Infusion Pump Pairing via RFID Verification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional external infusion pumps face concerns regarding the security and accuracy of wireless communications, as RF transmissions can be susceptible to interception or manipulation, potentially leading to harmful changes in medication delivery.

Innovation Solution

A disease management system that includes a medical device and a remote controller, utilizing RFID tags with unique codes for faster pairing and verification of accurate signal exchange, ensuring correct device pairing and preventing malicious or corrupted signals by requiring proximity for information exchange.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If RF communication is used for remote controller and infusion pump communication, then wireless control capability is improved, but security against interception and manipulation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewireless control capabilityVSAvoidsecurity against interception and manipulation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary pairing and verification actions before actual medication delivery control. The remote controller and infusion pump establish a trusted relationship through identification exchange and verification in advance, so that when RF communication is used for control, the security risk is already mitigated by the pre-established trust relationship.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary verification mechanism where identification information is exchanged and verified between the remote controller and infusion pump. This intermediary step acts as a security layer between the RF communication channels, ensuring that only authenticated devices can communicate medication delivery instructions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If traditional pairing methods are used, then device connectivity is achieved, but risk of incorrect pairing increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice connectivityVSAvoidrisk of incorrect pairing
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the infusion pump displays the remote controller's identification information and the remote controller displays the infusion pump's identification information. This visual feedback allows users to verify that the correct devices are paired before medication delivery control is enabled, preventing incorrect pairing risks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If RF transmission is used for communication, then remote control functionality is improved, but susceptibility to corrupted or malicious signals increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveremote control functionalityVSAvoidcorrupted or malicious signals
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies preliminary anti-action by requiring identification verification and pairing confirmation before allowing RF transmission of medication delivery instructions. This pre-emptive measure counteracts potential corrupted or malicious signals by establishing authentication requirements that would prevent unauthorized or erroneous control commands.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

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

The system enhances user safety by reducing incorrect device pairing and verifying the accuracy of medication delivery instructions, preventing potential harm from corrupted signals.

Implementation Method 1

the remote controller and infusion pump each employ radio frequency identification (RFID) tags with a unique code

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRFID (Radio Frequency Identification): Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3869699B1Methods for secure communication and pairing of a medical infusion device and a remote controller for such medical device
Publication Date: 2024.09.11 ANIMAS CORP
  • EP3869699B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3869699B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP3869699B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A disease management system, methods, and devices are shown and described. In one embodiment, the system includes an infusion pump and a remote controller with the ability to be paired to each other and to confirm the authenticity of instructions sent to the infusion device from the remote controller. A method to verify a wireless connection between an infusion pump and a remote controller is shown and described herein. In addition, a method of operating a diabetes management system is provided in which the system includes an infusion pump and at least a remote controller.