Fluid Injection Gateway for Multi-Protocol Hospital Connectivity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fluid injection systems require complex network communication equipment and reprogramming to connect with medical imaging systems and hospital information systems, leading to inefficiencies and resource consumption.

Innovation Solution

A gateway device that provides communication interfaces between a fluid injection system and external systems, including a hospital information system, medical imaging system, and fluid injection system service and control system, eliminating the need for complex network communication equipment and reducing resource consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If complex network communication equipment is used to connect fluid injection system with external systems, then communication capability is improved, but device complexity and resource consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication capabilityVSAvoidnetwork communication equipment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The gateway device serves as an intermediary component that connects the fluid injection system to external systems. It provides standardized communication interfaces (DICOM, HL7, IEEE 11073) that mediate between different system protocols, enabling connectivity without requiring complex network equipment within the fluid injection system itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The gateway device provides multiple communication interfaces and protocols (DICOM for imaging, HL7 for hospital information systems, IEEE 11073 for fluid injection systems) within a single unified device. This multi-functionality allows the fluid injection system to connect with various external systems without requiring specialized network equipment for each connection type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If reprogramming is performed to connect fluid injection system with external systems, then communication capability is improved, but operational complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication capabilityVSAvoidoperational complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The gateway device acts as a protocol translator and mediator that handles all communication protocol conversions. External systems communicate with the gateway using standard protocols (DICOM, HL7), and the gateway translates these to the fluid injection system's protocols (IEEE 11073), eliminating the need for reprogramming the fluid injection system while maintaining communication capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The gateway device automatically handles protocol translation, data formatting, and communication routing without requiring manual reprogramming or configuration changes to the fluid injection system. The system maintains its original programming while the gateway self-manages the complexity of external system connectivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If additional network communication equipment is deployed, then communication capability is improved, but resource consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication capabilityVSAvoidnetwork resources
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The gateway device combines multiple communication functions (DICOM imaging communication, HL7 hospital information system communication, IEEE 11073 fluid injection system communication) into a single integrated device. This merging eliminates the need for separate network communication equipment for each protocol and external system connection, reducing overall network resource consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The gateway provides universal communication capabilities through multiple standardized interfaces within a single device, replacing what would traditionally require multiple specialized network equipment components. This multi-functional approach reduces the quantity of network resources needed while maintaining comprehensive communication capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4182946B1Systems for providing a gateway to connect a fluid delivery system and external systems
Publication Date: 2026.02.18 BAYER HEALTHCARE LLC
  • EP4182946B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4182946B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4182946B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a system for enabling communication between a fluid injection system and at least one of a plurality of external systems. The system includes a gateway device and the gateway device includes at least one processor programmed or configured to provide a first communication interface between a hospital information system and a fluid injection system, provide a second communication interface between a fluid injection system service and control system associated with the fluid injection system and the fluid injection system, and provide a third communication interface between a medical imaging system and the fluid injection system.