Healthcare CI/CD Code Validation with QMS Classification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing software development platforms in healthcare face challenges in ensuring data integrity and privacy compliance in cloud-based environments, particularly in adhering to regulations like HIPAA and GDPR, due to the unique security and privacy requirements of healthcare data.

Innovation Solution

A customized CI/CD system that separates the developer's SDLC from the regulated entity's SDLC, performs code classification and analysis using QMS-specific requirements, and deploys validated source code in containers to ensure compliance with healthcare-specific regulations and privacy standards.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a customized CI/CD system with code classification and QMS-specific validation is implemented, then compliance with healthcare regulations (HIPAA, GDPR) is improved, but system complexity and validation time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompliance with healthcare regulationsVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the validation process by classifying source code into different categories (e.g., patient-facing code, internal code, third-party code) and applying appropriate QMS requirements to each segment. This allows targeted validation rather than uniform complex validation across all code, improving compliance while managing complexity through selective application of validation rigor.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary code classification and profiling before full validation, automatically identifying code characteristics and assigning appropriate validation pathways. This preliminary action prepares the validation framework in advance, reducing the complexity burden during actual validation by having classification rules and QMS mappings pre-established.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If automated code analysis and classification tools are used, then validation efficiency is improved, but the precision of regulatory compliance assessment may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevalidation efficiencyVSAvoidcompliance assessment precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces an intermediary classification layer that bridges automated analysis and regulatory compliance assessment. The classifier acts as a mediator that translates code characteristics into QMS requirement mappings, allowing automated tools to efficiently process code while maintaining precision through structured intermediate representations that preserve regulatory context.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback loops where validation results and compliance assessments are fed back into the classification model, continuously refining the precision of regulatory assessment. Automated analysis tools provide initial assessments, which are then refined through feedback from expert review and compliance verification, improving measurement precision while maintaining high productivity through automation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple QMS frameworks are integrated into a single CI/CD pipeline, then adaptability to different regulatory environments is improved, but the complexity of managing multiple validation requirements increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to regulatory environmentsVSAvoidcomplexity of managing validation requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements a universal classification framework that can map multiple QMS frameworks (ISO 13485, FDA 21 CFR Part 11, HIPAA, GDPR) through a common set of code characteristics and validation principles. This multi-functional approach allows the same CI/CD pipeline to handle different regulatory environments by configuring which QMS frameworks apply to classified code, providing adaptability without requiring separate validation systems for each regulation.

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

Data Source

PatentEP4244716B1Continuous integration and development of code in a secure environment
Publication Date: 2025.07.23 GENENTECH INC
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AI summary

The present disclosure relates to techniques for continuous integration and continuous deployment of source code on a digital health platform. Particularly, aspects are directed to receiving source code from a software development system (the source code being validated in accordance with a first QMS), generating a profile for the source code, classifying the source code into a class of code based on the profile, retrieving a second QMS associated with the class of code, validating the source code in accordance with the second QMS, upon validation of the source code, executing a build process to generate a executable program from the source code, encapsulating the executable program in a container, and deploying the container on one or more nodes of a software platform. The first QMS is adapted from the perspective of the software development system; whereas the second QMS is adapted from the perspective of the software platform.