Systems and methods for using blockchain to secure data acquired in surgical and other medical procedures
Inventors
Teodorescu, Mike Horia Mihail • Rakin, Atif Mohammad • Comanescu, Gelu
Assignees
Publication Number
US-12250329-B2
Publication Date
2025-03-11
Expiration Date
2042-08-23
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Abstract
A data management system for managing data acquired during medical procedures is disclosed. The data management system may include a centralized database and/or a plurality of databases storing procedure records. Each of the procedure records comprises data acquired by a data acquisition system during a medical procedure performed on a specific patient. The data management system enables users to access, search and perform analytics on data in the databases. The system may further include a blockchain configured to render immutable the data in the centralized database and databases. The data management system may include a centralized data access system enabling users to access the plurality of databases even when each of the databases are operated by different healthcare providers and when the procedure records in the databases are owned by the different owners. The data acquisition system may be part of a portable-surgical-system for performing surgery in the field.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a data-management-system for managing data acquired during medical procedures. This system comprises a centralized database that stores procedure records, each including data from data-acquisition systems during medical procedures performed on specific patients. It enables users to access, search, and perform analytics on the data stored within the centralized database.
The system includes multiple data-acquisition systems connected to the centralized database, each equipped with sensors monitoring physiological parameters, operator-input modules for receiving procedure and patient information, and de-identification modules to remove identifiable patient information. The data-management-system also integrates a blockchain system to render data immutable by storing datasets or their hashes on the blockchain, thereby assuring data integrity and preventing unauthorized alterations.
An alternative embodiment includes a centralized-data-access system that connects multiple databases, each possibly owned by different healthcare providers, allowing users to access and analyze de-identified medical procedure data across various sources securely. The data-acquisition system may be part of a portable surgical system enabling data capture in diverse environments outside standard operating rooms, such as in the field or residential settings.
Claims Coverage
The patent discloses 19 inventive features across independent claims relating to data-management systems and methods for securing medical procedure data using blockchain technology.
Data management with centralized database and blockchain integration
A data-management-system comprising a centralized database storing procedure records acquired during medical procedures, user-access and search modules, multiple data-acquisition systems with sensors and operator inputs, de-identification modules, record generation, display modules, and a blockchain system configured to store datasets or hashes of datasets within procedure records.
Storage of datasets or their copies on blockchain
Each procedure record comprises one or more datasets or copies thereof that are stored on the blockchain system at specific dataset addresses, ensuring immutability and traceability.
Hash calculation and storage for data integrity
A hash module calculates hashes for datasets of procedure records, stores these hashes on the blockchain as block-hashes with associated addresses, and stores these block-hash addresses in the centralized database, enabling data integrity verification.
Data verification using blockchain hashes
A data-verification module verifies dataset integrity within procedure records by calculating dataset hashes and comparing them to corresponding block-hashes stored on the blockchain to detect unauthorized modifications.
Classification of procedure records into data classes
A classification module selects classification parameters to form data classes comprising one or more procedure records, facilitating data organization and retrieval.
Partitioning data classes into datasets with hash and blockchain storage
Data within each data class is partitioned into datasets; a hash module calculates hashes for these datasets, storing the block-hashes on the blockchain with addresses, and storing the addresses in the centralized database.
Inclusion of imaging and sound data with classification
Data-acquisition systems include imaging devices capturing video and photographic data, sound-recording devices capturing sound during procedures; procedure records include these data types and the classification module categorizes them into video, photographic, sound, text, and sensor data.
Data analytics module for performing scientific studies
A data-analytics module enables users to perform data analytics and scientific studies on the data stored in the centralized database.
Portable surgical system integration
Data-acquisition systems may be integrated within portable surgical systems configured for performing surgical procedures in non-traditional environments such as field settings, outdoors, tents, cottages, and residential rooms.
Centralized data access across multiple databases with blockchain
A data-management-system using a centralized-data-access-system connecting multiple databases owned by different healthcare providers, each connected to data-acquisition systems with sensors, operator inputs, de-identification, and blockchain systems storing datasets or their hashes, along with user-interface and search modules.
Ownership of databases by distinct healthcare providers
Each connected database in the system is individually owned by different healthcare service providers, ensuring data ownership decentralization.
Hash calculation and blockchain storage across multiple databases
Hash modules calculate hashes for datasets within procedure records across multiple databases, storing these as block-hashes on blockchains with associated addresses to ensure data integrity.
Data verification across distributed databases using blockchain
Data-verification modules verify dataset integrity by recalculating hashes and comparing them to block-hashes stored on blockchains, applicable across multiple databases.
Classification modules for data classes across distributed databases
Centralized-data-access-systems include classification modules that select parameters to form data classes grouping procedure records for analytics and access.
Partitioning, hashing, and blockchain storage of data classes
Data in each data class is partitioned into datasets; hashes are calculated and stored on blockchains with addresses recorded in the system for immutable tracking.
Inclusion and classification of imaging and sound data across distributed databases
Data-acquisition-systems include imaging and sound recording devices; procedure records across databases comprise video, photographic, and sound data, classified into respective data types by classification modules.
Data analytics across multiple distributed databases
Data-analytics modules enable users to perform scientific studies and analytics on data in each database within the multi-database system.
Portable surgical system integration across distributed databases
Data-acquisition-systems forming part of portable surgical systems for surgeries in non-traditional environments are included within the multi-database system.
Method for sensor data acquisition, de-identification, hashing, blockchain storage, and analytics
A method entailing receiving sensors and operator data during medical procedures, forming de-identified procedure data structures, storing procedure records in service-provider databases, partitioning records into datasets, displaying physiological parameters, calculating block-hashes with hash functions, storing hashes on blockchain, enabling user search and analytics, classification of procedure records, and usage of portable surgical systems in various environments.
The claimed invention encompasses a comprehensive data-management system and method featuring collection, de-identification, storage, classification, verification, and analytics of medical procedure data across centralized or distributed databases, employing blockchain technology to ensure data immutability and integrity, and supporting access and usage by authorized users, including integration with portable surgical systems.
Stated Advantages
Ensures data integrity and immutability of medical procedure records through blockchain technology, preventing data breaches and falsification.
Enables centralized access and search of de-identified medical procedure data across multiple healthcare providers and databases, facilitating research and analytics.
Supports rich data types including physiological sensor data, imaging, video, photographic, and sound data, enhancing medical insights and studies.
Facilitates classification and grouping of procedure records into data classes based on various parameters to optimize data analytics and scientific studies.
Accommodates use in diverse environments by integrating with portable surgical systems capable of capturing and transmitting data even in field or remote settings.
Documented Applications
Managing data acquired during surgical and other medical procedures, including patient monitoring parameters and imaging data.
Performing scientific studies, data analytics, and research on large aggregated sets of de-identified medical procedure data from multiple healthcare providers.
Providing a secure and immutable record-keeping system for protecting patient data privacy and preventing unauthorized data alterations.
Enabling surgical procedures in unconventional environments such as field settings, outdoors, tents, cottages, or residential rooms using portable surgical systems with embedded data acquisition.
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