UV-Activated Optical Authentication for Medical Device Disposables
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical devices face challenges in authenticating and preventing the use of counterfeit, already-used, and repurposed disposable components, which can lead to unintended or improper usage during medical procedures.
Innovation Solution
The system employs UV irradiation to authenticate disposable components using molecules with characteristic optical emission, such as photochromic inks and curable resins, which are isomerized by UV light and emit specific wavelengths, allowing for secure authentication and preventing reuse.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If magnetic pattern recognition is used to authenticate disposable components, then counterfeit prevention is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex magnetic pattern recognition systems with a simpler optical authentication system. Instead of using magnetic patterns and magnetic sensors, the invention uses UV irradiation to excite photochromic molecules embedded in the disposable component, which then emit characteristic optical patterns that are easier to detect and verify with simpler optics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs photochromic molecules that undergo color changes when exposed to UV light. These molecules transition from a colorless state to a colored state, emitting characteristic optical patterns that serve as authentication markers. This color change mechanism provides a reliable yet simple authentication method compared to magnetic pattern recognition.
2Reliability
If UV irradiation with photochromic molecules is used for authentication, then authentication security is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates photochromic molecules into the disposable component during the manufacturing process itself, rather than adding them later. This preliminary incorporation ensures the authentication features are built-in from the start, and the molecules are distributed uniformly throughout the component material, simplifying the overall manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials that integrate photochromic molecules within the disposable component's structure. These composite materials combine the functional properties of the base component material with the optical properties of the photochromic molecules, creating a unified material that is easier to manufacture than separate authentication layers or components.
3Reliability
If secure glyphs with excitation light sources are used for authentication, then authentication reliability is improved, but the ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs photochromic molecules that automatically emit characteristic optical patterns when exposed to UV irradiation, without requiring user activation or complex操作流程. The authentication process is self-service in the sense that the disposable component itself performs the authentication function passively when exposed to the UV light source, eliminating the need for user-initiated authentication sequences.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the periodic nature of UV irradiation and the corresponding periodic emission of light by photochromic molecules. The UV light source is activated in a controlled periodic manner, exciting the photochromic molecules to emit characteristic patterns that can be detected and verified. This periodic action simplifies the operation compared to continuous authentication protocols.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method enhances the security of medical procedures by ensuring only genuine disposable components are used, reducing the risk of counterfeit or improper use, and simplifies the authentication process with minimal user interaction.
Implementation Method 1
molecules with characteristic optical emission, such as photochromic inks and curable resins, which are isomerized by UV light and emit specific wavelengths
Implementation Method 2
molecules with characteristic optical emission, such as photochromic inks and curable resins, which are isomerized by UV light
Data Source
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AI summary
A computer-implemented method for approving a medical device disposable component used in a medical procedure comprising providing an identifiable feature on a medical device disposable component, wherein the identifiable feature comprises one or more photo-identifiable entities having a first emission pattern when in an unexcited state and a second emission pattern when in an excited state. The method also comprises illuminating the identifiable feature with an excitation light source to elicit the second emission pattern, detecting the second emission pattern and comparing the second emission pattern against a set of established reference emission patterns, and determining whether the medical device disposable component is approved based on comparison of the second emission pattern to the set of established reference emission patterns.