Week 19: Final Project Requirements

Summary Slide

Project Video

What Does It Do?

This project introduces an innovative NFC-based authentication system designed for medical devices, focusing on Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL) machines. The system enhances security, control, and accountability by ensuring only authorized personnel operate the machine.

ESWL machines are used for non-invasive kidney stone treatment. Given their high cost and complexity, unauthorized usage can lead to inefficiencies, accidental harm, or financial losses. To address this, NFC cards or tags with encrypted credentials are provided to authorized users. Scanning these credentials on an NFC reader verifies them against a secure database, granting access only to authenticated users.

A key feature of the project is a prorata system, which limits the device's usage to predefined time slots. This ensures fair allocation, reduces downtime, and prevents excessive wear on the machine. If the time is exceeded, the system disables the machine, adhering to operational policies.

The system integrates an NFC reader, a microcontroller for credential management, and a 3D-printed enclosure for durability. Rigorous testing confirmed the system’s reliability in secure access control and time management. Scalable and adaptable, this solution offers potential applications beyond medical devices, optimizing usage and security across diverse domains.

Who’s Done What Beforehand?

NFC authentication has been widely used in secure payments, building access control, and inventory tracking. These systems utilize NFC technology for its reliability, convenience, and security. However, its application in medical devices remains relatively unexplored. This project bridges that gap by innovatively implementing NFC authentication for medical equipment, specifically ESWL machines. By combining access control with a prorata system for time-based usage regulation, this solution addresses unique challenges in the healthcare industry, such as ensuring authorized usage, enhancing accountability, and optimizing operational efficiency. This approach represents a novel adaptation of NFC technology for sensitive environments.

Project Timeline

What Did You Design?

The project is a comprehensive system integrating hardware and software to enhance the security and operational management of ESWL (Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy) machines. The design addresses key requirements for user authentication, operational control, and time management.

I Have used solid works for the 3d Modelling of the final project

I Have used KIcad for the designing the PCB Board

I Have used wegstr for the milling the PCB Board

At its core, the system includes an NFC reader connected to a microcontroller. The NFC reader is responsible for scanning encrypted user credentials from authorized NFC cards or tags. These credentials are processed by the microcontroller, which validates them against a secure database to grant or deny access.

I Have used NFC Reader as my input

The software component plays a critical role in managing the prorata time allocation system. Once a user is authenticated, the software initiates a timer based on their allowed usage duration. This ensures that the machine operates only within the authorized time frame. If the time expires, the system automatically disables access, maintaining compliance with operational policies.

I Have used Relay and I2C display as my output

The hardware design also features a custom interface that integrates with the ESWL machine, enabling seamless operational control. A 3D-printed enclosure houses the components, ensuring durability and ease of use. This combination of hardware and software creates a secure, efficient, and user-friendly solution tailored for medical applications.

What Sources Did You Use?

The development of this project relied on various resources to ensure its functionality and reliability. Key sources included comprehensive NFC library documentation to understand and implement NFC-based authentication. Microcontroller programming guides were used to develop the software logic for user authentication and time-based operational control. Additionally, medical device usage and operational manuals provided critical insights into integrating the system with ESWL machines, ensuring seamless operation and compliance with industry standards. These resources collectively informed the design, development, and implementation of the project, enabling a robust and efficient solution for medical equipment management.

What Materials and Components Were Used?

What Processes Were Used?

This project employed a range of processes to develop a functional and efficient system. The enclosure was designed using 3D modeling software and fabricated through 3D printing. Soldering and circuit assembly were performed to connect the electronic components, ensuring reliable communication between the NFC reader, microcontroller, and relay module. The microcontroller was programmed to handle NFC authentication and prorata functionality, with careful attention to security and accuracy. Finally, the system underwent rigorous testing and calibration to verify its performance, focusing on seamless authentication and precise enforcement of time-based usage restrictions.

System Integration

The system integrates an NFC reader to scan NFC cards, processes the data using an ESP32-C3 microcontroller, and controls a relay module. Based on authentication results, the relay either enables or disables the connected device, ensuring secure and efficient operation of the ESWL machine.

How Was It Evaluated?

The system underwent extensive testing to ensure functionality and reliability. NFC authentication accuracy was evaluated by verifying user access under various conditions, achieving consistent and error-free results. The prorata timer system was tested for precision, successfully restricting machine usage to predefined durations. Seamless integration with the ESWL machine was validated by assessing operational control and user experience. Overall, the system demonstrated high reliability in managing access, enforcing time restrictions, and maintaining compliance with operational policies. These evaluations confirmed the system's capability to enhance security and efficiency in medical device management.

Conclusion

This project successfully integrates NFC authentication and prorata time management to enhance security and efficiency in medical devices. Its adaptability for broader applications demonstrates its value across industries, ensuring safe and accountable equipment usage. This innovation represents a step forward in secure, technology-driven resource management systems.