Infusion Pump Data Transfer With Digital Signatures

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current infusion pump systems lack secure data transmission capabilities, making them vulnerable to data interception and manipulation during synchronization and takeover modes.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a secure data transmission system between infusion pumps using digital signatures and encryption, specifically through asymmetric cryptosystems, to ensure data integrity and authenticity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If data is transmitted between infusion pumps without encryption or digital signatures, then the data transmission process is simple and fast, but the security and integrity of the data cannot be ensured

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata securityVSAvoiddata transmission system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces cryptographic intermediaries (digital signatures and encryption algorithms) as mediators between the transmitting and receiving pumps. These intermediaries authenticate data origin and protect data integrity without requiring direct trust between pumps, thus enhancing security while maintaining system modularity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary cryptographic setup where pumps exchange public keys and establish encryption parameters before actual data transmission. This preliminary action ensures that when data is transmitted, the security framework is already in place, allowing secure communication without adding complexity to the ongoing transmission process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If data is encrypted and digitally signed between infusion pumps, then data security and integrity are ensured, but the data transmission process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata integrityVSAvoiddata transmission operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service mechanisms where each pump automatically generates its own key pairs, digitally signs its own data, and verifies incoming signatures using the other pump's public key. This automation eliminates manual cryptographic operations, making the system secure without increasing operational complexity for users

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameters of data transmission by incorporating cryptographic parameters (signatures, encrypted fields) into the data structure. These parameter changes are transparent to users as the system automatically handles the cryptographic transformations, maintaining ease of operation while ensuring data integrity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If infusion pumps exchange information without authentication, then the takeover mode can be initiated quickly, but the system is vulnerable to unauthorized manipulation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetherapy safetyVSAvoidsynchronization time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary key exchange and authentication setup before the takeover mode is initiated. Pumps establish cryptographic credentials in advance, so when takeover is needed, the authentication process is already complete or can be rapidly executed, minimizing delay while ensuring therapy safety

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual verification and authentication mechanisms with automated cryptographic verification. The digital signature system automatically validates data authenticity and integrity, substituting time-consuming manual checks with rapid computational verification, thus reducing synchronization time while maintaining therapy safety

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

Data Source

PatentEP4641579A1Infusion pump system, method for secure data transfer for infusion pump system, and computer-readable storage medium
Publication Date: 2025.10.29 B BRAUN MELSUNGEN AG
  • EP4641579A1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4641579A1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP4641579A1 patent drawingFigure 7~8

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to an infusion pump system (20) comprising a first infusion pump (2) and a second infusion pump (4) which are coupled/coupled to each other for secure data transmission, wherein the infusion pump system (20) is configured such that at least one of the first and second infusion pumps (2, 4) receives data signed with a digital signature (16), and/or at least one of the first and second infusion pumps (2, 4) receives data encrypted with an encryption (22). The disclosure further relates to a method for secure data transmission for an infusion pump system (20) and a computer-readable storage medium (26).