Implantable Stimulator Remote Control with Biologic Authentication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Implantable medical devices like ICDs often require complex programming that physicians may not fully understand, leading to inappropriate shocks or malfunctions, and existing remote control methods lack sufficient security and reliability, risking unauthorized access.
Innovation Solution
A system for remotely controlling implantable medical devices using biologic identifiers, such as fingerprints or heart rate perturbations, combined with secure communication protocols to ensure authorized access and reliable command execution, including power management to conserve battery life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If remote control capability is added to implantable medical devices, then device management and reprogramming become easier, but security risks and unauthorized access increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary authentication by verifying the user's biologic identifier (fingerprint, iris, voice, or DNA) before allowing any remote control operations. This preliminary security check ensures that only authorized users can access or reprogram the implantable device, preventing unauthorized access while enabling convenient remote management.
2Reliability
If continuous communication monitoring is implemented, then reliability of remote control is improved, but battery power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous monitoring, the system implements periodic communication where the implantable device checks in with the remote system at predetermined intervals. This periodic action maintains communication reliability for device monitoring and control while significantly reducing battery power consumption compared to continuous communication.
3Adaptability or versatility
If complex programming options are provided, then device functionality and adaptability are improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The remote system acts as an intermediary that simplifies the programming interface for physicians. Instead of directly programming complex parameters, physicians can remotely adjust device settings through a user-friendly interface, and the system handles the complex programming logic, making the device both highly functional and easy to operate.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides feedback mechanisms that monitor device performance and automatically adjust parameters based on sensed physiological data. This feedback loop enables the device to adapt its functionality automatically, reducing the need for complex manual programming while maintaining high adaptability to patient needs.
Data Source
AI summary
An implantable electrical stimulating device and system provides for a remote determination of the identity of the person in whom the stimulating device is implanted. The stimulating device may be a pacemaker, a defibrillator, another medical device or a non-medical device. The bases for the remote identification are (1) the comingling of (A) biologic identification information of the person linked to the stimulating device, and (B) information pertaining to a physiologic parameter (e.g. heart rate information) of that person, and (2) the modulation of the physiologic parameter by external information. Embodiments of the invention in which the stimulating device is external to the person are possible. By utilizing the apparatus providing for the remote identification of a person plus stimulating device, one aspect of secure communication—that based on reliable mutual identification of each participant in a communication—is achieved.