Advanced System Technology branch AST of Fraunhofer IOSB
Anonymization of Personal Health Data by Creating Digital Avatars for Use in Specific Applications
The project
The AVATAR-Transfer project develops concepts and technologies for the secure, privacy-compliant use of health data through modern anonymization and data protection methods. The focus is on specific use cases in the healthcare sector—ranging from predicting treatment outcomes and federated learning to the anonymization of biosignal and genomic data. The central challenge lies in striking an optimal balance: On the one hand, health data must be anonymized in such a way that the risk of re-identification is minimized and legal requirements (DGA, GDNG) are met. On the other hand, the quality of information for research, development, and quality assurance of medical products must be preserved. The project combines technical, legal, and societal perspectives to establish the AVATAR platform as the foundation for future health data spaces, such as the European Health Data Space, thereby strengthening Germany’s position in the innovative use of health data.
Project objectives
Within the AVATAR-Transfer project, Fraunhofer IOSB-AST is responsible for developing and implementing the data space architecture and interoperability concepts. The key objectives are:
- Further development of the AVATAR-Transfer platform as a modular, scalable infrastructure with IDS-RAM-compliant interoperability, EDC connectors, and usage and access control mechanisms
- Developing a data space blueprint for medical care pathways, particularly in the field of hearing health
- Enabling existing systems for secure use in data spaces
- Ensuring technical connectivity to medical data spaces and guaranteeing interoperability with the European Health Data Space (EHDS).
In doing so, IOSB-AST develops interfaces and mechanisms for integrating PET components and ensures auditable, service-ready use. The goal is an interoperable, reusable solution that can be applied to various medical use cases and ensures digital sovereignty over health data.
Result
Over the course of the project, the foundations for implementing the data space were established. Stakeholders and process workflows for hearing care supply chains (WHO Class II–III hearing loss and tinnitus) were systematically identified and documented. In addition, data flow diagrams were developed to form the basis of the technical architecture. Initial concepts for integrating the data space architecture have been developed and are currently being implemented. The success of these results is due to IOSB-AST’s long-standing expertise in sovereign data spaces, semantic interoperability and Gaia-X/IDS-compliant governance. This expertise has already been demonstrated in projects such as Energy Data-X, Avatar and IdFlexNetz. This success creates the prerequisites for a scalable, IDS-RAM-compliant platform solution and enables its transferability to other healthcare pathways. Furthermore, the development of a blueprint for medical data spaces ensures connectivity to the European Health Data Space (EHDS) and reinforces IOSB-AST’s position as a centre of expertise for federated health data infrastructures.
