Medtronic Minimed, Inc.

Yazid E Ould Sidi

Anthony C Ng

Disclosed are methods and corresponding systems and devices for controlling which communication interface is used for communication in a wireless body area network of medical devices. In some aspects, a security level for data to be transmitted from a first device to a second device is determined. The first device includes a first communication interface and a second communication interface. Signals communicated over the second communication interface (e.g., a near-field communication interface) have a shorter range compared to the first communication interface (e.g., a far-field communication interface). The data is transmitted using the second communication interface based on determining that the security level for the data is higher than that associated with the first communication interface. In some instances, transmission of the data involves switching to the second communication interface after establishing an initial communication channel using the first communication interface.

Controlling communications between devices of a wireless body area network for a medical device system

A method and system are provided for controlling which communication interface is used for communication between devices that are configurable to be part of a wireless body area network (BAN) for a medical device system depending on their respective locations with respect to a first device. Based on a security secret shared between the first device and a second device, a secure communication channel can be established between the first device and the second device when the second device is located in a coverage region of the wireless body area network. A controller can determine, whether a quality of service (QoS) over the secure communication channel is greater than or equal to a first threshold. In response to the controller determining that the QoS is greater than or equal to the first threshold, data can be communicated from the first device via magnetic signals using a first BAN communication interface.

Method and system for controlling communication between devices of a wireless body area network for a medical device system

A method and system are provided for controlling which communication interface of a plurality of communication interfaces is used for communication between a plurality of devices that can be part of a wireless body area network for a medical device system. The communication interfaces can include a body area network communication interface and a far field communication interface. A controller can determine whether a first device is able to establish a communication link with a second device that is located in a coverage region of the wireless body area network using a first body area network communication interface. If so, the controller can determine whether a quality of service over the communication link is greater than or equal to a first threshold, and if so, the first body area network communication interface can be used to communicate data from the first device to the second device via magnetic signals.

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Northridge, CA, United States of America

Yazid E Ould Sidi