Medical Communication Converter Protocol Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Integrating medical equipment from different manufacturers into a unified communication system is challenging due to differences in communication methods and protocols, leading to increased complexity and cost in using dedicated converters for each type of equipment.
Innovation Solution
A converter with a first communication interface for the medical support control device and multiple second communication interfaces for various medical equipment, along with a determination unit and communication control unit, enables communication by identifying and converting protocols between the medical equipment and the control device, reducing the need for storing full communication programs and minimizing memory requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If dedicated converters are used for each type of medical equipment from different manufacturers, then communication compatibility is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal converter that can communicate with multiple types of medical equipment from different manufacturers through a single device. The converter stores communication programs for various equipment types and automatically selects the appropriate program based on the connected equipment, eliminating the need for multiple dedicated converters and reducing system complexity while maintaining communication compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The converter automatically identifies the connected medical equipment type and selects the corresponding communication program without requiring manual intervention. The determination unit autonomously judges the equipment type based on connection information and executes the appropriate communication protocol, enabling self-service operation that simplifies the user interface and reduces operational complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If full communication programs are stored for each medical equipment type, then communication capability is improved, but memory capacity requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The communication program is divided into two segments: a connection program that is always stored in the converter's memory, and a remaining program that is downloaded from the host device when needed. This segmentation allows the converter to maintain essential communication functionality with minimal stored memory while obtaining equipment-specific communication details on-demand, significantly reducing the converter's memory capacity requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection program is prepared and stored in advance in the converter, enabling immediate establishment of communication connections. The remaining equipment-specific program is downloaded only when a particular medical device is connected, combining preliminary preparation of essential functions with on-demand loading of specific functions to optimize memory usage.
3Measurement precision
If complex CPU processing is used to handle multiple communication protocols, then protocol conversion accuracy is improved, but processing time and system cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Communication programs including protocol conversion rules are prepared and stored in advance in the converter's memory. When a medical device is connected, the converter simply executes the pre-configured program corresponding to that device type, avoiding the need for complex real-time protocol analysis and conversion calculations, thereby reducing processing time while maintaining conversion accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The converter stores copied communication programs for different medical equipment types in its memory. Instead of generating protocol conversions through complex real-time processing, the system uses pre-copied communication patterns and protocols that have been optimized for each device type, enabling fast and accurate protocol conversion by simply executing the appropriate stored program.
Data Source
AI summary
This is a converter which converts communication methods and/or protocols in order to enable communications between at least one medical equipment (ME) and a medical support control device (MSCD), comprising: a first communication interface corresponding to a communication interface of the MSCD; a plurality of second communication interfaces corresponding to a communication interface of each piece of ME in order to connect the MSCD and a plurality of pieces of ME whose communication methods and/or protocols are different; a determination unit for determining whether a communication connection can be established between each of the plurality of pieces of ME connected through the second communication interface and the converter; and a communication control unit for obtaining a difference between the communication program corresponding to the ME and the connection program and converting the communication protocols of the ME and the MSCD with each other.