Dual Wireless Protocol System for Wearable Medical Device Security
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wearable medical devices face security concerns regarding man-in-the-middle and eavesdropping attacks, as well as privacy breaches when communicating wirelessly with other devices, particularly in body area networks.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a dual wireless communication protocol system, where a secure Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) protocol is used for pairing and controlling medical devices, and a standard Bluetooth protocol with broadcast mode is employed for less secure data exchange with other devices, ensuring secure communication and minimizing privacy breaches.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single secure wireless communication protocol is used for all communications, then security against MITM and eavesdropping attacks is improved, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides wireless communication into two distinct segments: secure BLE communication for sensitive medical device control and configuration data, and standard Bluetooth communication for less sensitive operational data and notifications. This segmentation allows each protocol to be optimized for its specific purpose without compromising overall security while reducing the complexity burden on the medical device.
Solution Approach 2:
Different security levels are applied to different types of data transmissions based on their sensitivity requirements. Critical control commands and configuration data use high-security BLE protocols, while operational status and non-critical data use standard Bluetooth, creating a localized quality approach to security that matches actual risk levels.
2Reliability
If Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) protocol is used for all data exchange, then security is improved, but power consumption and loss of connectivity with non-BLE devices increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies BLE protocol selectively only when high security is required, rather than continuously or universally. Standard Bluetooth is used for routine communications where full BLE security overhead is unnecessary, thereby reducing average power consumption while maintaining security for critical operations.
3Reliability
If BLE protocol with no broadcast mode is used, then security against eavesdropping is improved, but adaptability to work with other Bluetooth devices decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller device is designed to support multiple communication modes: secure BLE mode for medical device control and universal standard Bluetooth mode for interoperability with other devices. This multi-functionality allows the system to adapt to different communication requirements while maintaining security for critical operations.
Data Source
AI summary
Devices, systems and methods are provided to securely and wirelessly connect a medical device to a controller or smartphone with medical device control app, and to wirelessly connect the controller or smartphone with medical device control app to other devices providing additional integrated disease management (IDM) functions. At least two different wireless communication protocols are used depending on level of security needed, with greater security needed for exchange of medical device control operation commands and related data between the medical device and its controller or smartphone with medical device control app to avoid nefarious or unintended changes in medical device control. Exchanges of historical data or notifications relating to the medical device and requiring less security can be transmitted to the controller and/or the smartphone or other IDM devices using a different and more commonly used wireless communication protocol that may afford less security.