A multi-agent architecture for dynamic scheduling of emergencies in operating theater

Abstract

This work focuses on a bidding mechanism based on the “Contract Net Protocol” in a multi-agent system for dynamic integrated scheduling of an operating theater. The problem consists of operating theater with several surgical rooms that must allocate, in the best possible way, emergency cases that arise while performing a schedule already in progress. Agents cooperate and coordinate their actions in order to find near-optimal globally effective schedule, able to maintain the optimization of the initial planning while taking into account the disturbances caused by the occurrence, in real time, of unexpected emergencies. The proposed control model is designed to simultaneously improve the efficiency of the operating theater and also improve its responsiveness in the practice of emergency surgery. That leads to a functional module based on multi-Agent system made of several room agents orchestrate by one manager head agent. We emphasize that the architecture integrates two agents based on a mechanism for safeguarding information and learning skills. In short, this article describes an adaptation of CNP for the optimization of emergencies allocation process. The details of system architecture, process strategy and communication aspect between agents are described.