Dynamic decision sequencing method and apparatus for optimizing a diagnostic test plan
A dynamic diagnostic plan generator arranges diagnostic test procedures related to a vehicle/power tool/patient symptom or operational problem in a sequence based on a probabilistic Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA). The diagnostic plan generator also tracks a vehicle/power tool/patient state, and provides instructions for test preparation steps and instructions for performing the diagnostic test procedures. The plan generator further generates schematic illustrations of the diagnostic test procedures, and creates a diagnostic data structure containing information related to the diagnostic test procedures. In addition, the diagnostic plan generator sends and receives information regarding actual failure mode occurrences, for example, to and from a central database. Furthermore, the diagnostic plan generator facilitates the creation of failure mode tests by an expert diagnostics author.
1. A computer-implemented method of dynamically producing a diagnostic test procedure sequence to diagnose a disease or disorder of a patient, comprising:
receiving disease or disorder historical data over a communication network from a central database;
updating disease or disorder analysis based on the historical data;
selecting a first plurality of diagnostic test procedures related to a symptom exhibited by the patient;
arranging an order of the first plurality of diagnostic test procedures based on a probabilistic disease or disorder analysis and time required to perform each of the first plurality of diagnostic test procedures;
formatting a step of a first diagnostic test procedure from among the first plurality of diagnostic test procedures for display on a display device;
displaying the formatted step on the display device;
arranging an order of a second plurality of diagnostic test procedures, which includes one diagnostic test procedure of the first plurality of diagnostic test procedures, during execution of the first plurality of diagnostic test procedures, and based on intermediate diagnostic test information obtained from execution of the first diagnostic test procedure, wherein arranging the order of the second plurality of diagnostic test procedures is based at least in part on the updated disease or disorder analysis; and
displaying a step of a second diagnostic test procedure from among the second plurality of diagnostic test procedures on the display device,
wherein each of the above steps is performed by a computer.
2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein formatting comprises preparing a graphical user interface whereby a user performs direct manipulation of displayed graphical representations of objects and symbols by way of an input device.
3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising tracking a state of the patient.
4. The computer-implemented method of claim 3 , further comprising formatting a test preparation step required for the first diagnostic test procedure based on the tracked patient state for display on the display device.
5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising generating an interactive diagnostic schematic to illustrate the first diagnostic test procedure.
6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising producing an information object based on the diagnostic test procedure sequence.
7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising:
receiving an input indicating that the disease or disorder has been diagnosed; and
sending a disease or disorder identifier representing the disease or disorder over the communication network to the central database.
8. A diagnostic tool for dynamically producing a diagnostic test sequence to diagnose a disease or disorder of a patient, comprising:
a processor configured to produce the diagnostic test sequence;
a display device in communication with the processor;
a memory storing software modules that when executed:
receive disease or disorder historical data over a communication network from a central database;
update disease or disorder analysis based on the historical data;
select a first plurality of diagnostic test procedures related to a symptom exhibited by the patient;
arrange an order of a first plurality of diagnostic test procedures based on a probabilistic disease or disorder analysis and time required to perform each of the first plurality of diagnostic test procedures;
format a step of a first diagnostic test procedure from among the first plurality of diagnostic test procedures for display on the display device;
displaying the formatted step on the display device;
arrange an order of a second plurality of diagnostic test procedures, which includes one diagnostic test procedure of the first plurality of diagnostic test procedures, during execution of the first plurality of diagnostic test procedures, and based on intermediate diagnostic test information obtained from execution of the first plurality of diagnostic test procedures, wherein arranging the order of the second plurality of diagnostic test procedures is based at least in part on the updated disease or disorder analysis; and
format a step of a second diagnostic test procedure from among the second plurality of diagnostic test procedures for display on the display device.
9. The diagnostic tool of claim 8 , further comprising:
a patient state tracker for tracking a state of the patient; and
a test procedure formatter for formatting a test preparation step required for the first diagnostic test procedure based on the tracked patient's state for display on the display device.
10. The diagnostic tool of claim 8 , further comprising a diagnostic schematic generator for generating an interactive diagnostic schematic to illustrate the first diagnostic test procedure.
11. The diagnostic tool of claim 8 , further comprising an information object producer for producing an information object based on the diagnostic test sequence.
12. The diagnostic tool of claim 8 , further comprising:
an input module for receiving an input indicating that the disease or disorder has been diagnosed; and
a disease or disorder identifier sender for sending a disease or disorder identifier representing the disease or disorder over the communication network to the central database.
13. The diagnostic tool of claim 8 , further comprising:
a historical data receiver for receiving disease or disorder historical data over the communication network from the central database; and
an updating module for updating the disease or disorder analysis based on the historical data.
14. A computer-implemented method of producing a diagnostic test sequence to diagnose a disease or disorder of a patient executed by a diagnostic tool, comprising:
arranging an order of a first plurality of diagnostic test procedures related to the disease or disorder identified for the patient, wherein arranging is based on a statistical probability information and time required to perform each of the first plurality of diagnostic test procedures;
formatting a step of a first diagnostic test procedure from among the first plurality of diagnostic test procedures for display on a display device;
displaying the formatted step on the display device;
arranging an order of a second plurality of diagnostic test procedures, which includes one diagnostic test procedure of the first plurality of diagnostic test procedures, during execution of the first plurality of diagnostic test procedures, and based on intermediate diagnostic test information obtained from execution of the first plurality of diagnostic test procedures, wherein the intermediate diagnostic test information comprises new information derived from a particular diagnostic test procedure when the first plurality of diagnostic test procedures do not result in a final diagnosis; and
displaying a step of a second diagnostic test procedure from among the second plurality of diagnostic test procedures on the display device,
wherein each of the above steps is performed by a computer.
15. The computer-implemented method of claim 14 , wherein the statistical probability information comprises a probabilistic disease or disorder analysis based on historical outcomes of actual diagnostic testing.
16. The computer-implemented method of claim 14 , wherein the intermediate diagnostics test information comprises information of an interrelation of two or more symptoms.
17. The computer-implemented method of claim 14 , wherein the intermediate diagnostic test information comprises a result of a particular diagnostic test procedure or a result of a combination of the first plurality of diagnostic test procedures.
18. The computer-implemented method of claim 14 , wherein arranging the order of the first plurality of diagnostic test procedures further comprises adding a new diagnostic test procedure to the first plurality of diagnostic test procedures, or removing an existing diagnostic test procedure from the first plurality of diagnostic test procedures.
19. The computer-implemented method of claim 14 , further comprising:
tracking a current state of the patient during and between diagnostic test procedures;
determining a set of preconditions or patient test configuration requirements necessary for an individual diagnostic test procedure; and
providing a diagnostic test preparation step to reconfigure the patient between diagnostic test procedures.
20. The computer-implemented method of claim 14 , further comprising analyzing comparative utility among the first plurality of diagnostic test procedures.