Medical Device Provisioning via Temporary Network Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Configuring medical devices for healthcare networks is arduous and time-consuming, often requiring manual intervention to set up security certificates and updates, which is inefficient and difficult.
Innovation Solution
Medical devices are preconfigured during manufacturing to automatically connect to a temporary provisioning network, allowing them to install necessary software and security information upon initial power-up, thereby facilitating seamless integration into the healthcare network without manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual configuration is used for each medical device, then security protocols can be maintained, but setup time becomes excessively long and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Security certificates and configuration parameters are pre-loaded into medical devices during manufacturing. When a device is activated, it automatically connects to the provisioning network and retrieves additional security credentials without requiring manual operator intervention, thus maintaining security while dramatically reducing setup time
Solution Approach 2:
The medical device autonomously performs self-provisioning by automatically connecting to the temporary provisioning network, retrieving its unique device identifier, and obtaining security certificates and configuration parameters without human intervention, thereby eliminating manual configuration bottlenecks while maintaining security compliance
2Reliability
If manual configuration is performed by operators, then complex security certificates can be installed, but the process becomes difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The device automatically manages the entire security certificate installation process by connecting to the provisioning network, authenticating itself using pre-loaded credentials, and receiving security certificates without operator intervention, thereby simplifying operation while ensuring proper security configuration
Solution Approach 2:
A temporary provisioning network acts as an intermediary between the external network and the medical device during initial setup. This intermediary facilitates automatic security certificate transmission and installation, reducing operational complexity while maintaining security integrity
3Productivity
If automatic provisioning is implemented, then productivity increases and setup time decreases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Essential provisioning information including device identifiers and basic network connection parameters are pre-configured in the device during manufacturing. This preliminary configuration enables the device to autonomously initiate connection to the provisioning network and complete self-provisioning, increasing productivity without adding operational complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The complex security configuration and network provisioning functions are extracted from the medical device itself and relocated to an external temporary provisioning network. This separation allows the device to remain simple while enabling automatic high-throughput provisioning through the external infrastructure
4Reliability
If multiple devices are configured manually, then each device can be securely provisioned, but the process becomes arduous and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
Each medical device independently performs automatic self-provisioning by connecting to the temporary provisioning network, authenticating with its unique device identifier, and receiving security certificates without operator intervention. This enables parallel provisioning of multiple devices simultaneously, reducing total setup time while maintaining security
Solution Approach 2:
The temporary provisioning network provides a universal automated provisioning service that can simultaneously handle multiple device connections, authentication, and security certificate distribution. This multi-functional system replaces multiple manual configuration processes, reducing time loss while ensuring secure provisioning
Data Source
AI summary
One or more medical devices are configured to connect to a predetermined temporary provisioning network of a healthcare organization, the temporary provisioning network being different than a healthcare network of the healthcare organization. After the devices are received by the healthcare organization, and powered up for the first time, device identifiers corresponding to the medical devices are received at a server remote from the healthcare organization, from the temporary provisioning network, together with an indication that the medical devices are requesting access to a management server within a healthcare network of the healthcare organization. On determining that the medical devices are predetermined to receive access to the management server, a provisioning service configures, through the temporary provisioning network, the medical devices to access and communicate with the management server, and informs the management server that the medical devices have been configured to access and communicate with the management server.