Secure Medical Device Configuration via Automatic Data Replication
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing complexity of medical equipment in healthcare environments leads to cumbersome and error-prone configuration processes, particularly when replacing devices that require repetitive configuration of settings, such as intravenous infusion pumps, which can be time-consuming and prone to errors.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method for secure automatic configuration of medical devices through replication, where configuration information is transferred from a source device to a target device via a control hub, using wireless communication technologies like NFC, Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi, ensuring secure and efficient data transfer and reducing the need for manual reconfiguration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual configuration is performed for each medical device, then configuration accuracy can be verified, but configuration time and error rate increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the copying principle by automatically replicating configuration data from a source medical device to a target medical device. The system retrieves configuration information from the source device and transfers it to the target device, eliminating manual reconfiguration. This reduces configuration time significantly while maintaining accuracy through automated data transfer, resolving the contradiction between configuration speed and accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by storing and managing configuration data in a centralized database before device replacement occurs. When a target device needs configuration, the pre-stored configuration data is readily available for automatic transfer, eliminating the need for manual reconfiguration at the time of device replacement.
2Productivity
If configuration data is transferred automatically between devices, then configuration time is reduced, but security risks from unauthorized access increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a configuration management system as an intermediary between source and target devices. This centralized system securely stores configuration data and controls the transfer process, authenticating devices and managing access rights. The intermediary architecture enables automatic configuration transfer while implementing security measures to prevent unauthorized access, resolving the contradiction between configuration efficiency and security.
3Adaptability or versatility
If complex configuration parameters are manually entered, then device functionality can be customized, but error probability increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system copies the exact configuration parameters from the source device to the target device, ensuring that all customized settings are replicated accurately. This automated copying process eliminates manual entry errors while preserving the full customization of device parameters, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and error rate.
Data Source
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AI summary
Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques and apparatus for secure automatic configuration of equipment through replication. One example method generally includes receiving a request for configuration information used to configure at least a first device to be replicated in at least a second device; and communicating the configuration information to the second device, in response to the request. At least one of the first and second wireless devices may be a medical device, and/or the configuration information may include patient treatment information. In this manner, the amount of configuration data entry by a caregiver and the number of errors in this configuration data are most likely considerably reduced. Furthermore, in an emergency, a common medical treatment may be easily configured for many patients at once (i.e., the configuration information may be easily replicated from patient device to patient device).