Dynamic HL7 Segment Hierarchy Interpretation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing HL7 message interpretation approaches require significant resource-intensive updates when new versions of the HL7 standard are released, necessitating the creation of new software libraries and code changes to accommodate changes in segment relationships, which is inefficient and undesirable.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that dynamically interpret HL7 segments by electronically obtaining and interpreting a grammar definition to determine a prescribed hierarchy, creating a segment hierarchy data structure, and establishing parent-child relationships between segments, allowing for real-time adaptation to new segment relationships without requiring new code or software library updates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional HL7 message interpretation approaches are used, then compatibility with current HL7 standards is maintained, but significant resource-intensive updates are required when new versions of the HL7 standard are released
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic interpretation of HL7 segment relationships by evaluating grammar rules at runtime rather than using static pre-defined relationships. The system dynamically determines parent-child relationships between segments by evaluating grammar definitions when messages are processed, allowing automatic adaptation to new HL7 standard versions without requiring manual updates to the interpretation logic.
2Adaptability or versatility
If new software libraries and code changes are created to accommodate changes in segment relationships, then compatibility with new HL7 standards is achieved, but development time and resources are significantly increased
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-updating by automatically adapting to new HL7 standard versions through dynamic grammar evaluation. When new HL7 standards are released with changed segment relationships, the system automatically evaluates the updated grammar definitions and adjusts its interpretation logic without requiring manual intervention, code changes, or new software library development.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of how segment relationships are determined - from static pre-programmed relationships to dynamic grammar-based relationships. By evaluating grammar rules at runtime, the system can adapt to parameter changes in new HL7 standards (such as changed segment hierarchies or relationships) without requiring changes to the underlying software code or libraries.
3Device complexity
If static segment relationship definitions are used, then code simplicity is maintained, but flexibility to adapt to new HL7 standard versions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the segment relationship definitions from the code itself and places them in separate grammar files. This separation allows the code to remain simple while the grammar definitions can be independently updated to reflect new HL7 standard versions. The system takes out the adaptability requirement from the code structure and implements it through externalizable grammar rules.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the disclosure provide a method and system of interpreting HL7 segments of an HL7 message. The method includes: electronically obtaining and interpreting a grammar definition to determine a prescribed hierarchy of HL7 segment definitions; creating a resulting segment hierarchy data structure, the resulting segment hierarchy data structure comprising a top segment; performing steps: (a) obtaining an HL7 segment from a plurality of HL7 segments in the HL7 message, (b) determining a parent-child relationship for the HL7 segment, and (c) adding the HL7 segment to the resulting segment hierarchy data structure; and, continuing to perform steps (a), (b), and (c) on remaining HL7 segments of the plurality of HL7 segments until all HL7 segments of the HL7 message have been added to the resulting segment hierarchy data structure.