DESC:FIELD
The present disclosure relates to systems for conducting secure operations using blockchain technology.
DEFINITIONS
As used in the present disclosure, the following terms are generally intended to have the meaning as set forth below, except to the extent that the context in which they are used indicate otherwise.
The expression ‘Healthcare Entity’ used hereinafter in this specification refers to one of a hospital, a laboratory, a clinic, a physician's office, a care providing facility and non-governmental organization (NGO).
The expression ‘Consensus decision-making’ used hereinafter in this specification refers to a group decision-making process in which group members develop, and agree to support a decision in the best interest of the whole.
The expression ‘Blockchain’ used hereinafter in this specification refers to a peer to peer distributed ledger where all the peers in the blockchain network have the same copy of the ledger stored locally.
The expression ‘Smart contracts’ used hereinafter in this specification refers to a set of methods which makes sure everything going in and out of a distributed ledger is based on some pre-determined rules.
The expression ‘Cryptography’ used hereinafter in this specification refers to a system which maintains two key features that ensure the integrity of blockchains, cryptographic hash functions and digital signatures. All open-source blockchain protocols have this feature which makes the blockchain network secure.
The expression ‘Internet of Things (IoT) device’ used hereinafter in this specification refers to a smart device such as a mobile phone, PDA or computer connected to the Internet.
These definitions are in addition to those expressed in the art.
BACKGROUND
The background information herein below relates to the present disclosure but is not necessarily prior art.
Organ donation is not a well-defined process in India and many other countries. Individuals suffering from organ failure today face significant challenges in order to obtain a transplant. They are placed on a waiting list and ranked by priority, with the hope that an organ from a deceased donor is available as a transplant match.
In India, the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO) is a National level organization set up under Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, which is responsible for keeping a record for organ donors and recipients. The hospitals and NGOs can get a donor/recipient registered at NOTTO or State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (SOTTO), a state-government body that functions in the same way as the NOTTO but at a state-level. NOTTO and SOTTO are separate bodies with no shared information or communication.
For example, if a recipient is registered only with one SOTTO, there is no way for the recipient to identify a donor, even if the donor is registered with NOTTO and another SOTTO. The process requires both the donors and recipients to be registered which creates a confusion in the process. Further, the internal procedure of NOTTO is neither transparent nor organized. As a result, there may be instances where a match cannot be found even a donated organ is no longer useful for transplanting.
Accordingly, a disadvantage associated with the established process for organ transplant is that the whole process relies on various systems and databases that don’t necessarily communicate with each other, nor does the process define a way to identify a matching donor and a recipient pair. This creates inefficiencies in the transplant system that and encourages flourishing of illegal organ trade.
There is, therefore, felt a need to provide a system for facilitating organ transplant in an organized, transparent and time-efficient manner.
OBJECTS
Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows:
An object of the present disclosure is to provide a system for establishing communication between a donor and a recipient for facilitating an organized organ transplant.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a system for establishing communication between a donor and a recipient for facilitating transparency in process of organ transplant.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a system for establishing communication between a donor and a recipient for facilitating an organ transplant in a time-efficient manner.
Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
SUMMARY
The present disclosure envisages a system for facilitating organ transplant from a deceased person i.e. a donor to a recipient. The system comprises a first internet of things (IoT) device, an assignment module, a second internet of things (IoT) device, a registration module and a blockchain module. The first internet of things (IoT) device is associated with a first healthcare entity to register details of the recipient. The assignment module is configured to assign a blockchain address to the first internet of things (IoT) device. The second internet of things (IoT) device is associated with a second healthcare entity. The registration module is configured to cooperate with the second internet of things (IoT) device to register details of a donor whose organs are available for transplant within a pre-determined time period. The blockchain module is configured to cooperate with the assignament module and the registration module to initiate a blockchain event and assign a unique waiting list number if a matching recipient for organ donation is not found. The blockchain module is further configured to perform a block chain transaction between the second healthcare entity and the donor and execute a smart contract between the donor and the matching recipient, thereby facilitating organ transplant within the pre-determined time period.
In an embodiment, the blockchain module facilitates returning of a unique registration identification for each of the donor.
In an embodiment, the first IoT device and the second IoT device are selected from the group consisting of a personal digital assistant (PDA), a smartphone, a laptop, a notebook, a personal computer, a wireless sensor, consumer electronics, and the like.
The present disclosure also envisages a method for facilitating organ transplant from a deceased person i.e. a donor to a recipient. The method comprises following steps:
a. assigning a blockchain address for first internet of things (IoT) device associated with a first healthcare entity where the recipient is registered for organ transplant;
b. registering said donor details whose organs are available for transplant on a second internet of things (IoT) device associated with a second healthcare entity;
c. initiating a block chain event at the first healthcare entity based on the organ to be transplanted within a pre-determined time period;
d. finding matching recipient at second healthcare entity for organ donation and assigning a unique waiting list number if a matching recipient for organ donation is not found; and
e. performing block chain transactions between the second IoT device at the second healthcare entity and the first IoT device at the first healthcare entity and executing smart contract between the donor and the matching recipient as per the waiting list number and thereby facilitating organ transplant within the pre-determined time period.
In an embodiment, the execution of the smart contract facilitates returning of a unique registration identification for each of the donors.
In an embodiment, the transactions are maintained using public and private key cryptography.
In an embodiment, the public and private key cryptography includes mathematically encrypted long strings of numbers and letters.
In an embodiment, the smart contracts include matching of organs, organ transaction, IoT based data collection and the like.
In an embodiment, each of the IoT based devices is configured to collect data such as organ vital information and location.
In an embodiment, a block chain address and a public communication network facilitates connection between the first IoT device associated with the first healthcare entity for organ transplant and matching the block chain address of the second IoT device associated with the second healthcare entity.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWING
The system for facilitating organ transplant of the present disclosure will now be described with the help of the accompanying drawing, in which:
FiGURE 1 illustrates a block diagram for the system; and
FIGURE 2A and FIGURE 2B illustrate a flow chart depicting method steps for facilitating organ transplant.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
100 – System
102 – First IoT Device
104 – Assignment Module
106 – Second IoT Device
108 – Registration Module
110 – Blockchain Module
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Embodiments, of the present disclosure, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
Embodiments are provided so as to thoroughly and fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to the person skilled in the art. Numerous details, are set forth, relating to specific components, and methods, to provide a complete understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that the details provided in the embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, well-known processes, well-known apparatus structures, and well-known techniques are not described in detail.
The terminology used, in the present disclosure, is only for the purpose of explaining a particular embodiment and such terminology shall not be considered to limit the scope of the present disclosure. As used in the present disclosure, the forms "a,” "an," and "the" may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly suggests otherwise. The terms "comprises," "comprising," “including,” and “having,” are open ended transitional phrases and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, modules, units and/or components, but do not forbid the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The particular order of steps disclosed in the method and process of the present disclosure is not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance as described or illustrated. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.
When an element is referred to as being "mounted on," “engaged to,” "connected to," or "coupled to" another element, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed elements.
The terms first, second, third, etc., should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure as the aforementioned terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another component, region, layer or section. Terms such as first, second, third etc., when used herein do not imply a specific sequence or order unless clearly suggested by the present disclosure.
Terms such as “inner,” “outer,” "beneath," "below," "lower," "above," "upper," and the like, may be used in the present disclosure to describe relationships between different elements as depicted from the figures.
The present disclosure envisages a system for facilitating organ transplant from a deceased person i.e. a donor to a recipient. The system for facilitating organ transplant (herein after referred to as “system 100”) is described below with reference to Figure 1.
The system 100 comprises a first internet of things (IoT) device 102, an assignment module 104, a second internet of things (IoT) device 106, a registration module 108 and a blockchain module 110.
The first internet of things (IoT) device 102 is associated with a first healthcare entity to register details of the recipient. The assignment module 104 is configured to assign a blockchain address to the first internet of things (IoT) device 102.
The second internet of things (IoT) device 106 is associated with a second healthcare entity. The registration module 108 is configured to cooperate with the second internet of things (IoT) device 106 to register details of a donor whose organs are available for transplant within a pre-determined time period.
The blockchain module 110 is configured to cooperate with the assignament module 104 and the registration module 108 to initiate a blockchain event and assign a unique waiting list number if a matching recipient for organ donation is not found. The blockchain module 110 is further configured to perform a block chain transaction between the second healthcare entity and the donor and execute a smart contract between the donor and the matching recipient, thereby facilitating organ transplant within the pre-determined time period. The blockchain module 110 facilitates returning of a unique registration identification for each of the donor.
In an embodiment, the first IoT device 102 and the second IoT device 106 are selected from the group consisting of a personal digital assistant (PDA), a smartphone, a laptop, a notebook, a personal computer, a wireless sensor, consumer electronics, and the like.
Figure 2A and 2B depicts method steps for facilitating organ transplant. The method for facilitating organ transplant is described below.
The method 200 comprises a first IoT device 102 being associated with a first healthcare entity, a second IoT device 106 associated with a second healthcare entity. Each of the first IoT device and the second IoT device being assigned with a block chain address and a public communication network connecting the first IoT device with the second IoT device.
The method 200 includes an IoT based distributed ledger which is secured with cryptographic tools where the organ vitality and organ life can be tracked in real-time.
The method 200 of this disclosure requires a private blockchain consortium between stakeholders due to sensitivity of data and permission control. Proof of Stake is a well-known consensus for a private and permissioned blockchain. The consensus can be a policy based voting meaning if a patient registers with a healthcare, the patient’s identity is validated based on authentication done by the healthcare entity. The authentication is based on government approved biometric records such as aadhar card in India or a social security number.
Privacy and confidentiality is ensured using encryption and certificates are issued by authorized healthcare entities.
Each healthcare entity that is registered for organ transplant is assigned with a blockchain address for the IoT device the healthcare entity is associated with. The healthcare entity approves of the transaction based on the government based identification produced by the donor. This transaction is committed to the ledger. As soon as the registration is done the healthcare entity subsequently initiates a blockchain event. This process invokes smart contract which returns a unique registration identification for the donor. As is known, the digital ledger can only be changed by adding a "block" to the end of the transaction "chain." Participants in the process detect transaction requests, aggregate and validate them, then add the "new blocks" to the chain.
The method 200 depicts a flow chart for facilitating organ transplant. The method 200 comprises steps of assigning a blockchain address for first internet of things (IoT) device associated a first healthcare entity where a recipient is registered for organ transplant (step 202), registering the donor details whose organs are available for transplant on a second internet of things (IoT) device associated with a second healthcare entity (step 204), initiating a block chain event at the first healthcare entity based on the organ to be transplanted within a pre-determined time period (step 206), finding matching recipient at the second healthcare entity for organ donation and assigning a unique waiting list number if a matching recipient for organ donation is not found (208), performing block chain transactions between the second healthcare entity and the donor and executing smart contract between the donor and the matching recipient as per assigned unique waiting list number and thereby facilitating organ transplant within said pre-determined time period (step 210).
Also recipients are awaiting at the first healthcare entity for a suitable organ match. These recipients are assigned with a unique waiting list number. At any point of the time the recipient can ask for the unique waiting list number from the respective healthcare entity the recipient is registered with.
These transaction are securely maintained using public and private key cryptography, which are long strings of numbers and letters mathematically encrypted to provide the surety of the organ transplant transaction. The public and private key cryptography also ensures organized organ transplant.
On the other hand, a prospective recipient approaches a healthcare entity and registers himself/herself with required data. The healthcare entity approves of the transaction based on the government based identification produced by the recipient.
The transaction is committed to the ledger. As soon as the registration is complete, smart contract for organ specific matching is invoked between all entities on the blockchain. Blockchain enables 'smart contracts', which are software-based agreements placed into systems capable of automatically executing and enforcing the terms of the contract.
If there is an available match, representative of the donor at the second healthcare entity is notified through the second IoT device is associated with second healthcare entity, which acts as a blockchain peer. The IoT devices registered with the blockchain network will act as a peer too with all the keys and certificates in place for trust and have its own copy of shared ledger. The Smart contracts will maintain the IoT based data secured with the peer IoT devices.
Thus, employing blockchain technology provides transparent transactions which can be seen and validated by all the stakeholders. The smart contracts in organ-donation primarily includes organ transaction, IoT based data collection etc.
The IoT based devices are used for collecting data of both i.e. the recipient and the donor registered at the first healthcare entity and at the second healthcare entity such as matching of organs, blood type, body size, severity of donor’s medical condition, organ vital information and location i.e. distance between the first healthcare entity and the second healthcare entity to ensure rapid transportation of the required organ from second healthcare entity to the first healthcare entity.
Thus, the method 100 of the present disclosure facilitates organ transplant from donor to recipient in an organized way and ensures transperancy in the process of organ transplant in time efficient manner as compared to conventional methods.
TECHNICAL ADVANCES AND ECONOMICAL SIGNIFICANCE
The present disclosure described herein above has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, the realization of a system for facilitating organ transplant, that:
• facilitates an organized organ transplant;
• facilitates a transparency in the process of organ transplant; and
• facilitates an organ transplant in a time efficient manner.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully reveals the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
Throughout this specification the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.
The use of the expression “at least” or “at least one” suggests the use of one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of the disclosure to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results.
Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like that has been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the disclosure. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form a part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the disclosure as it existed anywhere before the priority date of this application.
While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and component parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation.
,CLAIMS:WE CLAIM:
1. A system (100) for facilitating organ transplant from a deceased person i.e. a donor to a recipient, said system (100) comprising:
a. a first internet of things (IoT) device (102) associated with a first healthcare entity to register details of said recipient;
b. an assignment module (104) configured to assign a blockchain address to said first internet of things (IoT) device (102);
c. a second internet of things (IoT) device (106) associated with a second healthcare entity;
d. a registration module (108) configured to cooperate with said second internet of things (IoT) device (106) to register details of a donor whose organs are available for transplant within a pre-determined time period; and
e. a blockchain module (110) configured to cooperate with said assignament module (104) and said registration module (108) to initiate a blockchain event and assign a unique waiting list number if a matching recipient for organ donation is not found and further configured to perform a block chain transaction between said second healthcare entity and said donor and execute a smart contract between the donor and the matching recipient, thereby facilitating organ transplant within said pre-determined time period.
2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said blockchain module (110) facilitates returning of a unique registration identification for each of said donor.
3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first IoT device (102) and said second IoT device (106) are selected from the group consisting of a personal digital assistant (PDA), a smartphone, a laptop, a notebook, a personal computer, a wireless sensor, consumer electronics, and the like.
4. A method (200) for facilitating organ transplant from a deceased person i.e. a donor to a recipient, said method (200) comprising following steps:
a. assigning (202) a blockchain address for a first internet of things (IoT) device (102) associated with a first healthcare entity that is registered for organ transplant;
b. registering (204) details of said donor whose organs are available for transplant on a second internet of things (IoT) device (106) associated with a second healthcare entity;
c. initiating (206) a block chain event at said first healthcare entity based on said organ to be transplanted within a pre-determined time period;
d. finding (208) matching recipient at second healthcare entity for organ donation and assigning a unique waiting list number if a matching recipient for organ donation is not found; and
e. performing (210) block chain transactions between said second healthcare entity and said donor and executing smart contract between the donor and the matching recipient at said first healthcare entity as per said waiting list number and thereby facilitating organ transplant within said pre-determined time period.
5. The method (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein said smart contract facilitates returning of unique registration identification for each of said donor.
6. The method (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein said transactions are securely maintained using public and private key cryptography.
7. The method (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein said public and private key cryptography includes mathematically encrypted long strings of numbers and letters.
8. The method (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein said smart contracts includes matching of organs, organ transaction, IoT based data collection and the like.
9. The method (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein each of said IoT based devices is configured to collect data such as organ vital information and location.
10. The method (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein a block chain address and a public communication network facilitates connection between said first IoT device associated with said first healthcare entity for organ transplant entity and matching said block chain address of a second IoT device associated with said second healthcare entity.