Asymmetric Key Security Module for Medical Device Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical systems lack reliable and secure data communication protocols between remote control devices and medical devices, which can lead to unauthorized or incorrect operation of medical devices, potentially compromising patient safety.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a security module with asymmetric cryptography using a pair of keys, where the public key is shared between the remote control device and the medical device, and the private key is stored in the security module, ensuring encrypted control commands are decrypted and verified before being executed, with additional checks for user confirmation and error detection to prevent unauthorized commands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If asymmetric cryptography with key pairs is implemented for secure communication, then security and reliability of data communication is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional security module and key management
Solution Approach 1:
A security module is introduced as an intermediary component between the remote control device and the medical device. This security module holds the private key and performs decryption/verification of control commands, acting as a mediator that enables secure communication without requiring the medical device itself to store sensitive cryptographic keys, thus distributing complexity across multiple components.
Solution Approach 2:
The cryptographic functionality is segmented across three components: the remote control device generates and encrypts commands with the public key, the security module stores the private key and performs verification, and the medical device receives and executes verified commands. This segmentation allows each component to have a specific, simplified role in the security process.
2Reliability
If user confirmation input is required for control command execution, then reliability and safety are improved, but operation time and user convenience deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback through user confirmation input, where the medical device or security module requests verification from the user before executing control commands. This feedback mechanism ensures that critical operations are authorized by the user, preventing unauthorized or erroneous commands while maintaining a clear audit trail of user actions.
3Reliability
If encrypted control commands are transmitted through security module, then security against unauthorized operations is improved, but communication protocol complexity and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The security module performs preliminary verification of encrypted control commands before they are transmitted to the medical device. By pre-decrypting and validating commands using the private key, the system ensures that only authenticated commands reach the medical device, reducing the processing burden on the medical device itself and streamlining the overall communication flow.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for operating a medical system is disclosed (1) having a remote control device (2), a security module (3), and a medical device (4). The method comprises providing a pair of keys for asymmetric cryptography, the pair of keys comprising a public key and a private key, wherein the public key is provided in both the remote control device (2) and the medical device (4), and the private key is provided in the security module (3); in the remote control device (2), generating an encrypted control command encrypted by applying the public key to a control command configured to control operation of the medical device (4); receiving the encrypted control command in the security module (3); in the security module (3), decrypting the encrypted control command by applying the private key, the decrypting comprises determining that the control command was encrypted by applying the public key; in the security module (3), generating a security module encrypted control command by applying the private key to the decrypted control command or an amended medical control command derived from the decrypted control command and configured to control operation of the medical device (4); receiving the security module (3) encrypted control command in the medical device (4); in the medical device (4), decrypting the security module encrypted control command by applying the public key; and controlling operation of the medical device (4) according to one of the control command and the amended control command, if the control command or the amended control command has been confirmed by a user confirmation input received in one of the security module (3), and the medical device (4). Further, a medical system (1) and a security module are disclosed. (Fig. 1)