Multi-Resource Information Integration Platform for Biomedical Research

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Solution Overview

Problem

Modern biomedical research faces significant information management challenges, including effective data distribution, scheduling, resource usage, and administrative workflow management, with existing software systems failing to provide comprehensive solutions, leading to substantial administrative and personnel overhead, redundant data, and lack of integration across disparate systems.

Innovation Solution

The development of a multi-modality, multi-resource information integration environment (MIMI) that integrates administrative and scientific data into a single web-based platform, utilizing an open-source environment like Plone for data storage, scheduling, and resource management, with a user-centered query interface like VISAGE for efficient data access and analysis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If pen-and-paper-based record keeping and disconnected spreadsheet programs are used, then implementation complexity is low, but administrative overhead and personnel overhead increase substantially

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimplementation complexityVSAvoidadministrative overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges administrative workflow management and scientific data management into a single integrated platform. The system combines scheduling, resource management, billing, and data access control in one unified software environment, eliminating the need for multiple separate systems and reducing administrative overhead through automation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables automated self-service functions including automatic scheduling conflicts resolution, resource allocation, data access control, and billing calculations. The platform automatically manages workflows without requiring manual intervention, thereby reducing personnel overhead and time consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of manufacture

If existing open-source software is adopted for data management, then implementation cost is reduced, but information integration and interoperability challenges increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimplementation costVSAvoidinformation integration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal platform that handles multiple functions including administrative workflow management, scientific data management, scheduling, resource allocation, and data access control through a single integrated system. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for multiple separate systems and simplifies information integration.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces a centralized data management layer that acts as an intermediary between different data sources and systems. This layer standardizes data formats, manages relationships between administrative and scientific data, and enables seamless interoperability across disparate systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If data are kept in disconnected systems, then system flexibility is maintained, but redundant data entry increases and data consistency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem flexibilityVSAvoidredundant data
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges administrative and scientific data into a single unified database structure, eliminating redundancy by ensuring that data are entered once and automatically made available across all relevant systems. The integrated platform maintains flexibility through modular architecture while preventing duplicate data entry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements real-time feedback mechanisms where data changes in one module automatically propagate to other modules. When administrative or scientific data are updated, the system automatically reflects these changes across all connected functions, ensuring data consistency without requiring manual updates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

4Device complexity

If ad hoc mechanisms like email communication are used for data sharing, then implementation simplicity is maintained, but collaboration efficiency decreases and data security standards are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimplementation simplicityVSAvoidcollaboration efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables automated self-service data sharing where users can securely access, request, and share data through the platform without manual intervention. The system automatically manages data permissions, tracks data exchanges, and maintains security protocols, thereby improving collaboration efficiency while remaining simple to use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The platform implements real-time feedback mechanisms for data sharing, where status of data requests, access permissions, and transfer progress are automatically communicated to all parties involved. This eliminates the need for manual email tracking and provides transparent, secure data exchange with automated notifications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS8856169B2Multi-modality, multi-resource, information integration environment
Publication Date: 2014.10.07 CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIV
  • US8856169B2 patent drawing
  • US8856169B2 patent drawing
  • US8856169B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A multi-modality, multi-resource, information integration environment system is disclosed that comprises: (a) at least one computer readable medium capable of securely storing and archiving system data; (b) at least one computer system, or program thereon, designed to permit and facilitate web-based access of the at least one computer readable medium containing the secured and archived system data; (c) at least one computer system, or program thereon, designed to permit and facilitate resource scheduling or management; (d) at least one computer system, or program thereon, designed to monitor the overall resource usage of a core facility; and (e) at least one computer system, or program thereon, designed to track regulatory and operational qualifications.