Method and system for performing cell operations using a verifiable data structure
A method and system for performing operations on cells in an instrument wherein the performance of operations on cell samples is controlled and data relating to the operations is generated, a unique identifier is associated with the instrument, the generated data is encrypted with a key corresponding to the unique identifier and a hash of one of the generated data and the encrypted generated data is created to enable verification of the integrity thereof. The hash is stored for later verification of data.
1 . A method for performing operations on cells in an instrument comprising the steps of:
controlling the performance of operations on cell samples wherein data relating to the operations is generated;
associating a unique identifier with the instrument;
encrypting the generated data with a key corresponding to the unique identifier; and
creating a hash of one of the generated data and the encrypted generated data to enable verification of the integrity thereof; and
storing the hash for later verification of data.
2 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the unique identifier is a public key of a public key/private key pair and wherein the step of encrypting is performed using the private key.
3 . The method according to claim 2 , wherein the instrument includes one or more processors and read only memories and wherein the private key is derived from data stored in the read only memories.
4 . The method according to claim 2 , wherein the private key is stored remotely and supplied to the instrument for encryption.
5 . The method according to claim 2 , wherein the private key is derived from data stored in a secure element.
6 . The method according to 1 , further comprising providing a time stamp and combining the time stamp with the hash for the verification of the integrity of data.
7 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the step of controlling is according to at least one protocol and wherein metadata is hashed.
8 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the generated data includes image data.
9 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the generated data includes metadata.
10 . The method according to claim 9 , wherein the metadata includes cell line identification data.
11 . The method according to claim 9 , wherein the metadata includes user identification data.
12 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the verifiable data archive is a blockchain network.
13 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the hash is published in a widely circulated and dated publication.
14 . The method according to claim 13 , wherein the publication is a private publication.
15 . The method according to claim 13 , wherein the publication is a government publication.
16 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the instrument is a cell culture instrument.
17 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the hash is transmitted by a network interface.
18 . An instrument for performing operations on cells and having a unique identifier associated therewith, the instrument comprising:
at least one processor and memory connected thereto and having a program stored therein, wherein the at least one process or running the program is configured to control the performance of operations on cell samples wherein data relating to the operations is generated and wherein the at least one processor running the program is configured to encrypt the generated data with a key corresponding to the unique identifier, hash one of the generated data and the encrypted data to enable verification of the integrity thereof and store the hash for later verification of data.
19 . The instrument according to claim 18 , wherein the unique identifier is a public key of a public key/private key pair and wherein the at least one processor encrypts using the private key.
20 . The instrument according to claim 19 , wherein each at least one processor includes a read only memory and wherein at least one processor is configured to derive the private key from data stored in each read only memory.
21 . The instrument according to claim 19 , wherein the at least one processor is configured to receive the private key from remote storage for encryption.
22 . The instrument according to claim 19 , wherein the read only memory is a secure element.
23 . The instrument according to 18 , wherein at least one processor is configured to provide a timestamp and combine the timestamp with the hash for verification of the integrity of data.
24 . The instrument according to claim 18 , wherein the at least one processor is configured to run at least one protocol and wherein the at least one processor is configured to hash metadata produced during operation of the at least one protocol.
25 . The instrument according to claim 24 , wherein the metadata includes cell line identification data.
26 . The instrument according to claim 24 , wherein the metadata includes user identification data.
27 . The instrument according to claim 18 , wherein the generated data includes image data.
28 . The instrument according to claim 18 , wherein the generated data includes metadata.
29 . The instrument according to claim 18 , wherein the verifiable data archive is a blockchain network.
30 . The instrument according to claim 18 , wherein the hash is published in a widely circulated and dated publication.
31 . The instrument according to claim 30 , wherein the publication is a private publication.
32 . The instrument according to claim 30 , wherein the publication is a government publication.
33 . The instrument according to claim 18 , wherein the instrument is a cell culture instrument.
34 . The instrument according to claim 18 , further comprising a network interface for transmitting the hash.