METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR SECURE INTEROPERABILITY BETWEEN MEDICAL DEVICES
First Claim
1. An apparatus for providing interoperability among a plurality of medical devices, the plurality of medical devices each having a corresponding data interface, the apparatus comprising:
- a plurality of ports, each port being operative to connect to the corresponding data interface of a respective medical device;
at least one memory; and
at least one processor operative to execute at least one computer program out of the at least one memory;
to receive, from each of at least some of the plurality of medical devices, information pertaining to one or more of a data format, a syntax, and one or more settings employed by the respective medical device, wherein the information received from the respective medical device is indicative of one or more of (1) input data that the respective medical device is capable of receiving from at least another one of the plurality of medical devices, and (2) output data that the respective medical device is capable of providing to the other one of the plurality of medical devices; and
to establish, over the port connected to the corresponding data interface of the respective medical device, a communication link between the respective medical device and the other one of the plurality of medical devices using at least some of the information received from the respective medical device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An interface device is configured to provide one or more links to first-party medical devices, each of which communicates using a proprietary protocol. The interface device can translate between the proprietary protocol and a second protocol that is accessible via a second link to the interface device. Details of the second protocol can be provided to third parties for configuring third-party medical devices to connect to the interface device via the second link. Using the second link, one or more third-party medical devices can send information to and/or receive information from the first-party medical devices without the need for the third-party device (or devices) to have any information about the proprietary protocol(s) of the first-party medical device(s). The first-party medical devices can include surgical tools and related support equipment and the third-party medical device can include a control station used to monitor and control the tools and support equipment.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. An apparatus for providing interoperability among a plurality of medical devices, the plurality of medical devices each having a corresponding data interface, the apparatus comprising:
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a plurality of ports, each port being operative to connect to the corresponding data interface of a respective medical device; at least one memory; and at least one processor operative to execute at least one computer program out of the at least one memory; to receive, from each of at least some of the plurality of medical devices, information pertaining to one or more of a data format, a syntax, and one or more settings employed by the respective medical device, wherein the information received from the respective medical device is indicative of one or more of (1) input data that the respective medical device is capable of receiving from at least another one of the plurality of medical devices, and (2) output data that the respective medical device is capable of providing to the other one of the plurality of medical devices; and to establish, over the port connected to the corresponding data interface of the respective medical device, a communication link between the respective medical device and the other one of the plurality of medical devices using at least some of the information received from the respective medical device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of providing interoperability among a plurality of medical devices, the plurality of medical devices each having a corresponding data interface, the method comprising:
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receiving, at an apparatus from each of at least some of the plurality of medical devices, information pertaining to one or more of a data format, a syntax, and one or more settings employed by the respective medical device, the information received from the respective medical device being indicative of one or more of (1) input data that the respective medical device is capable of receiving from at least another one of the plurality of medical devices, and (2) output data that the respective medical device is capable of providing to the other one of the plurality of medical devices, the apparatus including a plurality of ports, each port being operative to connect to the corresponding data interface of a respective medical device; and establishing, over the port connected to the corresponding data interface of the respective medical device, a communication link between the respective medical device and the other one of the plurality of medical devices using at least some of the information received from the respective medical device. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification