Wearable Defibrillator Data Storage Using Blockchain Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wearable cardioverter defibrillator (WCD) systems face challenges with centralized data storage, which limits access, complicates data aggregation, and makes it difficult to track changes in patient data, as all data must be transferred and reformatted for access across different systems.
Innovation Solution
Implementing blockchain technology for secure, immutable storage of patient data, where data is encoded into blocks forming a chain, allowing secure access and tracking of changes, enabling multiple systems to access patient data without format conversion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If centralized data storage is used in WCD systems, then data can be stored in a single location, but access is limited, data aggregation is complicated, and tracking changes becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments patient data into discrete blocks that are distributed across multiple nodes in a blockchain network. Each block contains specific data segments (e.g., vital signs, medication records) and is linked to the previous block through cryptographic hashing. This segmentation enables multiple systems to access different data blocks simultaneously without centralized bottlenecks, while the chain structure maintains data integrity through immutable linking.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-dimensional centralized storage model to a multi-dimensional distributed ledger. Data is organized across multiple dimensions: temporal (chronological block chaining), spatial (distributed across network nodes), and hierarchical (data blocks organized into chains). This dimensional expansion enables simultaneous access from multiple systems while maintaining a single source of truth through the blockchain's consensus mechanism.
2Device complexity
If data is stored in a centralized system, then storage is simple, but data must be transferred and reformatted for access across different systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal blockchain data structure that serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a distributed database, a security layer through cryptography, a communication protocol between systems, and an audit trail. The standardized block format with fields for data payload, timestamp, previous block hash, and digital signature enables diverse medical systems to interchange data without format conversion, as each system can read and write to the same universal structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameters of data storage from centralized control to distributed consensus. Key parameter changes include: storage location (from single server to multiple nodes), access control (from centralized authentication to cryptographic key pairs), and data immutability (from modifiable centralized database to hash-linked immutable chain). These parameter changes enable system interoperability while maintaining data security and integrity.
3Ease of operation
If centralized storage is used, then data can be managed in one place, but it is difficult to track changes in patient data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous feedback through the blockchain's consensus mechanism and immutable audit trail. Each data modification triggers a new block creation that is validated by network nodes before being added to the chain. The cryptographic hash of each block serves as feedback confirming the integrity and timing of data changes. This feedback loop provides real-time tracking of all data modifications without requiring centralized monitoring, as the distributed network automatically validates and records changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-linking each data block to its predecessor through cryptographic hashing before data is finalized or accessed. This preliminary chaining ensures that the complete history of data changes is established in advance, creating an immutable audit trail. When data is written to the blockchain, the link to the previous state is already in place, making it impossible to alter historical data without breaking the chain's cryptographic integrity. This preliminary action enables complete change tracking without requiring post-hoc analysis.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a method to store data collected by a wearable cardioverter defibrillator (WCD) is described. The method includes connecting to at least one sensor and obtaining a signal from the at least one sensor. The method also includes analyzing the signal from the at least one sensor into usable data and cataloguing the data into one or more segments. The method encrypts the one or more segments and sends the encrypted one or more segments to a verified distributed network.