Plug-in Module Framework for Medical Data Extensibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing healthcare diagnostic systems face challenges in adding new diagnostic test types and measurement types without requiring significant changes to existing code and database structures, limiting their extensibility and flexibility.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a software platform with a composite application framework that supports plug-in modules, allowing new diagnostic test types and measurement types to be added by registering plug-ins, which define measurement-specific classes and operations, and communicate with medical devices to obtain and store physiological data without modifying the existing code or database structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional healthcare diagnostic system is used, then the system structure is simple and code is easy to manage, but the system cannot easily support new diagnostic test types and measurement types
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into modular components: a core framework that remains stable and plug-in modules that can be independently added or removed. Each plug-in module encapsulates specific diagnostic test type logic and database integration code, allowing the system to extend functionality without modifying the core structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The core framework is designed as a universal platform that can support multiple diagnostic test types and measurement types through a standardized interface. The framework provides common functionality (data acquisition, processing, storage) that serves all diagnostic applications, while specific implementations are provided through interchangeable plug-in modules.
2Adaptability or versatility
If new diagnostic test types are added by modifying existing code and database structures, then the system can support new functionality, but significant changes to existing code and database structures are required
Solution Approach 1:
The functionality for new diagnostic test types is extracted into separate plug-in modules that are independent of the core system. These modules contain all necessary code and database integration logic, allowing them to be developed, tested, and deployed separately without affecting the existing system.
Solution Approach 2:
A standardized interface layer acts as an intermediary between the core framework and plug-in modules. This interface defines contracts for data exchange and system interaction, allowing new modules to be integrated without direct modifications to the core codebase. The interface mediates between the stable core system and the extensible plug-in functionality.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the system is designed to be highly extensible with plug-in modules, then new diagnostic types can be added easily, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Complexity is localized to specific plug-in modules rather than being distributed throughout the entire system. Each module contains complexity only where needed for its specific diagnostic function, while the core framework maintains simplicity and uniformity. This allows complexity to be managed on a per-module basis rather than system-wide.
Solution Approach 2:
The system architecture is designed to be dynamically configurable, allowing plug-in modules to be loaded and unloaded at runtime based on diagnostic needs. The application framework dynamically discovers, loads, and integrates modules as needed, rather than requiring all functionality to be statically compiled and linked, thereby managing complexity through dynamic composition.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for extending a functionality of a computing device programmed to obtain physiological measurements from a patient includes: registering, at the computing device, a plug-in module, the plug-in module providing additional functionality for the computing device; using the plug-in module to communicate with a medical device; commanding the medical device to obtain physiological information from a patient; receiving data associated with the physiological information from the medical device; and transferring the data to a central repository.