Decentralized Fluid Delivery Event Tracking via Blockchain

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional medical devices are vulnerable to cyber-security threats, particularly in decentralized healthcare systems where patient data and administrative authority are centralized, risking patient well-being and financial fraud through unauthorized access or manipulation of medical records.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing a network of processing nodes to manage fluid delivery events and transactions via a blockchain, ensuring secure, decentralized record-keeping and transaction validation, where fluid delivery devices communicate with record management nodes to trigger appropriate actions and payments based on predefined criteria, using unique identifiers and executable code embedded in blockchain records.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional centralized hospital information systems are used to manage medical devices and patient data, then administrative authority and information can be efficiently managed, but the system becomes vulnerable to cyber-security threats and centralized points of failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity and data integrityVSAvoidsystem architecture

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the centralized hospital information system into multiple distributed processing nodes that independently validate and store medical device data. Each node operates autonomously while contributing to the collective security and integrity of the system, eliminating the single point of failure inherent in centralized architectures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a blockchain intermediary layer between medical devices and the hospital information system. This intermediary uses cryptographic validation and distributed consensus mechanisms to secure data transmission and storage, protecting against cyber threats while maintaining system efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If medical devices are physically contained within hospital boundaries with firewalls and security software, then security defense is simplified, but the system cannot protect against determined cyber-attacks that compromise patient well-being and financial integrity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecyber-security threatsVSAvoidsecurity management

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the threat of cyber-attacks into a benefit by using the same network connectivity that enables attacks to also enable distributed validation. The system uses cryptographic signatures and consensus algorithms that make it computationally infeasible to compromise patient data or initiate fraudulent transactions, even if nodes are physically accessible.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Productivity

If centralized administrative authority manages fluid delivery transactions and payments, then transaction processing is streamlined, but the system is susceptible to financial fraud and unauthorized access

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransaction processing efficiencyVSAvoidtransaction integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges transaction validation, payment processing, and record-keeping into a single distributed ledger system. Multiple nodes simultaneously validate fluid delivery events and execute payments according to predefined smart contracts, achieving both efficiency through automation and integrity through distributed consensus.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements continuous feedback loops where distributed nodes monitor and validate each transaction in real-time. The system automatically detects and rejects fraudulent transactions through cryptographic verification and consensus mechanisms, providing immediate feedback that prevents financial fraud while maintaining processing speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS20220339355A1Fluid delivery event tracking and transaction management

Publication Date: 2022.10.27 FRESENIUS KABI USA LLC

AI summary

A system includes: a fluid delivery pump and a network of multiple record management processing nodes. The fluid delivery pump is in communication with one or more of the record management-processing nodes in the network. At least a first record management processing node receives input indicating a fluid delivery event. The fluid delivery event indicates fluid delivery from the fluid delivery pump to a recipient. The record management-processing node identifies code pertinent to the fluid delivery event; the code includes criteria in which to validate the fluid delivery event. In response to validation of the fluid delivery event as specified by the criteria in the code, a resource such as the record management-processing node triggers a transaction associated with the fluid delivery event.