Data integrity for medical devices using blockchain solutions

Abstract

Methods and apparatus are provided for enhancing data integrity for implantable medical devices. A medical device is provided that is at least partially implantable. The medical device includes an application component configured to apply a therapeutic treatment and/or stimulation signals to a patient. The medical device includes a wireless communication transceiver and a computer memory storing a parameters library and computer readable instructions. A processor is configured to execute the computer readable instructions so as to perform the following steps: control application of therapeutic treatment and/or stimulation signals, via the application component, based on parameters stored in the parameters library; receive, via the wireless communications transceiver, update data representing an update to the parameters library from an external device or system; transmit at least the update data for verification by a blockchain network and addition of the update data to a verified blockchain public ledger including the update data; receive, via the wireless transceiver, blockchain public ledger data based on the verified blockchain public ledger; validate the update to the parameters library based at least on a first condition that the received blockchain public ledger data includes the update data; when the update to the parameters library is validated, control application of therapeutic treatment and/or stimulation signals, via the application component, based on parameters stored in the parameters library including the update data; and when the update to the parameters library is not validated, control the therapy application component so that the update data is not used.