Medical Data Reduction for Faster Cloud Image Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for transferring medical data to cloud services, such as DICOM data, are inefficient due to the need to transfer complete images, which can take a significant portion of the total processing time, especially over networks with varying bandwidth.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus and method that selects data reduction algorithms based on the input requirements of cloud-based data analysis algorithms, reducing the data to the minimum necessary for analysis, using techniques like resolution reduction, feature extraction, and frame rate adjustment, thereby optimizing data transfer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If complete medical images are transferred using standard DICOM methods, then data completeness is ensured, but transfer time increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata completenessVSAvoidtransfer time

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential features and data elements from complete medical images that are necessary for cloud-based analysis. Instead of transferring entire images, the system identifies and transfers only relevant data portions, thereby reducing transfer time while maintaining data completeness for the analysis purpose.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments medical image data into distinct components, transferring only those segments required by specific cloud algorithms. This segmentation allows the system to divide complete images into transferable units based on algorithm requirements, reducing overall transfer time while ensuring necessary data is transmitted.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If high-resolution medical images are transferred, then analysis quality is improved, but network bandwidth requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanalysis qualityVSAvoiddata volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by transferring data at different resolutions based on specific analysis requirements. Different regions or features of medical images are transferred at appropriate quality levels - critical areas maintain high resolution while less critical areas use lower resolution, optimizing the balance between analysis quality and data volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes data parameters such as resolution, format, and compression level based on the specific cloud algorithm requirements. By dynamically adjusting these parameters, the system ensures sufficient analysis quality while minimizing data volume for transfer across network connections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If data is highly compressed to reduce transfer size, then transfer efficiency improves, but data loss increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransfer efficiencyVSAvoiddata loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by transferring only the specific data portions and features required for analysis rather than complete uncompressed data. This selective transfer achieves compression efficiency while preventing information loss by excluding only unnecessary data elements from the transfer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

4Reliability

If complete medical data is transferred regardless of network conditions, then data availability is ensured, but transfer time varies significantly with bandwidth

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata availabilityVSAvoidtransfer time variability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamics by adapting the data transfer process to network conditions and algorithm requirements. The system dynamically determines what data to transfer based on real-time conditions, ensuring data availability for analysis while minimizing transfer time variability through flexible, condition-based transfer strategies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS20260038702A1A flexible method to reduce the amount of data to be transferred between devices

Publication Date: 2026.02.05 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV

AI summary

In order to reduce the transfer time of medical data, an apparatus for transferring medical data from a clinical-data infrastructure to a cloud-service provider. The apparatus comprises an input unit, a processing unit, and an output unit. The input unit is configured to receive, at the clinical-data infrastructure, medical data to be sent to the cloud-service provider with at least one available cloud service for analyzing the medical data. The processing unit is configured to select a data reduction algorithm from one or more data reduction algorithms based on a data reduction requirement of the at least one available cloud service, and to apply the selected data reduction algorithm to the medical data to generate reduced medical data. The output unit is configured to transmit the reduced medical data to the cloud-service provider.