Medical Imaging Application Integration with File-System Contracts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical imaging platforms struggle with integrating and updating diverse software applications due to limitations in the DICOM format and API-specific integration methods, leading to interoperability issues and complex testing requirements.
Innovation Solution
A method for integrating software applications using a file system-based approach, where applications are designed independently of the platform, utilizing a contract that specifies input and output directories and environment variables, allowing for easy testing and deployment without requiring a specific platform emulator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the DICOM format and protocol are used for software application integration, then data transmission between imaging appliances and platforms is standardized, but the format is not optimum for generating and sharing reports based on intermediate results and does not allow easy configuration of software applications according to certain contexts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer (file system with standardized input/output directories and environment variables) between the DICOM data format and the software application configuration. This intermediary enables flexible configuration and report generation without modifying the core DICOM protocol, thus improving adaptability while managing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The integration method is segmented into distinct components: DICOM data input, file system interface with virtual directories, environment variable configuration, and software application execution. This segmentation allows each component to be independently configured and optimized, improving overall system adaptability.
2Ease of operation
If API-specific integration methods are used, then access to configuration services is facilitated, but the API is generally specific or dedicated to a given medical imaging platform, requiring application redesign for different platforms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal integration interface that works across different medical imaging platforms by using standardized file system operations and environment variables. This universal interface allows the same software application to be deployed on different platforms without redesign, achieving portability while maintaining ease of configuration access through the standardized interface.
3Reliability
If software applications are integrated using platform-specific methods, then integration is achieved, but testing requires a test platform provided by the designer, which is not always available or can prove complex or costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses file system virtual directories that can be mapped to actual directories on any system. This allows creating a copy of the required test environment using standard file operations, eliminating the need for proprietary test platforms while maintaining integration reliability through standardized interfaces.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a medical imaging platform hosts a plurality of software applications to fit a constantly increasing diversity of cases, then the platform can handle more pathologies and organs, but the platform cannot include at all times all the software applications or the most up-to-date versions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic software integration model where applications can be added, updated, or removed through standardized file system operations and environment variable configurations. This dynamic approach allows the platform to quickly adapt to new software versions and diverse medical cases without requiring complex reconfiguration, thus improving both versatility and update speed.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for integrating and executing a software application to be implemented by a medical imaging platform running a file system. Such a method comprises a step of reading an agreement dedicated to a software application, the agreement comprising the access paths for input and/or output directories of the file system in order to write and/or read the values of the input/output data of the software application. The invention further relates to a medical imaging platform suitable for implementing such a method for integrating and executing software applications.