Miniature Coupled Inductor Coils Enable Remote, Wireless and Secure Product Authentication

Device companies commonly install memory chips in a disposable or semi-reusable attachment within a product assembly [1]. Attachment examples include single-use medical diagnostic sensors, reusable monitoring probes, disposable catheters and plug in tools having limited cutting, connection or sterilizing cycles. The memory chip provides information about the attachment to a hosting device that controls or operates the attachment. This stored information may include the attachment’s number of connections or uses, calibration coefficients [2] and the manufacturer or patient identification and date. This attachment data can then be used to enforce product requirements regarding reliability, accuracy, safety and brand [3,4]. For example, the host device can alarm the user, shutdown, or prevent attachment operation when the memory data is outside the product’s validated or tested limits.