Secure Wireless Pairing via Impact Sensors for Drug Delivery Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current drug delivery devices lack a secure and user-friendly method for wirelessly transferring dose log data to external devices like smartphones, which is essential for accurate medication management and compliance monitoring in diabetes treatment.

Innovation Solution

A method for secure wireless pairing of devices using impact sensors to generate unique time-related values, allowing for the calculation and transmission of a key for encryption, enabling secure and easy data transfer between a drug delivery device and an external device such as a smartphone.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If wireless data transfer is implemented in drug delivery devices, then data synchronization and compliance monitoring are improved, but security risks and unauthorized access increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata synchronizationVSAvoidunauthorized access
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary pairing between the drug delivery device and external device before data transfer. The pairing process establishes encryption keys and security credentials in advance, ensuring that only authorized devices can access transmitted data. This preliminary authentication prevents unauthorized access while enabling secure data synchronization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary pairing mechanism that mediates between the drug delivery device and external devices. The pairing system acts as a security intermediary, verifying device identities and establishing secure communication channels before allowing data transfer, thus protecting against unauthorized access.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If complex security protocols are implemented for wireless pairing, then data security is improved, but ease of operation and user-friendliness deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata securityVSAvoiduser-friendliness
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service pairing where the drug delivery device and external device automatically perform pairing operations without requiring complex user input. The devices autonomously exchange cryptographic information and establish secure connections, making the security process transparent and user-friendly while maintaining high security standards.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple security functions into a unified pairing process. Authentication, key exchange, and device identification are merged into a single automated pairing operation, simplifying the user experience while implementing comprehensive security measures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If secure pairing protocols are implemented, then data transmission security is improved, but device complexity and implementation costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission securityVSAvoidpairing mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal pairing mechanism that can be applied to various drug delivery devices and external devices using standard wireless communication protocols. The pairing system is designed to be device-agnostic and protocol-independent, reducing implementation complexity while maintaining security across different device types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical or manual security mechanisms with electronic and cryptographic solutions. The pairing process uses software-based authentication and key exchange protocols, eliminating the need for physical security elements and reducing overall system complexity while enhancing security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This method provides a secure, user-friendly, and cost-effective way to transfer dose log data, reducing the risk of unauthorized access and ensuring accurate data synchronization, thus enhancing medication management and compliance monitoring.

Implementation Method 1

Each device comprises impact sensor circuitry for detecting an impact event made to the device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImpact detection: Impact Force

Data Source

PatentEP3776575B1Data transmission safety feature
Publication Date: 2022.06.08 NOVO NORDISK AS
  • EP3776575B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3776575B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3776575B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention provides a method and corresponding devices for wireless pairing of two devices for subsequent secure transmission of data. Each device comprises impact sensor circuitry for detecting an impact event made to the device, and is adapted to determine a unique time related value based on the detected impact event, respectively a corresponding time related value based on the detected impact event. The transmitting device is adapted to calculate a hint H for a key K based on the unique time related value, and the receiving device is adapted to calculate the key K based on the hint H and the corresponding time related value.