Wireless Medical Sensor Data Encryption and Protocol Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medical device systems employing wireless communications face limitations in security and data formatting, as standard communication protocols are inadequate for securing clinical data and are limited to predefined data fields, making them prone to unauthorized access and use.

Innovation Solution

A sensor system with a measurement system, transmitter, receiver, and computer-logic circuitry that uses multiple communication protocols for secure data transmission and storage, where clinical data is transmitted via industry standards and enhanced data is encrypted and stored separately for secure access, allowing bi-directional communication while maintaining compatibility with various devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If standard communication protocols are used for wireless data transmission, then compatibility and ease of operation are improved, but security and data protection deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecompatibilityVSAvoidsecurity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the communication process into two distinct phases: first, transmission of clinical data using standard protocols for compatibility; second, transmission of enhanced/encrypted data using proprietary protocols for security. This segmentation allows the system to benefit from both standard protocol compatibility and enhanced security without compromise.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary processing layer that receives clinical data, enhances it with additional information, and applies encryption before transmission. This intermediary layer acts as a buffer between the standard protocol interface and the secure data transmission requirement, transforming raw clinical data into protected enhanced data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If standard communication protocols are used, then ease of operation is improved, but data formatting flexibility and security deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of useVSAvoiddata formatting flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The communication protocol is segmented into a standard portion for basic compatibility and a proprietary enhanced portion for flexible data formatting. The standard portion handles basic clinical data exchange, while the proprietary portion enables customized data structures, additional fields, and flexible formatting options.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic data formatting where the enhanced data structure can adapt to different clinical scenarios, device types, and data requirements. The system dynamically selects and configures data fields, formats, and enhancement levels based on the specific communication needs while maintaining backward compatibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If clinical data is transmitted using standard protocols, then compatibility is improved, but susceptibility to unauthorized access increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecompatibilityVSAvoidunauthorized access risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary actions by first transmitting clinical data through standard protocols for compatibility, then immediately following with enhanced and encrypted data transmission through proprietary protocols. The security enhancement is prepared and applied in advance before the data is fully exposed, creating a protective layer against unauthorized access.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potential harm of using standard protocols (security vulnerabilities) into a benefit by implementing a dual-layer approach: the standard protocol layer ensures compatibility while the proprietary enhanced layer transforms the security risk into a protective mechanism through encryption and additional security features.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Data Source

PatentEP3120273B1Clinical data obfuscation and enhancement systems and methods for wireless medical devices
Publication Date: 2021.10.06 ASCENSIA DIABETES CARE HLDG AG
  • EP3120273B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3120273B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3120273B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

According to one aspect of the present invention, a sensor for diagnosing a physiological or physical state includes a measurement system configured to determine clinical data for one or more parameters related to the physiological or physical state, a first memory configured to store the clinical data, a transmitter configured to transmit the clinical data according to a first communications protocol, a receiver configured to receive enhanced data according to a second communications protocol, and a second memory configured to store the enhanced data. The enhanced data is based on the clinical data.