Universal diagnostic system

Abstract

A portable medical analyzer comprising a sampling module with a sample port for receiving body fluid, an assay sensor module for analysis of the body fluid, an analytical detector module with detection of information from the assay, and a communications module for transferring the information to a remote location via a wired or wireless network.

1 . A portable medical analyzer comprising:
 a sampling module comprising a lancet, a driving mechanism, and a sample port, wherein said sampling port receives at least from a patient one body fluid from a tissue punctured with said lancet driven by said driving mechanism;   an assay sensor module housed in a cartridge, said cartridge comprising an interface with said sample port and at least one passage way to transport said body fluid to at least one assay sensor in said assay sensor module;   an analytical detector module comprising at least one analytical detector positioned to correspond to said assay sensor, said detector is adapted to detect information from said assay sensor; and   a communication module adapted to communicate with an information system at a remote location, the communication module configured to control local information from the analytical detector and at least a portion of information at the information system at the remote location.   
     
     
         2 . A portable medical analyzer according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 said communication module comprises a transmitter adapted to transfer said information to a remote location.   
     
     
         3 . A portable medical analyzer according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 said communication module comprises a receiver adapted to communicate with a remote location.   
     
     
         4 . A portable medical analyzer according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 said sampling module is housed in said cartridge.   
     
     
         5 . A portable medical analyzer according to  claim 4 , wherein:
 said analytical detector module is adapted to couple with said cartridge via a digital media standard interface.   
     
     
         6 . A portable medical analyzer according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 said transmitter is adapted to at least one interface chosen from radio frequency, infrared and standard ports.   
     
     
         7 . A portable medical analyzer according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an information storage unit for storing said information locally on said portable medical analyzer.   
     
     
         8 . A method for portable medical analysis comprising:
 obtaining a body fluid, wherein obtaining said body fluid comprises puncturing skin;   housing said body fluid within a cartridge comprising an assay sensor module;   positioning said cartridge into an analytical detector module;   obtaining information from said analytical detector module;   displaying said information locally on a display within a communication module; and   transferring said information to a remote location via said communication module, the communication module being adapted to communicate with an information system at the remote location, the communication module configured to control local information from the analytical detector and at least a portion of information at the information system at the remote location.   
     
     
         9 . A portable medical analyzer comprising:
 a sampling module comprising a sample port for receiving at least one body fluid via punctured skin, said sampling module housed in a cartridge;   an assay sensor module housed in said cartridge, said assay sensor module comprising at least one assay sensor adapted to at least one assay for said body fluid said cartridge comprising an interface with said sample port and at least one passage way to transport said body fluid to at least one assay sensor in said assay sensor module;   an analytical detector module comprising at least one signal processor and circuitry for processing of signals from at least one detector corresponding to said assay sensor, said detector adapted to detect information from said assay;   a communication module coupled to said signal processor, said communication module comprising a transmitter and receiver in communication with an information management system, the communication module configured to control local information from the analytical detector and at least a portion of information at the information system at the remote location.   
     
     
         10 . A portable medical analyzer according to  claim 9 , wherein:
 said communication module is adapted to displaying said information locally on said portable medical analyzer.   
     
     
         11 . A portable medical analyzer according to  claim 9 , wherein:
 said communication module is adapted to displaying historical data locally on portable medical analyzer.   
     
     
         12 . A portable medical analyzer according to  claim 9 , wherein:
 said transmitter is adapted to at least one interface chosen from radio frequency, infrared and standard ports.   
     
     
         13 . A portable medical analyzer according to  claim 9 , wherein:
 said transmitter is adapted to communicate with a remote database.   
     
     
         14 . A portable medical analyzer according to  claim 9 , wherein:
 said communication module further comprises a storage unit for storing said information locally on said portable medical analyzer.   
     
     
         15 . A portable medical analyzer according to  claim 9 , wherein:
 said information management system comprises a system for brokering medical data.   
     
     
         16 . A portable medical analyzer according to  claim 9 , wherein:
 said information management system comprises a system for patient management.   
     
     
         17 . A portable medical analyzer according to  claim 9 , wherein:
 said information management system comprises a system for administering said portable medical analyzer.   
     
     
         18 . The portable medical analyzer of  claim 1 , wherein the information system includes an external database. 
     
     
         19 . The portable medical analyzer of  claim 1 , wherein the communication module includes a receiver adapted to receive at least one of, instructions and data from the information system, the communication module further including a transmitter for transmitting information to the information system. 
     
     
         20 . The portable medical analyzer of  claim 1 , wherein the communication module includes a local storage unit where collected patient information can be stored. 
     
     
         21 . The portable medical analyzer of  claim 1 , wherein the portable medical analyzer is coupled to a remote database. 
     
     
         22 . The portable medical analyzer of  claim 1 , wherein the remote database is hosted by a computer that processes patient information. 
     
     
         23 . The portable medical analyzer of  claim 22 , wherein processed patient information is sent back to the patient. 
     
     
         24 . The portable medical analyzer of  claim 22 , wherein treatment information is sent from the remote site to the patient