Distribution of Secure Electronic Health Records in a Blockchain-Enabled H-IoT System

Abstract

The invention relates to a system and method for securely managing and sharing electronic health records (EHRs) in a healthcare environment using blockchain technology and Healthcare Internet of Things (H-IoT) devices. The system integrates a permissioned blockchain network, such as Hyperledger Fabric, to enable secure data storage, transfer, and access. It ensures data confidentiality and integrity by encrypting healthcare data with public-key cryptography and storing it across a distributed ledger, which is accessible only to authorized users with appropriate private keys. The system also facilitates real-time monitoring through H-IoT devices that collect patient health data, which is securely transmitted and processed within the blockchain framework. By leveraging cryptographic techniques and blockchain’s decentralized architecture, the invention addresses challenges related to data security, interoperability, and patient privacy in healthcare settings. The solution provides a scalable, transparent, and auditable platform for the secure exchange of health information across multiple healthcare providers and patients, improving overall healthcare efficiency and compliance with regulatory standards.

Specification

Description:
Field of the Invention:
[001] The invention relates to the integration of Internet of Things (IoT) technology with healthcare systems, with a focus on enhancing the security, efficiency, and accessibility of medical data. Specifically, it addresses the challenges associated with real-time patient monitoring, personalized treatment, and cost reduction by improving electronic health record (EHR) management. Through the use of cryptographic techniques, the invention ensures secure data transfer and storage, safeguarding patient information from cyber threats. By leveraging blockchain technology, the invention enables the sharing of EHRs across different platforms, thereby overcoming issues related to data accessibility and interoperability. This system aims to improve patient care, streamline healthcare operations, and strengthen data security and privacy within medical settings, ultimately providing a robust and scalable solution for modern healthcare needs.
Background of the invention and related prior art:
[002] In recent years, healthcare systems have seen an increasing need for efficient, secure, and accessible electronic health record (EHR) management due to the growing volume of patient data and the demand for real-time access to critical information. Traditional EHR systems often struggle with data fragmentation, limited interoperability, and vulnerability to cyber threats, creating challenges in coordinating patient care across multiple providers and facilities. Additionally, the emergence of Healthcare Internet of Things (H-IoT) devices has introduced new data sources for monitoring patient health in real time, yet integrating this data securely and seamlessly into healthcare systems remains complex. Blockchain technology, particularly through platforms like Hyperledger Fabric, offers a promising solution to these challenges by providing a decentralized, tamper-proof framework for storing and sharing EHRs. This invention combines blockchain and H-IoT to create a secure, scalable infrastructure that enhances data accessibility, interoperability, and privacy while facilitating efficient patient monitoring and streamlined healthcare operations.
[003] A patent document US11996174B2 discloses a distributed transaction and data storage platform including a distributed notary ledger, chain arrayed data store or blockchain and one or more individual user micro-identifier chains that together enable the secure effectuation, recordation and sharing of one or more transactions including electronic health record non-fungible tokens, and/or cybersecure storage of data in an automated, real-time, zero-trust, globally data law and privacy law centric manner while maintaining transaction party confidentiality and preventing chain poisoning.
[004] Another patent WO2020206695A1 discloses implementation of a secure method for facilitating secure exchange of health information among various stakeholders, including data owners or contributors, data requestors or miners, and medical providers, including hospitals, clinics, and research laboratories. Additional aspects of the system provide means for conducting secure research on health data collected from data contributors. Health information is exchanged using a decentralized system that incentivizes data contributors to provide health data to data miners. The data miners, which may be pharmaceutical companies, medical laboratories, or hospitals, use various methods in order to perform research on aggregated contributor data, while maintaining contributor privacy.
[005] A document US20210209249A1 discloses scalable solutions concern transforming each communication network into a network to also automate personalized rapid healthcare support. They integrate biometric identification capabilities into a network entity of, or a resource communicably connectible with, a serving network by using computers to mediate biometric identification and location data. Network operators will provide always on enhanced emergency connectivity for mobility and roaming for user equipment to enable leveraging biometric identification for rapid healthcare support and to produce a unified result set, without risk of undue disclosure of raw biometric data or of selected portions of health profile information. A specially adapted serving network that manages or mediates rapid health care support is supported by a computer system having access to databases with biometric identity or health profile information to be shared as needed with authorized requesters, under confidentiality rules, privacy rules, gating policies, or other pre-defined constraints.
[006] Another document US20190339687A1 discloses an industrial machine predictive maintenance system generally includes a mobile data collector swarm comprising one or more mobile data collectors configured to collect health monitoring data representative of conditions of one or more industrial machines located in an industrial environment; an industrial machine predictive maintenance facility that produces industrial machine service recommendations responsive to the health monitoring data by applying machine fault detection and classification algorithms thereto; and a computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) that produces at least one of orders and requests for service and parts responsive to receiving the industrial machine service recommendations.
[007] A patent document US20170345011A1 discloses a blockchain network that includes first, second, third computers and a server computer at first, second, third and fourth blockchain nodes, respectively. An initial state is processed with a service provider computer by entering a spot rate of a price of a first currency relative to a price of second currency on the blockchain. A trade entry is processed with the first market participant computer by entering contract terms for a contract. The first and second market participant computers process first and second trade affirmations by entering an affirmation of the contract terms. A mark to market is processed with the service provider computer by entering a mark to market rate. All the blockchain nodes validate a signature and contract value received from the service provider computer. A settlement is processed and balances of first and second market participants are updated on the blockchain nodes.
[008] None of these above patents, however alone or in combination, disclose the present invention. The invention consists of certain novel features and a combination of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that various changes in the details may be made without departing from the spirit, or sacrificing any of the advantages of the present invention.
Summary of the invention:
[009] The invention integrates blockchain technology with Healthcare Internet of Things (H-IoT) systems to enhance the security, accessibility, and efficiency of electronic health records (EHRs). Upon user registration, which includes the generation of unique private-public key pairs, users (patients, healthcare providers, and H-IoT devices) authenticate themselves to access and exchange healthcare data. Data is submitted to a Hyperledger Fabric network, where it is encrypted and stored securely on distributed ledgers, ensuring redundancy and fault tolerance. The system leverages chain code to govern data transactions and ensures that only authorized users can access or modify EHRs. Through secure encryption, decentralized storage, and robust authentication, the system guarantees the confidentiality and integrity of patient information while enabling seamless data sharing across various healthcare platforms. This innovation improves patient care, streamlines healthcare operations, and addresses critical challenges in healthcare data management, including security, interoperability, and real-time monitoring.
Detailed description of the invention with accompanying drawings:
[010] For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the invention, there is illustrated in the accompanying drawing a preferred embodiment thereof, from an inspection of which, when considered in connection with the following description, the invention, its preparation, and many of its advantages should be readily understood and appreciated.
[011] The principal object of the invention is to develop distribution of secure electronic health records in a blockchain-enabled H-IoT system. The detailed description of the invention focuses on the secure and efficient management of electronic health records (EHRs) by integrating blockchain technology with Healthcare Internet of Things (H-IoT) devices. This integration ensures secure data transfer, real-time patient monitoring, and enhanced data accessibility while maintaining privacy and confidentiality. The invention utilizes a permissioned blockchain architecture based on Hyperledger Fabric, which ensures data security, transparency, and accountability.
4.1. User Registration and Key Generation:
When a user (either a patient, healthcare provider, or H-IoT device) registers in the system, the process triggers the execution of chaincode within the Hyperledger Fabric network. This chaincode generates a unique private-public key pair for each user. These keys serve as a secure method for authentication and data encryption. Additionally, the system generates a unique ID and password for each user or device for future reference.
4.2. Interaction with H-IoT Devices:
Once the user is registered, they can access healthcare data through a user interface on their device. The system allows H-IoT devices, which are connected to the patient or healthcare provider, to collect health data. This data is then securely transmitted to the healthcare provider's system.
4.3. Healthcare Provider Authentication:
The healthcare provider's system verifies the identity of the patient using the patient's private-public key pair. Upon successful authentication, the system checks the access permissions to determine if the patient is authorized to request or retrieve specific healthcare data.
4.4. Chaincode Execution:
Once authentication is confirmed, the system triggers the execution of chaincode within the Hyperledger Fabric network. This chaincode manages the business logic and rules for data transactions, ensuring that only authorized users can access and exchange healthcare information. The chaincode guarantees that all processes follow the predefined protocols for secure data sharing.
4.5. Data Retrieval and Encryption:
Once the healthcare provider's system is authorized to share the requested healthcare data, the Hyperledger Fabric network retrieves the relevant data from its distributed ledger. This data is then encrypted using the patient's public key to ensure confidentiality during transmission. The encryption ensures that the data is protected from unauthorized access during its journey across the network.


4.6. Transmission to Patient:
The encrypted healthcare data is securely transmitted from the healthcare provider's system to the patient's device over the Hyperledger Fabric network. This secure transmission prevents any tampering or interception of sensitive patient data during the transfer process.
4.7. Data Decryption and Presentation:
Upon receiving the encrypted data, the patient's device decrypts the information using the corresponding private key. The decrypted data is then presented to the patient through an intuitive user interface, allowing them to review their healthcare information. Only authorized patients with the corresponding private key can decrypt and view the data, ensuring that patient privacy is maintained.
4.8. End of Transaction:
After the healthcare data has been successfully transmitted and decrypted, the transaction is complete. The system logs relevant transaction details, such as the time, involved parties, and the nature of the request, ensuring full auditability. This log helps ensure accountability, transparency, and traceability of all actions taken within the system.
User and H-IoT Device Registration:
Each time a new user or H-IoT device joins the system, they must go through the registration process. New users or devices that are not yet part of the system must register to be recognized as nodes in the network. The registration process includes generating a private-public key pair and creating a unique ID and password for future access. The system relies on X.509 certificates to verify the identities of users and devices, following the Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) model. Membership Service Providers (MSPs) ensure that the identities are verifiable and trustworthy.
Chaincode Modeling:
The business logic governing the healthcare data exchange is implemented in the chaincode. Chaincode is responsible for specifying the allowed operations on the blockchain, such as querying, creating, modifying, and deleting healthcare data records. During the chaincode modeling phase, developers write the chaincode using programming languages like Go or JavaScript. This chaincode enforces rules regarding access control, transaction integrity, and data management.
Data Storage in the Blockchain:
Healthcare data is stored in the Hyperledger Fabric blockchain in an encrypted format. This distributed ledger architecture ensures that patient information is tamper-proof, secure, and redundant. Only authorized users with the appropriate decryption keys can access or modify the data. The blockchain acts as a transparent and secure repository for patient records, enhancing trust and accountability in the healthcare ecosystem.
Data Retrieval and Integrity:
In the requesting phase, the health center initiates the process to confirm medical records stored in a Data Lake storage. The system ensures the secure retrieval of medical records by verifying the requesting health center's identity and confirming the integrity of the requested data. This phase involves additional security measures to ensure that only authorized entities can request and retrieve data.
[012] Overall, this invention integrates blockchain technology, cryptographic techniques, and H-IoT devices to create a robust, secure, and efficient healthcare data exchange system. By combining these technologies, the system enhances patient care, streamlines healthcare operations, and ensures the privacy and integrity of sensitive medical data across all participating entities.
Figure 1. Working methodology details according to the embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2. Verifying the identity and validating the integrity of the requested data according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[013] Without further elaboration, the foregoing will so fully illustrate my invention, that others may, by applying current of future knowledge, readily adapt the same for use under various conditions of service. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Advantages over the prior art
[014] Distribution of secure electronic health records in a blockchain-enabled H-IoT system proposed by the present invention has the following advantages over the prior art:
1. Enhanced Data Security and Privacy: By using blockchain's cryptographic techniques and decentralized architecture, patient data is securely encrypted, preventing unauthorized access or tampering. The system ensures that only authorized users with the appropriate private keys can access sensitive medical records, thereby safeguarding patient privacy.
2. Improved Interoperability: The use of a permissioned blockchain, such as Hyperledger Fabric, facilitates seamless data exchange across multiple healthcare providers, H-IoT devices, and systems. This ensures that healthcare data is accessible across platforms while maintaining compatibility with existing healthcare IT infrastructure, addressing the challenge of data fragmentation in traditional systems.
3. Decentralized and Fault-Tolerant Storage: Storing healthcare data on a distributed ledger across multiple peers ensures redundancy and fault tolerance. This decentralized approach reduces the risk of data loss and ensures that records are always accessible, even if one or more nodes go offline.
4. Transparency and Auditability: Blockchain's immutable ledger provides a transparent and tamper-proof record of all transactions. Every data access or modification is logged, creating a detailed audit trail that can be accessed for accountability, compliance, and forensic analysis, which is crucial for healthcare organizations to meet regulatory requirements.
5. Real-Time Monitoring and Access: The integration of H-IoT devices allows real-time patient monitoring, enabling healthcare providers to make timely, data-driven decisions. Additionally, patients can securely access their health records from any device, promoting patient empowerment and participation in their own healthcare management.
6. Scalability and Efficiency: The use of Hyperledger Fabric's modular architecture, including Docker containers for deployment, ensures that the system is scalable and adaptable to growing healthcare needs. It can handle increasing amounts of data and users without compromising performance or security.
7. Cost Reduction: By automating data exchange and eliminating intermediaries, blockchain-based healthcare systems can reduce administrative overhead, streamline processes, and lower operational costs. This also leads to faster data retrieval and reduced errors associated with manual handling of records.
8. Data Integrity and Accuracy: Blockchain ensures that once data is recorded, it cannot be altered without detection. This guarantees the integrity and accuracy of medical records, helping prevent errors in diagnosis and treatment caused by outdated or incorrect information.
9. Patient-Centered Care: The system gives patients greater control over their medical data, allowing them to grant or revoke access to specific healthcare providers or organizations. This fosters a more personalized and collaborative approach to patient care.
[015] In the preceding specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments thereof. It will be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereunto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims that follow. The specification and drawings are accordingly to be regarded in an illustrative rather than restrictive sense. Therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. The matter set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustration only and not as a limitation. The actual scope of the invention is intended to be defined in the following claims when viewed in their proper perspective based on the prior art.
, Claims:We claim:
1. Distribution of secure electronic health records in a blockchain-enabled H-IoT system comprising of:
(a) registering users including patients, healthcare providers, and Healthcare Internet of Things (H-IoT) devices with a system, wherein each user is assigned a unique ID and a private-public key pair;
(b) authenticating users based on their private-public key pairs to ensure secure access to healthcare data;
(c) storing the healthcare data in a permissioned blockchain network using a distributed ledger, where the healthcare data is encrypted using the public key of the user submitting the data;
(d) facilitating secure data transfer between healthcare providers and patients via the blockchain network, where the data is decrypted using the private key of the patient upon receipt.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the blockchain network is based on Hyperledger Fabric, and the data transactions are governed by chain code to enforce access control and data sharing rules.
3. A system for secure electronic health record management, comprising:
(a) a user registration module configured to generate private-public key pairs and unique IDs for users and H-IoT devices;
(b) a data authentication module that verifies the identity of users based on their private-public key pairs before granting access to healthcare data;
(c) a distributed ledger storage module that stores encrypted healthcare data across multiple nodes in a permissioned blockchain network;
(d) a data transfer module configured to securely transmit encrypted data between healthcare providers and patients over the blockchain network;
(e) a decryption module that enables authorized users to decrypt received data using their private keys.
4. The system of claim 3, wherein the blockchain network employs Hyperledger Fabric and uses Docker containers for scalability and deployment management.
5. A method of authenticating healthcare data transactions, comprising:
(a) registering a user with the system by generating a private-public key pair and associating the user with a unique ID;
(b) submitting a data request to the system, wherein the user is authenticated using their private key for authentication;
(c) verifying the identity and access permissions of the requesting user before granting access to healthcare data;
(d) storing the encrypted healthcare data in the blockchain network, wherein the data is accessible only to authorized users with appropriate private keys.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the data is encrypted using the public key of the submitting user and decrypted using the corresponding private key of the receiving user.
7. A system for real-time monitoring and secure data exchange in a healthcare setting, comprising:
(a) an H-IoT device configured to collect real-time patient health data;
(b) a blockchain network for securely storing and sharing the collected data, where the data is encrypted before transmission and stored in a distributed ledger;
(c) a healthcare provider system that receives and decrypts the data from the blockchain using the provider's private key, and provides access to authorized users only.
8. The system of claim 7, further comprising a membership service provider (MSP) that manages the identities of participants in the blockchain network using X.509 certificates.
9. A method of ensuring data integrity in healthcare systems, comprising:
(a) generating a cryptographic hash of healthcare data before adding it to the blockchain ledger;
(b) storing the cryptographic hash of the data in the distributed ledger;
(c) enabling verification of the integrity of healthcare data by comparing the retrieved data's hash with the stored hash to ensure it has not been tampered with.
10. A method of ensuring compliance with healthcare regulations, comprising:
(a) implementing an auditable and transparent record of all healthcare data transactions on a blockchain ledger;
(b) enabling authorized healthcare providers and patients to access the audit trail of data exchanges for compliance with industry regulations such as HIPAA;
(c) logging each transaction involving healthcare data, including data access requests and modifications, to ensure traceability and accountability.

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