Patient Data Association via Timestamped Registration

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Solution Overview

Problem

In clinical environments, there is a challenge in reliably recording patient-related data from various electronic devices used by different operators, especially when these devices are used for multiple patients, as existing systems require advanced data management capabilities and may not ensure secure, efficient, and accurate data transfer.

Innovation Solution

A method that associates patient-related data with a unique patient identifier using device and patient identification data items, along with time stamps, allowing for reliable data association without relying on the electronic device's data management capabilities, and enabling data transfer at a later time even for devices without wireless communication interfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If electronic devices are used for acquiring data from multiple patients in a clinical environment, then productivity is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to risk of patient mix-up

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata acquisition efficiencyVSAvoidpatient data accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a registration device as an intermediary between the electronic device and the central data processing system. This registration device captures identification data (patient ID, device ID, operator ID) and time stamps, creating a reliable link between the data acquired by the electronic device and the correct patient record, thereby preventing patient mix-up while maintaining high productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary registration of identification data (patient, device, operator) and time stamps before the actual data acquisition. This preliminary action establishes a reference framework that ensures subsequent data can be reliably associated with the correct patient, eliminating the need for complex device-level data management while maintaining accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If data transfer is performed securely and reliably through a central system, then reliability is improved, but loss of time increases due to data transfer and registration processes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transfer securityVSAvoiddata registration time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The electronic device automatically generates and transmits its own identification data and time stamps to the central system without requiring manual intervention. The registration device similarly operates autonomously to capture and process identification information. This self-service approach minimizes manual data entry time while ensuring secure and reliable data transfer through automated association of data with patient records

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If electronic devices have advanced data management capabilities, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata management capabilityVSAvoiddevice capability requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the complex data management functionality from the electronic device itself and places it in the central data processing system. The electronic device is simplified to only perform data acquisition and basic identification data transmission, while the central system handles the complex tasks of associating data with patient records, managing identification data, and ensuring data integrity. This extraction maintains reliability while significantly reducing device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP4095864A1Method and system for acquiring patient-related data
Publication Date: 2022.11.30 RADIOMETER AS
  • EP4095864A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4095864A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4095864A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A method, performed by a data processing system, of registering patient-related data, the method comprising: receiving, from a registration device, a set of identification data items and one or more identification time stamps, each identification time stamp being associated with at least one of the identification data items; wherein the set of identification data items comprises a device identification data item identifying an electronic device and a patient identification data item identifying a patient; receiving, from the electronic device, patient-related data to be registered and an acquisition time stamp indicative of an acquisition time at which the patient-related data has been acquired; associating the received patient-related data with an identified patient based on at least the received device identification data item, the received patient identification data item, the received one or more identification time stamps and the received acquisition time stamp.