Method and system for secure control of a medical device
First Claim
1. A system for controlling a medical device, comprising:
- a medical device for use in medical treatment at a remote location, wherein the device is controllable by control instructions;
a first portable card having control instructions encoded thereon;
a first card reader for receiving the first portable card and for reading the control instructions from the first card;
a control device in communication with the first card reader and the medical device, wherein the control device includes a control program for receiving the control instructions from the first card and applying the instructions to the medical device for control thereof;
a first communication device connected to the control device, wherein the first communication device is controllable by the control device;
a computer located at a distance from the remote location; and
a second communication device connected to the computer, wherein the second communication device is controllable by the computer for communicating with the control device through the first communication device;
wherein the computer is configured for receiving the control instructions from the first card through the communication devices, and for transmitting edited control instructions to the control device at the remote location, and wherein the control device is configured for saving the edited instructions to the first card in the first card reader.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system for controlling an in-home medical device, such as a drug delivery pump, wherein a control program or "prescription" for control of the device is encoded on a portable card, such as a smartcard. Accordingly, the card can be used on other medical devices without the need to reprogram the devices. In addition, the medical device is monitored and data relating to the device can be saved to the smartcard so that a paperless and portable record can be kept of the device operation. In the case of a drug delivery pump, the prescription dictates the rate of drug delivery, the frequency of drug delivery, and other variables associated with the treatment being provided. In addition, a security program is provided which ensures that only authorized patients can utilize the medical device. The program compares an access code stored on the patient card with an access code stored in the device memory and allows the device to operate if the codes match. Moreover, remote access to the medical device is provided through a communication system between the controller for the medical device and a remotely located computer. Information can be downloaded to the computer over the communication system and the prescription on the portable card can be edited as needed. Additional security is provided by utilizing a second card reader at the remote location for reading a provider identification code from a second card. If the provider code does not match a code on the first card, communication between the controllers is prevented.
377 Citations
9 Claims
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1. A system for controlling a medical device, comprising:
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a medical device for use in medical treatment at a remote location, wherein the device is controllable by control instructions; a first portable card having control instructions encoded thereon; a first card reader for receiving the first portable card and for reading the control instructions from the first card; a control device in communication with the first card reader and the medical device, wherein the control device includes a control program for receiving the control instructions from the first card and applying the instructions to the medical device for control thereof; a first communication device connected to the control device, wherein the first communication device is controllable by the control device; a computer located at a distance from the remote location; and a second communication device connected to the computer, wherein the second communication device is controllable by the computer for communicating with the control device through the first communication device; wherein the computer is configured for receiving the control instructions from the first card through the communication devices, and for transmitting edited control instructions to the control device at the remote location, and wherein the control device is configured for saving the edited instructions to the first card in the first card reader. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A system for secure operation of a medical device, comprising:
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a medical device for use in medical treatment at a remote location, wherein the device is controllable by control instructions; a first portable card having a first code and control instructions encoded thereon; a first card reader for receiving the first portable card and for reading the first code and control instructions from the first card; a first control device in communication with the first card reader and the medical device, wherein the first control device includes a control program for applying the control instructions to the medical device for control thereof, a second control device located a distance from the remote location; a communication system for allowing communication between the first control device and the second control device, wherein the second control device is configured to download the control instructions from the first card through the communication system and to allow editing of the downloaded instructions; a second portable card having a second code encoded thereon; a second card reader connected to the second control device for receiving the second portable card; and a first security mechanism in communication with the card readers for receiving the first and second codes from the cards, wherein the first security mechanism is configured to determine whether the codes are compatible and to prevent the editing of the control instructions if the codes are not compatible. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for securely controlling a medical device using a smartcard and a smartcard reader, the method comprising:
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reading a first equipment code from a first smartcard in a smartcard reader; obtaining a second equipment code from a memory location; determining whether the first equipment code matches the second equipment code; if a match is found, reading control instructions from the first smartcard, and controlling a medical device according to the control instructions; reading a first access code from the first smartcard; reading a second access code from a second smartcard; determining whether the access codes are compatible; and if compatibility is found, downloading the control instructions from the first smartcard to a remote location, editing the control instructions, and saving the edited control instructions to the first smartcard.
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Specification