Integrated medical device and home based system to measure and report vital patient physiological data via telemedicine
Inventors
Rose, Robert Howard • Qamar, M. Samir
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10973471-B2
Publication Date
2021-04-13
Expiration Date
Abstract
An integrated home based system to measure and report vital patient physiological data via telemedicine is disclosed. The integrated medical device is a personal, affordable, portable medical monitor, providing multiple critical vital sign data for real-time face-to-face communication with qualified health care professionals, direct from the comfort of your home (or wherever you may be travelling), whenever you need it. It is also linked to a secure patient medical record so the patient and/or healthcare professional can collect, archive and track information and trends.
Core Innovation
A compact, integrated, portable diagnostic multi-sensor telemedicine device is sized and configured to be positioned and used on a user's finger to allow self-administration. The housing includes a finger port at a proximal end and a first set of sensors at a distal end, where the finger port is opposite the first set of sensors to enable use of the first set of sensors by pointing a finger placed in the finger port.
The device integrates a thermometer sensor disposed at an end of the housing, and a digital stethoscope condenser microphone sensor disposed on a bottom, palm-facing side of the housing between the ends. The first set of sensors includes a camera sensor and a light source adapted to capture at least one of a still image and video of a targeted region in at least one of a cavity and body surface of the user.
The device uses a low power micro-controller unit (MCU) communicating with the sensors and forwarding encrypted data from the sensors to an external Internet-connected or Cellular-connected communication device via wired and wireless connection, and providing a status or display indicator on the exterior of the housing.
The sensors are integrated with the housing and configured to take simultaneous reading from the finger port, the first set of sensors, the digital stethoscope, and the thermometer during a single placement, while sensor positions enable use of a desired sensor without changing an existing sensor configuration on the housing.
Claims Coverage
The partial content includes two independent claims, each defining a core inventive feature set: a multi-sensor telemedicine device for self-administration and a corresponding telemedicine examination method.
Hand-held finger-positioned integrated multi-sensor telemedicine device
A compact, integrated, portable, diagnostic, multi-sensor telemedicine device with a hand-held integrated portable housing, including a finger port opposite a first set of sensors to enable use by pointing a finger placed in the finger port.
Integrated simultaneous readings with fixed sensor placement
Sensors integrated with the housing and configured to take simultaneous reading from the finger port, the first set of sensors, the digital stethoscope, and the thermometer during a single placement on the body, with sensor positions enabling use of a desired sensor without changing an existing sensor configuration on the housing.
Encrypted sensor forwarding to an external Internet- or cellular-connected communication device
A low power micro-controller unit (MCU) communicating with the sensors and forwarding encrypted data from the sensors to an external Internet-connected or Cellular-connected communication device via at least one of a wired and wireless connection.
Status or display indicator for sensor and examination condition
A status or display indicator disposed on an exterior of the housing, providing a status and/or condition of the sensors and/or examination.
Self-administered telemedicine examination using finger port and integrated sensors
A method for conducting a telemedicine examination by inserting a finger of a user into a finger port of a hand-held integrated portable multi-sensor telemedicine device housing, where the finger port is opposite a first set of sensors disposed at a distal end of the housing.
Simultaneous pulse oximetry, temperature, heartbeat sound, and targeted-region imaging
Detecting a pulse and peripheral capillary oxygen saturation (SpO2) via a pulse oximeter sensor in the finger port, detecting temperature via a thermometer sensor, detecting a sound of the user's heartbeat via a digital stethoscope condenser microphone sensor, and capturing at least one of a still image and video of a targeted region by pointing the finger inserted in the finger port to move the first set of sensors to the targeted region.
Processing, encrypting, and forwarding encrypted sensor information
Processing and encrypting information from the sensors via a low power micro-controller unit (MCU), and forwarding the encrypted information to an external Internet-connected or Cellular-connected communication device via at least one of a wired and wireless connection.
Providing operation status on housing exterior for self-administration
Providing a status of operation on an exterior of the housing, where the device is sized and configured to be positioned and used on a user's finger so the examination is able to be self-administered, and a desired sensor can be used without changing an existing sensor configuration on the housing.
Across the two independent claims, the claim coverage centers on a finger-inserted handheld integrated multi-sensor telemedicine device that captures simultaneous multi-modality readings during a single placement, processes and encrypts sensor information with a low power MCU, forwards encrypted data to an external Internet- or cellular-connected communication device, and provides exterior status; the method claim mirrors the same workflow as a self-administered telemedicine examination.
Stated Advantages
Simultaneous reading from the finger port, the first set of sensors, the digital stethoscope, and the thermometer during a single placement on the body.
Self-administration by a user using a multi-sensor telemedicine device sized and configured to be positioned and used on a user's finger.
Ability to use a desired sensor without changing an existing sensor configuration on the housing.
Documented Applications
Conducting a telemedicine examination that is self-administered by a user using the finger-inserted handheld integrated multi-sensor device.
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