Mobile Computer Barcode Interface for Medical Data Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current medical data transfer systems face challenges in efficiently integrating diverse medical devices with varying communicative abilities into electronic medical record (EMR) systems, leading to inefficiencies and security concerns, particularly in manual data entry and transcription errors.

Innovation Solution

A system that uses a mobile computer to generate and present a bar code encoding patient and mobile computer information, which is scanned by a medical device to input data securely and efficiently, facilitating the transfer of medical data and test results while ensuring secure communication and reduced transcription errors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual data entry is used to transfer medical data between devices and EMR systems, then data transfer can be performed with simple equipment, but transcription errors increase and efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata accuracyVSAvoiddata transfer efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual data entry (mechanical human operation) with automated barcode scanning and wireless data transfer. The mobile computer captures barcode data from medical devices and automatically transmits it to EMR systems, eliminating manual transcription and reducing errors while improving efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The mobile computer serves as an intermediary device between medical devices and EMR systems. It receives data from devices via barcode scanning and relays it to the EMR system, facilitating seamless data transfer without requiring direct integration between diverse devices and the EMR system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If diverse medical devices with varying communicative abilities are integrated into the EMR system, then device versatility is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice integration capabilityVSAvoidsystem integration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile computer provides a universal interface that can interact with various medical devices through barcode scanning, regardless of their specific communication capabilities. This single device performs multiple functions: capturing data from different device types, processing information, and transmitting to the EMR system, thereby simplifying the overall integration architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The mobile computer acts as a mediator that standardizes data exchange between diverse medical devices and the EMR system. By using barcode scanning as a universal data capture method, it eliminates the need for complex direct integrations with each device type, reducing system complexity while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If manual data entry methods are used, then system security requirements can be simpler, but transcription errors and inefficiencies increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclinician efficiencyVSAvoiddata security

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces manual data entry with automated barcode scanning and wireless transmission, which reduces transcription errors and improves efficiency. The automated process inherently enhances security by reducing human intervention points where errors or security breaches could occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Speed

If direct integration between medical devices and EMR systems is implemented, then data transfer speed is improved, but security risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transfer speedVSAvoidsecurity vulnerabilities

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile computer serves as a secure intermediary that mediates data transfer between medical devices and the EMR system. It captures data locally via barcode scanning and then transmits it to the EMR system through controlled wireless communication, maintaining data security while enabling efficient transfer without requiring direct device-EMR system integration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS8899478B2System and method for medical data transfer

Publication Date: 2014.12.02 GE PRECISION HEALTHCARE LLC

AI summary

A system for transferring medical data includes a computer network upon which an electronic medical record of a patient is stored. A mobile computer presents a bar code on a graphical display. A medical device is communicatively connected to a bar code scanner and receives patient information and mobile computer information from the bar code scanner. The medical device further performs a medical test to generate test result data. The test result data is transmitted to the mobile computer based upon the received mobile computer information. A method of medical data transfer includes receiving a medical data transfer request. A bar code is scanned to input the patient information and mobile computer information into the medical device. A medical test is performed with the medical device to produce test result data that is transmitted to the mobile computer based upon the mobile computer information.