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The integration of advanced technology in medicine brings promising breakthroughs, yet it also introduces significant risks, particularly in the area of cybersecurity. Scenarios that depict hacking of medical devices—like a brain implant being manipulated to control seizures, a pacemaker receiving erroneous signals, or an insulin pump delivering a life-threatening overdose—are increasingly realistic concerns as the healthcare sector embraces smart, connected implants.
These bioelectronic devices are designed to enhance patient care by allowing doctors to monitor conditions remotely and tailor treatments accordingly. However, as these technologies develop, they become attractive targets for cybercriminals. The ramifications of such breaches can be devastating, not only to individual patients but also to the healthcare system as a whole.
At Rice University, engineer Kaiyuan Yang is leading efforts to address these pressing challenges, focusing on creating implants that are resistant to hacking, thereby protecting patients from potential threats associated with medical innovation.
“With advancements in biomedical technology, the importance of security becomes increasingly critical,” remarked Kaiyuan Yang, who heads the Secure and Intelligent Micro-Systems (SIMS) Lab. “Envision a tiny medical implant, as small as a grain of rice, that can treat illnesses without the need for invasive procedures or complicated medication schedules.”
“Such innovations, powered wirelessly and linked to the internet via a wearable hub, have the potential to greatly improve the independence and quality of life for individuals with chronic conditions such as epilepsy or severe depression,” Yang explained, noting his role as an associate professor in his field.
These sophisticated wireless technologies could lead to a future in which healthcare providers can continuously monitor and manage their patients’ health from a distance, eliminating the necessity for numerous in-person appointments. However, Yang cautions that this promise comes with considerable risk; there is a real possibility that hackers could intercept communications, manipulate device settings, or gain access to sensitive information, thereby jeopardizing patient safety.
At the recent International Solid-State Circuits Conference (ISSCC), an event organized by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), Yang and his research team unveiled a groundbreaking authentication protocol specifically for wireless, battery-free, minuscule medical implants. This innovation, termed magnetoelectric datagram transport layer security (ME-DTLS), utilizes a unique aspect of wireless power transfer, which allows implants to operate without batteries. Typically, movements of the external power source can disrupt signal alignment, but Yang’s team has turned this phenomenon into a security feature.
“When the external hub is slightly misaligned, it creates a signal disruption often viewed as a flaw, but we leveraged it to enhance security by associating specific movements with binary values,” Yang noted.
For example, brief movements can be interpreted as a “1,” while prolonged movements can represent a “0,” allowing users to input a secure access code through specific motions of the hub. This method of pattern input functions similarly to multi-factor authentication, akin to entering a password and then typing a texted passcode to access financial accounts.
This approach effectively addresses two significant vulnerabilities in medical cybersecurity: it protects against compromised passwords by requiring an irreplaceable physical confirmation step, and it ensures that emergency personnel can access the system without prior knowledge of passwords. In cases where a patient is incapacitated, the implant can emit a temporary authentication signal detectable only within close proximity.
“By guaranteeing that only nearby authorized devices can communicate with the implant, we ensure patient safety even in emergencies,” Yang stated. “The implant authenticates responders based on the specific motion pattern they create, allowing emergency access even without a stable internet connection.”
By capitalizing on the intrinsic properties of wireless power systems, the latest solution provides a more streamlined security option compared to traditional methods that often necessitate cumbersome additional sensors.
The efficacy of the pattern input technique has been confirmed through testing with volunteers, achieving a remarkable accuracy rate of 98.72%. Furthermore, Yang’s team has devised a rapid, low-energy methodology for secure data transmission from the implant.
“To our knowledge, this is the first instance of utilizing the inherent challenges of wireless power transfer to enhance security measures in implantable devices, facilitating a two-factor authentication process in a miniaturized setup,” Yang asserted. “Our design strikes a favorable balance among security, efficiency, and reliability compared to existing medical technologies.”
For patients, these advancements signify a future in which their medical implants not only function securely but are also readily accessible when crucial. This innovation simplifies the process of ensuring that only authorized healthcare providers can manage the technologies integrated into their bodies.
Yang and his research team shared their findings at the ISSCC, which took place from February 16 to 20 in San Francisco. At the conference, Yang received the IEEE Solid-State Circuits Society New Frontier Award, an honor given to early-career researchers engaging in groundbreaking technical work. This year, his team was part of a larger group of Rice University faculty and students who presented their own research and were recognized for their contributions.
The endeavor was supported by the National Science Foundation (2146476).
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