Masked data record access

• US 8,200,509 B2
• Filed: 09/10/2008
• Issued: 06/12/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/10/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 23andme Incorporated (23andMe Holding Co.)
• Original Assignee: Expanse Networks, Inc.
• Inventors: Kenedy, Andrew Alexander, Eldering, Charles Anthony
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Connor, Gerald J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PHONGSVIRAJATI, POONSIN
• Application Number:
  US12/207,671
• Publication Number:
  US 20100063843A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,371 Days
• Field of Search: 705 2- 3
• US Class Current: 705/3
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/40 for data related to laboratory analysis, e.g. patient specimen analysis
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/60 for patient-specific data, e.g. for electronic patient records

Abstract

A computer based method and system for masked data record access are presented in which data masks are applied to sensitive personal information so that non-masked portions of that information can be used in the selection of products, services and service providers for a consumer. In one application the method and system are utilized in the selection of healthcare products, services and providers based on pangenetic (genetic and epigenetic) and non-pangenetic information associated with the consumer.

Claims

1. A computer based method, said computer including a processor, an information display, a data input device, a memory, and a transmitting device, for utilization of masked healthcare data records including pangenetic and non-pangenetic data associated with a consumer to evaluate and approve a medical treatment, comprising:

a) transmitting a request via said transmitting device for at least one healthcare data record associated with the consumer;

b) receiving the at least one healthcare data record to said processor and storing said record in said memory, wherein the at least one healthcare data record contains pangenetic and non-pangenetic data associated with the consumer that has been masked at one or more locations concealing pangenetic features associated with one or more health conditions;

c) correlating using said processor the at least one healthcare data record with at least one data record corresponding to a pangenetic based treatment, wherein said correlating comprises determining the correlation between pangenetic and non-pangenetic data contained in the at least one healthcare data record and pangenetic and non-pangenetic data contained in the at least one data record as it relates to efficacy of said medical treatment;

d) repeating steps (c) for a plurality of pangenetic based treatments;

e) tabulating a rank listing of the pangenetic based treatments based on the results of the correlations;

f) approving and storing in said memory the pangenetic based treatment when the correlation exceeds a predetermined threshold.

2. The computer based method of claim 1, wherein the masking of one or more locations of the pangenetic data associated with the consumer conceals one or more pangenetic features associated with one or more disease predispositions.

3. The computer based method of claim 1, further comprising:

g) transmitting the approval to at least one destination selected from the group consisting of a user, a database, a dataset, a computer readable memory, a computer readable medium, a computer processor, a computer network, a printout device, a visual display, and a wireless receiver.

4. The computer based method of claim 1, further comprising:

in step (f) approving payment for the pangenetic based treatment when the correlation exceeds a predetermined threshold.

5. The computer based method of claim 1, further comprising:

in step (f) approving an insurance claim for the pangenetic based treatment when the correlation exceeds a predetermined threshold.

6. The computer based method of claim 1, wherein the pangenetic data are selected from the group consisting of single nucleotide polymorphisms, nucleotides, base pairs, nucleotide sequences, gene sequences, genomic sequences, gene mutations, epigenetic modifications, epigenetic sequence patterns, and pangenetic based disorders, traits and conditions.

7. The computer based method of claim 1, wherein the identity of the consumer is masked or anonymized.

8. The computer based method of claim 1, wherein the healthcare data record is selected from the group consisting of an electronic medical record, an electronic health record, and a personal health record.

9. The computer based method of claim 1, wherein the pangenetic based treatment is selected from the group consisting of a healthcare service, a non-healthcare service, a clinical service, a medical procedure and a surgical procedure.

10. The computer based method of claim 1, wherein correlating in step (c) comprises identifying pangenetic data contained in the at least one healthcare data record that is equivalent to pangenetic data contained in the at least one data record.

11. The computer based method of claim 10, wherein pangenetic data are identified as being equivalent if they are identical.

12. The computer based method of claim 10, wherein pangenetic data are identified as being equivalent if the pangenetic data are pangenetic features known to be statistically associated with the same outcome with respect to the pangenetic based treatment.

13. The computer based method of claim 10, wherein pangenetic data are identified as being equivalent if the pangenetic data differ with respect to one or more silent pangenetic variations.

14. The computer based method of claim 10, wherein step (f) further comprises transmitting at least a portion of the pangenetic data identified as being equivalent.

15. A computer based method, said computer including a processor, an information display, a data input device, a memory, and a transmitting device, for providing access to consumer controlled pangenetic and non-pangenetic information for purposes of approving a medical treatment, comprising:

a) receiving a request, into said processor via said transmitting device, for a pangenetic record associated with a consumer from a medical treatment provider;

b) accessing a data mask stored in said memory, wherein the data mask corresponds to record positions which convey pangenetic and non-pangenetic features associated with one or more health conditions associated with said consumer;

c) applying the data mask using said processor to the pangenetic and non-pangenetic record associated with the consumer to generate a masked pangenetic and non-pangenetic record associated with the consumer that conceals pangenetic features associated with one or more health conditions;

d) transmitting via said transmitting device the masked pangenetic and non-pangenetic record for correlation of said consumer record by said medical treatment provider as to pangenetic and non-pangenetic data records associated with said medical treatment, and, when said correlation exceeds a predetermined threshold, approving said medical treatment, wherein said correlating comprises determining the correlation between pangenetic and non-pangenetic data contained in the at least one healthcare data record and pangenetic and non-pangenetic data contained in the at least one data record as it relates to efficacy of said medical treatment;

e) repeating steps (d) for a plurality of pangenetic based treatments;

f) tabulating a rank listing of the pangenetic based treatments based on the results of the correlations; and

g) approving and storing in said memory the pangenetic based treatment when the correlation exceeds a predetermined threshold.

16. The computer based method of claim 15, wherein the transmitting in step (d) is to at least one destination selected from the group consisting of a user, a database, a dataset, a computer readable memory, a computer readable medium, a computer processor, a computer network, a printout device, a visual display, and a wireless receiver.

17. The computer based method of claim 15, wherein the pangenetic data are selected from the group consisting of single nucleotide polymorphisms, nucleotides, base pairs, nucleotide sequences, gene sequences, genomic sequences, gene mutations, epigenetic modifications, epigenetic sequence patterns, and pangenetic based disorders, traits and conditions.

18. A computer based method, said computer including a processor, an information display, a data input device, a memory, and a transmitting device for providing access to consumer controlled pangenetic and non-pangenetic information for approving a medical treatment, comprising:

a) receiving a request from a medical treatment provider computer system, via said transmitting device into said processor, for a pangenetic and non-pangenetic record associated with a consumer;

b) receiving authorization, via said transmitting device into said processor, from the consumer for transmission of a masked pangenetic and non-pangenetic record;

c) accessing a previously approved data mask, stored in said memory, wherein the previously approved data mask corresponds to record positions which convey pangenetic and non-pangenetic features associated with one or more health conditions;

d) applying the previously approved data mask using said processor to the stored pangenetic record associated with the consumer to generate a masked pangenetic and non-pangenetic record that conceals pangenetic features associated with one or more health conditions;

e) transmitting, via said transmitting device, the masked pangenetic record to said medical provider computer system for correlation of said consumer record by said medical treatment provider as to pangenetic and non-pangenetic data records associated with said medical treatment, and, when said correlation exceeds a predetermined threshold, approving said medical treatment, wherein said correlating comprises determining the correlation between pangenetic and non-pangenetic data contained in the at least one healthcare data record and pangenetic and non-pangenetic data contained in the at least one data record as it relates to efficacy of said medical treatment;

f) repeating steps (e) for a plurality of pangenetic based treatments;

g) tabulating a rank listing of the pangenetic based treatments based on the results of the correlations; and

h) approving and storing in said memory the pangenetic based treatment when the correlation exceeds a predetermined threshold.

19. The computer based method of claim 18, wherein the pangenetic record is selected from the group consisting of an electronic medical record, an electronic health record, and a personal health record.

20. The computer based method of claim 18, wherein the identity of the consumer is masked or anonymized.