Compatibility Check Engine for Medical Imaging Interfaces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medical imaging systems face issues with compatibility and functionality due to non-original components, leading to reduced image quality, system availability, and potential radiation exposure risks, especially with non-standard interfaces and protocols.

Innovation Solution

A compatibility testing apparatus with a connectivity module and compatibility check engine that performs active tests on interfaces and protocols, ensuring real-time compatibility checks and enabling or disabling functionalities based on defined quality levels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If non-original components with non-standard interfaces and protocols are used, then device versatility and adaptability improve, but system reliability and image quality deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice versatilityVSAvoidsystem reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a compatibility testing apparatus as an intermediary device between the medical imaging system and external components. This apparatus actively tests interfaces and protocols to verify compatibility before the component is integrated into the imaging system, thereby maintaining system reliability while allowing versatility through third-party components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary compatibility testing through the compatibility testing apparatus before components are connected to the medical imaging system. The apparatus performs active tests on interfaces and protocols in advance, identifying potential compatibility issues before they affect system operation, thus preventing reliability deterioration while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If compatibility testing is performed on all connected components, then system reliability improves, but device complexity and testing time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem reliabilityVSAvoidtesting complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The compatibility testing apparatus is designed as a universal testing device that can test multiple types of components (third-party devices, spare parts, additional functionalities) through standardized active testing procedures. This multi-functional approach simplifies the testing process across different component types while maintaining comprehensive reliability verification.

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

3Reliability

If active compatibility tests are performed in real-time, then system availability and functionality are maintained, but energy consumption and processing load increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem availabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The compatibility testing apparatus performs active tests before components are fully integrated into the medical imaging system. By conducting compatibility verification in advance rather than continuously during operation, the system maintains high availability while minimizing ongoing energy consumption and processing load.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4526893B1Active device for compatibility check of system components and connected devices
Publication Date: 2025.12.03 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV
  • EP4526893B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4526893B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4526893B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to medical imaging. In order to enable a stable and/or safe operation of a medical imaging system with a connected component, there is provided a compatibility testing apparatus for compatibility check of a component connectable to a medical imaging system. The compatibility testing apparatus comprises a connectivity module and a compatibility check engine. The connectivity module is connectable to a compatibility test interface of the medical imaging system. The compatibility check engine is configured to perform one or more compatibility tests to determine a compatibility between the connected component and the medical imaging system and to generate a result associated with the one or more compatibility tests.