Dynamic Health Data Subscription Channel Setup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional systems for communicating health data in healthcare environments require static configuration of connections, leading to manual IT administrator intervention and potential service disruptions, as well as challenges in implementing redundancy schemes for backup systems.
Innovation Solution
A system where a consuming device sends a subscription request message to a reporting device to dynamically establish a communication channel for health data transfer, eliminating the need for static configuration and enabling automatic setup, reducing data load by specifying the source of health data and using secure protocols like HTTPS for request messages and MLLP for data transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a statically configured connection is used between the consuming device and the communication network, then the connection is stable and reliable, but manual IT administrator intervention is required and service disruptions may occur during configuration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static configuration model into a dynamic one where the consuming device automatically establishes communication channels with reporting devices. The connection is no longer pre-configured but is created on-demand through automated subscription requests, eliminating manual IT administrator intervention while maintaining connection reliability through structured validation processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The consuming device performs self-configuration by automatically sending subscription requests to reporting devices and establishing communication channels without external intervention. The system enables itself to be configured through automated processes, eliminating the need for manual IT administrator setup while maintaining stable connections through protocol-based validation.
2Ease of manufacture
If a statically configured connection is used, then the setup is straightforward initially, but any changes or additions require manual intervention and potential service disruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows dynamic addition and modification of communication channels without service disruptions. New consuming devices can automatically subscribe to reporting devices by sending subscription requests, enabling the system to adapt to changing requirements while maintaining continuous operation of existing services.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes a predefined subscription request format and validation protocol that prepares the system for future connections. By defining the subscription mechanism in advance, the system enables rapid onboarding of new devices without requiring manual configuration procedures, thus maintaining both simplicity and adaptability.
3Reliability
If a redundancy scheme is implemented for backup servers, then backup capability is provided, but data traffic increases and additional network hardware is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables backup servers to receive identical subscription requests and establish duplicate communication channels without requiring additional physical hardware. The virtualization of communication channels through standardized protocols allows redundancy to be achieved through software-based channel replication rather than physical hardware multiplication, reducing both hardware requirements and data traffic overhead.
4Loss of information
If all health data from all patient care devices is transferred to the consuming device, then complete data availability is achieved, but data load on the network increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the consuming device to specify particular reporting devices or data types in its subscription requests. This selective subscription mechanism allows the system to receive only the specific health data needed at each location, rather than distributing all data network-wide. Each consuming device receives locally relevant data with appropriate quality and completeness for its specific function, reducing overall network data load while maintaining data availability where needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for communicating health data in a healthcare environment (1) comprises a communication network (4) for communicating health data in the healthcare environment (1), a reporting device (2) for transferring health data via the communication network (4), and a consuming device (3) for receiving health data from the reporting device (2) via a communication channel (41) of the communication network (4). Herein, the consuming device (3), for receiving health data from the reporting device (2), is constituted to send a subscription request message (A1) containing a subscription request to the reporting device (2), and that the reporting device (2) is constituted, upon receiving the subscription request message (A1), to validate the subscription request and to establish the communication channel (41) to transfer health data to the consuming device (3). In this way a system is provided which may allow for an easy connection of a consuming device to a network with the possibility to reduce the data load and to improve a backup handling.