Medical Code Reader for Multi-Code HIS Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for capturing codes from medical products face challenges in transmitting data to hospital information systems (HIS) due to proprietary interfaces, and barcode scanners can only transmit one code at a time, limiting data integration.

Innovation Solution

A reading device that captures multiple computer-readable codes, interprets the data, generates a common result code, and transmits it to the HIS using a code generation device, enabling simultaneous data capture and integration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a barcode scanner is used to capture codes from medical products, then code data can be captured, but only one code can be transmitted at a time and data can only be sent to one system

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecode capture efficiencyVSAvoiddata transmission flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple code capture functions and data transmission capabilities into a single reading device. The device captures multiple codes simultaneously and merges the data into a unified format that can be transmitted to multiple systems, resolving the limitation of single-code, single-system transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The reading device is designed with multi-functionality to capture various code types (barcodes, 2D codes), process different data formats, and transmit to multiple destination systems. This universal design allows the device to adapt to different hospital information systems and coding standards, overcoming the single-system transmission limitation.

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

2Reliability

If data is transmitted to predefined database systems with specific interfaces, then data integration is achieved, but proprietary interfaces prevent direct transmission from standard barcode scanners

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata integration accuracyVSAvoidinterface compatibility requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The reading device acts as an intermediary between the code capture process and the hospital information systems. It includes a data processing unit that converts captured code data into the specific formats required by different HIS interfaces, mediating between the universal capture capability and the proprietary reception requirements of various systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The device dynamically changes data parameters such as format, structure, and encoding to match the specific requirements of different hospital information systems. This parameter adaptation allows seamless integration with multiple systems despite their proprietary interfaces, maintaining reliable data integration without requiring complex manual configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If manual documentation is performed by removing and transferring stickers, then documentation is achieved, but the process is time-consuming and prone to errors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedocumentation accuracyVSAvoiddocumentation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of removing and transferring stickers with an automated optical reading system. The reading device uses cameras or scanners to capture code images and automatically extracts data, eliminating the manual manipulation of physical stickers and significantly reducing documentation time while improving accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service documentation by automatically capturing codes, processing data, and transmitting information to hospital systems without requiring manual intervention. The automated workflow eliminates the need for staff to physically handle and transfer documentation materials, allowing the system to serve itself in the documentation process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4446934B1Reading device for reading several computer-readable codes, reading system and method for reading several computer-readable codes
Publication Date: 2026.02.11 AESCULAP AG
  • EP4446934B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4446934B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4446934B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A reading device (2) for capturing at least one computer-readable code (8) of a medical product or packaging of a medical product to assist a user, wherein the reading device (2) comprises a capture device (6) configured to capture an image of the medical product or its packaging with the at least one code and to extract the product data contained in the code, and an interpretation device (10) configured to interpret this product data and to check whether specified product information is present in the product data, wherein the reading device (2) comprises a code generation device (22) configured to generate a result code from the product data.