Secure Medical Device Communication via Trusted Authority Mediator
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing active implantable medical devices and their interaction systems are highly regulated, limiting flexibility in the types of devices permitted for monitoring and/or controlling these devices.
Innovation Solution
A communication platform that implements first secure communications between an implantable medical device and a trusted authority service provider, using a security mechanism to prevent access to the communications by the platform while allowing secure access at the device and service provider.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If highly regulated systems are used to maintain patient safety, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and flexibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
A trusted authority service provider acts as an intermediary between the implantable medical device and external communication platforms. This mediator verifies the credentials of communication platforms and establishes secure communication channels, thereby maintaining patient safety without requiring complex regulatory controls in every component of the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system divides security functions into separate modules: the implantable device contains minimal communication capabilities, the communication platform handles user interaction, and the trusted authority service provider manages security verification. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall system reliability.
2Reliability
If dedicated medical devices are used for monitoring, then reliability is improved, but adaptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The trusted authority service provider creates a universal security framework that allows various types of communication platforms (smartphones, tablets, computers, wearables) to interact with implantable medical devices. The security verification mechanism is platform-agnostic, enabling multiple device types to function reliably for monitoring and control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of security verification from device-specific to credential-based. Instead of requiring dedicated medical-grade communication devices, any platform can be verified through cryptographic credentials issued by the trusted authority, thereby increasing adaptability while maintaining reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If consumer communication devices are used, then adaptability is improved, but security deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Security verification is performed in advance before allowing communication between the consumer device and implantable medical device. The trusted authority service provider pre-verifies the credentials of communication platforms and establishes secure communication channels beforehand, ensuring security is maintained while allowing consumer device accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
Physical security controls (such as requiring medical-grade dedicated devices) are replaced with cryptographic verification mechanisms. The trusted authority service provider uses digital credentials and encrypted communication protocols to secure interactions, substituting mechanical/physical security constraints with information-theoretic security that works across all device types.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication platform at least partially implements secure communications between a medical device and a trusted authority (TA) service provider. The secure communications prevent access to the secure communications by the communication platform while permitting access to the secure communications at the medical device and/or at the trusted authority service provider.