IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,608,384
Granted Patent B2
US 12,608,384 · App. 18/039,640 · Granted Apr 21, 2026

Method and search platform apparatus for processing search queries directed at a database containing medical sample data and/or samples

Inventors: Heiko Zimmermann (Sulzbach, DE); Andreas Kurtz (Berlin, DE); Antonie Fuhr (Berlin, DE)
Assignees: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e. V.; Universitaet des Saarlandes
G06F16/24578G16B50/00G16H10/20G16H10/40G16H50/70
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,608,384
App. No.
18/039,640
Granted
Apr 21, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method for processing search queries directed at a database containing medical sample data and/or samples from a multiplicity of samples of persons comprises the steps: entering a search query, with a request profile directed at retrieving at least one sample with sample data that have predetermined queried search parameters, into an AI processor device, searching for at least one selected sample using the AI processor device, the at least one selected sample satisfying the request profile at least with a specified probability, and outputting identification data of the at least one selected sample. A search platform apparatus that is configured to process search queries directed at a database containing medical sample data and/or samples from a multiplicity of samples of persons is also described.

Claims (42)

1 . A method for processing search queries from a research entity directed at a database containing at least one of medical sample data and samples from a multiplicity of samples of persons, comprising:

entering a search query, with a request profile directed at retrieving at least one sample with sample data that have predetermined queried search parameters, into a learning AI processor device,

searching for at least one selected sample using the AI processor device, the at least one selected sample satisfying the request profile at least with a specified probability, wherein the AI processor device learns by way of at least one of separate training and evaluating the search queries directed at the AI processor device,

by an output device of the AI processor device, outputting identification data of the at least one selected sample, and

by the output device of the AI processor device, outputting additional rating search parameters that match the search query such that a group of samples that have an increased probability of successfully satisfying the request profile are selectable for independently outputting an evaluation regarding which parameters of the sample data could be of interest for research by the research entity.

2 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein

the AI processor device is used to search for a group of selected samples, all selected samples satisfying the request profile at least with the specified probability.

3 . The method according to claim 2 , wherein

the identification data of the group of selected samples are output with ranking information (placement information) that assigns each of the selected samples a hit probability of the request profile being satisfied.

4 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein

the rating search parameters include at least one of a genetic profile, data relating to clinical treatments, pre-existing diseases, familial predispositions to disease, personal diagnostic results, characteristics of living habits, eating habits, consumer behaviour, sport and physical activity characteristics, data relating to consumption of drugs or other intoxicants, data relating to medication intake, data relating to radiation exposure, epigenetic data, geographical information, age, gender, ethnicity, allergies and psychiatric disorders.

5 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein

the request profile is directed at retrieving a group of samples with sample data, the persons associated with the group of samples forming a subject cohort.

6 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein

the AI processor device processes at least one of information from specialist literature, commercial market information from the industrial sector and information from approvals databases relating to pharmaceutical products.

7 . The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:

converting the search query into a fragmented search query using a coding function.

8 . The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:

requesting consent of the associated persons to the use of at least one of data and samples.

9 . The method according to claim 8 , wherein

the request for consent is responded to by at least one of using at least one of questionnaires and informed consent documents and an avatar apparatus.

10 . The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:

outputting information relating to at least one of pharmaceutical products, diseases, research results and recommended actions.

11 . A search platform apparatus that is configured to process search queries from a research entity directed at a database containing at least one of medical sample data and samples from a multiplicity of samples of persons, comprising:

an input device that is adapted to receive a search query with a request profile directed at retrieving at least one sample with sample data that have predetermined queried search parameters,

a learning AI processor device that is coupled to the input device and is adapted to search for at least one selected sample, the at least one selected sample satisfying the request profile at least with a specified probability, and

an output device that is adapted to output identification data of the at least one selected sample, wherein

the AI processor device is adapted to learn by way of at least one of separate training and evaluating the search queries directed at the AI processor device and to generate and output via the output device additional rating search parameters that match the search query such that a group of samples that have an increased probability of successfully satisfying the request profile are selectable for independently outputting an evaluation regarding which parameters of the sample data could be of interest for research by the research entity.

12 . The search platform apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein

the AI processor device is adapted to search for a group of selected samples, all selected samples satisfying the request profile at least with the specified probability.

13 . The search platform apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein

the AI processor device is adapted to generate the identification data of the group of selected samples including ranking information that assigns each of the selected samples a hit probability of the request profile being satisfied.

14 . The search platform apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein

the rating search parameters include at least one of a genetic profile, data relating to clinical treatments, pre-existing diseases, familial predispositions to disease, personal diagnostic results, characteristics of living habits, eating habits, consumer behaviour, sport and physical activity characteristics, data relating to consumption of drugs or other intoxicants, data relating to medication intake, data relating to radiation exposure, epigenetic data, geographical information, age, gender, ethnicity, allergies and psychiatric disorders.

15 . The search platform apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein

the AI processor device is adapted to process at least one of information from specialist literature, commercial market information from the industrial sector and information from approvals databases relating to pharmaceutical products.

16 . The search platform apparatus according to claim 11 , further comprising

a coding device that is adapted to convert the search query into a fragmented search query using a coding function.

17 . The search platform apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein

the AI processor device is adapted to request consent of the associated persons to the use of at least one of data and samples.

18 . The search platform apparatus according to claim 17 , wherein

the AI processor device is adapted to request consent by at least one of using at least one of questionnaires and informed consent documents, and an avatar apparatus.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 18, 2023
From: ZIMMERMANN, HEIKO; KURTZ, ANDREAS; FUHR, ANTONIE
To: FRAUNHOFER-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FOERDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG E. V.; UNIVERSITAET DES SAARLANDES
Reel/Frame 064293/0583 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20240004887A1 · Jan 4, 2024
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