AdaCore + Medical
Medical devices increasingly rely on sophisticated software to deliver life-saving functionality, from diagnostic systems like EKGs and MRI machines to therapeutic devices such as infusion pumps, artificial hearts, and insulin delivery systems. As these systems grow more complex and interconnected, ensuring their safety and security has never been more critical.
Where Our Technology Makes a Difference
Diagnostic Systems
Modern diagnostic equipment, from EKG monitors and ultrasound machines to advanced MRI and CT scanners, relies on sophisticated software algorithms for accurate patient assessment. These systems must process real-time data with precision while maintaining patient safety and data security. Any software malfunction could lead to misdiagnosis or delayed treatment, making reliability and formal verification essential.
Therapeutic Devices
Life-sustaining therapeutic devices such as infusion pumps, ventilators, artificial hearts, and insulin delivery systems require software that operates flawlessly under all conditions. These devices directly control patient treatment, where software errors can have immediate life-threatening consequences. The software must meet the highest safety standards while providing reliable, predictable operation.
Implantable Devices
Pacemakers, defibrillators, cochlear implants, and other implantable medical devices demand ultra-reliable software that can operate safely for years within the human body. These systems must handle real-time physiological data, maintain wireless connectivity for monitoring, and resist cybersecurity attacks, all while consuming minimal power and operating within strict safety parameters.
Connected Health Systems
Modern medical devices increasingly connect to hospital networks, cloud platforms, and mobile applications for remote monitoring and data analysis. This connectivity introduces cybersecurity challenges that must be addressed without compromising device functionality or patient privacy. Secure communication protocols and robust software architecture are essential for protecting patient data and preventing unauthorized device access.
Complexity, Compliance, and Patient Safety
Software Complexity
As diagnostic, therapeutic, and monitoring systems become increasingly complex, software defects can directly impact patient outcomes, making reliability essential for patient safety.
Industry Compliance
IEC 62304 Class C compliance demands rigorous development processes and extensive documentation for life-critical software.
Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity vulnerabilities in connected medical devices create new attack vectors that could compromise patient care.
Reactive Cost Burden
Software-related recalls are increasing, with costs reaching millions of dollars and damaging manufacturer reputations.
All-in-One Software Developer Toolkit
AdaCore provides compilation, verification, and certification-ready tools for Ada, C/C++, and Rust, supporting platforms from bare-metal embedded systems to full server environments. Integrated testing and analysis, combined with compliance with industry standards, ensure robust, mission-critical software development.
Development
Ada, C/C++ and Rust
Support is provided for a wide set of languages relevant to embedded and safety-critical software development:
- Ada 83, 95, 2005, 2012 and 2022
- C89 to C20 and C++98 to C++20
- Rust starting with 1.77.2
DevOps
All tools provided for developers are DevOps ready and can be integrated in off-the shelf or custom pipelines.
Customizable Run-Times
Language run-times can be customized to limit the number of code they contain, from full capability to minimized resource footprint and certification costs, allowing them to be used on large server system as well as resource constrained environments.
LLVM and GCC
AdaCore toolchain are industrial-grade version of the GCC and LLVM compilers, allowing ease of integration in widespread and known environments and pipelines.
Verification
Static Analysis for Ada
Static Analysis technologies is provided for all version of Ada. It covers area such as:
- Code issue scanning
- Cybersecurity weaknesses detection
- Bug identification
- Metric computation
Static Analysis for C/C++
Static Analysis technologies is provided for C/C++. It covers area such as:
- Code issue scanning
- Cybersecurity weaknesses detection
- Bug identification
- Coding standard compliance, including MISRA-C and MISRA-C++
- Metric computation
Dynamic Analysis Suite
Dynamic Analysis covers Ada, C/C++ and Rust, addressing various areas:
- Unit Testing
- Structural Code Coverage up to MC/DC
- Code Fuzzing
Compliance
Vulnerability Monitoring
AdaCore tools are provided with long term support and vulnerability monitoring, able to provide insights on potential issues, impact analysis, mitigation technique and fixes years after initial delivery.
Software Bill of Material
AdaCore produces Software Bills of Materials (SBOMs) for all AdaCore products supplied in the industry-standard SPDX format, allowing automated incorporation into customers’ vulnerability management and reporting systems.
Elevate Safety with MISRA C/C++, Rust, and SPARK
SPARK, Rust, and MISRA C/C++ offer a gradient of possibilities for approaching safety. These are not just about different languages; they are about shifting developers' mindsets and processes when pursuing the highest level of reliability.
A formally verifiable subset of Ada that enables mathematical proof of correctness. Eliminates entire classes of errors, providing the highest level of assurance for critical software.
A modern systems language with ownership and borrowing to enforce memory safety. Reduces runtime risks, though concurrency and “unsafe” code require careful handling.
Widely used industry guidelines that mitigate many of C/C++’s inherent risks. Helps structure development, but safety depends on process discipline.
Powering the Widest Range of Platforms in the Industry
We support over one hundred off-the-shelf and custom platforms across the industry.
Develop Security-Hardened Medical Software
Learn how Hillrom increased the security of their software with SPARK
Trusted Across the Industry
Over one hundred companies across high-integrity industries have chosen our technology to meet the highest standards of safety, reliability, and performance.
Hillrom decided to migrate from C++ to Ada and SPARK for ECG algorithm development. This includes both new code as well as translation of some legacy C++ applications to Ada and SPARK.
Our heart pump has to work uninterrupted throughout the life of the patient. The quality and reliability of all parts of the system are crucial. We want to create software with the highest level of safety, and we know that SPARK together with Ada is the best option.
