Cellular Programmer Authentication via Security Server
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a secure communication system between implantable medical devices and external programmers that ensures physical security while allowing easy access and use in clinical settings, particularly to prevent unauthorized access and data breaches.
Innovation Solution
The system integrates a power-up sequence that automatically establishes a high-speed cellular connection to a security server for registering uniquely identifying credentials, ensuring only legitimate programmers can operate by comparing them against a secure roster, thereby enabling or disabling operational status.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If physical security safeguards such as key switches are implemented, then security against unauthorized use is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to inconvenience in shared clinical settings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical physical security safeguards (key switches) with an electronic authentication system that uses software-based credential verification. The programmer device electronically communicates authentication credentials to a remote server, which verifies them and returns authorization status. This substitution eliminates the need for physical key switches while maintaining security, thereby improving ease of operation in shared clinical environments where multiple users need access.
2Ease of operation
If soft safeguards such as user passwords are implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates because they can be easily bypassed or compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a remote authentication server as an intermediary between the programmer device and the implantable medical device. Instead of relying on local password validation that can be bypassed, the system uses this intermediary server to perform secure credential verification over a network connection. The server acts as a trusted third party that validates authentication credentials and returns authorization status, providing stronger security while maintaining ease of use through automated electronic verification.
3Reliability
If external safeguards requiring pre-authorization from a centralized server are implemented, then reliability is improved by transferring security responsibility, but device complexity increases due to modem or network connection requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functionality in the programmer device by integrating both local authentication capabilities and remote network communication functions into a single device. The programmer can operate with embedded authentication credentials for local verification while also possessing network interface capabilities (modem or digital communication) for remote server interaction. This universal design allows the device to perform multiple authentication modes without requiring separate dedicated devices, thereby managing complexity while maintaining improved security through optional remote verification.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for providing communications between a physically secure programmer and an external device using a cellular network is described. A set of uniquely identifying credentials is securely maintained on a programmer configured to interface with an implantable medical device. A transient connection is automatically established between the programmer and a security server over a cellular network. The credentials are registered with the security server and an operational status is assigned to the programmer following examination of the credentials against a security roster maintained on the security server. The operational status of the programmer is confirmed and a data exchange session is conducted over the cellular network between the programmer and at least one external system subsequent to the confirmation.