(Darmstadt) Medical digital twins are virtual representations of a patient based on anatomical, physiological, diagnostic, and treatment-related information from multiple sources. By leveraging known correlations between medical parameters, they are able not only to consolidate existing data, but also to derive new information. However, because health data is so sensitive, it is subject to the strict requirements of the EU General Data Protection Regulation.

Secure storage using attribute-based keys

Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Computer Graphics Research IGD and the Fraunhofer Institute for Secure Information Technology SIT are working together to develop new concepts for the secure storage and processing of medical data. In contrast to the usual market approach, the MeDiTwin project at the National Research Center for Applied Cybersecurity (ATHENE) focuses on decentralized storage with granular access control. “The system is accessed via attribute-based keys, so that only authorized persons can see the relevant information,” explains Prof. Jörn Kohlhammer, Head of the Competence Center for Information Visualization and Visual Analytics at Fraunhofer IGD. Instead of centralizing health data in a single system, such as the cloud, which could be completely compromised by a cyberattack, the data remains encrypted and stored in a distributed system.

Simplifying access rights management

In addition to data security, user-friendliness plays a key role in MeDiTwin. Patients should have a clear understanding of what data they are sharing and how it will affect them. This empowers them to make more informed decisions and take control of their health information. Intuitive visualization plays a crucial role in this. “Our dashboards provide a clear overview of what data is stored, who currently has access to it, and what information is relevant to medical decisions,” says Prof. Kohlhammer.

Enhanced data insight through intuitive visualization

In MeDiTwin, physicians have the ability to request and view specific types of data, such as lab values or images. In MeDiTwin, data can be visualized not only as single data points, but also as curve charts that highlight developments over time. This visual display makes it easier for patients themselves to see trends at a glance and take early action in response to changes. Future plans include adding additional information to medical image data to provide a more personalized understanding of disease.

Demonstrator at DMEA: interactive use of Digital twins.

At this year’s DMEA, Fraunhofer IGD will present the current development status of MeDiTwin as a proof of concept and in a prototypical implementation. Using a demonstrator, the researchers will show how digital twins can be used in a variety of medical scenarios, including nephrology, chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and Parkinson's disease.

“Our long-term goal is to develop a solution that is flexible enough to adapt to new regulatory requirements and technical developments,” explains Dr.-Ing. Stefan Wesarg, Head of Visual Healthcare Technologies at Fraunhofer IGD. Enhancements to the user interface are in the works, as well as new visualization options to help make the data even easier to understand.

About ATHENE

ATHENE is a research center of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft comprising the Fraunhofer Institutes SIT and IGD and involving the Technical University of Darmstadt, Goethe University Frankfurt and Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences. It has been funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and the Hessian Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and the Arts (HMWK) since 2019. ATHENE is now the largest and most successful cybersecurity research center in Europe. It conducts mission-oriented, cutting-edge research focused on efficient knowledge transfer and rapid utilization of research results.