USES OF BLOCKCHAIN IN ADVANCED MEDICAL IOT DEVICES

Abstract

Blockchain technology, when coupled with the Internet of Things (IoT) has been identified as a possible solution to tackle some of challenges affecting today’s health care systems. The use of wearables, sensors, and remote monitoring tools in the provision of medical IoT has greatly improved on the patient care since time and constant monitoring is possible. Such devices produce largeamounts of ‘big’ patient data which are becoming a major security, privacyand management challenge due to increasing volume and variability. Another common challenge is that of integration where different devices and healthcare systems can and should work together; this integration often proves very difficult. With the help of a decentralized and essentially unalterable technology of the Blockchain, there exists a unique solution to these problems. The use of blockchain can also mean that data that is collected within the healthcare industry remains safe, transparent, and immutable which in effect will make the data more trustworthy. The core idea of the technology to allow people to exchange data with each other while providing a secure and public ledger that witnesses all the transactions eliminates the two primary issues affecting cryptocurrency, which are privacy and data transparency. This paper aims at establishing how Blockchain can be beneficial in addressing the security challenges and improving the reliability of medical IoT devices; especially in smart healthcare. The study seeks to uncover how Blockchain could solve the weakness related to data security threats and risks, unauthorized access, and system interfaces. Through Blockchain, it is possible to develop a personnel, protocol of storing and sharing medical data in which the main functions will be based on decentralized principles. In addition, Blockchain’s smart contracts and decentralized applications (dApps) can assist in automating processes, improving efficiency of various processes, and strengthening real time decision making. There is a review of the current challenges to health care Blockchain, including regulations, Blockchain size, and the need for contemporary standardization. It also discusses the prospects for difficulty faced when implementing Blockchain into existing medical IoT architectures and frameworks, relating to technical and practical infeasibilities. Consequently, the paper offers the reader enhanced understanding of how Blockchain technology may be of utility in increasing the security and effectiveness of healthcare IoT networks. Further, this research provides decision-makers, care-providers, policy-makers and technology vendors with practical guidelines for its tangible and effective interoperability with medical IoT devices. The study presents Blockchain implementation as an opportunity to revolutionize healthcare management, data protection, and care delivery systems. The paper concludes by identifying existing challenges and enunciating measures to enhance the healthcare Internet of Things secured by Blockchain applications.