Defibrillator Power Adapter Authentication System

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Solution Overview

Problem

External defibrillators face safety and reliability issues due to the use of after-market power adapters that may not meet quality standards, making it difficult to ensure the authenticity and safety of power sources, which can compromise performance and safety during life-threatening medical emergencies.

Innovation Solution

A power adapter system that authenticates itself to the defibrillator by transmitting a data set containing authentication information, allowing the device to operate differently based on confirmation, such as limiting functionality if authentication fails, ensuring safe and reliable power delivery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If after-market power adapters are used to extend device availability, then device accessibility is improved, but safety and reliability deteriorate due to unknown quality standards

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice accessibilityVSAvoidsafety and reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The defibrillator incorporates an authentication system that receives authentication data from the power adapter, verifies it against stored credentials, and provides feedback by either enabling or limiting device functionality based on verification results. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures that only authenticated adapters can provide full power, resolving the contradiction between accessibility and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

An authentication data set acts as an intermediary between the power adapter and the defibrillator's power delivery system. This intermediary layer verifies the adapter's legitimacy before allowing full functionality, enabling after-market adapters to be used safely while maintaining reliability standards.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If authentication system is implemented to verify power adapter quality, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional authentication components

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The authentication data set is integrated into the existing power adapter communication protocol, allowing the same communication interface to serve both power delivery and authentication verification functions. This multi-functionality approach minimizes additional hardware complexity while implementing safety verification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If full functionality is provided to unauthenticated adapters, then ease of operation is improved, but performance compromise risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidperformance safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides partial functionality to unauthenticated power adapters by allowing operation at reduced power levels or with limited features. This partial action approach maintains ease of operation for basic functions while preventing performance compromise in critical high-power operations, effectively balancing usability with safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS8183823B2Selective powering of medical device depending on authentication of power adapter system

Publication Date: 2012.05.22 PHYSIO CONTROL CORP

AI summary

In an embodiment, a medical device can be used with a power adapter system. In addition, it can receive a data set from the power adapter system, and examine the data set to determine whether the data set confirms or not an authentication of the power adapter for use with the medical device. If the authentication is not confirmed, the external medical device can operate differently than otherwise. For example, power can be drawn from the power adapter system only if an inside battery is not charged.