Radiology Data Standardization via vCode Normalization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Medical imaging data from different facilities and systems lacks standardization, leading to inconsistencies and inefficiencies in processing and analysis, making it difficult to accurately categorize and utilize for radiology analytics and informatics.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a standardized data representation system, including a unique procedure code (vCode), which normalizes and standardizes radiology imaging procedures across various facilities and systems, enabling consistent data processing and routing based on standardized identifiers and attributes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If data from multiple medical imaging facilities and systems are processed without standardization, then the system can accommodate diverse data sources and maintain adaptability, but data inconsistencies and processing inefficiencies increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to accommodate diverse data sourcesVSAvoiddata processing efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms procedural data into standardized parameters by mapping diverse procedure types to a unified classification system. This allows the system to maintain adaptability across different facilities while improving processing efficiency through consistent parameter structures that enable automated routing and analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal data representation system that handles multiple procedure types (CT, MRI, ultrasound, etc.) and various facility formats through a single standardized framework. This universal system improves both adaptability to diverse sources and productivity by eliminating the need for facility-specific processing paths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If proprietary data formats and identifiers are used across different facilities, then each facility maintains control over its data representation, but system-wide data consistency and interoperability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefacility data autonomyVSAvoiddata consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a standardized procedure identifier system as an intermediary layer between facility-specific data formats and the central processing system. This mediator translates diverse proprietary formats into consistent standardized identifiers, preserving facility autonomy while ensuring system-wide data consistency and reliable interoperability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of information

If detailed procedure-specific data fields are maintained for each imaging type, then comprehensive diagnostic information is preserved, but data complexity and processing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediagnostic information completenessVSAvoiddata structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments procedure data into hierarchical categories (modality, body region, procedure type, contrast usage) that can be independently processed. This segmentation preserves comprehensive diagnostic information by maintaining detailed fields for each category while reducing overall complexity through modular data structures that can be handled systematically.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Measurement precision

If manual data review and categorization processes are used, then accurate procedure classification can be achieved, but processing time and resource consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocedure classification accuracyVSAvoiddata processing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements automated routing logic that uses standardized procedure identifiers to self-categorize and route data without manual intervention. The system extracts procedure type information from standardized fields and automatically directs data to appropriate processing queues, maintaining high classification accuracy while eliminating time-consuming manual review processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS9542481B2Radiology data processing and standardization techniques

Publication Date: 2017.01.10 VIRTUAL RADIOLOGIC CORP

AI summary

Systems and methods for establishing standardization of radiology imaging procedure types and data related to such radiology imaging procedure types are disclosed herein. Radiology imaging data produced from radiology procedures at plurality of different systems and locations may produce different data formats and data values, even for the same radiology procedure. In one example, a radiology imaging order system is configured to standardize these different data formats and data values to a standardized format and identification that can be used for radiology study assignment, categorization, analytics, and related data federation activities. In further examples, multiple radiology procedures from respective facilities are normalized to a radiology procedure type schema, with each normalized radiology procedure type identifiable with a human-readable procedure identifier. Other examples of processing activities and use of the procedure identifier and standardized data are also disclosed herein.