Implementation of Blockchain Standards for Compliance and Trust in Medical Implants Supply Chain

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Computer, Faculty of Statics, Mathematics and Computer Sciences, Western Sydney University, Sydney, Astralia

2 Department of Statistics, Mathematics and Computer Sciences, Allameh Tabataba'i University, Tehran, Iran

3 Department of Biomedical Engineering, Research Center of Technology and Eng. , Standard Research Institute, Karaj, Iran

Abstract

Nowadays, medical implants are widely used in treating, monitoring, and restoring limb function. These implants are made of biocompatible artificial materials and are planted in patients’ bodies for medical purposes usually for a long time. One reason for the boost in the applications of these devices is the increase in the elderly population given the rise in life expectancy, especially in developed countries. Implantation of fake implant can cause infection and pain in the patient who use the implant. Therefore, the existence of a reliable supply chain is necessary. Blockchain is a good candidate as a platform for supply chain. blockchain transactions are irreversible in that, once they are recorded, the data in any given block cannot be altered retroactively without altering all subsequent blocks. Also register of new information should be done conditionally by nodes consensus, so the trustworthiness can be improved.

The aim of this study is to develop a “Medical Implants Blockchain” as a national tracking supply chain system based on blockchain technology. This system is designed to support medical implants traceability and can be used to address the problems of implants expiration and record fraud. Registering and monitoring medical implants in an integrated system plays a key role in improving consumer safety. The system could provide valuable information for various levels of users, such as supervisory bodies, manufacturers, and consumers. Based upon blockchain information, design of a secure recommender system with preserving privacy is possible.

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