Secured wireless medical data transmission using modified elliptic curve cryptography

Abstract

With the widespread availability of cost effective wireless devices, the usage of such devices for the monitoring a patient's vital parameters have become ubiquitous. The use of such devices has given rise to Wireless Body Area Sensor Networks (WBASNs) that can enable a healthcare professional to remotely monitor an individual, thereby eliminating costly trips to the hospital. However, since WBASNs carry sensitive patient information, maintaining security is paramount. Public Key Cryptography (PKC) provides robust security than other cryptographic systems. However, PKC requires a substantial computational overhead to be effective which renders them unsuitable for low powered devices used in WBASNs. Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) provides a computationally low overhead for achieving robust security. In this paper we define and propose a Modified Elliptic Curve Cryptography (MECC) technique for use in WBASNs. We also propose to use this method for the secure transmission of data to be used for the wireless monitoring of patients suffering from Parkinson's disease in an indoor environment such as the patient's residence or a hospice. Our system would continuously monitor a patient in real time and detect events that generally precede a fall or a Freezing of Gait (FoG).