IPFS Integration for BATDOK
Enhancing EMR Availability in Disconnected Battlefield Environments
Alan Zheng | Philips DxSAIL | 2025

🚨 The Challenge

Current BATDOK Limitations

BATDOK (Battlefield Assisted Trauma Distributed Observation Kit) is critical for field medics during the "golden hour" of injury, but faces significant connectivity challenges:

🔌 Connectivity Issues

Requires same Wi-Fi network for device transfers

💾 Data Isolation

No centralized overview of medical records

⚡ Critical Delays

Missing data during patient handoffs

💡 Proposed Solution: IPFS Integration

Implement InterPlanetary File System (IPFS) to create a decentralized, resilient electronic medical record system that works in DIL (Disconnected, Intermittent, Limited) environments.

🔬 Research Approach

Main Research Question

"How can a decentralised file storage solution using IPFS be designed to enable BATDOK to manage electronic medical records securely in offline environments?"

1

Network Design

How can IPFS networks store and retrieve medical data in offline environments?

Methods: Prototyping, System Testing
2

Compute Node Design

How to simulate EMR functions for disconnected environments?

Methods: Simulation, Proof of Concept
3

Implementation Analysis

What are the tradeoffs of different Android-IPFS integration approaches?

Methods: Comparative Analysis, Prototyping
4

Feasibility Assessment

What factors influence production implementation feasibility?

Methods: Expert Interviews, Literature Study

🛠 Technical Implementation Journey

📚 Literature Study & AWS Training

Understanding IPFS technology and setting up cloud infrastructure

🔗 IPFS Network Setup

Building functional nodes on Mac and AWS, testing connectivity

💻 Web-based IPFS Node

Creating Helia demonstration: helia.alan.run

📱 Android Integration Investigation

Exploring 8 different implementation approaches

🔧 Kotlin-Go Bridge Prototype

Calculator app proving cross-language integration feasibility

🏗 System Architecture

Hybrid IPFS Network Design

🏥 Medical Facilities

Full IPFS nodes with high storage and always-online connectivity

📱 Field Operations

Lightweight Android nodes with offline-first operation

☁️ IPFS Infrastructure

Cloud-based pinning services and bootstrap nodes

🔗 Kotlin-Go Bridge Architecture

Kotlin UI

Android interface with Jetpack Compose

GoMobile Bridge

JNI bindings for cross-language communication

Go IPFS

Core IPFS functionality with Boxo SDK

// Kotlin calling Go through GoMobile val result = Calculator.add(5.0, 3.0) // Go function compiled to Android Archive (.aar) func Add(x, y float64) float64 { return x + y }

📊 Research Results

Technical Feasibility Validated

IPFS integration with BATDOK demonstrated through working prototypes and comprehensive architecture design

🔧

Implementation Pathway Identified

Kotlin with GoMobile emerged as optimal approach after evaluating 8 different integration methods

⚖️

Production Readiness Assessed

Comprehensive feasibility evaluation reveals organizational and technical requirements for deployment

🏆 Key Achievements

🌐 Working Helia Demo

Functional web-based IPFS operations proving content addressing and peer-to-peer capabilities

📱 Calculator Bridge

Successful Kotlin-Go integration demonstrating cross-language communication patterns

☁️ AWS Infrastructure

Deployed IPFS nodes on cloud infrastructure validating distributed network topology

📋 Implementation Matrix

Comprehensive evaluation of 8 Android-IPFS integration approaches with clear recommendations

📈 Android IPFS Implementation Comparison

Approach Complexity Timeline Recommendation
Kotlin with GoMobile Medium-High 10-12 weeks ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Yes
IPFS Kubo Full Node High 12-16 weeks ⭐⭐ No
Helia in Kotlin High 12-14 weeks ⭐⭐⭐ Conditional

🎯 Conclusions & Recommendations

✅ Main Research Question Answered

A decentralised file storage solution using IPFS can be designed for BATDOK EMR management in offline environments, but requires a hybrid architecture approach with significant development investment.

🚀 Recommended Implementation Strategy

Phase 1: Foundation

Infrastructure setup and Kotlin-GoMobile bridge development (6-9 months)

Phase 2: Integration

Android app enhancement and field testing (9-12 months)

Phase 3: Production

Hospital integration and full deployment (12-18 months)

⚡ Strategic Value & Challenges

✅ Strategic Benefits

  • Enhanced data availability in battlefield environments
  • Improved synchronization capabilities
  • Resilience in disconnected conditions
  • Future-proof decentralized architecture

⚠️ Implementation Challenges

  • Specialized cross-language development expertise
  • Substantial resource allocation required
  • Network infrastructure constraints
  • Complex phased deployment approach needed

🔮 Next Steps

Immediate: Secure specialized development team with IPFS and mobile expertise

Short-term: Infrastructure planning and proof-of-concept validation

Long-term: Phased implementation starting with pilot field trials

🧠 Personal Learning Journey

💪 Growth & Challenges

"From knowing nothing about mobile development and IPFS to implementing complex cross-language integration and providing strategic technical recommendations to Philips."

🎯 Technical Mastery

Android development, IPFS technology, cross-language integration, system architecture design

🚀 Professional Skills

Independent project management, stakeholder communication, strategic thinking, problem-solving

🔬 Research Excellence

DOT framework application, systematic investigation, evidence-based recommendations

💡 Key Insight

"Complex technical challenges require both deep technical investigation and strategic business thinking. The most elegant technical solution means nothing without considering organizational readiness and implementation feasibility."

Thank You
Questions & Discussion
📧 Alan@zheng.dev
🌐 helia.alan.run - Live IPFS Demo
Special Thanks: Ralph Holdorp, Mara Houbraken (Philips) | Xuemei Pu (Fontys)