SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PERFORMING AN AUTOMATIC AND REMOTE TRAINED PERSONNEL GUIDED MEDICAL EXAMINATION
A method for performing one or more remote medical examinations of a patient using a workstation operably connectable to a remote diagnostics device, and wherein for at least one remote medical examination of the remote medical examinations the method comprising: receiving navigation enabling data acquired by at least one navigation sensor of the device, the navigation enabling data being indicative of a spatial disposition of the with respect to the patient's body; displaying the received navigation enabling data; receiving an indication of a desired spatial disposition of the device with respect to the patient's body, from which medical data of the patient is to be acquired in accordance with the at least one medical examination, the indication being provided by a trained personnel operating the workstation; and sending the received indication to the device, thus enabling navigation thereof to the desired spatial disposition with respect to the patient's body.
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/000,375 filed on Aug. 19, 2013, entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PERFORMING AN AUTOMATIC AND REMOTE TRAINED PERSONNEL GUIDED MEDICAL EXAMINATION,” which is a 371 National Stage Entry of PCT Serial No. PCT/IL2012/050051 filed on Feb. 16, 2012, entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PERFORMING AN AUTOMATIC AND REMOTE TRAINED PERSONNEL GUIDED MEDICAL EXAMINATION,” which claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/443,788 filed on Feb. 17, 2011, and entitled “System and method for performing an automatic and remote trained personnel guided medical examination,”. This application expressly incorporates herein the entirety of the foregoing applications.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. The Field of the InventionThis invention relates to the field of medical examinations, and more specifically to the field of automatic and remote trained personnel guided medical examinations.
2. The Relevant TechnologyPrior art references considered to be relevant as background to the presently disclosed subject matter are listed below. Listings of the references herein is not to be inferred as admitting that these are in any way relevant to the patentability of the presently disclosed subject matter disclosed herein. In addition, references cited in the application are not necessarily admitted as being prior art.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,544,198 (Chong et al.) issued Apr. 8, 2003 discloses a stethoscope system for self-examination whereby the condition of health of a particular individual can be diagnosed by comparing characteristic sound waves classified by diseases with sound waves generated from various parts of the individual's body. This system also provides for remote medical examination whereby sound waves generated from various parts of the individual's body are transmitted to a medical specialist using the Internet and receiving a virtual medical examination via the Internet.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,014,432 (Mondey) issued Jan. 11, 2000 discloses a home health care system comprising: patient station including a first videophone, an electronic imaging assembly and a stethoscope assembly, coupled to said first videophone, for respectively producing digital image and physiological sound signals of a patient, wherein said first videophone simultaneously transmits said digital signals over a public telecommunications network; and a health care provider's station including a second videophone, a video display and a sound reproducer, wherein the second videophone receives digital signals from the first videophone over the public telecommunications network, displays the images of the patient on the display, and reproduces the physiological sounds of the patient by the sound reproducer.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,527,261 (Monroe et al.) issued Jun. 18, 1996 discloses a hand-held, fully remote diagnostic instrument having video capability that is configured for any one of a number of clinical or industrial applications. The instrument has a casing that includes a hand-holdable body portion, a neck portion that extends from the body portion to a head portion that is formed of a back cover, a front cover, and a sealing gasket to form a fully soakable instrument. A circuit board assembly in the body portion contains video processing circuitry, and a flexible neck board which extends forward from the body portion through the neck portion of the casing to a head board located in the head portion of the casing. A solid state imager and a miniature lamp are disposed on the head board. The front cover contains an adjustable focus lens cell for focusing on the imager an image of a target in the lens cell's field of view. The instrument can be configured for various applications by installing front and back covers that are suited for a specific purpose. The instrument can thus be used, for example, as an otoscope, a dental camera, or an episcope. The instrument provides a monitor-ready standard format full color video signal to a remotely located monitor.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe inventors have found that nowadays, people are often required to perform medical examinations. Such checks may be required as a routine check-up, according to a patients request, or in light of a need that arises (such as, for example, when a person does not feel well). Normally, such checks are performed during a face to face visit to medically trained personnel (e.g. a physician, a nurse, etc.) in light of the fact that there is a need of certain knowledge, as well as equipment, in order to perform such examinations. It is estimated that there are billions of medical examinations performed each year. It is to be noted that the number of general examinations is expected to grow in the future as the average life expectancy keeps rising, and elderly people tend to use more medical service. It is also to be noted that there is a constant decline in the number of the medically trained personnel (e.g. physicians and nurses) that can serve the community, thus creating a reduced availability and growth of service load. Each such medical examination requires the patient to meet with trained personnel, at a certain location (e.g. clinic, hospital, patient's house, etc.).
There is thus a need in the art for a new system and method that will reduce the load and increase the availability of trained personnel by performing an automatic and remote trained personnel guided medical examination.
In accordance with an aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is provided a workstation configured for performing at least one remote medical examination wherein the workstation is operably connectable to a remote diagnostics device and wherein the workstation comprising at least one processor configured to perform the following for each of the at least one remote medical examinations: receive navigation enabling data from at least one navigation sensor of the diagnostics device and display the received data on a display; and based on the displayed navigation enabling data, enable providing data acquisition guidance for positioning and orienting the diagnostic device to enable acquiring medical data of a patient.
In accordance with one example of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is further provided a workstation wherein the processor is further configured, for each of the at least one remote medical examinations, to instruct at least one diagnostics sensor of the diagnostics device to acquire the medical data of the patient upon positioning and orienting of the diagnostics device.
In accordance with one example of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is yet further provided a workstation wherein the enable providing data acquisition guidance for positioning and orienting the diagnostic device to enable acquiring medical data of a patient is further based on pre-defined reference data.
In accordance with one example of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is yet further provided a workstation further connected to a guiding device and wherein the data acquisition guidance for positioning and orienting the diagnostic device to enable acquiring medical data of a patient is received from the guiding device.
In accordance with one example of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is still further provided a workstation wherein the navigation sensor is one of the following: [0013] (a) a camera; [0014] (b) a distance sensor; [0015] (c) a pressure sensor; [0016] (d) a microphone; [0017] (e) an INS sensor.
In accordance with an aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is still further provided a method for operating a workstation for performing at least one remote medical examination wherein the workstation is operably connectable to a remote diagnostics device, for each of the at least one remote medical examinations the method comprising: receiving navigation enabling data from at least one navigation sensor of the diagnostics device and display the received data on a display; and based on the displayed navigation enabling data, enabling providing data acquisition guidance for positioning and orienting the diagnostic device to enable acquiring medical data of a patient.
In accordance with one example of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is still further provided a method wherein for each of the at least one remote medical examinations the method further comprises instructing at least one diagnostics sensor of the diagnostics device to acquire the medical data of the patient upon positioning and orienting of the diagnostics device.
In accordance with one example of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is still further provided a method wherein the enabling providing data acquisition guidance for positioning and orienting the diagnostic device to enable acquiring medical data of a patient is further based on pre-defined reference data.
In accordance with one example of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is still further provided a method wherein the workstation is further operably connectable to a guiding device and wherein the data acquisition guidance for positioning and orienting the diagnostic device to enable acquiring medical data of a patient is received from the guiding device.
In accordance with one example of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is still further provided a method wherein the navigation sensor is one of the following: [0023] (a) a camera; [0024] (b) a distance sensor; [0025] (c) a pressure sensor; [0026] (d) a microphone; [0027] (e) an IMU sensor.
In accordance with an aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is still further provided a handheld diagnostics device for performing at least one remote medical examination wherein the handheld diagnostics device is operably connectable to a remote workstation and wherein the handheld diagnostics device comprising at least one navigation sensor, at least one diagnostics sensor and at least one processor configured to perform the following for the at least one remote medical examinations: transmit data from at least one navigation sensor of the diagnostics device to the remote workstation; and receive an instruction to acquire medical data of a patient.
In accordance with one example of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is still further provided a handheld diagnostics device wherein the processor is further configured, for each of the at least one remote medical examinations, in response to receiving the instruction to acquire medical data of a patient, transmit data from the at least one diagnostics sensor to the remote workstation.
In accordance with one example of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is still further provided a handheld diagnostics device further operably connectable to a second workstation and wherein the processor is further configured to transmit data from at least one navigation sensor of the diagnostics device to the second workstation for displaying the data.
In accordance with an aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is still further provided a method for operating a handheld diagnostics device for performing at least one remote medical examination wherein the handheld diagnostics device is operably connectable to a remote workstation, for each of the at least one remote medical examinations the method comprising transmitting data from at least one navigation sensor of the diagnostics device to the remote workstation; and receiving an instruction to acquire medical data of a patient.
In accordance with one example of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is still further provided a method wherein for each of the at least one remote medical examinations the method further comprises in response to receiving the instruction to acquire medical data of a patient, transmitting data from the at least one diagnostics sensor to the remote workstation.
In accordance with one example of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is still further provided a method wherein the handheld diagnostics device is further operably connectable to a second workstation, the method further comprising transmitting data from at least one navigation sensor of the diagnostics device to the second workstation for displaying the data.
In accordance with an aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is provided a workstation configured to perform one or more remote medical examinations of a patient wherein the workstation is operably connectable to a remote diagnostics device and wherein the workstation comprising a display and at least one processor configured to perform the following for at least one remote medical examination of the remote medical examinations: [0035] receive navigation enabling data acquired by at least one navigation sensor of the remote diagnostics device, the navigation enabling data being indicative of a spatial disposition of the remote diagnostics device with respect to the patient's body; [0036] display the received navigation enabling data on the display; [0037] receive an indication of a desired spatial disposition of the remote diagnostics device with respect to the patient's body, from which medical data of the patient is to be acquired in accordance with the at least one medical examination, the indication being provided by trained personnel operating the workstation; and [0038] send the received indication to the remote diagnostics device, thus enabling navigation thereof to the desired spatial disposition with respect to the patient's body.
In accordance with one example of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is further provided a workstation wherein the processor is further configured to operate at least one diagnostics sensor of the remote diagnostics device in order to acquire the medical data upon arrival to the desired spatial disposition.
In accordance with one example of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is still further provided a workstation wherein the navigation enabling data is body or body organ images.
In accordance with one example of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is still further provided a workstation wherein the body organ images are internal body organ images.
In accordance with one example of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is still further provided a workstation wherein the navigation enabling data is Inertial Navigation System (INS) data received from the at least one navigation sensor.
In accordance with one example of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is still further provided a workstation wherein the processor is further configured to display reference data indicative of the desired spatial disposition of the remote diagnostics device with respect to the patient's body for performing the medical examination.
In accordance with one example of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is further provided a workstation wherein the reference data is acquired during a calibration process performed by trained personnel.
In accordance with one example of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is further provided a workstation wherein the processor is further configured to perform the following steps during the calibration process: [0046] receive an indication of a medical examination to be performed; [0047] provide the trained personnel with guidance for performing the calibration; and [0048] record the reference data indicative of the desired spatial disposition of the remote diagnostics device with respect to the patient's body upon arrival to the desired diagnostics device spatial disposition.
In accordance with one example of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is further provided a workstation further comprising a guiding device configured to receive the indication from the trained personnel.
In accordance with one example of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is yet further provided a workstation wherein the at least one navigation sensor is a camera.
In accordance with one example of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is further provided a workstation wherein the at least one navigation sensor is an INS. In accordance with one example of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is further provided a workstation wherein the processor is further configured to receive medical data acquired by the remote diagnostics device and display it on the display.
In accordance with one example of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is yet further provided a workstation wherein the one or more medical examinations of the patient are defined by a pre-defined check plan associated with the patient.
In accordance with one example of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is yet further provided a workstation wherein the processor is further configured to: receive one or more questions relating to the patient; provide the one or more questions to the remote diagnostics device for presenting them to the patient; and receive answers to the one or more questions.
In accordance with one example of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is yet further provided a workstation wherein the one or more questions are defined by the pre-defined check plan.
In accordance with one example of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is yet further provided a workstation wherein the one or more questions are received from the trained personnel.
In accordance with one example of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is yet further provided a workstation wherein the diagnostics sensor is an image based diagnostics sensor.
In accordance with one example of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is yet further provided a workstation wherein the diagnostics sensor is a sound based diagnostics sensor.
In accordance with one example of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is yet further provided a workstation wherein the processor is further configured to enable the trained personnel to verify that the acquired data meets pre-defined standards.
In accordance with one example of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is yet further provided a workstation wherein the pre-defined standards are at least one of: [0060] (a) a required length of reading; [0061] (b) a minimal recorded sound volume; [0062] (c) a minimal recorded sound quality; [0063] (d) a minimal pressure against the patient's body; [0064] (e) a maximal pressure against the patient's body;
(f) a maximal allowed movement of the remote diagnostics device during acquisition of readings; [0066] (g) a type of image reading; [0067] (h) a required image reading zoom; [0068] (i) a required image reading light; [0069] (j) a required image reading matching to predefined reference; and [0070] (k) a minimal image quality.
In accordance with an aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is yet further provided a method for performing one or more remote medical examinations of a patient using a workstation operably connectable to a remote diagnostics device, and wherein for at least one remote medical examination of the remote medical examinations, the method comprising: [0072] receiving navigation enabling data acquired by at least one navigation sensor of the remote diagnostics device, the navigation enabling data being indicative of a spatial disposition of the diagnostics device with respect to the patient's body; [0073] displaying the received navigation enabling data; [0074] receiving an indication of a desired spatial disposition of the remote diagnostics device with respect to the patient's body, from which medical data of the patient is to be acquired in accordance with the at least one medical examination, the indication being provided by trained personnel operating the workstation; and [0075] sending the received indication to the remote diagnostics device, thus enabling navigation thereof to the desired spatial disposition with respect to the patient's body.
In accordance with one example of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is yet further provided a method further comprising acquiring the medical data upon arrival to the desired spatial disposition.
In accordance with one example of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is yet further provided a method wherein the navigation enabling data is body or body organ images.
In accordance with one example of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is yet further provided a method wherein the body organ images are internal body organ images.
In accordance with one example of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is yet further provided a method wherein the navigation enabling data is Inertial Navigation System (INS) data received from the at least one navigation sensor.
In accordance with one example of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is yet further provided a method further comprising displaying reference data indicative of the desired spatial disposition of the remote diagnostics device with respect to the patient's body for performing the medical examination.
In accordance with one example of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is yet further provided a method wherein the reference data is acquired during a calibration process performed by trained personnel.
In accordance with one example of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is yet further provided a method wherein the one or more medical examinations of the patient are defined by a pre-defined check plan associated with the patient.
In accordance with one example of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is yet further provided a method further comprising: [0089] receiving one or more questions relating to the patient; [0090] providing the one or more questions to the diagnostics device for presenting them to the patient; and [0091] receiving answers to the one or more questions.
In accordance with one example of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is yet further provided a method wherein the one or more questions are defined by the pre-defined check plan.
In accordance with one example of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is yet further provided a method wherein the one or more questions are received from the trained personnel.
In accordance with one example of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is yet further provided a method further comprising enabling the trained personnel to verify that the acquired data meets pre-defined standards.
In accordance with one example of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is yet further provided a method wherein the pre-defined standards are at least one of: [0096] (a) a required length of reading; [0097] (b) a minimal recorded sound volume; [0098] (c) a minimal recorded sound quality; [0099] (d) a minimal pressure against the patient's body; [0100] (e) a maximal pressure against the patient's body;
(f) a maximal allowed movement of the remote diagnostics device during acquisition of readings; [0102] (g) a type of image reading; [0103] (h) a required image reading zoom; [0104] (i) a required image reading light; [0105] (j) a required image reading matching to predefined reference; and [0106] (k) a minimal image quality.
In accordance with an aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is yet further provided a handheld diagnostics device configured to perform one or more remote medical examinations of a patient, wherein the handheld diagnostics device is operably connectable to a remote workstation and wherein the handheld diagnostics device comprising at least one navigation sensor, at least one diagnostics sensor and a processor, the processor configured to perform the following for the at least one remote medical examination of said remote medical examinations: [0108] acquire navigation enabling data utilizing the at least one navigation sensor, the navigation enabling data being indicative of a spatial disposition of the diagnostics device with respect to the patient's body; [0109] send the acquired navigation enabling data to the remote workstation; [0110] receive an indication of a desired spatial disposition with respect to the patient's body, from which medical data of the patient is to be acquired in accordance with the at least one remote medical examination; [0111] determine a spatial disposition of the diagnostics device with respect to the desired spatial disposition, utilizing the acquired navigation enabling data and the reference data; [0112] calculate a required movement correction from the determined spatial disposition to the desired spatial disposition, for acquiring medical data of the patient in accordance with the at least one medical examination; and [0113] provide a user with maneuvering instructions to navigate the diagnostics device to the desired spatial disposition in accordance with the calculated route.
In accordance with one example of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is yet further provided a handheld diagnostics device wherein the processor is further configured to operate at least one diagnostics sensor of the diagnostics device in order to acquire the medical data upon arrival to the desired spatial disposition.
In accordance with one example of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is yet further provided a handheld diagnostics device wherein the operate is performed in response to a command received from the remote workstation.
In accordance with one example of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is yet further provided a handheld diagnostics device wherein the navigation enabling data is body or body organ images.
In accordance with one example of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is yet further provided a handheld diagnostics device wherein the body organ images are internal body organ images.
In accordance with one example of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is yet further provided a handheld diagnostics device wherein the navigation enabling data is Inertial Navigation System (INS) data received from the at least one navigation sensor.
In accordance with one example of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is yet further provided a handheld diagnostics device wherein the processor is further configured to: [0120] receive a command to acquire reference data indicative of the desired spatial disposition of the diagnostics device with respect to the patient's body for performing the medical examination; [0121] acquire the reference data utilizing the at least one diagnostics sensor; and [0122] transmit the reference data to the remote workstation.
In accordance with one example of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is yet further provided a handheld diagnostics device wherein the command is received from the remote workstation during a calibration process performed by trained personnel.
In accordance with one example of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is yet further provided a handheld diagnostics device wherein the at least one navigation sensor is a camera.
In accordance with one example of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is yet further provided a handheld diagnostics device wherein the at least one navigation sensor is an INS.
In accordance with one example of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is yet further provided a handheld diagnostics device wherein the one or more medical examinations of the patient are defined by a pre-defined check plan associated with the patient.
In accordance with one example of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is yet further provided a handheld diagnostics device wherein the processor is further configured to: [0128] provide the user with one or more questions relating to the patient; [0129] receive answers to the one or more questions; and [0130] transmit the answers to the remote workstation.
In accordance with one example of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is yet further provided a handheld diagnostics device wherein the one or more questions are defined by the pre-defined check plan.
In accordance with one example of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is yet further provided a handheld diagnostics device wherein the one or more questions are received from trained personnel operating the workstation.
In accordance with one example of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is yet further provided a handheld diagnostics device wherein the diagnostics sensor is an image based diagnostics sensor.
In accordance with one example of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is yet further provided a handheld diagnostics device wherein the diagnostics sensor is a sound based diagnostics sensor.
In accordance with an aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is yet further provided a method for operating a handheld diagnostics device for performing one or more remote medical examinations of a patient, wherein the handheld diagnostics device is operably connectable to a remote workstation and wherein for the at least one remote medical examination of the remote medical examinations the method comprising: [0136] acquiring navigation enabling data utilizing at least one navigation sensor of the handheld diagnostics device, the navigation enabling data being indicative of a spatial disposition of the diagnostics device with respect to the patient's body; [0137] sending the acquired navigation enabling data to the remote workstation; [0138] receiving an indication of a desired spatial disposition with respect to the patient's body, from which medical data of the patient is to be acquired in accordance with the at least one remote medical examination; [0139] determining a spatial disposition of the diagnostics device with respect to the desired spatial disposition, utilizing the acquired navigation enabling data and the reference data; [0140] calculating a required movement correction from the determined spatial disposition to the desired spatial disposition, for acquiring medical data of the patient in accordance with the at least one medical examination; and [0141] providing a user with maneuvering instructions to navigate the diagnostics device to the desired spatial disposition in accordance with the calculated route.
In accordance with one example of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is yet further provided a method further comprising operating at least one diagnostics sensor of the diagnostics device in order to acquire the medical data upon arrival to the desired spatial disposition.
In accordance with one example of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is yet further provided a method wherein the operating is performed in response to receiving a command from the remote workstation.
In accordance with one example of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is yet further provided a method wherein the navigation enabling data is a body or body organ images.
In accordance with one example of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is yet further provided a method wherein the body organ images are internal body organ images.
In accordance with one example of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is yet further provided a method wherein the navigation enabling data is Inertial Navigation System (INS) data received from the at least one navigation sensor.
In accordance with one example of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is yet further provided a method further comprising: [0148] receiving a command to acquire reference data indicative of the desired spatial disposition of the diagnostics device with respect to the patient's body for performing the medical examination; [0149] acquiring the reference data; and [0150] transmitting the reference data to the remote workstation.
In accordance with one example of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is yet further provided a method further comprising: [0152] receiving a command to acquire a reference image indicative of the desired spatial disposition of the diagnostics device with respect to the patient's body for performing the medical examination; [0153] acquiring the reference image; and [0154] transmitting the reference image to the remote workstation.
In accordance with one example of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is yet further provided a method wherein the command is received from the remote workstation during a calibration process performed by trained personnel operating the workstation.
In accordance with one example of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is yet further provided a method wherein the one or more medical examinations of the patient are defined by a pre-defined check plan associated with the patient.
In accordance with one example of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is yet further provided a method further comprising: [0158] providing the user with one or more questions relating to the patient; [0159] receiving answers to the one or more questions; and [0160] transmitting the answers to the remote workstation.
In accordance with one example of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is yet further provided a method wherein the one or more questions are defined by the pre-defined check plan.
In accordance with one example of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is yet further provided a method wherein the one or more questions are received from trained personnel operating the workstation.
In order to understand the presently disclosed subject matter and to see how it may be carried out in practice, the subject matter will now be described, by way of non-limiting examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
In the drawings and descriptions set forth, identical reference numerals indicate those components that are common to different embodiments or configurations.
Unless specifically stated otherwise, as apparent from the following discussions, it is appreciated that throughout the specification discussions utilizing terms such as “receiving”, “utilizing”, “transmitting”, “determining”, “sending”, “recording”, “displaying”, “calculating”, “providing”, “acquiring”, “verifying” or the like, include action and/or processes of a computer that manipulate and/or transform data into other data, said data represented as physical quantities, e.g. such as electronic quantities, and/or said data representing the physical objects. The term “computer” should be expansively construed to cover any kind of electronic device with data processing capabilities, including, by way of non-limiting example, a personal computer, a server, a computing system, a communication device, a processor (e.g. digital signal processor (DSP), a microcontroller, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), etc.), any other electronic computing device, and or any combination thereof.
The operations in accordance with the teachings herein may be performed by a computer specially constructed for the desired purposes or by a general purpose computer specially configured for the desired purpose by a computer program stored in a computer readable storage medium.
As used herein, the phrase “for example,” “such as”, “for instance” and variants thereof describe non-limiting embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter. Reference in the specification to “one case”, “some cases”, “other cases” or variants thereof means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment(s) is included in at least one embodiment of the presently disclosed subject matter. Thus the appearance of the phrase “one case”, “some cases”, “other cases” or variants thereof does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment(s).
It is appreciated that certain features of the presently disclosed subject matter, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the presently disclosed subject matter, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination.
In embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter one or more stages illustrated in the figures may be executed in a different order and/or one or more groups of stages may be executed simultaneously and vice versa. The figures illustrate a general schematic of the system architecture in accordance with some examples of the presently disclosed subject matter. Each module in the figures can be made up of any combination of software, hardware and/or firmware that performs the functions as defined and explained herein. The modules in the figures may be centralized in one location or dispersed over more than one location.
Bearing this in mind, attention is drawn to
For the purpose of performing a medical examination, user 102 operates a diagnostic device 104, as further detailed below. In some cases, user 102 also operates a patient workstation 114, as further detailed below. Patient workstation 114 can be any computer, including a personal computer, a portable computer, a cellular handset or an apparatus with appropriate processing capabilities, including a computer and/or an apparatus which can be, for example, specifically configured for that purpose. It is to be noted that in some cases, patient workstation 114 can be incorporated within diagnostics device 104. Diagnostics device 104 comprises (or is otherwise associated with) at least one processor 106 (e.g. digital signal processor (DSP), a microcontroller, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), etc.) and a memory unit 110 (e.g. ROM, hard disk, etc.). Processor 106 is configured to receive instructions and control the components and operations of diagnostics device 104.
In some cases diagnostics device 104 can be configured to communicate with patient workstation 114. The communication between diagnostics device 104 and patient workstation 114 can be realized by any communication means, e.g. via wired or wireless communication. It can be noted that user 102, patient 103, diagnostics device 104 and patient workstation 114 are located at patient location 100.
Diagnostics device 104 can be configured to acquire various data as further detailed below. The acquired data can be transmitted (directly from diagnostics device 104 or through patient workstation 114) to trained personnel workstation 122 located at trained personnel location 120 and/or to central system 130. Central system 130 and trained personnel workstation 122 can be any computer, including a personal computer, a portable computer, a cellular handset or an apparatus with appropriate processing capabilities, including a computer and/or an apparatus which can be, for example, specifically configured for that purpose. The acquired data can be transmitted for example via Internet 116. It is to be noted that the data can be transmitted while utilizing other known communication alternatives, such as a cellular network, VPN, LAN, etc.
Central system 130 comprises patient & check plan repository 136 in which various data relating to the patient is maintained. Such data can include, for example, patient identification number, patient name, patient age, patient contact details, patient medical data (such as diseases, sensitivities to medicines, etc.), check plans data (as further detailed below), etc. Central system 130 can further comprise a medical examination repository 134 in which data acquired by diagnostics device 104 and patient workstation 114 is maintained. Such data can include, for example, results of medical examinations performed using diagnostics device (such as ear readings, lungs or heart recorded sound, blood pressure, body temperature, etc. as further detailed below). Central system 130 further comprises management system 132 configured to forward received data to a selected trained personnel workstation 122 (for example an available trained personnel workstation 122 or trained personnel workstation 122 with the shortest queue). It is to be noted that when providing a central system, there may be more than one trained personnel location 120 and trained personnel 124 as central system 130 allows for a distributed approach in which data can be received by the central system 130 from multiple patient locations and transferred by it to multiple trained personnel locations. Thus, in case the transmitted data is received at central system 130, the data is saved in medical examination repository 134 and management system 132 can transmit the received data to trained personnel location 120 (e.g. via Internet 116. It is to be noted that the data can be transmitted while utilizing other known alternatives, such as a cellular network, VPN, LAN, etc.). In some cases, management system 132 can also manage other processes such as, subscribing patients, planning scheduling of patients to available trained personnel, etc.
It is to be noted that central system 130 is optional to the solution and that central system 130 can be part of the trained personnel system 120, In addition the communication between the patient location 100 to the trained personnel location 120 can be implemented directly without the use of or need for a central system 130.
When the transmitted data is received at trained personnel workstation 122, the data can be saved in trained personnel data repository 123 that can be connected to trained personnel workstation 122. A trained personnel 124 (e.g. a doctor, a nurse, a medic, etc., including any other person with the know-how and skill to acquire and/or analyze medical data), located at trained personnel location 120, can retrieve and review the acquired data, for example using trained personnel workstation 122. It is to be noted that patient workstation 114, trained personnel workstation 122 and central system 130 can include a display (e.g. LCD screen), and a keyboard or any other suitable input/output devices. In some cases, trained personnel 124 can provide feedback to user 102, for example by transmitting data back to patient workstation 114. Such feedback can include, for example, analysis of the received data, request to receive more data, medical treatment instructions, invitation to further examination, etc. Alternatively or additionally, trained personnel 124 can transmit feedback data to central system 130, which, in turn, can transmit the feedback data to patient workstation 114 (e.g. via the Internet, cellular network, etc.).
Examination logic module 208 can be responsible for operating diagnostics device 104 for performing a medical examination of patient 103. Diagnostics device 104 can be activated for example by User 102. Upon activation, user 102 can optionally indicate the patient to be checked. Such indication can be in the form of inputting patient 103 identification details (e.g. patient id, patient name, etc.), for example in patient workstation 114. In other cases such indication can be in the form of selecting a specific patient 103, for example from a list of known patients. Such list of known patients can be displayed on patient workstation 114. In some cases, such list of known patients can be displayed on a display connected to diagnostics device 104. Details of known patients to be presented on such list of known patients can be retrieved, for example, from one or more of: data repository 216, check plan repository 210, trained personnel data repository 123, patient & check plan repository 136 or any other location operatively connected to diagnostics device 104 on which patient data is stored. In further cases diagnostic device 104 can automatically identify patient 103 by using methods of body identification such as face recognition, fingerprint reading or any other mean of biometric identification. Such automatic identification can utilize, for example, navigation camera 420 or any other peripheral, reader or sensor connected to diagnostic device 104 or to patient workstation 114 that enable acquiring data relevant to the automatic identification. It is to be noted that other methods of indicating or identifying a patient to be checked can be utilized as well.
In some cases, after receiving patient 103 details, examination logic module 208 can be configured to retrieve data relating to a check plan. Such check plan data can be stored on one or more of: check plan repository 210, patient & check plan repository 136, trained personnel data repository 123 or any other location operatively connected to diagnostics device 104 on which patient specific check plan data can be stored. A check plan can define a series of medical examinations and data to be acquired by diagnostics device 104. Such medical data acquisition can be performed by user 102 on patient 103. The medical data can include, for example, body temperature, blood pressure, pulse, respiratory rate, throat image, mole image, ear image, etc. The check plan can in some cases be a generic check plan (e.g. a series of medical examinations that can be standard pre-determined medical examinations). In other cases the check plan can be defined according to a certain medical condition of patient 103 (e.g. a check plan for patients with cancer can comprise a series of cancer specific required medical examinations, a check plan for patients with high blood pressure can comprise a series of high blood pressure specific required medical examinations, etc.). In further cases, the check plan can be specifically defined for patient 103, for example according to a trained personnel 124 decision (e.g. a physician interested in monitoring specific medical data of a specific patient can decide upon a patient specific check plan). The check plan can include information, inter alia about the examination process, steps and logic, and predefined reading parameters such as type of sensor to be used (still image vs. video), required length of reading (sound or video recording) in terms of time (e.g. seconds), and reading data thresholds (for example definition of acceptable minimal and/or maximal reading limits to be used as a quality parameter of a reading.
Upon retrieval of the check plan to be performed, examination logic module 208 can be configured to utilize navigation module 204 in order to enable determination of current diagnostics device spatial disposition with respect to patient's 103 body (or a specific part thereof).
It is to be noted that the term spatial disposition or the like can relate to spatial distances, spatial angles (including orientations), or any other spatial reference that is used for characterizing a spatial relationship between two objects, e.g. between diagnostics device 104 and patient's 103 body (or a specific part thereof).
Navigation module 204 can be responsible for the operation of various sensors utilized for that purpose, as further detailed below with reference to
In some cases, examination logic module 208 can be configured to utilize guiding module 206 in order to provide various guidance data instructing user 102 how to maneuver diagnostics device 104 to the desired diagnostics device 104 spatial disposition with respect to patient's 103 body (or a specific part thereof). Such guidance data can include, inter alia, voice commands, image display, diagnostics device 104 vibrations, etc., as further detailed below, inter alia with reference to
Upon arrival to the desired diagnostics device 104 spatial disposition with respect to patient's 103 body (or a specific part thereof), for example as indicated by the patient specific check plan, examination logic module 208 can be configured to utilize reading and verification logic module 212 in order to acquire medical data of patient 103. Upon arrival to desired diagnostics device 104 spatial disposition with respect to patient's 103 body (or a specific part thereof), reading and verification module 212 can be configured to verify that diagnostics device 104 is located at the desired spatial disposition with respect to patient's 103 body (or a specific part thereof) when acquiring medical data of patient 103, as further detailed below, inter alia with reference to
Diagnostics device 104 can be further configured to utilize diagnostics sensor module 202 that can be configured to acquire medical data of patient 103. Diagnostics sensor module 202 can be responsible for the operation of various sensors used for acquiring various medical data of patient 103. Such medical data of patient 103 can be used for example for diagnostics by trained personnel 124. Diagnostics sensor module 202 is further discussed below, inter alia with reference to
In some cases, diagnostics device 104 can further comprise a calibration logic module 214. Calibration logic module 214 can be configured, inter alia, to acquire reference data relating to medical examinations of patient 103, as further detailed below, for example with reference to
It is to be noted that diagnostics device 104 can further comprise data repository 216. Data repository 216 can be configured to store various data, including, inter alia, data relating to one or more patients and various medical data thereof (e.g. data acquired during a medical examination of the patients), as further detailed below.
In some cases, diagnostics device can further comprise check plan repository 210. Check plan repository 210 can be configured to store various data, including, inter alia, data relating to patient specific check plans, as further detailed below.
Image based sensors 310 can include one or more light sources 318. Light sources 318 can be Light Emitting Diodes, or any other light source known in the art. Light sources 318 can be utilized for example to light the areas of which an image is to be acquired in order to provide for sufficient image quality (e.g. a quality that will enable image analysis by trained personnel 124).
Image based sensors 310 can further include image examination peripherals 312. Image examination peripherals 312 can include, inter alia, various components that enable safe access to various body parts, such as a human ear, throat, etc. Such components can be, for example, made of plastic and can be attached to diagnostics device 104. Such components can, for example, have a generic physical structure that fits various body parts regardless of the fact that different people, at different ages, have different body parts structure (e.g. a child has a smaller ear than a grown person and the image examination peripherals 312 can be designed to fit substantially any ear structure, etc.). Image examination peripherals 312 can aid user 102 in positioning the diagnostics device 104 in the desired spatial disposition with respect to patient's 103 body (or a specific part thereof) so that acquisition of image based medical data can be performed.
Image based sensors 310 can further include image acquisition sensor 316. Image acquisition sensor 316 can be, inter alia, a camera (e.g. a still camera, a video camera, etc.), or any other device capable of acquiring an image. Image acquisition sensor 316 can be based on standard sensors such as CMOS or CCD or any other applicable sensor known in the art. Image acquisition sensor 316 can be designed to fit image acquisition of multiple body parts or organs, regardless of size or distance (e.g. it can have the required resolution and/or size and/or light sensitivity to fit multiple body parts or organ readings). It is to be noted that image acquisition sensor 316 can be the same sensor as the navigation image acquisition sensor and vice versa.
Image based sensors 310 can further include examination optics 314. Examination optics 314 can be, for example, camera lenses. Examination optics 314 can be designed to fit various wavelengths, field depth, wide or narrow lens angle, etc. and therefore can fit various types of image readings as well as various types of organ sizes and structures. Examination optics 314 enable image acquisition sensor 316 to acquire image based medical data, having the required properties (e.g. examination optics 314 should enable acquisition of an image that covers the entire area that is required for analysis by trained personnel 124, etc.). In some cases, data acquired from examination optics 314 and image acquisition sensor 316 can be later analyzed and/or transformed and/or aligned to fit the specific required organ area reading (e.g. in order to fit a quality analysis by trained personnel 124, the specific required image area can be cut of the entire image or can be aligned using image analysis and or image transformation or manipulation techniques and/or algorithms known in the art).
Sound based sensors 320 can include one or more sound acquisition sensors 324. Sound acquisition sensors 324 can be, for example, a microphone, or any other device capable of acquiring sound data. Sound acquisition sensors 324 can fit multiple sound frequencies that can be adjusted to fit recording of specific organ sound (as, for example, heart sound frequencies are different than lung sound frequencies). Sound acquisition sensors 324, can also include various abilities to assist acquiring a quality sound such as noise cancellation filters, etc.
Sound based sensors 320 can further include sound examination peripherals 322. Sound examination peripherals 322 can include, inter alia, various components that enable easy fit, comfortable adjustment and safe access to various body parts, such as a human chest, stomach, lung, etc. Such components can be, for example, made of plastic, rubber, etc. and can be attached to diagnostics device 104. Such components can, for example, have a generic physical structure that fits various body parts regardless of the fact that different people, at different ages, have different body parts structure (e.g. a child has a smaller chest than a grown person and the sound examination peripherals 322 can be designed to fit substantially any chest structure, etc.). Sound examination peripherals 322 can aid user 102 in positioning diagnostics device 104 in the desired spatial disposition with respect to patient 103 body (or a specific part thereof) in a way that will enable acquisition of sound based medical data (e.g. allow minimizing any external noise that can interfere with the sound acquisition).
Navigation module 204 can further comprise navigation camera 420. Navigation camera 420 can comprise a navigation image acquisition sensor 422 configured to acquire an image of patient 103 body and can further comprise optics 424. Optics 424 can be, for example, camera lenses. Optics 424 can have various wavelengths, field depth, wide or narrow lens angle, etc. Optics 424 enable navigation camera 420 to acquire navigation enabling image data, having the required properties for enabling navigation of diagnostics device 104. Navigation camera 420 can be used to acquire relevant body and/or organ images that navigation logic module 400 can utilize in order to identify current spatial disposition of diagnostics device 104 with respect to patient's 103 body (or a specific part thereof). This calculation can be done, for example, by comparing an image acquired (e.g. in real time or near real time) from the navigation camera 420 to a set of reference images that can be stored, for example, on check plan repository 210. When a specific image element is found in one of the reference images (as further described, inter alia with respect to
Navigation module 204 can further comprise one or more navigation light sources 426. Navigation light sources 426 can be Light Emitting Diodes, or any other light source known in the art.
Navigation module 204 can further comprise distance sensors 430. Distance sensors 430 can be for example a laser distance sensor, as known in the art, or any other sensor that can determine distance of diagnostics device 104 from an object (e.g. patient 103 body, or a specific part thereof). Navigation logic module 400 can utilize data received from distance sensors 430 in order to calculate the spatial disposition of diagnostics device with respect to patient's 103 body (or a specific part thereof).
Navigation module 204 can further comprise pressure sensors 440. Pressure sensors 430 can be a known in the art pressure sensor that can determine the amount of pressure exerted on diagnostics device 104 as it is pressed against an object (e.g. patient 103 body or a specific part thereof). Navigation logic module 400 can utilize data received from pressure sensors 440 in order to calculate the spatial disposition of diagnostics device with respect to patient's 103 body (or a specific part thereof).
It is to be noted that any data acquired by the various components of navigation module 204 can be considered as navigation enabling data.
For that purpose, guiding module 206 can comprise one or more output sources, such as, for example, display 502, speaker 510, vibration elements 508, guiding light sources 506, keypad 504, etc. Display 502 can be configured to present visual data providing user 102 with information on how to maneuver diagnostics devise 104 to the desired diagnostics device 104 spatial disposition with respect to patient's 103 body (or a specific part thereof). Such information can, in some cases, include a visual representation of diagnostics device 104 current spatial disposition with respect to patient's 103 body (or a specific part thereof) and on the desired diagnostics device 104 spatial disposition with respect to patient's 103 body (or a specific part thereof).
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Vibration elements 508 can provide vibrating feedback, for example in order to indicate user 102 that a movement that he is making is not correct (e.g. if diagnostics device 104 should be moved to the right and user 102 moves it to the left, a vibration can be initiated). Vibration can also be provided indicating that diagnostics device reached desired spatial disposition with respect to patient's 103 body (or a specific part thereof). In some cases such vibration will be a different vibration than a vibration indicating wrong movement.
Guiding light source 506 can provide light feedback to user 102 about required diagnostics device 104 movement and/or proximity of diagnostics device 104 to desired spatial disposition with respect to patient's 103 body (or a specific part thereof). For example a combination of LED elements (such as a matrix of LED elements located on diagnostic device 104) can provide user 102 with a light feedback about the required movement direction (e.g. right, left, up, down, etc.). In such case, guiding light source 506 can be configured to utilize movement sensors 612 and orientation sensors 614 in order to calculate and use the correct light source (e.g. specific LED, etc.) which is relevant to the current movement based on current diagnostic device 104 spatial disposition with respect to patient's 103 body (or a specific part thereof) (e.g. the same LED can sometimes point up and sometimes down according to the device orientation). In addition, the LED elements can also provide a proximity feedback using specific rate of lights going on and off.
Key pad 504—In some cases the guiding process, using guiding logic module 500 can also require a feedback from user 102, for example a confirmation about ending a specific medical examination, etc. For that purpose, guiding module 206 can comprise one or more input sources, such as, for example, keypad 504.
Diagnostics device 104, for example by utilizing examination logic module 208, can be further configured to display a questionnaire (step 604) to be answered by user 102 and/or patient 103. Questionnaire can be displayed, for example, on patient workstation 114 or can be played as a voice based questionnaire. Questionnaire can comprise generic and/or patient 103 specific questions designed to provide trained personnel 124 with various data (e.g. data relating to patient 103 medical condition), including data required to enable analysis of the medical data acquired during the medical examinations (e.g. “does the patient have a fever and how long?”, “how high is it?”, “does the patient feel any pain?”, “where is the pain located?”, etc.). User 102 or patient 103 can answer the questionnaire using for example voice recording using the diagnostic device 104 or using the patient workstation 114, or for example by replying to a computerized questionnaire which can be displayed on patient workstation 114. It is to be noted that other methods can be utilized in order to provide answers to the questionnaire.
Diagnostics device 104, for example by utilizing examination logic module 208, can be further configured to perform a medical examination selection and initiation (step 606). For that purpose, diagnostics device 104 can enable user 102 to select a medical examination to be performed, either manually or from a list of checks to be performed as defined in patient 103 check plan. Alternatively, diagnostics device 104 can select and initiate a check according to a pre-defined order set by patient 103 specific check plan, without input from user 102. The medical examination initiation can consist of, for example, retrieving reference medical examination data from the check plan or a relevant repository (similar to medical examination initiation step 602).
Following selection of a check, diagnostics device 104, for example by utilizing navigation module 204, can be configured to perform device orientation (step 608). For example, diagnostics device 104 can instruct user 102 to move it to a position and orientation in proximity of a known reference point (e.g. patient 103 nose, ear, eye, etc.). During positioning of diagnostics device in proximity of such known reference point, diagnostics device 104 can instruct navigation camera to continuously or periodically acquire images of the patient's body. Diagnostics device 104 can continuously compare the acquired images to known reference images of patient 103 (e.g. reference images saved for example in one or more of: check plan repository 210, data repository 216, patient & check plan repository 136, trained personnel data repository 123 or any other location operatively connected to diagnostics device 104 on which patient data is stored), as further detailed, inter alia with respect to
Following orientation of diagnostics device 104 with respect to patient's 103 body (or a specific part thereof), diagnostics device 104, for example by utilizing navigation module 204, can be configured to perform navigation and guiding (step 610) of diagnostics device 104 to the desired spatial disposition with respect to the patient's 103 body (or a specific part thereof) that will enable acquisition of medical data by diagnostics device 104. Diagnostics device 104 can be configured to calculate a route to a desired spatial disposition with respect to the patient's 103 body (or a specific part thereof). Such desired spatial disposition with respect to the patient's 103 body (or a specific part thereof) can be defined, for example, by the patient specific check plan (e.g. in accordance with the personalized organ/body calibration performed for patient 103). The route calculation is performed continuously or periodically, for example until arrival to the desired diagnostics device 104 spatial disposition with respect to the patient's 103 body (or a specific part thereof). It is to be noted that the navigation and route calculation processes are further explained below, inter alia with respect to
It is to be noted that in some cases, diagnostics device 104 navigation can be performed without use of any patient specific reference data, but only using generic reference data. In such cases, diagnostics device 104 can be configured to continuously or periodically acquire patient medical data, and monitor to see if the acquired medical data meets certain criteria that indicate that the acquired data is the requested data. For example, diagnostic device 104 can use predefined generic images of a typical organ such as an ear drum (not specific to a patient) as a reference. In this case, for example, diagnostic device 104 can be configured to continually analyze the acquired patient's internal ear image, and try to match the reading to the generic image reference. Matching criteria can be, for example, a unique image characteristic of the organ such as the circular structure of the eardrum, and its image contrast compared to the surrounding image. Another example for a generic organ reading reference can be a generic sound wave of a human heart, and in this case, for example, the matching criteria can be the sound wave unique structure and special characteristics such as pace, amplitude, volume, etc.
In still further cases, diagnostics device 104 navigation can be performed with utilization of INS readings alone, using, for example, movement sensors 412 and orientation sensors 414. In such cases, diagnostics device 104 can be initiated for example by touching three identifiable body points, such as two patient 103 nipples and patient 103 belly button. Using known in the art triangulation calculation methods, diagnostics device 104 can than utilize movement sensors 412 and orientation sensors 414 alone to navigate to various body points.
Upon arrival to diagnostics device 104 desired spatial disposition with respect to the patient's 103 body (or a specific part thereof), diagnostics device 104, for example by utilizing reading and verification logic module 212, can be configured to perform a reading and verification of the reading (step 612). Diagnostics device 104 can be configured to verify that it is located at the desired spatial disposition with respect to the patient's 103 body (or a specific part thereof) when acquiring medical data of patient 103. Diagnostics device 104 can be further configured to prepare for acquiring medical data of patient 103, and to perform acquisition of such medical data. After acquisition of medical data of patient, diagnostics device 104 can be configured to verify that the acquired data meets pre-defined standards (e.g. a required length of reading, recorded sound volume, reading parameters thresholds, etc.), as further detailed below, inter alia with reference to
Following reading acquisition and verification of patient 103 medical data, diagnostics device 104 can be configured to check if the medical examination is done (e.g. all medical examinations defined by patient 103 check plan have been performed). If not, diagnostics device 104 can be configured to move to the next medical examination indicated by patient 103 check plan. If all required medical examinations are performed, diagnostics device 104 can be configured to finalize the check (step 614). During the check finalization 614, as well as in any other step of the described process, diagnostic device 104 can be configured to perform any required action to the acquired patient 103 medical data. Such actions can include, for example, updating repository status, embedding patient data or check data in the reading data, encrypting data, compressing data, transmitting the acquired data to different locations (e.g. trained personnel workstation 122 and/or central system 130), etc.
After calibration initiation, trained personnel 124 can select a specific check (for example a check that is required for the specific patient 103 and activate diagnostics device 104 calibration mode (step 704). Optionally, the specific check is selected from a list of checks (that can be displayed, for example, on diagnostic device 104 or on trained personnel workstation 122). Following activation of calibration mode, diagnostics device 104 can be configured to guide trained personnel 124 during calibration (step 706). Such guidance of trained personnel 124 is performed in accordance with the selected check and the calibration method.
Diagnostics device 104 can be further configured to record reference data (in accordance with the calibration method, as detailed below) during performance of the medical examination by trained personnel 124 and optionally present the recorded data, for example on trained personnel workstation 122 (step 708). The recorded reference data can be stored, for example, in one or more of: check plan repository 210, data repository 216, patient & check plan repository 136, trained personnel data repository 123 or any other location operatively connected to diagnostics device 104 on which patient data is stored.
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Following acquisition of an image diagnostics device 104 can be configured to try to extract reference points from the acquired image. For this purpose, diagnostics device can be configured to utilize pre-stored data relating to expected points within the area of the acquired image (e.g. if the acquired image is of patient 103 head, expected reference points can be the eyes, the nose, the mouth, the eyebrows, etc., if the acquired image is of patient chest, expected reference points can be the nipples, the navel, etc.) in order to try and find a match thereto within the acquired image (step 772). For example, if an image of the chest was acquired, diagnostics device 104 can be configured to look for the nipples in the acquired image (for example diagnostics device 104 can utilize pre-stored data that indicates that a nipple appearance is round, its size can have a certain range and it is regularly darker than its surrounding area). Diagnostics device 104 can be configured to ask trained personnel 124 to acknowledge the calculated reference points.
In case diagnostics device 104 fails to find a match to the expected reference points within the acquired image, diagnostics device 104 can optionally be configured to notify trained personnel 124 of the failure. Diagnostics device 104 can optionally be further configured to enable trained personnel 124 to mark the reference points manually on the acquired image that, for that purpose, can be displayed on trained personnel workstation 122 (step 773). Such marking of the reference points can be performed for example by using an indicator presented on trained personnel workstation 122, where said indicator can be moved, for example, by a computer mouse or any other suitable input device (e.g. keypad, track pad, etc.). Alternatively or additionally, diagnostics device 104 can be configured to enable such marking by touch of trained personnel 124 on the reference points, for example using his finger. In such cases, diagnostics device 104 can be configured to identify trained personnel 124 finger within the image acquired by navigation camera 420.
Following marking of the reference points, diagnostics device 104 can be configured to instruct trained personnel 124 to mark the desired location of diagnostics device 104 for medical data acquisition on the acquired image (step 774). In some cases, diagnostics device 104 can be further configured to mark the next desired location of diagnostics device 104 for medical data acquisition on the acquired image (step 775), and the process repeats until all desired locations of diagnostics device 104 for medical data acquisition are marked on the acquired image.
It is to be noted that in some cases, each of the calibration methods detailed above can be performed virtually, as instead of an actual physical meeting between trained personnel 124 and patient 103, a virtual meeting can take place, in which trained personnel 124 can, for example, guide user 102 on how to perform the calibration. In such cases, user 102 can activate diagnostics device throughout the calibration according to trained personnel 124 instructions. Such virtual meeting can utilize known methods and techniques such as video conferencing, etc.
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Diagnostics device 104 can be further configured to repeat the process until calibration is done (for example as indicated by trained personnel 124).
Diagnostics device 104 can be further configured to store the entire examination process (e.g. the series of medical examinations performed by trained personnel 124), for example, in one or more of: check plan repository 210, data repository 216, patient & check plan repository 136, trained personnel data repository 123 or any other location operatively connected to diagnostics device 104 on which patient data is stored (step 730).
It is to be noted that in some cases, there is no need in performing any calibration of diagnostics device 104. In such cases, diagnostics device 104 can be configured to perform a generic check plan or a modified personal check plan using only generic reference data, without utilizing any personal reference data that requires calibration process to the diagnostic device 104. It is to be further noted that in such cases, when performing a certain check (e.g. throat check, ear check, etc.) diagnostics device 104 can instruct user 102 to move to a spatial disposition with respect to the patient's 103 body (or a specific part thereof) in proximity of a known reference point (e.g. patient 103 nose, ear, eye, etc.). During the positioning, diagnostics device 104 can instruct the relevant image based sensor 310 (e.g. relevant organ camera sensor such as ear reading sensor, etc.) to continuously or periodically acquire organ images. Diagnostics device 104 can continuously or periodically compare the acquired images to known generic reference images of the required organ to be read (e.g. reference images of “ear drums”, throat tonsils, etc.). The reference images can be saved for example in check plan repository 210, data repository 216, patient & check plan repository 136, trained personnel data repository 123 or any other location operatively connected to diagnostics device 104 on which patient data is stored. User 102 can then move diagnostics device 104 towards a spatial disposition with respect to the patient's 103 body (or a specific part thereof) approximate to the desired spatial disposition with respect to the patient's 103 body (or a specific part thereof) until diagnostics device 104 identifies at least one matching reference point (as further detailed below, inter alia with respect to
Following locating diagnostics device 104 in proximity of a known reference point relating to the specific selected medical examination, diagnostics device 104 can be configured to activate one or more navigation sensors such as INS sensors 410, navigation camera 420, navigation light sources 426, pressure sensors 440, distance sensors 430, etc. (step 804).
Diagnostics device 104 can be configured to utilize the data received from the one or more navigation sensors and start searching for known reference points according to which the current spatial disposition of diagnostics device 104 with respect to the desired position and orientation with respect to patient's 103 body (or a specific part thereof) can be calculated (step 806). The current spatial disposition of diagnostics device 104 with respect to patient's 103 body (or a specific part thereof) can be calculated by utilizing identification of one or more known reference points (stored on one or more of: check plan repository 210, data repository 216, patient & check plan repository 136, trained personnel data repository 123 or any other location operatively connected to diagnostics device 104 on which patient data is stored) within the data received from the one or more navigation sensors. For example, if a throat medical examination is requested, diagnostics device activates one or more navigation sensors such as navigation camera 420, etc., and compares the received data relating to patient's 103 throat with relevant reference data (such as patient's throat image, nose image, etc.) stored on one or more of: check plan repository 210, data repository 216, patient & check plan repository 136, trained personnel data repository 123 or any other location operatively connected to diagnostics device 104 on which patient data is stored. When a match is found, diagnostics device 104 can calculate its relative spatial disposition with respect to the desired spatial disposition. Such calculated spatial disposition can be used as an origin point for performing the navigation process to enable medical data acquisition (in the example, medical data relating to patient 103 throat) using known methods and techniques. One exemplary, non-limiting method is comparing images acquired by navigation sensors (e.g. navigation camera 420) with known reference images. When a match is found the approximate spatial disposition can be calculated. It can be appreciated that images can appear at different positions, orientations and scaling factors, however there are some algorithms that can be utilized for compensating such differences, such as, for example, using Scale-Invariant Feature Transform (or SIFT algorithm), which was published by Lowe, David G. (1999) in “Object recognition from local scale-invariant features”, doi:10.1109/ICCV.1999.790410 or in U.S. Pat. No. 6,711,293, “Method and apparatus for identifying scale invariant features in an image and use of same for locating an object in an image”, David Lowe's patent for the SIFT algorithm.
Following calculation of diagnostics device 104 relative spatial disposition with respect to the desired spatial disposition, diagnostics device 104 can be configured to start the navigation and guiding process (step 818).
If a match is found and diagnostics device 104 successfully calculated its current spatial disposition with respect to the desired spatial disposition, diagnostics device 104 can be configured to notify user 102 (step 812) and lock the current spatial disposition as a starting point for the navigation process (step 814). If no match is found, for example after a pre-defined time period (e.g. 15 seconds), diagnostics device 104 can be configured to check for errors (e.g. validate that navigation sensors are operative, validate that reference data is available, etc.) and notify user 102 of the failure to find a match (step 808). If diagnostics device 104 fails to find any error related to it, diagnostics device 104 can be configured to return to step 806 and search again for known reference points. If diagnostics device 104 found an error related to it, diagnostics device 104 can be configured to notify user 102 of the error and, if the error has been handled, diagnostics device 104 can be configured to enable user 102 to return to step 806 and search again for known reference points (step 810).
Diagnostics device 104 can be further configured to continuously calculate its current spatial disposition with respect to the desired spatial disposition (step 902). During continuous or periodic position and orientation calculation, diagnostics device 104 can be configured to continuously receive data from one or more navigation sensors such as INS sensors 410, navigation camera 420, pressure sensors 440, distance sensors 430, etc. (step 906) and continuously calculate its current spatial disposition with respect to patient's 103 body (or a specific part thereof) by means of comparison of the data received from the one or more navigation sensors with the reference data (e.g. reference image, reference INS data, etc.), for example by using known methods and techniques (step 908). One exemplary, non-limiting method is utilizing INS sensors 410 data for computing diagnostics device 104 trajectory according to gyro and accelerometer information. The mathematics is based on a solution of 6 Degrees Of Freedom equations as described in various papers and books (for example “Strapdown Inertial Navigation Technology”, D. Titterton and J. Weston, ISBN 1563476932). In order to overcome error accumulation that can occur with time and which can affect precision, the diagnostics device 104 spatial disposition with respect to patient's 103 body (or a specific part thereof) can be further calculated according to image comparison as detailed above. Thus, the diagnostics device 104 spatial disposition with respect to patient's 103 body (or a specific part thereof) can be constantly or periodically computed by utilizing the INS sensors 410 data (by determining diagnostics device velocity and position) while utilizing image comparison in order to eliminate errors (e.g. by matching reference points). The INS sensors 410 data and the image comparison data can be merged for example by using Kalman Filtering which is an exemplary algorithm for information fusion.
If diagnostics device 104 current spatial disposition with respect to patient's 103 body (or a specific part thereof) is the desired diagnostics device 104 spatial disposition with respect to patient's 103 body (or a specific part thereof), diagnostics device can be configured to acquire patient 103 medical data, as further detailed, inter alia, with respect to
Diagnostics device 104 can be further configured to perform a navigation quality calculation (step 912). Diagnostics device 104 can be configured to check various parameters indicative of the navigation quality, such as convergence (check that the distance from the desired spatial disposition is getting smaller), etc. In case the navigation quality meets the requirements (e.g. the distance to the desired spatial disposition is getting smaller, etc.), diagnostics device returns to step 916 in order to continue the navigation and guiding process. If, however, the navigation quality does not meet the requirements, diagnostics device 104 can be configured to return to step 608 and perform device re-orientation.
Returning to
Diagnostics device 104 can be further configured to continuously calculate pointing object 935 current location with respect to its desired location (step 920). During continuous pointing object 935 location calculation, diagnostics device 104 can be configured to continuously receive data from one or more navigation sensors such as navigation camera 420, distance sensors 430, etc. (step 922) and continuously calculate pointing object 935 current location by means of comparison of the data received from the one or more navigation sensors with the reference data (e.g. reference image, etc.), for example by using known methods and techniques as detailed above (step 924).
If pointing object 935 current location is the desired diagnostics device 104 spatial disposition with respect to patient's 103 body (or a specific part thereof), diagnostics device can be configured to instruct user 102 to move diagnostics device 104 to the location indicated by pointing object 935 (step 928) and acquire patient 103 medical data, as further detailed, inter alia, with respect to
Diagnostics device 104 can be further configured to perform a navigation quality calculation (step 932). Diagnostics device 104 can be configured to check various parameters indicative of the navigation quality, such as convergence (check that the distance of pointing object 935 from its desired location is getting smaller), etc. In case the navigation quality meets the requirements (e.g. the distance of pointing object 935 from its desired location is getting smaller, etc.), diagnostics device returns to step 936 in order to continue the navigation and guiding process. If, however, the navigation quality does not meet the requirements, diagnostics device 104 can be configured to return to step 608 and perform device re-orientation.
It is to be noted that other navigation methods for navigating diagnostics device 104 can be utilized as well.
Diagnostics device 104 can also be configured to recalculate its current spatial disposition with respect to patient's 103 body (or a specific part thereof) and verify that no movements have been made and that it is still located in the desired spatial disposition (step 902). In case there has been a change in diagnostics device 104 spatial disposition with respect to patient's 103 body (or a specific part thereof), diagnostics device 104 can be configured to return to the navigation and guiding process (610). Otherwise, diagnostics device 104 can be configured to perform medical data acquisition (step 1006). The medical data can be acquired according to the check plan, that, as indicted above, can include information, inter alia about the examination process, steps and logic, and predefined reading parameters such as type of sensor to be used (still image vs. video), required length of reading (sound or video recording) in terms of time (e.g. seconds), and reading data thresholds (for example definition of acceptable minimal and/or maximal reading limits to be used as a quality parameter of a reading. Thus, for example, if the heart is to be checked, the check plan can define that the sound based sensors 320 are to be used and that the reading length should be 3 seconds, or between 2.5 and 5 seconds, etc.).
Following medical data acquisition, diagnostics device 104 can be configured to verify that the acquired medical data meets pre-defined standards (e.g. a required length of reading, reading data thresholds, etc.) (step 1008). For example, if the heart is to be checked, and the check plan defines that the reading length should be between 2.5 and 5 seconds, diagnostics device 104 can be configured to check that the reading length meets the requirement. In case the acquired medical data did not meet the pre-defined standards, diagnostics device 104 can be configured to check if the reading acquisition process was ok (step 1010) (for example that the diagnostics sensors 202 are operative, that the check plan data and the reference data were successfully retrieved, that the navigation and guidance processes succeeded, etc.). If the process was ok, diagnostics device 104 can be configured to return to step 902 (in order to retry acquiring the medical data). If the process was not ok, diagnostics device 104 can be configured to issue a notification to user 102 (for example by presenting a message on diagnostic device 104 or patient workstation 114, etc.) and enable him to review the acquired medical data, if any (step 1012). Diagnostics device 104 can be further configured to enable user 102 to decide if the acquired medical data is to be saved or not.
If user 102 chooses to save the acquired medical data, or the reading acquisition process was ok, diagnostics device 104 can be configured to save the acquired medical data (for example, in one or more of: data repository 216, patient & check plan repository 136, trained personnel data repository 123 or any other location operatively connected to diagnostics device 104 on which patient data is stored) (step 1014).
Optionally, in case the reading acquisition process was ok, diagnostics device 104 can be configured to update the reference data with the acquired medical data (step 1016). This can be performed in order to keep the reference data up to date, as changes can occur to the human body (for example in light of growing up, aging, medical treatments, etc.).
We will now turn to describe another embodiment of the system, in which parts of the functionality described above as performed by diagnostics device 104 is performed by trained personnel 124. It is to be noted that relevant changes to diagnostics device 104 in comparison to the embodiment described above are mentioned below. As indicated above, it is to be noted that identical reference numerals indicate those components that are common to different embodiments or configurations.
As detailed above, for the purpose of performing a medical examination, user 102 operates a diagnostic device 104, as further detailed below. In some cases, user 102 also operates a patient workstation 114, as further detailed below. Patient workstation 114 can be any computer, including a personal computer, a portable computer, a cellular handset or an apparatus with appropriate processing capabilities, including a computer and/or an apparatus which can be, for example, specifically configured for that purpose. Patient workstation 114 can further comprise patient location camera 1114a and patient location microphone 1114b, that can be used, inter alia, for acquiring image (including video) and sound data of patient 103. Such data can be used by trained personnel 124 for example for viewing and hearing patient 103 and/or user 102 and/or diagnostic device 104 by trained personnel 124 as well as allowing video conferencing, as further detailed below. It is to be noted that in some cases, patient workstation 114 can be incorporated within diagnostics device 104. Diagnostics device 104 comprises (or is otherwise associated with) at least one processor 106 (e.g. digital signal processor (DSP), a microcontroller, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), etc.) and a memory unit 110 (e.g. ROM, hard disk, etc.). Processor 106 is configured to receive instructions and control the components and operations of diagnostics device 104.
As detailed above, in some cases diagnostics device 104 can be configured to communicate with patient workstation 114. The communication between diagnostics device 104 and patient workstation 114 can be realized by any communication means, e.g. via wired or wireless communication. It can be noted that user 102, patient 103, diagnostics device 104 and patient workstation 114 are located at patient location 100.
Diagnostics device 104 can be configured to enable acquisition of various data as further detailed below. The acquired data can be transmitted (directly from diagnostics device 104 or through patient workstation 114) to trained personnel workstation 122 located at trained personnel location 120 and/or to central system 130. Central system 130 and trained personnel workstation 120 can be any computer, including a personal computer, a portable computer, a cellular handset or an apparatus with appropriate processing capabilities, including a computer and/or an apparatus which can be, for example, specifically configured for that purpose. The acquired data can be transmitted for example via Internet 116. It is to be noted that the data can be transmitted while utilizing other known communication alternatives, such as a cellular network, VPN, LAN, etc.
As detailed above, central system 130 comprises patient & check plan repository 136 in which various data relating to the patient is maintained. Such data can include, for example, patient identification number, patient name, patient age, patient contact details, patient medical data (such as diseases, sensitivities to medicines, etc.), check plans data (as further detailed below), etc. Central system 130 can further comprise a medical examination repository 134 in which data acquired by diagnostics device 104, patient workstation 114 and trained personnel workstation 122 is maintained. Such data can include, for example, results of medical examinations performed using diagnostics device 104 (such as ear recorded images and video readings, lungs or heart recorded sound, blood pressure, body temperature, etc. as further detailed below). Central system 130 can further comprise management system 132, that can be configured to establish a connection between a selected trained personnel workstation 122 (for example an available trained personnel workstation 122 or trained personnel workstation 122 with the shortest queue) and diagnostics device 104 and/or patient workstation 114. It is to be noted that when providing a central system, there may be more than one trained personnel location 120 and trained personnel 124 as central system 130 allows for a distributed approach in which data can be received by central system 130 from multiple patient locations and transferred to multiple trained personnel locations, for example in order to establish connections between trained personnel workstations and patient workstations and/or diagnostics devices. The connection can be a direct connection or a connection via central system 130, and it can be established e.g. via Internet 116. It is to be noted that other known connection alternatives can be utilized, such as a cellular network, VPN, LAN, etc.). In some cases, management system 132 can also manage other processes such as, subscribing patients, planning scheduling of patients to available trained personnel, managing patient and check plan repository 136, viewing and analyzing medical examination repository 134, etc.
It is to be noted that central system 130 is optional to the solution and that central system 130 can be part of any trained personnel system 120, In addition the communication between trained personnel workstation 122 and diagnostics device 104 and/or patient workstation 114 (also referred to hereinafter as: “tp-patient connection”) can be implemented directly without the use of, or need for, a central system 130. It is also to be noted that tp-patient connection can be implemented using a distributed approach i.e. multiple patients can be served by one trained person and/or one patient can be served by multiple trained persons. In such case, patient workstation 114 can include for example a local repository containing one or more connections information to a relevant trained personnel workstation 122, and vice-versa.
When the transmitted data (including image and voice data of patient 103) is received at trained personnel workstation 122, the data can be displayed on trained personnel workstation 122. For that purpose, trained personnel workstation 122 can include, inter alia, a display (e.g. LCD screen). It is to be noted that the image and voice data of patient 103 can be streamed to trained personnel workstation 122. Trained personnel 124 can view the received data on display and provide user 102 with navigational directions for navigating diagnostics device 104 to a desired spatial disposition with respect to patient's 103 body (or a specific part thereof) from which medical data is to be acquired. For this purpose, trained personnel workstation 122 can comprise trained personnel camera 1122a and trained personnel microphone 1122b that can be used for acquiring image (including video) and sound data of trained personnel 124. It is to be noted that during the tp-patient connection a video conference can take place while utilizing, for example, patient location camera 1114a, patient location microphone 1114b, trained personnel camera 1122a, and trained personnel microphone 1122b. In such cases the data received from trained personnel camera 1122a and trained personnel microphone 1122b, can be presented to user 102 utilizing for example a patient workstation 114 display and speaker using for example video-conference software.
For the purpose of providing navigation instructions to user 102, trained personnel workstation 122 can be further connected to guiding device 1124 (e.g. via a wired or wireless connection). Guiding device 1124 can be any input mean that will enable trained personnel 124 to provide user 102 with six axis movement instructions (up-down, left-right, back-forward, pitch, roll, yaw), as further detailed below, inter alia with respect to
Upon arrival to a desired diagnostics device 104 spatial disposition with respect to patient's 103 body (or a specific part thereof), trained personnel 124 can instruct user 102 to acquire medical data using diagnostics device 104. In addition, trained personnel workstation 122 and/or guiding device 1124 can enable trained personnel 124 to acquire the required medical data by themselves. In such a case, trained personnel workstation 122 and/or guiding device 1124 will transfer trained personnel 124 instruction to diagnostic device 104, which will automatically acquire the required readings based on the received instructions. It is to be noted that trained personnel workstation 122 and/or guiding device 1124 and/or diagnostic device 104 can also be configured to use the pre-defined reading acquisition parameters, as defined in check plan repository 210 and/or patient and check plan repository 136 or any other location operatively connected to trained personnel workstation 122 and/or guiding device 1124 and/or diagnostic device 104 on which patient data is stored. After medical data is acquired, diagnostics device can be configured to transmit the acquired data to trained personnel workstation 122 and/or to central system 130. When the transmitted data is received at trained personnel workstation 122, the data can be saved in trained personnel data repository 123 that can be connected to trained personnel workstation 122. Trained personnel 124 (e.g. a doctor, a nurse, a medic, etc., including any other person skilled to analyze the transmitted data), located at trained personnel location 120, and/or at central system 130, can retrieve and review the acquired data, for example using trained personnel workstation 122. It is to be noted that patient workstation 114, trained personnel workstation 122 and central system 130 can include a display (e.g. LCD screen), and a keyboard or any other suitable input/output devices. In some cases, trained personnel 124 can provide feedback to user 102, for example by transmitting data back to patient workstation 114. Such feedback can include, for example, analysis of the received data, request to receive more data, medical treatment instructions, invitation to a further examination, etc. Alternatively or additionally, trained personnel 124 can transmit feedback data to central system 130, which, in turn, can transmit the feedback data to patient workstation 114 (e.g. via the Internet, cellular network, etc.).
Patient check initiation 1602b can include activating patient workstation 114, including the display, patient location camera 1114a, patient location microphone 1114b and establishment and verification of a tp-patient connection. Patient check initiation 1602b can further include beginning to transmit (e.g. stream) data acquired by patient location camera 1114a and patient location microphone 1114b to trained personnel workstation 122, for example for displaying the acquired data to trained personnel 124. Patient check initiation 1602b can further include retrieving relevant details relating to patient 103 (e.g. from one or more of: data repository 216, check plan repository 210, patient & check plan repository 136 or any other location operatively connected to patient workstation 114 on which patient data is stored) and displaying all or part of the retrieved details on patient workstation 114 (e.g. on a display). The retrieved data can include data relating to a patient specific check plan, reading references, communication parameters, etc. patient check initiation 1602b can further include retrieving relevant details relating to patient 103 from external systems such as visit scheduling system, Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system or any other system or repository, which are relevant to the patient examination.
Device check initiation 1602c can include activating and checking the status of diagnostics device 104, including communication with patient workstation 114 and activation of one or more of diagnostic device 104 modules or sensors (e.g. diagnostics sensors 202 and/or navigation module 204 and/or guiding module and/or examination module). Device check initiation 1602c can further include the beginning of transmission (e.g. stream) of data acquired by diagnostics sensors 202 and/or navigation camera 420 to trained personnel workstation 122, for example for displaying the acquired data to trained personnel 124. It is to be noted that device check initiation 1602c can be performed, for example, by examination logic module 208.
As indicated above, patient workstation 114 and diagnostics device 104 can be configured to periodically or continuously transmit (e.g. stream, for example using Internet 116, cellular network, etc.) data such as images, video and voice to trained personnel workstation 122 for purpose of displaying the data to trained personnel 124 (step 1603), an exemplary presentation on trained personnel workstation 122 display is provided with respect to
Trained personnel workstation 124 can be further configured to instruct trained personnel 124 to perform a questionnaire with respect to patient 103 (step 1604). The questionnaire can be a pre-defined questionnaire or a questionnaire defined by trained personnel on-the-go. The questionnaire can be presented to user 102 by trained personnel (for example utilizing trained personnel camera 1122a, trained personnel microphone 1122b), by patient workstation 114 (e.g. displaying the questions on patient workstation 114 display) or by any other means. User 102 can provide answers to the questionnaire utilizing patient location camera 1114a, patient location microphone 1114b, in which case trained personnel 124 will type the answers to the questionnaire in trained personnel workstation (e.g. using a keyboard). Alternatively user 102 can provide answers to the questionnaire by typing the answers in patient workstation 114 (e.g. using a keyboard). It is to be noted that other methods, such as voice recording, etc. can be utilized in order to provide answers to the questionnaire. The answers to the questionnaire can be stored for example in one or more of data repository 216, check plan repository 210, trained personnel data repository 123, patient & check plan repository 136 or any other location on which patient data is stored and that is operatively connected to trained personnel workstation 122.
A questionnaire can comprise generic and/or patient 103 specific questions designed to provide trained personnel 124 with a patient's medical data (e.g. data relating to patient 103 medical condition), including data required to enable analysis of the medical data acquired during the medical examinations (e.g. “does the patient have a fever and how long?”, “how high is it?”, “does the patient feel any pain?”, “where is the pain located?”, etc.).
Trained personnel workstation 122 can be further configured to perform a medical examination selection and initiation (step 1606). For that purpose, trained personnel workstation 122 can enable trained personnel 124 to select a medical examination to be performed, either manually or from a list of checks to be performed as defined in patient 103 check plan. Alternatively, trained personnel workstation 122 can select and initiate a check according to a pre-defined order set by patient 103 specific check plan, without input from trained personnel 124. The medical examination initiation can consist of, for example, retrieving reference medical examination data from the check plan or a relevant repository. The retrieved data can be displayed to trained personnel 124 on a display. An exemplary presentation on trained personnel workstation 122 display is provided with respect to
Following selection of a check, trained personnel workstation 122 can be configured to enable trained personnel 124 to provide user 102 with navigational instructions on how to navigate diagnostics device 104 to the desired spatial disposition with respect to patient's 103 body (or a specific part thereof) required for acquiring medical data (step 1610). Such desired spatial disposition with respect to patient's 103 body (or a specific part thereof) can be defined, for example, manually or by the patient specific check plan. Trained personnel 124 can view the data presented on trained personnel workstation 122 (including real-time or near real-time streaming data received from one or more of patient location camera 1114a, patient location microphone 1114b, diagnostics sensors 202, navigation module 204) and instruct trained personnel workstation 122 to provide user 102 with instructions for navigating diagnostics device 104 to the desired spatial disposition with respect to patient's 103 body (or a specific part thereof) for acquiring medical data of patient 103. For the purpose of providing the data to be presented on trained personnel workstation 122, diagnostics device 104 can be configured to utilize navigation module 204, including, inter alia, activating INS sensors 410, navigation light source 426, navigation camera 420, distance sensors 430, pressure sensors 440, etc., and transmit (e.g. stream) all or part of the data acquired by any of them.
As indicated above, the navigation instructions can be provided by voice commands (e.g. by transmitting data acquired by trained personnel microphone 1122b to patient workstation 114 or to diagnostic device 104). The navigation instructions can also be provided by utilizing guiding device 1124 that enables trained personnel 124 to perform the navigation and device spatial disposition correction virtually on trained personnel location 120. In such cases, the navigation performed by trained personnel 124 utilizing guiding device 1124 is analyzed and translated to voice commands that can be displayed to user 102. Alternatively or additionally the navigation performed by trained personnel 124 utilizing guiding device 1124 is presented to user 102 visually on patient workstation 114 (e.g. on patient workstation 114 display). In cases where the data is presented visually, the movements made by trained personnel 124 using guiding device 1124 can be presented to user 102 using a representation of diagnostics device 104, such as, for example, shown in
It is to be noted that in some cases, diagnostics device 104 can be configured to utilize INS sensors 410 for verifying that diagnostics device 104 movements performed by user 102 are in-line with the navigational instructions provided by trained personnel 124. In such cases, if there is a mismatch between diagnostics device 104 movements made by user 102 and the navigational instructions provided by trained personnel 124, diagnostics device 104 can be configured to notify user 102 of the mismatch, and present him with the required movement correction. Such notification can be a voice notification (for example using speaker 510), a vibration notification (for example using vibration elements 508) or an image notification displayed (for example using navigation guiding presentation (as shown in
Upon arrival to diagnostics device 104 desired spatial disposition with respect to patient's 103 body (or a specific part thereof), trained personnel workstation 122 can be configured to enable trained personnel 124 to notify user 102 that diagnostics device 104 is in the required spatial disposition. Such notification can be a voice notification (e.g. utilizing trained personnel microphone 1122b). Alternatively or additionally a vibrating notification can be provided by diagnostics device 104 (for example using vibration elements 508) and/or a visual notification can be presented on patient workstation 114 or on display 502 (for example following receipt of an indication from trained personnel 124 that diagnostics device 104 is in the required spatial disposition that can be provided by trained personnel 124 to trained personnel workstation 122, e.g. utilizing keyboard, etc.). It is to be noted that other notification methods can be utilized as well.
Upon arrival to diagnostics device 104 desired spatial disposition with respect to patient's 103 body (or a specific part thereof), trained personnel workstation 122 can be configured to enable trained personnel 124 to perform a remote reading and verification of the reading 1612. For that purpose, trained personnel workstation 122 can be configured to enable trained personnel 124 to instruct diagnostics device 104 to acquire medical data of patient 103 (e.g. using manual instruction and/or utilizing reading and verification logic module 212 and using diagnostics sensors 202, inter alia as indicated above with respect to
Following reading acquisition and verification of patient 103 medical data, trained personnel workstation 122 can be configured to check if the medical examination is done (e.g. all medical examinations defined by patient 103 check plan have been performed). The check can be done either automatically by the trained personnel workstation 122 using the predefined check plan or manually by the trained personnel 124. In case the medical examination is not done, trained personnel workstation 122 can be configured to move to the next medical examination indicated by patient 103 check plan, or to allow the trained personnel 124 to do so manually. If all required medical examinations are performed, trained personnel workstation 122 can be configured to finalize the check, or to allow the trained personnel 124 to do so manually (step 1614).
Patient workstation 114 can utilize the data acquired by the various navigation sensors for presenting (e.g. on a display) data on diagnostics device 104 movements to user 102 (step 1903) This can allow user 102 to receive an immediate feedback relating to diagnostics device 104 movement (prior to receiving a delayed movement correction feedback from trained personnel 124), thus making the navigation process easier. The data on diagnostics device 104 movements can be presented to user 102 for example using a representation of diagnostics device 104, such as, for example, shown in
Trained personnel workstation 122 can utilize the data acquired by the various navigation sensors for presenting (e.g. on a display) data on diagnostics device 104 movements to trained personnel 124 (step 1904). The data on diagnostics device 104 movements can be presented to trained personnel 124 using a representation of diagnostics device 104, such as, for example, shown in
Trained personnel 124 can then utilize the data presented to him (e.g. on a display) and determine if diagnostics device 104 is located in the desired spatial disposition with respect to patient's 103 body (or a specific part thereof) to acquire the required reading and if the current readings received from the diagnostics sensors are of sufficient quality (step 1908). If diagnostics device 104 is located in the desired spatial disposition with respect to patient's 103 body (or a specific part thereof) and the readings received from the diagnostics sensors are of sufficient quality trained personnel workstation 122 can be configured to enable trained personnel 124 to instruct it to continue to the step of acquiring the medical data (step 1612).
If diagnostics device 104 is not located in the desired spatial disposition with respect to patient's 103 body (or a specific part thereof) and/or the readings received from the diagnostics sensors are not of sufficient quality, trained personnel workstation 122 can be configured to enable trained personnel 124 to provide user 102 with instructions for navigating diagnostics device 104 to the desired spatial disposition with respect to patient's 103 body (or a specific part thereof) (step 1912). As detailed above, inter alia with reference to
As indicated above, visual instructions can be based on utilization of guiding device 1124. In such cases, trained personnel workstation 122 can be configured to display the movements made by guiding device 1124 (e.g. on a display). The display can present the movements for example using a representation of diagnostics device 104, as shown for example in
Trained personnel workstation 122 can be configured to transmit (e.g. stream in real time or near-real time) the instructions for correcting the navigation of diagnostics device 104 to the required spatial disposition with respect to patient's 103 body (or a specific part thereof) to patient workstation 114 or to diagnostic device 104 (step 1916). Patient workstation 114 can be configured to provide user 102 with the voice and/or visual instructions provided by trained personnel 124 (step 1918). The instructions can be provided for example by utilizing a display (e.g. display 502) and/or a speaker (e.g. speaker 510). Visual instructions can be presented, for example, as shown and described with reference to
Patient & general information 1932 can comprise, for example, various data and information about the patient and the online visit status, such as patient name, patient age, patient address, patient language, data relating to diseases and/or sensitivities to medicine, online visit date, time, duration etc.
Patient view 1936 can present, for example, data received (e.g. streamed in real time) from patient location camera 1114a or patient location microphone 1114b for enabling trained personnel 124 to see and hear patient 103 and/or user 102. This information can allow for example general patient 103 and diagnostics device 104 orientation as well as video-conferencing between trained personnel 124 and user 102 and/or patient 103.
Organ readings—actual readings 1944 can present for example data about reference readings, and/or past readings of the organ to be checked. Upon acquiring a patient 103 organ reading (e.g. organ image, video or sound), the result reading transferred from diagnostic device 104, can be presented in that area. In addition the organ readings—actual readings 1944 can allow video presentation, zooming, scaling etc. It is to be noted that the reading data presented in this area doesn't require real-time update.
Navigation and guiding presentation 1940 can present the current diagnostics device 104 spatial disposition with respect to patient's 103 body (or a specific part thereof), the desired diagnostics device 104 spatial disposition with respect to patient's 103 body (or a specific part thereof) and the required correction movement to be performed to diagnostics device 104 in order to move it to the desired spatial disposition with respect to patient's 103 body (or a specific part thereof). In addition the area can also present trained personnel guiding device 1124 position and orientation based on trained personnel 124 movement. Navigation and guiding presentation 1940, can also be configured to allow real-time presentation of the guiding/correction movement made by trained personnel 124 vs. the corresponding movement made by user 103 using diagnostic device 104, thus allowing visual presentation of the tracing of user 103 movements based on trained personnel 124 guiding & navigation correction.
Organ view—active sensor 1942 can present data received (e.g. streamed in real time or near real-time) from diagnostics sensors (e.g. image based sensors 310). Trained personnel 124 can use this data, inter alia in order to determine if medical data acquisition can be performed (e.g. diagnostics device 104 is positioned and oriented as desired, the image quality is good, etc.). It is to be noted that trained personnel workstation 122 can be configured to use lower quality real-time (or near real-time) data streaming in organ view—active sensor area 1942 (e.g. to increase performance and allow general device position), while using a higher quality reading in the organ reading—actual reading area 1944 (e.g. use higher quality sensor reading like high definition image and sound, to be transferred not in real time).
Application menu 1934 can present for example various operational options for operating the system, such as beginning a medical examination, saving a medical examination, acquiring medical data, inserting various written data to system (e.g. diagnostics data, comments, etc.), etc. In addition the application menu 1934 can be configured to allow a remote control of diagnostic device 104 sensors (e.g. light intense, zoom, focus, sound filters, etc.). It is to be noted that application menu 1934, can be also configured as context sensitive menu, e.g. the menu can add/remove functionality with relation to a specific window area currently in focus or being manipulated (e.g. add/remove specific functions related for example to a specific window area).
Trained personnel workstation 122 can be configured to enable trained personnel 124 to instruct diagnostics device 104 and the diagnostics sensors to prepare to acquire medical data of patient 103 (step 2004). The preparation can be defined by the patient specific check plan or according to instructions provided by trained personnel 124. Such preparations can include preparing diagnostics sensors 202 to acquire medical data according to the patient specific check plan. Exemplary preparations are setting image acquisition sensor 316 zoom and/or focus, activating light sources 318 at correct power, activating sound acquisition sensor 324, etc. In addition diagnostic device 104 can be configured to retrieve the relevant reading parameters and thresholds for example from the patient specific check plan (e.g. the required length of reading, reference thresholds such as minimal sound volume, etc.). It is to be noted that trained personnel 124 can also manually adjust or change the relevant reading parameters and thresholds (e.g. override the patient specific check plan).
Trained personnel workstation 122 can be configured to enable trained personnel 124 to re-evaluate diagnostics device 104 current spatial disposition with respect to patient's 103 body (or a specific part thereof) and verify that no movements have been made and that it is still located in the desired spatial disposition with respect to patient's 103 body (or a specific part thereof) (step 2005). In case there has been a change in diagnostics device 104 position and/or orientation, trained personnel workstation 122 can be configured to enable trained personnel 124 to return to the navigation and guiding process (1610). Otherwise, trained personnel workstation 122 can be configured to enable trained personnel 124 to perform medical data acquisition utilizing diagnostics device 104 (step 2006). The medical data can be acquired according to the check plan, that, as indicted above, can include information, inter alia about the examination process, steps and logic, and predefined reading parameters such as type of sensor to be used (still image vs. video), required length of reading (sound or video recording) in terms of time (e.g. seconds), and reading data thresholds (for example definition of acceptable minimal and/or maximal reading limits to be used as a quality parameter of a reading. Thus, for example, if the heart is to be checked, the check plan can define that the sound based sensors 320 are to be used and that the reading length should be 3 seconds, or between 2.5 and 5 seconds, etc.). It is to be noted that trained personnel 124 can also manually adjust or change the relevant reading parameters and thresholds (e.g. override the patient specific check plan).
Following medical data acquisition, the data can be transmitted (e.g. streamed) to trained personnel workstation 122 which can then display the acquired data to trained personnel 124, as shown for example in
Trained personnel workstation 122 can be configured to enable trained personnel 124 to verify that the acquired medical data meets pre-defined standards (e.g. a required length of reading, reading data thresholds, etc.) (step 2008). For example, if the heart is to be checked, and the check plan defines that the reading length should be between 2.5 and 5 seconds, trained personnel workstation 122 can be configured to enable trained personnel 124 to check that the reading length meets the requirement. In case the acquired medical data did not meet the pre-defined standards, trained personnel workstation 122 can be configured to enable trained personnel 124 to check if the acquired medical data is ok (for example that the acquired medical data is of sufficient quality, etc.).
In case the acquired medical data is not ok (for example that the acquired medical data is not of sufficient quality, etc.), trained personnel workstation 122 can be configured to enable trained personnel 124 to perform a manual reading (step 2009). As noted above trained personnel workstation 122 can be configured to enable trained personnel 124 to manually adjust or control different diagnostic device 104 parameters such as light intensity, camera focus, camera zoom, reading duration, sound filtering, etc.
If the acquired medical data is still not ok after the manual reading 2009, but the process was ok (e.g. diagnostic device 104 did not report any error, and the guiding process was performed correctly), trained personnel workstation 122 can be configured to enable trained personnel 124 to return to step 2004 (in order to retry acquiring the medical data). If the process was not ok, trained personnel workstation 122 can be configured to issue a notification to trained personnel 124 of a potential error (for example by presenting a message on trained personnel workstation 122, etc.) and enable him to decide if the acquired medical data is to be saved or not. If user 102 chooses to save the acquired medical data, or the acquired medical data is ok, trained personnel workstation 122 can be configured to enable trained personnel 124 to save the acquired medical data (for example, in one or more of a data repository 216, patient & check plan repository 136, trained personnel data repository 123 or any other location operatively connected to diagnostics device 104 on which patient data is stored) (step 2014).
Optionally, in case the reading acquisition process was ok, trained personnel workstation 122 can be configured to update the reference data with the acquired medical data (step 2016). This can be performed in order to keep the reference data up to date, as changes can occur to the human body (for example in light of growing up, aging, medical treatments, etc.).
It is to be noticed that each of the components and modules described above can be combined with one or more of the other components and modules described above.
It is to be noted that when referring to part of the functionality described as performed by diagnostics device 104 can be performed, alternatively or additionally, by any one of patient workstation 114 or by any other suitable device, including, but not limited to, trained personnel workstation 122, central system 130, etc.
It is to be noted that, with reference to
It is to be understood that the presently disclosed subject matter is not limited in its application to the details set forth in the description contained herein or illustrated in the drawings. The presently disclosed subject matter is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Hence, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for designing other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present presently disclosed subject matter.
It will also be understood that the system according to the presently disclosed subject matter may be a suitably programmed computer. Likewise, the presently disclosed subject matter contemplates a computer program being readable by a computer for executing the method of the presently disclosed subject matter. The presently disclosed subject matter further contemplates a machine-readable memory tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine for executing the method of the presently disclosed subject matter.
Claims
1. A workstation configured to perform one or more remote medical examinations of a patient, wherein (a) the workstation is operably connectable to a remote handheld diagnostics device comprising one or more sound acquisition sensors and (b) the workstation comprises at least one processor configured to perform the following for at least one remote medical examination of the remote medical examinations:
- receive a stream of sound data acquired by the sound acquisition sensors;
- play the stream of sound data to a trained personnel operating said workstation;
- receive, from the trained personnel, a command for remotely changing or adjusting one or more parameters associated with the sound acquisition sensors of the remote handheld diagnostics device or with the sound acquired by the sound acquisition sensors; and
- send the command to the remote handheld diagnostics device, thereby changing or adjusting the parameters associated with the sound acquisition sensors of the remote handheld diagnostics device, or with the sound acquired by the sound acquisition sensors, in accordance with the command.
2. The workstation according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the parameters controls a sensitivity of the sound acquisition sensors.
3. The workstation according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the parameters controls activation of a corresponding sound filter.
4. The workstation according to claim 3 wherein the activated sound filters filter sounds of a specific organ.
5. The workstation according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the parameters controls a corresponding noise cancelation filter.
6. A method of performing one or more remote medical examinations of a patient using a workstation operably connectable to a remote handheld diagnostics device comprising one or more sound acquisition sensors, and wherein for at least one remote medical examination of the remote medical examinations, said method comprising:
- receiving a stream of sound data acquired by the sound acquisition sensors;
- playing the stream of sound data to a trained personnel operating said workstation;
- receiving, from the trained personnel, a command for remotely changing or adjusting one or more parameters of the sound acquisition sensors associated with the remote handheld diagnostics device, or with the sound acquired by the sound acquisition sensors;
- sending the command to the remote handheld diagnostics device, thereby changing or adjusting the parameters of the sound acquisition sensors associated with the remote handheld diagnostics device, or with the sound acquired by the sound acquisition sensors, in accordance with the command.
7. The method according to claim 6 wherein at least one of the parameters controls a sensitivity of the sound acquisition sensors.
8. The method according to claim 6 wherein at least one of the parameters controls activation of a corresponding sound filter.
9. The method according to claim 8 wherein the activated sound filters filter sounds of a specific organ.
10. The method according to claim 6 wherein at least one of the parameters controls a corresponding noise cancelation filter.
11. A computer program product comprising a computer storage device having stored thereon computer executable instructions that when executed by a processor cause the computer to execute a method for performing one or more remote medical examinations of a patient using a workstation operably connectable to a remote handheld diagnostics device comprising one or more sound acquisition sensors, and wherein for at least one remote medical examination of the remote medical examinations, said method comprising:
- receiving a stream of sound data acquired by the sound acquisition sensors;
- playing the stream of sound data to a trained personnel operating said workstation;
- receiving, from the trained personnel, a command for remotely changing or adjusting one or more parameters associated with the sound acquisition sensors of the remote handheld diagnostics device, or with the sound acquired by the sound acquisition sensors;
- sending the command to the remote handheld diagnostics device, thereby changing or adjusting the parameters associated with the sound acquisition sensors of the remote handheld diagnostics device, or with the sound acquired by the sound acquisition sensors, in accordance with the command.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 29, 2018
Publication Date: Feb 28, 2019
Inventor: David GILAD-GILOR (Even Yehuda)
Application Number: 16/173,779
