g. surgeon, anesthesiologist, nurse), while a second class of data may be different for each kind of professional profile (e.g. the data for the nurses may be different from the data for the surgeons and/or for the anesthesiologists).
Thus, there can be a set of representative data, which is specific to the surgeons, one for the surgeon assistant, one for to the anesthesiologist, one for the nurses.
The interaction control system may also comprise representative data for the first entity, e.g. administrative data and/or personal data. Also, each first entity is associated to one or more requested kinds of surgery, in the interaction control system.
All the above representative data may be stored in a suitable database, preferably in an electronic database, but also a paper database may work.
The interaction control system may comprise an internal portion which may be configured by a member of the second entity, possibly with restricted access privileges, so that each individual piece of essential information may be flagged as being "not to be collected" and/or "not to be disclosed", according to local regulations. Such an internal control system may also comprise a safety system, which prevents collection of the data flagged as "not to be collected" and/or disclosure of the data flagged as "not to be disclosed".
The interaction control system may comprise flags for each individual data field, which indicate whether or not the individual data field compulsory requires being filled in or whether it is optional.
Preferably, there may be a control, carried out by a specific subsystem of the interaction control system, on whether each and every compulsory data field has been filled in, for any specific first entity, or whether there is at least one required data field, which has not been filled in.
The compulsory data field may be chosen from the group comprising: contact details of the first entity, sex, age, requested kind of surgery.
The method and the interaction control system are not limited to a specific kind of surgery and they may be used for surgeries chosen from the group comprising: breast surgery, body surgery, nose surgery and face surgery.
THE DATA COLLECTION STEP
The data collection step is the first procedure, which defines the beginning of the interaction between the first entity and the second entity.
According to the one aspect of the invention the first entity does not begin a direct interaction with the second entity, but begins a direct interaction with the interaction control system, preferably with the interaction control system only.
The first interaction between the interaction control system and the first entity is the data collection step, in which the first entity is "made known" to the interaction control system, so that further interactions may properly be controlled. In this step, a number of first data fields 305 need to be filled in, regarding the first entity representative details. The first data fields to be filled in will only be those already associated to the first entity.
Preferably the control on whether the first data fields 305 have been filled in is performed during or after the end of the first interaction between the interaction control system and the first entity, but before the end of the data collections step.
If the result of the control reveals that at least one required of the first data field has not been filled in during the first interaction between the first entity and the interaction control system, the interaction control system may comprise a second specific subsystem scheduling one or more further interaction attempts in order to retrieve information for filling in the required data field which were not filled in during the first interaction.
If, after a preset number of attempts, the required of the first data field 305 are still not filled in, the interaction control system may provide for preventing further control in the interaction between the first entity and the second entity.
According to one aspect of the invention, the interaction between the first and the second entities is controlled by the interaction control system.
THE PREPARATION STEP
The preparation step is a procedure, which can be carried out before any interaction with the first entity.
The preparation step is controlled via the interaction control system.
The interaction control system comprises a list of elements, which should be present during the interaction with the first entity. Such a list is normally stored within the interaction control system in a further storage space.
The list comprises individual pieces of essential information 332 on:
-The location of the interaction with the first entity;
-The minimal acceptable standards of cleanliness that the location has to fulfill; -The kind and quantity of the items, which shall be available in the premises (e.g. catalogues, sample implants).
Each condition which needs to be fulfilled may also be associated to a flag indicating whether compliance to this condition is or not essential to the subsequent interaction with the first entity.
In case there is at least one essential condition, which is not complied with, the interaction control system may indicate this as a critical failure and may provide for one or more further attempts to fulfill such a condition.
The interaction control system may provide for preventing further control of the interaction between the first and the second entity, if there is at least one critical failure.
THE CLEARANCE STEP
The clearance step is a preliminary procedure that the first entity must undergo, in order to be put in communication with the second entity.
The interaction control system may give to the first entity access to a restricted set of the second entity data (namely contact information) only after the first entity has successfully completed the clearance step.
According to another embodiment, the clearance step is already carried out as interaction between the first and the second entity, the interaction control system limiting the interaction between the first and the second entity in that there must be at least some kind of interaction between the first and the second entity that shall be carried out before proceeding the interaction control system can provide for further control in the interaction between the entities.
The clearance step may be carried out through a paper questionnaire, an electronic questionnaire or through any other formalized system.
According to one aspect of the present invention, the clearance step is managed through one or more standardized forms, preferably in electronic form, in which a plurality of predefined options are available for the first entity and the first entity is only allowed to select one or more of the predefined options.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the predefined options are identical for all the first entities. According to a more preferred embodiment, the predefined options may develop along a hierarchical structure, lower level options becoming available only if predefined higher level options have been selected. For example, the predefined options 337 comprising a first set of general morphological models in which each model of said first set may be associated with one or more models of a second set of more specific morphological models. For example, as shown in Figures 5a and 5b, the square face of Figure 5a may be associated with models 3, 4 and 5, respectively triangle, rectangle and square face that are included in Figure 5b.
The predefined options 337 selected by the first entity are stored in the interaction control system in particular in a second data field 306. This process is carried out independently (or on top of) any possible other interaction that may occur between the first entity and the interaction control system. Other interactions could be verbal interactions between the first entity (which may be a person wishing to undergo cosmetic surgery) and a representative requesting to fill in the form, i.e. the second entity or a person taking the actions required by the interaction control system, when the interaction control system is not running on a software but is, e.g., a card file.
First information step
The clearance step may also comprise a first information step, in which the first entity is comparing with correct information aimed at overcoming the most common possible misconceptions that are commonly found in the field of cosmetic surgery.
While the actual first information step can be carried out by verbal interaction, it is a feature of a preferred embodiment of the present invention that this information is stored in the interaction control system before the clearance step and it is transferred to the first entity during the clearance step.
The information may be stored in the interaction control system as a plurality of individual pieces of essential information 332. Advantageously, each individual piece of essential information 332 is associated to a specific kind of surgery.
The interaction control system is therefore able to select the individual pieces of essential information 332 to be delivered to the first entity depending on the specific kind of surgery, i.e. each first entity will have to acknowledge receipt of each and every individual piece of essential information 332 associated with the same surgeries to which the first entity is associated, preferably only those individual pieces of essential information 332.
The first information step ends only when all the individual pieces of essential information 332 are flagged as having been received by the first entity. Alternately, it will be possible to terminate the first information step at any time with or without the possibility of resuming it at a later time.
The individual pieces of essential information 332 may comprise for instance:
-Information on the previous surgical history of the first entity, preferably on the previous cosmetic and/or plastic surgery history, preferably also comprising information on what kind of cosmetic and/or plastic surgery the first entity previously underwent and/or whether the first entity was satisfied with the previous results and/or the degree of satisfaction;
-Information on the role of the interaction control system in the surgical process and/or on the aims of the first information step;
-Historical information on surgery, preferably on the cosmetic and/or plastic surgery, preferably on the cosmetic and/or plastic surgery of the kind associated with the first entity;
-An overview of the possible alternatives to surgery, if applicable, for obtaining a result compatible with the expectations of the first entity; -An overview on the kind of surgical techniques to be used in the kind of surgery associated with the first entity;
-An overview of the technical (i.e. surgical) parameters to be determined before being able to proceed with the surgery, with information on the advantages and drawbacks (if any) associated to each of the parameters;
-Information relating to the expectations of the first entity and to the possible outcomes of a surgery, which could be compatible/incompatible with such expectations;
-Information on what will happen during the interaction between the first entity and the second entity (i.e. the surgeon and his/her equip), with a timeframe;
-Information on the anesthesia;
-Information regarding the post-surgical phase, preferably comprising the fact that detailed information will be given after surgery, and not during the first information step;
-In case of breast augmentation, information on the risks and/or uncontrollable factors of the breast augmentation risks, i.e. : bleeding, infection, sensation compromise, capsular contracture, unsatisfactory aesthetic results, scarring, interference with cancer detection, complications which may require further expenses;
-Information on what the second entity can and cannot keep under control, preferably comprising the information that the decision on whether to re-operate is a decision to be solely taken by the second entity (i.e. the surgeon and/or the surgeon' s team) and/or that the costs for such a reoperation have to be borne by the first entity;
-Information on the importance of communicating with the interaction control system for ensuring the best possible surgical experience and in that the communication from the fist entity to the interaction control system has to be complete and/or honest at all times;
-Information on the qualifications of the second entity.
Any, some, most or all of the above individual pieces of essential information 332 may be present in different embodiments of the present invention, the most preferred embodiment comprising all the above individual pieces of essential information 332 and requiring the acknowledgement of receipt, by the interaction control system, of each and every individual piece of essential information 332.
Second information step
In a second information step, following the first information step, the first entity is given more detailed information on what are the most likely expectations which are beyond the possibilities of current techniques and/or of the surgical techniques which can be available for the kind of surgery associated with the first entity.
For instance, in case of breast augmentation, the information may relate to one or more of the facts that:
-Left and right breasts will not match;
-The areola height will not be totally corrected;
-The fold beneath breast higher on chest will not be totally corrected;
-The nipple position of the breast mounds is different on the two sides and will not be totally corrected;
-The gap between breasts can be corrected only a little and not completely; preferably a precise indication of the minimum gap size which will likely remain after the operation is given, e.g. in centimeters or in inches;
-That chest wall asymmetries exist; preferably that they cannot be corrected and more preferably also that they will affect breast shape;
-The position of the entire breast on the chest wall will not change;
-If one fold is at a different height than the other, this will not change;
-The basic shape and configuration of the breasts will be similar to their current appearance;
-Thinner tissue inferior and lateral can result in implant palpability;
-Perfection cannot be achieved. In other kind of surgeries, the information may be different, but in any case, the kind of information to be given is more technical and related to the surgical options of the chosen kind of surgery than in the first information step.
Third information step
Also, the interaction control system may require that some administrative data are provided at the before surgery, preferably during or after the second information step.
Such administrative data may be comprised in the group containing information on:
-The kind of surgery to be actually performed (this may be different from the requested kind of surgery, since the clearance step may have determined that the requested kind of surgery is not the best option);
-The expected surgery time;
-The kind of hospitalization needed;
-The number of nights to spend in the hospital or clinic;
-The names or ID of the surgeon(s) responsible for the operation;
-The kind of implants and/or consumables needed for the surgery;
-Details regarding the anesthesia;
-The kinds of physical tests, checks and/or examinations that have to be submitted before the surgery.
The interaction control system may comprise a full list of physical tests, checks and/or examinations; preferably the second entity associates, in the interaction control system, a subset of the full list to each specific first entity's data.
Once the association is made in the interaction control system, the interaction control system will require input of the completion, by the first entity, of each and every test, check and/or examination associated with the given first entity.
The interaction control system may comprise input devices and/or methods/procedures for allowing the operations of data entry, inclusive of a copy of the actual results of the physical tests, checks and/or examinations, and to associate the copies with the data of the first entity to which those copies refer.
Preferably, all these data shall have been input in the interaction control system before the beginning of the surgery, i.e. before the end of the second information step.
The interaction control system may comprise control routines that prevent moving further to the actual surgery if any of the required data is missing. Preferably, these routines are performed closer to the meeting between the first and the second entity than to the surgery, so that there is time to input the required data if these are missing.
DOCUMENTAL STEP
First documental step
In a first documental step, the interaction control system requires a first picture to be taken and associated to the first entity before surgery.
The first picture shall preferably relate to the area of the first entity, which will undergo surgery, so to have a document showing the situation before surgery.
In a preferred embodiment, the interaction control system does not allow surgery to be undertaken unless a first picture is associated with the first entity data. In a more preferred embodiment, the interaction control system tracks the correspondence between the first picture associated to the first entity and the area to be operated, e.g., by requesting confirmation of such correspondence to the second entity or to a qualified personnel and by keeping track of the entity which has given confirmation.
Further documental steps
Further documental step may be totally identical to the first documental step with the exception that the further documental steps are performed after surgery, and not before.
In a preferred embodiment, the further documental steps comprise a second and a third documental step, scheduled by the interaction control system to be undertaken at predefined intervals after surgery. Preferably, the second documental step is scheduled to be 2 to 4 months after surgery, 3 months being most preferred; preferably, the third documental step is scheduled to be 5 to 13 months after surgery, 6 to 12 months being more preferred, 8 to 10 months being also possible.
A preferred embodiment comprises both first and second documental steps.
In a preferred embodiment, the interaction control system requires a picture to be taken after surgery and to be associated to the first entity.
The second picture shall preferably relate to the same area the first picture related to, so to have a document showing the situation after surgery.
In a preferred embodiment, the interaction control system tracks the correspondence between the first picture associated to the first entity and the area to be operated, e.g., by requesting confirmation of such correspondence to the second entity or to a qualified personnel and by keeping track of the entity which has given confirmation.
In a more preferred embodiment, the interaction control system 230comprises an automatic control subsystem for checking whether the first and the second picture may in fact relate to the same area, e.g. an automatic picture comparison, which allows to immediately recognize whether a totally unrelated picture is associated with the first entity. Preferably, the interaction control system will track the correspondence by requesting confirmation of such correspondence to the second entity or to a qualified personnel and by keeping track of the entity, which has given confirmation even in case an automatic picture comparison is performed.
As in the first information step, any, some or all of the above individual pieces of essential information 332 may be delivered to the first entity and some or each of them may be associated, in the interaction control system, with a flag, the flag being representative of whether the prospect has actually received the individual piece of essential information 332, e.g. by way of acknowledgment. The effect of such a first and second information step is on one side to ensure that the first entity is given all the information that (s)he is entitled to receive, on the other side to allow a constant critical assessment of the first entity's decision to undergo cosmetic surgery.
FIG. 2 illustrates one implementation of an interaction control system 200 configured to control the information flow, in terms of what information and/or when the information has to be exchanged, between the first and the second entity so to make sure that the first entity has received any information it is supposed to have received. The interaction control system 200 provides for a precise organization of the interactions between the parties, so that the likelihood of skipping important information exchanges between the parties is reduced to a minimum.
In the example represented by the illustrated system 200, the system 200 is implemented by a distributed computer system having multiple computers 202 and 204 interconnected by local area and wide area network communication media 206. The system 200 generally includes a server 202 and at least one remote computer 204.
The server 202 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 208, a memory 214, a communications interface 216 for communicating with remote computers 204 as well as other system resources. The memory 214 can be implemented as a non-transitory computer readable medium, for example, as magnetic or optical storage. Remote computers 204 typically include a central processing unit (CPU) 221, a memory 222, a communications interface 223 for communicating with the server 202 and other system resources, an input device 225, and an output device 226. The input device 225 can include any of a keyboard, a touch screen, a pointing device, a microphone, and/or a similar device to allow a user to convey commands to the workstation 204. The output device 226 can comprise any of a display device, a speaker, a printer, a tactile display, and/or a similar device for conveying information to a user in a form comprehensible to a human being. The memory 222 can be used for storing computer programs, such as communications software used to access the server 202.
The server memory 214 can include an interaction control system 230 configured to control an interaction between the first and the second entities. The interaction control system 230 can include a data collection component 232, which allows a number of data fields to be filled in with details representing the first entity. In one implementation, the data collection component 232 provides the data fields to the first entity at the remote computer 204 via one of the communication media 206. The data fields can represent, for example, one or more of administrative data and/or personal data for the first entity as well as one or more requested kinds of surgery with which the first entity will be associated by the data collection component 232. If the data collection component 232 determines that at least one required data field has not been filled in during the first interaction between the first entity and the interaction control system, the data collection component 232 can include a subsystem not shown) configured to schedule one or more further interaction attempts in order to retrieve information for filling in the required data field which were not filled in during the first interaction.
The interaction control system 230 further includes a preparation component 234 configured to ensure that each of a list of elements which should be present during the interaction with the first entity is present. These elements can include information related to the location of the interaction with the first entity, minimal acceptable standards of cleanliness that the location has to fulfill, and the kind and quantity of the items, which shall be available in the location. For example, the preparation component 234 can display the list of elements to a user, such as the second entity or a representative thereof for review. In one implementation, an appropriate graphical interface can be provided to allow the user to indicate that each condition has been met. Alternatively, the preparation component 234 can check the conditions automatically by referencing appropriate data stored in memory 214 or a remote storage medium. For example, the stored data can include information about various locations for an interaction between the first and second entities or an inventory database describing the amount and location of various items that might be available at a given location.
In one implemenetation, each condition monitored by the preparation component 234 can be represented by a flag indicating whether compliance to this condition is or not essential to the subsequent interaction with the first entity. If is at least one essential condition which is not complied with, the preparation component 234 may indicate this as a critical failure and may provide for one or more further attemtps to fulfill such a condition.
The interaction control system 230 further includes a clearance component 236. The clearance component 236 can limit the access of first entity to information until one or more conditions are met. For example, the clearance component 236 may give to the first entity access to a restricted set of the second entity data, such as contact information only after the first entity has successfully met the one or more conditions. In one example, the clearance component 236 provides the first entity with one or more standardized electronic forms. For example, the forms can be provided at the remote computer 204 via the communications media 206. The standardized forms can include a plurality of predefined options are available for the first entity and the first entity is only allowed to select one or more of the predefined options. The options selected by the first entity are stored by the clearance component 236. In one implementation, the clearance component 236 confronts the first entity with correct information aimed at overcoming the common misconceptions that are commonly found in the field of cosmetic surgery. The information may be stored in the interaction control system 230 as a plurality of individual pieces of essential information 332. Advantageously, each individual piece of essential information 332 is associated to a specific kind of surgery, such that the clearance component 236 is able to select the individual pieces of essential information 332 to be delivered to the first entity depending on the specific kind of surgery.
Alternatively or additionally, the clearance component 236 can provide the first entity with detailed information on what are the most likely expectations that are beyond the possibilities of current techniques and/or of the surgical techniques that can be available for the kind of surgery associated with the first entity. In this arrangement, the clearance component 236 will require that each first entity acknowledge receipt of each and every individual piece of essential information 332 associated with the same surgeries to which the first entity is associated, preferably only those individual pieces of essential information 332. Finally, the clearance component 236 may require that some administrative data are provided at the before surgery. For example, the administrative data can include the kind of surgery to be actually performed, an expected surgery time, a kind of hospitalization needed, including an expected length of stay, the names or ID of the surgeon(s) responsible for the operation, the kind of implants and/or consumables needed for the surgery, details regarding the anesthesia, and a list of physical tests, checks and/or examinations that have to be submitted before the surgery. The clearance component 236 may comprise an interface for allowing the operations of data entry, inclusive of a copy of the actual results of the physical tests, checks, and/or examinations, and to associate the copies with the data of the first entity to which those copies refer. The clearance component 236 may comprise control routines that prevent moving further to the actual surgery if any of the required data is missing. Preferably, these routines are performed closer to the meeting between the first and the second entity than to the surgery, so that there is time to input the required data if these are missing. A documentation component 238 is configured to ensure that appropriate documentation is provided for evaluating the results of a cosmetic procedure. For example, the documentation component 238 can prompt one of the first entity and the second entity prior to surgery to either upload a first picture or confirm the provision of the first picture to the second entity. The first picture will preferably be taken of the area of the first entity that will undergo surgery. In a preferred embodiment, the documentation component 238 does not allow surgery to be undertaken unless a first picture is associated with the first entity data. The documentation component 238 can further prompt the one of the first entity and the second entity to provide at least a second picture of the area undergoing surgery after the surgery is performed.
The figure 3 is a more specific indication of a portion 300 of the memory 214 of the interaction control system 200. According to the present invention, the portion 300 comprises a first storage space 310 for storing representative data of the first entity. The first storage space 310 comprising first data fields 305 regarding the kind of surgery requested by said first entity, second data fields 306 regarding to the result requested by said first entity after said surgery and effective data fields 307 regarding the most suitable kind of surgery for said first entity.
The portion 300 further comprises a second storage space 320 for storing representative data of the members of said second entity, as above indicated, and third storage space 330 for storing a plurality of individual pieces of essential information 332 of the first entity. Each individual piece of essential information 332 is associated to the first data fields 305 by referring to the kind of surgery, in particular, the individual piece of essential information 332 are taken before surgery.
A collection of standardized forms 335 are further storing in the second storage space 320, in which a plurality of predefined options 337 are available for the first entity and wherein the first entity is only allowed to select one or more of the predefined options 337.
The method further comprises the steps of: - storing in the second data field 306 the result requested by the first entity, having the first entity selected one or more of the predefined options 337 of the standardized forms 335;
- collecting the individual pieces of essential information 332 of the first entity by defining real data 333,
- providing one or more interaction steps between the first entity and the second entity, in which the real data 333 are available for the first entity.
Each interaction step further comprises a driven comparison step by said second entity, wherein the first entity processes the real data 333 by comparing the real data 333 with the selected predefined options 337, in order to have a self-analysis of the obtainable result. During the driven comparison step the first entity compares the obtainable result in respect to the expected result that has been stored in the second data fields 306 and a changing of the selected predefined options 337 can be expected. Following the changing of the first entity, an updating step of the second data field 306 by said second entity can be performed.
Said one or more of interaction steps resulting in the determination of the effective data fields 307 by the second entity, in order to determining the surgery for the first entity according to the updated second data field 306 and the real data 333.
The interaction control system selects the quantity and the type of individual pieces of essential information 332, in particular a collection of digital images of the body portion of the first entity, which a member of the surgery team must take according to the first data field 305. The digital images defining real data 333 of the first entity, such real data being taken before surgery.
Similarly, according to the first data field 305, the interaction control system selects the predefined options 337 of said standardized forms 335 in order to control the interaction between said first entity and said second entity. Only for example, Figure 4a-4c show possible predefined options 337 of the standardized forms 335, in the case of "body surgery". Same standardized forms 335 may be relate to international celebrities as in the Figure 4a, same other may be relates to standardized samples 4b-4d. Figure 5a-5b show possible predefined options 337 of the standardized forms 335, in the case of "face surgery", wherein figure 5a is referred to international celebrities and Figure 5b standardized sample.
According to the present invention, the second data field 306 comprises the selection by the first entity of one or more of the predefined options 337 of the standardized forms 335, that have been presented by the interaction control system to the first entity.
The first entity by the processing of the real data 333 modifies the real data 333 by using a handled interaction system. A copy of the real data 333 is given to the first entity and by the supervision of the second entity, the first entity can process, more in particular, re-draw or modify, the digital images according to his/her expectations.
The driven comparing step further comprises the generation of prothesis of augmentated breast, i.e. a sample, for the first entity according to the second data field 306. The sample being worn by the first entity during the driven comparison step, having the second entity takes digital images of the first entity, the digital images are stored in the third space 330 and further processing by the first entity in order to have an auto-definition of the feasibility of the obtainable cosmetic result before the surgery. The interaction step between the first entity and second entity further comprises a patient education step, in which the second entity provides to the first entity the most common effects of aging in a body according to the requested kind of surgery that has been stored in the first data field 305. Figures 6a and 6b show same standardardized body type and profiles that define predefined options 337, which may be use by the second entity during the patient education step. Figure 6c is a block diagram used as a reference by the second entity, during the step of interation, to perform an analysis of the face shape of the first entity.
The method and the interaction control system is not linked to a specific kind of surgery. In fact, they may be used for a surgery chosen from the group comprising: breast surgery, body surgery, nose surgery and face surgery.
The interaction control system, therefore, allows for a more detailed and reliable provision of the relevant information to the first entity, allowing for a more meditated decision of undergoing cosmetic surgery, decreasing the failure rate.
The interaction control system also allows for a more precise tracking of the conditions in which surgery is carried out, by providing for the second entity having the possibility of receiving all the necessary information on the health conditions of the first entity and by providing an accurate documentation of the situation before and after surgery, thereby resulting in a decreased complication rate.
Furthermore, the interaction control system allows during the interaction steps between the first entity and the second entity to modify the result requested by the first entity by comparing real data with standardized forms, for each kind of cosmetic surgery. In this way, the first entity is driven by the second entity and by the standardized form to make an auto- definition of the feasibility of the obtainable cosmetic result.
Clearly, the person skilled in the art, will be able to make several modifications and variations to the configurations described above, in order to satisfy contingent and specific needs.
All these modifications and variations are however comprised within the scope of protection of the invention, as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A method of controlling the interaction between a first entity and a second entity, wherein said first entity is a patient and said second entity is a member of a surgical team, said method comprising:
- providing an interaction control system comprising:
- first storage space (310) for storing representative data of the first entity, said first storage space (310) comprising first data fields (305) regarding the kind of surgery requested by said first entity, second data fields (306) regarding to the result requested by said first entity after said surgery and effective data fields (307) regarding the most suitable kind of surgery for said first entity;
-second storage space (320) for storing representative data of the members of said second entity;
-third storage space (330) for storing:
a plurality of individual pieces of essential information (332) of said first entity, each individual piece of essential information (332) being associated to said first data fields (305) regarding the kind of surgery and being taken before surgery;
a collection of standardized forms (335), in which a plurality of predefined options (337) are available for the first entity and the first entity is only allowed to select one or more of said predefined options (337);
wherein the method further comprising:
- storing in said second data field (306) the result requested by said first entity, having said first entity selected one or more of said predefined options (337) of said standardized forms (335)
- collecting said individual pieces of essential information (332) of the first entity by defining real data (333), - providing one or more of interaction steps between the first entity and the second entity, in which said real data (333) are available for said first entity and during a driven comparison step by said second entity, said first entity processes said real data (333) by comparing said real data (333) with said selected predefined options (337);
- updating said second data field (306) by said second entity according to said driven comparison steps at the end of said one or more interaction steps;
- said one or more of said interaction steps resulting in the determination of said effective data fields (307) by said second entity, determining said surgery for said first entity according to said updated second data field (306) and said real data (333).
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said collecting step comprises digital acquisition of said real data (333) of said first entity, said real data being taken before surgery.
3. The method according to claim 1, wherein said processing step of said real data (333) by the first entity comprises modifying said real data by using a handled interaction system.
4. The method according with one or more of previous claims, wherein said driven comparing step comprises the generation of a sample for said first entity according to said second data field (306), said sample being processed by the first entity during said driven comparison step.
5. The method according to claim 1, wherein said interaction control system checks whether an acknowledgement of receipt for all said interaction steps has been input in said interaction control system, said interaction control system providing an checking step if at least one acknowledgement of receipt has not been input in said interaction control system by said first entity or said second entity.
6. The method according to claim 3, in which the individual pieces of essential information (332) are chosen from the group comprising:
-the previous surgical history of the first entity, preferably on the previous cosmetic and/or plastic surgery history, preferably also comprising information on what kind of cosmetic and/or plastic surgery the first entity previously underwent and/or whether the first entity was satisfied with the previous results and/or the degree of satisfaction;
-An overview on the kind of surgical techniques to be used in the determined surgery;
-An overview of the technical (i.e. surgical) parameters to be determined before being able to proceed with the determined surgery, with information on the advantages and drawbacks (if any) associated to each of the parameters;
-Information on what the second entity can and cannot keep under control, preferably comprising the information that the decision on whether to re-operate is a decision to be solely taken by the second entity (i.e. the surgeon and/or the surgeon' s team) and/or that the costs for such a reoperation have to be borne by the first entity.
7. The method according to claim 1, in which the interaction control system comprises a further storage space that is associated with said third storage space (330) for storing a full list of physical tests, checks and/or examinations that the first entity may have to submit before surgery, each single test, check or examination being associated to one or more kind(s) of surgery(-ies) and to a flag, for storing in the further storage space during said collecting steps whether the test, check or examination has been provided to the second entity by the first entity after having been requested by the second entity to the first entity;
-Wherein, , the interaction control system, present a list of the first entity's data to the second entity during said one or more interaction steps;
-Wherein said interaction control system controls that the flag of each and every test, check or examination of said subset corresponds to the status for which said test, check or examination has been provided by the first entity to the second entity.
8. The method according to claim 7, wherein said interaction control system prevents control of any further interaction between said first entity and said second entity if at least one of said flag does not correspond to the status for which said test, check or examination has been provided by the first entity to the second entity.
9. The method according to claim 1, wherein said interaction step further comprises a patient education step, in which the second entity provides to the first entity the most common effects of aging in a body according to said first data field (305).
10. The method according to one or more of previous claims 1 to 9, wherein said kind of surgery is a surgery chosen from the group comprising: breast surgery, body surgery, nose surgery and face surgery.
11. An interaction control system, controlling the interaction between a first entity and a second entity, wherein said first entity is a patient and said second entity is a member of a surgical team, said interaction control system comprising:
- first storage space (310) for storing representative data of the first entity, said first storage space (310) comprising first data fields (305) regarding the kind of surgery requested by said first entity, second data fields (307) regarding to the result requested by said first entity after said surgery and effective data fields (309) regarding the most suitable kind of surgery for said first entity;
- second storage space (320) for storing representative data of said members of the second entity;
- third storage space (330) for storing
a plurality of individual pieces of essential information (332) of said first entity, each individual piece of essential information (332) being associated to said first data fields (305) regarding the kind of surgery;
information associated to said kinds of surgery, said information comprising a collection of standardized forms (335) of predefined options (337), in which a plurality of said predefined options (337) are available for the first entity;
- a further storage space for storing an acknowledgement of receipt by said first entity or by said second entity, associated with each of said individual piece of essential information
(332), in which each combination of said predefined options (337) is associated with said individual pieces of essential information (332) and wherein said acknowledgment of receipt from said first entity has to be stored for all the individual pieces of essential information (332) associated with the selection of predefined options (337), which are stored in said second data field (306), for the interaction control system to be able to go on in controlling interactions between said first entity and said second entity.
12. The interaction control system according to claim 11, wherein said predefined options (337) develop along a hierarchical structure, lower level options becoming available only if predefined higher level options have been selected.
13. The interaction control system according to claim 10, wherein said kind of surgery is a surgery chosen from the group comprising: breast surgery, body surgery, nose surgery and face surgery.
14. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing machine readable instructions for controlling the interaction between a first entity and a second entity, said machine readable instructions comprising:
a first data collection component configured to store representative data of the first entity, said representative data representing the kind of surgery requested by said first entity; and
a second data collection component that stores a plurality of individual pieces of essential information (332) of said first entity, each individual piece of essential information being associated to said surgery, said second data collection being configured to provide the first entity with at least one standardized form (335), in which a plurality of predefined options (337) are available for the first entity, receive an input from the first entity comprising a selected set of said predefined options (337), and make the selected options available to the second entity to determine at least one surgery for said first entity; wherein the first data collection component is further configured to store effective data representing at least one surgery for said first entity.
PCT/EP2012/053964 2012-03-08 2012-03-08 Method for increasing the success rate in cosmetic surgery WO2013131569A1 (en)

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