Laser System Event Logging via Smart Card Authentication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medical laser systems and fiber optic delivery devices lack effective data logging and authentication mechanisms to ensure safe and authorized use, leading to unreliable data gathering and potential misuse.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that utilize a portable memory device, such as a smart card, to create accurate event logs by detecting and authenticating the delivery device, verifying the presence of a data structure for event logging, and enabling product delivery only if authentication is successful, ensuring complete and reliable data collection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If prior art smart card systems are used for authentication and basic logging, then device authorization can be verified, but complete and accurate event logging cannot be ensured

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata logging reliabilityVSAvoidevent data completeness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary verification to ensure the portable memory device has the required event log data structure before enabling product delivery. This prevents data loss by ensuring logging capability is established in advance, rather than attempting to log after the fact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors and logs events during product delivery, providing feedback about the logging status. The portable memory device maintains an event log that records sequences of events, allowing verification that complete data is being captured throughout the procedure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If product delivery is enabled without verification, then system operation is simplified, but misuse and unsafe operation cannot be prevented

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem operation simplicityVSAvoidsafe operation assurance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs authentication and verification of the portable memory device's event log data structure before enabling product delivery. This preliminary check ensures safe operation is guaranteed in advance, while the automated nature of the verification minimizes the operational burden on users.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If delivery devices can be used without strict authentication, then device versatility is improved, but unauthorized use and degradation cannot be prevented

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedelivery device flexibilityVSAvoidauthorized use verification
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The portable memory device serves as an intermediary between the delivery device and the system controller. It stores authentication data and event logs, mediating the interaction to ensure authorized use while maintaining device flexibility. The device ID stored on the portable memory device links specific delivery devices to authorized procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP1883366B1System and delivery device operation logging method
Publication Date: 2016.11.23 BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED INC
  • EP1883366B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1883366B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1883366B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method for operating a laser system for a medical procedure, or a similar system, comprises detecting presence of a portable memory device like a smart card coupled to the laser system, and reading data on the portable memory device usable to identify an associated delivery device. An identifier is read from the associated delivery device after it is coupled to the laser. A process is executed to verify the configuration including matching the identifier read from delivery device with the delivery device associated with the portable memory device, verifying that the portable memory device includes a data structure adapted for storage of an event log, and enabling delivery of laser energy if said authenticating and said verifying are successful. A kit comprising a delivery device and a portable memory device supporting the process is provided to users of the laser system.