Medical Device Software Update via Intermediary Dependency Check
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for updating portable medical devices require direct interaction with manufacturers, which is inconvenient and does not account for dependencies with interoperable devices, limiting efficient software and firmware updates.
Innovation Solution
A digital distribution platform that allows product updates to be distributed through intermediaries like healthcare providers, considering geographic and software version dependencies between devices, using a configuration device that downloads updates from a distribution server and stores them for distribution to medical devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If patients send devices back to manufacturers for updates, then software updates can be installed, but patient convenience deteriorates and update time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces healthcare providers as intermediary devices that can distribute software updates directly to patient devices. The intermediary device receives update packages from manufacturers, stores them locally, and distributes them to connected patient devices, eliminating the need for patients to return devices to manufacturers and significantly improving convenience while maintaining update reliability
2Productivity
If updates are distributed without checking dependencies, then distribution speed increases, but system compatibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dependency checking mechanism that is performed in advance before update distribution. The intermediary device checks whether required software components and dependencies are present on the target device before installing updates, ensuring system compatibility is verified beforehand and preventing installation failures
3Ease of operation
If a centralized distribution system is implemented, then update management improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an intermediary device that acts as a localized distribution server, receiving update packages from manufacturers and distributing them to multiple patient devices. This intermediary layer simplifies update management for both manufacturers and patients by centralizing the distribution process at the provider level while avoiding the complexity of a fully centralized cloud-based system
Data Source
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AI summary
A computer-implemented method for distributing product updates from a configuration device to one or more handheld medical devices is provided, comprising receiving a request to download a product update to a requesting medical device,determining one or more dependencies, receiving a listing of peer devices from the requesting medical device, such that each peer device in the listing of peer devices is distinct from and interoperable with the requesting medical device, for each peer device, determining software residing on a given peer device, comparing the at least one dependency with the software residing on each peer device in the listing of peer devices, and distributing the product update to the requesting medical device when the at least one dependency is met. Further, a software configuration device for distributing product updates to one or more handheld medical devices is provided.