Medical Imaging Marketplace for AI and Healthcare

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Rakesh C Jakati

[GENERAL] Are you delivering this project as an individual or as an entity (whether formally incorporated or not)

Entity (Incorporated)

[GENERAL] Please specify how many months you expect your project to last (from 2-12 months)

6

[GENERAL] Please indicate if your proposal has been auto-translated into English from another language

No

[GENERAL] Summarize your solution to the problem (200-character limit including spaces)

Our blockchain-based marketplace acquires and monetizes medical imaging data to build AI models for predicting health conditions, focusing on demographic-specific models.

[GENERAL] Does your project have any dependencies on other organizations, technical or otherwise?

No

[GENERAL] If YES, please describe what the dependency is and why you believe it is essential for your project’s delivery. If NO, please write “No dependencies.”

No

[GENERAL] Will your project’s output/s be fully open source?

Yes

[GENERAL] Please provide here more information on the open source status of your project outputs

We will open-source certain parts of the project to enable replication in other low-income countries. This will include:

• Open Source Elements: Smart contracts, consent management, and Data Sharing Protocols will be shared under an open-source license like MIT or Apache 2.0.
• Proprietary Elements: Sensitive medical imaging data, advanced AI models, and blockchain reward systems will remain proprietary to ensure privacy, security, and competitive differentiation, while allowing others to build on the open components.

[METADATA] Horizons

Healthcare

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

We are building a decentralized platform for Medial Imaging data. The core issue we are addressing is the limited availability of high-quality, diverse medical imaging data, particularly from underserved demographics. Current AI diagnostic models are typically built using data from wealthier populations, making them less effective for other regions with different healthcare needs. Additionally, the lack of secure, transparent, and scalable platforms to store and monetize medical data creates barriers to advancing AI-driven healthcare solutions.

Our Approach

We propose a blockchain-based marketplace that securely collects, annotates, and monetizes medical imaging data. This data will be used to train AI models that are better suited to specific demographics and health conditions. Blockchain is integral to our approach because it ensures data security, privacy, and transparency, while smart contracts enable automated rewards for contributors such as imaging centers, doctors, and annotators.

Our decision to create a marketplace allows for a scalable, self-sustaining solution where data providers are incentivized, and AI companies can purchase the data they need for developing targeted diagnostic tools. This approach ensures a continuous flow of diverse data, improving the quality of AI models over time.

Project Engagement

Our project will engage the following groups:

• Imaging Centers: These centers will provide raw medical imaging data and receive financial incentives for participation.
• Healthcare Professionals: Doctors and radiologists will annotate images, ensuring data quality, and will be compensated for their work.
• AI Companies: The primary buyers of the data, AI companies will use it to develop health condition prediction models tailored to specific demographics.
• Medical Experts and Researchers: They will be involved in improving the models' accuracy and ensuring the data's scientific relevance.

We will measure success through:

• Volume of Data: Tracking the quantity and diversity of imaging data collected.
• AI Model Accuracy: Monitoring improvements in AI diagnostics based on the data we provide.
• Transaction Metrics: Evaluating the number of smart contracts executed, reflecting the activity in data transactions.
• User Satisfaction: Gathering feedback from imaging centers, medical professionals, and AI companies to assess the platform's usability and effectiveness.

Unique Aspects of the Solution

What makes our solution unique is the use of blockchain technology to create a secure and transparent marketplace for medical imaging data. The marketplace incentivizes imaging centers and professionals to contribute high-quality data, which AI companies can purchase to develop more accurate and population-specific models. This system provides a continuous flow of diverse data, critical for improving AI-driven healthcare solutions.

[IMPACT] Please define the positive impact your project will have on the wider Cardano community

Value to the Cardano Community

1. Expanding Cardano’s Use Cases: By utilizing Cardano's blockchain infrastructure for secure data transactions, our project demonstrates the versatility of the platform beyond financial services. This will position Cardano as a leading blockchain solution for healthcare, driving adoption in this critical sector.
2. Increased Network Activity: As our marketplace scales, it will drive more transactions on the Cardano blockchain, contributing to higher activity levels. Imaging centers, annotators, and AI companies interacting with the marketplace will utilize Cardano’s network for secure data exchange, smart contract execution, and reward distribution.
3. Driving Blockchain Innovation: The project will highlight Cardano's ability to solve real-world issues, like securely managing sensitive medical data and enabling AI model development. This can inspire more developers to build healthcare-related or data-driven projects on Cardano.

Measuring Impact

• Transaction Volume: We will track the number of transactions processed on Cardano’s network, including smart contract executions for data sales and reward distribution.
• Adoption Rate: We will monitor the number of imaging centers, healthcare professionals, and AI companies engaging with the platform, providing a clear indicator of marketplace growth and network activity.
• Revenue Generated: Measuring the amount of data traded on the marketplace and the revenue generated will help assess its economic impact on the Cardano ecosystem.
• User Feedback: We will gather qualitative feedback from imaging centers, annotators, and AI companies to assess user satisfaction, data quality, and ease of use of the blockchain-based marketplace.

Sharing Outputs and Opportunities

• Open-Source Contributions: We will open-source key components of our platform, such as smart contracts and data processing protocols. These will be made publicly available on platforms like GitHub, enabling the wider Cardano community to benefit from our work and potentially improve upon it.
• Community Engagement: We will regularly share progress updates, milestones, and lessons learned through Cardano forums, Project Catalyst, and other community channels. This will foster a collaborative environment and allow community members to engage with and benefit from our project.
• Partnerships and Collaborations: The project will open up opportunities for collaboration with healthcare organizations, AI companies, and other blockchain developers. These partnerships will be communicated to the Cardano community, encouraging participation and fostering new initiatives.

[CAPABILITY & FEASIBILITY] What is your capability to deliver your project with high levels of trust and accountability? How do you intend to validate if your approach is feasible?

Feasibility and Validation Approach:

1. Prototype Development: We will develop a working prototype of the blockchain-based marketplace with key functionalities such as secure data collection, smart contract integration, and AI model testing.
2. Pilot Testing: A pilot program will be conducted with selected imaging centers and AI companies to test the marketplace’s efficiency in data collection, annotation, and secure transactions. This will help identify any technical or operational challenges early on.
3. Blockchain Security Audits: We will engage third-party auditors to evaluate the blockchain infrastructure, ensuring data privacy, integrity, and smart contract functionality are robust and secure.
4. Data Anonymization and Regulatory Compliance: We will ensure compliance with data protection regulations such as HIPAA and GDPR by implementing decentralized consent management systems and data anonymization techniques. This will be validated through consultations with healthcare compliance experts.

Existing Capabilities:

1. Medical Imaging and AI Expertise: Our team members have a solid background in medical imaging data processing and AI development, which ensures that the platform will handle imaging data accurately and in compliance with healthcare standards.
2. Blockchain Development: The team has hands-on experience developing decentralized platforms with blockchain integration, including smart contracts, secure data management, and Web3 functionalities, ensuring the technical foundation is strong.
3. Proven Leadership in R&D: Our leadership has demonstrated success in guiding complex projects from concept to execution, aligning research and development efforts with strategic goals. This will be critical in maintaining the project’s direction and ensuring milestones are met on time.

Financial Management and Accountability:

1. Clear Budget Allocation: We will develop a detailed project budget outlining specific expenditures for platform development, blockchain integration, medical imaging data collection, and personnel compensation.
2. Regular Financial Reporting: Financial reports will be created at regular intervals to provide transparency on how funds are being used. This ensures accountability and enables adjustments based on project needs.
3. Milestone-Based Funding: We plan to release funds based on the achievement of predefined milestones, such as prototype development, pilot completion, and marketplace launch. This will ensure that funds are used effectively at each stage of the project.
4. Third-Party Auditing: We will engage third-party auditors to review both the technical and financial aspects of the project. This will provide an additional layer of trust and accountability, ensuring that the project remains aligned with its goals.

[PROJECT MILESTONES] What are the key milestones you need to achieve in order to complete your project successfully?

Design and Architecture Planning

• Milestone Outputs:
• Detailed design and technical architecture of the platform, including blockchain infrastructure, data flow, and consent management.
• Defined protocols for data acquisition, storage, and anonymization.
• Smart contract design for managing transactions, consent, and rewards.
• Acceptance Criteria:
• Finalized technical documentation covering system architecture, blockchain integration, and data management protocols.
• Initial roadmap outlining subsequent development phases.
• Evidence of Milestone Completion:
• Submission of architecture documents, including smart contract logic and platform design.
• Detailed technical roadmap reviewed and approved by key stakeholders.

Blockchain Infrastructure Development and Testing

• Milestone Outputs:
• Development of blockchain infrastructure, focusing on secure storage, decentralized consent management, and transaction processing.
• Basic integration of smart contracts for early-stage testing of data storage and reward mechanisms.
• Acceptance Criteria:
• Functional blockchain infrastructure deployed on a testnet.
• Smart contracts executing basic transactions and storing medical data securely.
• Initial testing and debugging completed on testnet.
• Evidence of Milestone Completion:
• Testnet transaction records and logs demonstrating data storage and smart contract execution.
• Codebase available for review showing blockchain and smart contract deployment.

Data Acquisition and Anonymization Implementation

• Milestone Outputs:
• Implementation of the data acquisition pipeline from medical imaging centers, including anonymization processes.
• Establish partnerships with at least 2 imaging centers and begin acquiring raw data.
• Ensure compliance with relevant data privacy regulations (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA).
• Acceptance Criteria:
• Anonymization process in place, capable of handling large-scale medical imaging data.
• At least 500 anonymized images securely stored on the blockchain infrastructure.
• Evidence of Milestone Completion:
• Report detailing anonymized data acquisition.
• Video or demo of the platform storing anonymized data on blockchain.
• Signed agreements with imaging centers.

Smart Contract Finalization and Marketplace Core Features

• Milestone Outputs:
• Finalized smart contracts to automate rewards, data transactions, and consent management.
• Integration of core marketplace features, including data buying/selling functionalities and user interfaces.
• Acceptance Criteria:
• Smart contracts successfully handling data transactions and rewards on a testnet.
• Core marketplace features functional, including data submission, buyer interface, and consent management.
• Evidence of Milestone Completion:
• Testnet records showcasing smart contract execution for data transactions and rewards.
• Demo video showing end-to-end functionality of the core marketplace.

AI Model Integration and Testing

• Milestone Outputs:
• Initial AI model developed and integrated into the platform to analyze medical images.
• Testing of the AI model using a subset of anonymized and annotated data.
• Validation of AI model accuracy in diagnosing specific health conditions.
• Acceptance Criteria:
• AI model providing diagnostic predictions with at least 80% accuracy.
• Initial testing conducted with real data from imaging centers.
• Evidence of Milestone Completion:
• AI performance report detailing accuracy, precision, and recall metrics.
• Demo video of AI model diagnosing from test images within the platform.

Marketplace Launch and User Onboarding

• Milestone Outputs:
• Full deployment of the marketplace on the Cardano mainnet.
• Onboarding of at least 3 AI companies and active imaging centers.
• Final report and video documenting project outcomes and key learnings.
• Acceptance Criteria:
• At least 2 successful data transactions on the live marketplace, with rewards automatically distributed through smart contracts.
• Positive feedback from AI companies and imaging centers on platform usability and functionality.
• Evidence of Milestone Completion:
• Transaction logs from the Cardano mainnet.
• Signed agreements from AI companies and imaging centers.
• Final project report and video, shared with the Cardano community.

[RESOURCES] Who is in the project team and what are their roles?

1. Rakesh C Jakati Project Lead
2. Provide leadership in R&D, platform development. Leads the overall project vision and execution, ensuring that the medical imaging and blockchain align with the goals.
3. Dr. Ganesh Naik - EEG Integration
4. Assists on platform development related to medical imaging, ensuring data handling and digital signal processing are aligned with industry standards.
5. Dr. Bhaskar Tripathi - EEG and AI Integration
6. Assists with system architecture for medical imaging data processing and supports research initiatives related to AI and its applications.
7. Sangeet Muralidhar - Blockchain Lead Developer
8. Leads the development of the platform’s blockchain infrastructure, including decentralized consent management and smart contract integration.
9. Akash Malekar - Full Stack Developer
10. Leading the platform development working on both backend and frontend. Integrating blockchain, smart contracts, and Web3 functionalities.
11. Javid Hussain - Medical Imaging Developer
12. Working on analyzing and interpreting complex medical imaging data.

[BUDGET & COSTS] Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources

Milestone 1: Design and Architecture Planning

• Resource Needs:
• Internal team resources focused on platform design and system architecture.
• Legal services for ensuring compliance with medical data regulations (HIPAA, GDPR).
• Software licenses for design and architecture tools.
• Team training on blockchain and medical data compliance.
• Budget Allocation:
• Platform and architecture design: 5,000 ADA
• Legal consultation (compliance and data privacy regulations): 6,000 ADA
• Software licenses and tools: 2,000 ADA
• Team workshops and training: 3,000 ADA
• Total for Milestone 1: 16,000 ADA

Milestone 2: Blockchain Infrastructure Development and Testing

• Resource Needs:
• Development of blockchain infrastructure, including basic smart contract setup.
• Cloud infrastructure for setting up and running a testnet environment.
• Internal testing and debugging of smart contracts.
• Budget Allocation:
• Blockchain infrastructure and smart contract setup: 10,000 ADA
• Cloud infrastructure (testnet environment): 6,000 ADA
• Smart contract testing and debugging: 4,000 ADA
• Total for Milestone 2: 20,000 ADA

Milestone 3: Data Acquisition and Anonymization Implementation

• Resource Needs:
• Acquisition of medical imaging data from partnered centers.
• Anonymization tools to meet privacy standards.
• Legal services to establish data acquisition partnerships.
• Budget Allocation:
• Data acquisition: 10,000 ADA
• Anonymization software: 5,000 ADA
• Legal services for partnerships: 6,000 ADA
• Total for Milestone 3: 21,000 ADA

Milestone 4: Smart Contract Finalization and Marketplace Core Features

• Resource Needs:
• Finalization of smart contracts to manage data transactions and rewards.
• Development of the core marketplace features, including data submission, consent management, and user interfaces.
• Web hosting and cloud services for marketplace operation.
• Budget Allocation:
• Smart contract finalization: 8,000 ADA
• Marketplace feature development: 10,000 ADA
• Web hosting and cloud services: 7,000 ADA
• Total for Milestone 4: 25,000 ADA

Milestone 5: AI Model Integration and Testing

• Resource Needs:
• Development and integration of the AI model using anonymized medical data.
• Cloud computing services for training and validating the AI model.
• Third-party validation and testing of AI model performance.
• Budget Allocation:
• AI model development and integration: 10,000 ADA
• Cloud computing for AI model training: 6,000 ADA
• Third-party model validation: 6,000 ADA
• Total for Milestone 5: 22,000 ADA

Milestone 6: Marketplace Launch, Promotion, and Reporting

• Resource Needs:
• Marketing and promotion to onboard AI companies and imaging centers.
• Publicity and community engagement through workshops and webinars.
• Final project documentation and reporting back to the Cardano community.
• Budget Allocation:
• Marketing and promotion: 10,000 ADA
• Community engagement (workshops, webinars): 5,000 ADA
• Final project documentation and video production: 5,000 ADA
• Total for Milestone 6: 20,000 ADA

Additional Budget Elements:

• Project Management:
• Project management tools (Trello, Jira) and coordination software: 3,000 ADA
• Overheads:
• Office space, equipment, and IT infrastructure: 5,000 ADA
• Licensing:
• Software licenses for third-party technologies and tools: 3,000 ADA

Contingency Funds:

• 15,000 ADA for any contingency, unforeseen costs, or expansion of marketing and promotion efforts.

Total Project Cost: 150,000 ADA

[VALUE FOR MONEY] How does the cost of the project represent value for money for the Cardano ecosystem?

Value for Money for the Cardano Ecosystem

1.Leveraging In-House Expertise

A significant portion of the project’s development, including blockchain infrastructure, smart contract integration, and AI model development, is handled by our in-house team. This drastically reduces the need for expensive third-party consultations or outsourced development. The internal costs reflect standard market rates for blockchain and AI development in our region, ensuring competitive pricing without sacrificing quality.

2. Transparent Budgeting and Realistic Costs

The project’s budget is broken down into carefully considered milestones, each with clear deliverables and acceptance criteria. We have allocated funds based on:

• Industry-standard wages and rates for blockchain developers, AI specialists, and legal consultants, which are competitive and aligned with freelance and full-time rates in the industry.
• Cloud infrastructure and hosting costs are based on current market prices for platforms like AWS or Azure, ensuring scalability and security without unnecessary over-spending.
• Legal and regulatory costs reflect the necessary compliance with HIPAA, GDPR, and similar regulations, crucial for ensuring trust and security in handling sensitive medical data.

3. Maximizing Long-Term Value

The primary deliverable—a blockchain-based marketplace for medical imaging data—is a powerful infrastructure that enables AI companies to develop better, demographic-specific health models. This opens up an entirely new use case for Cardano, allowing its blockchain to be showcased in the healthcare industry, a rapidly growing sector. This increased utility for the Cardano network helps attract more users and partners, driving transaction volume and adoption.

4. Strategic Investment in a New Use Case for Cardano

The potential market for AI-based healthcare diagnostics is enormous, and by developing this blockchain-enabled marketplace, Cardano stands to gain recognition as a pioneer in healthcare data solutions. This investment is not just about one project—it’s about expanding Cardano’s role in the global AI and healthcare ecosystems.