SECURLY LINKING WIRELESS MEDICAL DEVICES
In the past decade, the integration of wireless communications into embedded systems has exploded. This growth in wireless designs has also been seen in the medical device/medical equipment market. To assist medical device manufacturers designing wireless medical devices, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has drafted a document called Radio Frequency Wireless Technology in Medical Devices. In it, they address issues and concerns related to the safe and effective use of wireless communications in medical devices. Among the topics covered is wireless coexistence, which is the ability of a wireless device to operate effectively in the presence of other wireless devices. The other wireless devices could be other non-related wireless products or they could be other instances of the same device. Datakey Electronics products can be used in the latter case to securely link the transmitting and receiving devices.
Problem: When medical devices use wireless communications, how can design teams incorporate a physical linking mechanism such that there is no doubt which two devices are communicating with each other?
Solution: Equip each medical device with a high cycle-life receptacle. The receptacle receives a rugged memory token which is inserted in both wireless medical devices positively linking them together.
Details: Incorporating wireless communications into medical devices can greatly increase the freedom of movement for patients, as they are no longer (literally) tied to monitoring equipment by signal wires. Likewise, a wireless design can eliminate the need to route bulky transmission cables across an operating room floor (or ceiling) between medical equipment. This also provides the flexibility to position the medical equipment in the ideal location, instead of simply where the cabling would allow.
But when wireless communication is used, the possibility exists that multiple wireless devices may be used in the same proximity at the same time. In medical applications, it is critically important to confirm which units are functioning as a transmitting/receiving pair. As mentioned above, one way to positively link the pair is to use a portable memory device.
The block diagram above shows a wireless medical receiver with multiple wireless medical transmitters. All of the medical devices have receptacles that accept a portable memory token. The token normally resides in the receiver. When medical personnel wish to link a particular transmitter to the receiver, the memory token is removed from the receiver and inserted into the receptacle of the transmitter as shown below.
The identification code (ID code) for that transmitter is written to the non-volatile memory inside the memory token. The memory token is then removed from the transmitter and inserted into the receiver as shown below.
The receiver reads the transmitter's ID code off of the portable memory device and a positive communication link is established.
Datakey Electronics' portable memory solutions are ideal for medical applications like these. We offer a variety of receptacle models to meet nearly any need--from the small SR4230, which is ideal for small handheld devices, to the IP67/immersion-rated SR4310 for wash-down applications. Our rugged memory tokens are available in memory sizes from 1Kbit to 1Gbyte and can cleaned by submerging in soapy water or even sterilized in an autoclave. To learn why OEMs have chosen Datakey Electronics' rugged portable memory solutions for over 33 years, please download our info sheet titled: 5 Reasons OEMs Choose Datakey Electronics.
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