Disposable Sensor Authentication and Data Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current disposable physiological sensors, such as pressure transducers, face challenges in ensuring data accuracy and continuity when moved between locations, and there is a need for systems that can authenticate sensors and store data locally for transport with the sensor.
Innovation Solution
A sensor system with a microprocessor and memory fixedly attached to the sensor, capable of authentication and bi-directional communication over a single wire, allowing for data storage and retrieval, ensuring sensor integrity and continuity across different monitoring devices and locations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If disposable pressure transducers are moved between different monitoring locations, then sensor reusability and flexibility are improved, but data accuracy and continuity deteriorate due to calibration issues and signal processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs calibration and authentication of the disposable transducer before it is connected to the monitoring system. The calibration data is stored in memory within the transducer, and the authentication process verifies the transducer's identity and calibration status. This preliminary action ensures that the transducer is properly calibrated before use, maintaining measurement precision while allowing the transducer to be moved between different monitoring locations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If disposable transducers from different sources are used with any monitor, then system versatility is improved, but device complexity increases due to calibration and signal processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The disposable transducer includes built-in memory that stores calibration data and identification information. The transducer performs self-authentication by providing this stored information to the monitoring system, eliminating the need for manual calibration procedures. This self-service approach maintains system versatility while reducing the complexity of calibration and setup procedures for users.
3Ease of operation
If piggyback connection is used to supply pressure data to multiple monitors, then the need for additional invasive procedures is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to signal delays and distortion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates separate, independent communication channels for each monitoring system. Each monitor receives authenticated data directly from the disposable transducer through its own connection, rather than one monitor relaying data to another. This segmentation of the monitoring system eliminates signal delays and distortion associated with piggyback connections, maintaining measurement precision while still avoiding additional invasive procedures.
4Reliability
If patient is moved from one location to another with the sensor remaining in place, then patient safety is improved, but data continuity deteriorates when connecting to different monitors
Solution Approach 1:
The disposable transducer is designed with universal authentication and data storage capabilities that work with multiple different monitoring systems. The transducer stores patient data and calibration information in its memory, and the authentication protocol ensures compatibility with various monitors. This universality allows the transducer to maintain continuous, accurate data transmission when the patient is moved between different monitoring locations, preserving both patient safety and data continuity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system for sensing a physiological parameter in a human or animal, and storing a processed sensing signal at a sensor with which the sensing was performed. The system includes a physiological sensor adapted to output a sensor signal representative of a sensed physiological parameter, for processing by a remote processor. A microcontroller has memory, and is located locally to the sensor and is fixedly attached to or housed together with the sensor. An authentication algorithm is stored in the memory and the microprocessor is configured to engage in an authentication process to authenticate the sensor when queried by a remote processor. The memory is configured to receive and store data representative of a sensed physiological parameter after data from the sensor has been processed by a remote processor. The microcontroller may be configured to communicate with a remote processor over a single wire by, for example, using a single wire protocol.