From Standard to Custom: Overcoming the Limits of Off-the-Shelf SBCs in Medical Applications

Portable medical devices have become a critical tool in modern healthcare, allowing medical professionals to have the flexibility to use tools in a variety of settings, from hospitals to remote and emergency treatment centers. Specifically, portable ultrasound devices are increasingly common, and these devices offer the flexibility to deliver fast and accurate diagnostics without the limitations of a traditional, stationary ultrasound machine. However, with advancements in medical imaging technology, manufacturers face increasing challenges in optimizing performance, keeping data secure, and maintaining sufficient battery life in these compact, mobile systems. 

In this case study, we explore how a leading manufacturer of portable ultrasound devices addressed these challenges by transitioning from a standard single board computer (SBC) to a custom SBC solution, allowing them to improve the overall reliability and security of their devices.

Standard SBC Struggles in Ultrasound Devices

A leading portable ultrasound device manufacturer initially chose a i.MX 8M Mini SBC for early stage prototypes due to its compact design, low power consumption, and strong performance. The SBC offered a good balance of features, including basic graphics and power management, which met their initial design needs. However, as their product development progressed, they began to encounter several performance and security limitations: 

1. The i.MX 8M Mini SBC’s GPU, capable of handling basic 2D and 3D graphics, struggled to handle the advanced, high-resolution image rendering needed for real-time ultrasound diagnostics. Ultrasound imaging relies on processing large volumes of data rapidly to generate clear, real-time images of internal organs and tissues. The 8M Mini’s GC320 2D and GCNanoUltra 3D graphics processor lacked the computational bandwidth and pixel throughput needed for these high-definition images, especially when handling multiple frames per second in real-time. This caused a noticeable lag and frame drops, which affected client procedures, especially when doctors needed to make quick diagnostic decisions in critical care.
2. While the i.MX 8M Mini SBC was designed with power efficiency in mind, featuring on-board Power Management ICs (PMICs) to manage power consumption, it fell short when utilized in critical care settings. In these settings, the device needed to support long periods of continuous use without recharging, and these emergency situations have limited access to power due to limited infrastructure and emergencies where focus is on rapid deployment. Despite the low power of the i.MX 8M Mini processor, the combination of high-resolution image processing and wireless data transmission put a lot of strain on the battery, causing it to run out much faster than expected.
3. The standard i.MX 8M Mini SBC had basic security features which were suited for general IoT applications. It lacked the security protocols needed for handling sensitive healthcare data to meet requirements like HIPAA compliance. For example, the standard SBC lacked a hardware-based secure enclave to manage cryptographic keys and enforce secure boot, which makes sure only trusted firmware and software are performed on the device. Without these protections, there was increased risk of data breaches or unauthorized access during transmission of patient information.

From Off-the-Shelf to Custom

Faced with the limitations of the standard i.MX 8M Mini SBC, the manufacturer realized the need for a better solution to overcome these performance bottlenecks. They struggled to find an off-the-shelf solution that met their real-time imaging, compliance, and low power consumption needs. They turned to Ezurio to develop a custom SBC specifically designed for their portable ultrasound devices. 

Ezurio worked closely with the manufacturer to customize the size, performance, and security. Taking a partnership approach, Ezurio worked with the manufacturer from start to finish, designing their board their way. A more powerful processor with Arm Mali-G57 MC3 GPU was selected to support real-time, high-resolution ultrasound imaging, without any lag or dropped frames. 

Additionally, the custom SBC included a Power Management IC alongside dynamic voltage and frequency scaling (DVFS), which adjusted power usage based on workload to prolong battery life during less intensive tasks. 

Lastly, security was a key focus, along with a hardware-based secure enclave, which provided a hardware root-of-trust and secure key storage. Ezurio also integrated multiple layers of software security through our Summit Suite, which managed the device’s security lifecycle. Summit Suite includes Chain of Trust Device Security, Software Vulnerability Monitoring, and FIPS Cryptographic Modules, all from a single partner. These security measures ensured full HIPAA compliance and protected sensitive patient data from potential breaches.

Custom SBC Solutions

If you’re facing similar challenges with your IoT devices, whether it’s performance limitations, power inefficiencies, security concerns, or other issues, Ezurio’s custom SBC solutions can help. Ezurio helps optimize your devices for today’s demanding environments to ensure the cost, form factor, and performance of your SOM or SBC solution fits your exact requirements. 

To learn more about Ezurio’s custom SBC capabilities, visit our website: 

https://www.ezurio.com/single-board-computer/custom-sbc