Secure Relayed Communications for Implantable Medical Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Implantable medical devices face challenges in securing wireless data communications, particularly when using public communication networks and potentially insecure devices as intermediaries, which can lead to data interception and modification, potentially harming patients.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a medical device with a low power communication transceiver that establishes and communicates through an encrypted secure channel, utilizing a virtual private network (VPN) to tunnel communications over potentially insecure public channels, ensuring privacy and security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If public communication networks and potentially insecure devices are used as intermediaries for implantable medical device communications, then communication accessibility and convenience are improved, but data security and privacy are worsened due to risk of interception and modification
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a secure relay server as an intermediary between the implantable medical device and the remote communication partner. This server establishes secure communication channels using TLS 1.2 or higher, acting as a trusted mediator that enables data exchange over public networks while maintaining security through authentication and encryption mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct unencrypted mechanical data transmission with encrypted communication channels. By substituting the transmission mechanism with TLS-based encryption and secure relay infrastructure, the system maintains communication functionality while eliminating the vulnerability to interception and modification inherent in direct public network transmissions.
2Reliability
If encrypted secure channels with VPN tunneling are established for implantable medical device communications, then data privacy and security are improved, but communication complexity and infrastructure requirements are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The secure relay server serves as a centralized intermediary that handles the complexity of establishing TLS connections, certificate validation, and VPN tunneling. This allows the implantable medical device to communicate securely without implementing complex security protocols locally, as the relay server manages these operations on behalf of both communicating parties.
Solution Approach 2:
The relay server infrastructure provides multiple security functions through a single system: TLS 1.2 or higher encryption, certificate-based authentication, VPN tunneling, and relayed communication. This multi-functional approach consolidates security operations that would otherwise require multiple separate systems into one unified platform.
3Reliability
If security certificates and certificate revocation lists are verified for each communication endpoint, then authentication reliability is improved, but communication time and processing overhead are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs certificate verification and revocation checking in advance before actual data transmission begins. By validating security certificates and CRLs during the connection establishment phase rather than during data transfer, the system ensures authentication reliability while minimizing the time impact on actual communication operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The relay server implements a feedback mechanism where certificate validation results and authentication status are communicated back through the secure channel. This allows the implantable medical device to receive confirmation that security protocols were successfully executed, enabling efficient error handling and reducing the need for repeated verification attempts.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides systems and methods for supporting encrypted communications with a medical device, such as an implantable device, through a relay device to a remote server, and may employ cloud computing technologies. An implantable medical device is generally constrained to employ a low power transceiver, which supports short distance digital communications. A relay device, such as a smartphone or WiFi access point, acts as a conduit for the communications to the internet or other network, which need not be private or secure. The medical device supports encrypted secure communications, such as a virtual private network technology. The medical device negotiates a secure channel through a smartphone or router, for example, which provides application support for the communication, but may be isolated from the content.