Secure Wireless Medical Device Authentication via Point-to-Point Link
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication and authentication methods for wireless medical devices, such as infusion pumps, in hospital networks are vulnerable to data security breaches due to insecure radio connections, particularly in infrared data transmission systems.
Innovation Solution
A method that establishes a secure radio connection between medical devices and an organization system by generating a direct point-to-point connection, followed by an authentication process using a calculated security key derived from a local secret and a global secret, ensuring encrypted communication via a central communication device, which can be wired or wireless, including WIFI or WLAN standards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a wireless connection (e.g., Wi-Fi) is used for communication between medical devices and the organization system, then communication flexibility and ease of operation are improved, but data security is worsened due to vulnerability to unauthorized access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by establishing a direct point-to-point connection before the wireless connection to securely transmit authentication data. The security key is calculated and transmitted through this preliminary secure channel before the wireless communication begins, ensuring that sensitive authentication information is never exposed over the vulnerable wireless medium.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing a direct point-to-point connection as a mediator between the medical device and the organization system. This intermediary channel serves as a secure bridge that enables authentication without exposing sensitive data over the wireless connection, effectively decoupling the security-critical authentication process from the convenient but vulnerable wireless communication.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If infrared data transmission is used for communication, then data security is improved compared to wireless, but communication reliability and ease of operation are worsened due to vulnerability and limited functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the advantages of both direct connection methods and wireless communication by combining them in a hybrid authentication protocol. The secure direct point-to-point connection (similar to infrared) is used for authentication, while Wi-Fi provides the reliable ongoing communication, thus merging security with reliability.
3Device complexity
If authentication data is transmitted over the communication channel, then the authentication process is simplified, but data security is worsened due to potential interception
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by establishing a secure direct point-to-point connection before transmitting authentication data. This preliminary secure channel ensures that even though the authentication process remains relatively simple, the data cannot be intercepted during transmission over the wireless medium.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is an arrangement comprising a medical device (1), e.g., an infusion pump, and an organizational system (3), e.g., a rack, with at least one receptacle (6) for the medical device (1). Each medical device (1) has a device, and each receptacle (6) of the organizational system (3) has a corresponding device, for establishing a direct point-to-point connection. The organizational system (3) includes a central communication device (4). The communication device (4) and the medical device (1) are configured and programmed such that, after the direct point-to-point connection is established, a local secret (12) is first transmitted from the communication device (4) to the medical device (1) via the previously established direct point-to-point connection.Furthermore, the medical device (1) is configured and programmed to calculate a security key, e.g., a Pre-Shared Key (PSK), from the local secret (12) and a global secret (9) uniformly assigned to the entire arrangement. This security key is then used to establish a secure radio link between the communication device (4) and the medical device (1). A corresponding communication and authentication procedure is also disclosed.