Devices, Methods and Systems for Acquiring Medical Diagnostic Information and Provision of Telehealth Services

Abstract

The invention relates generally to various systems, tools and methods for acquiring diagnostic information, including medical information, for a user, transmitting the information to a remote location, assessing the information, and transmitting resulting diagnosis and treatment information to the user and/or a third party for subsequent action. The present invention provides consumer and user-friendly telemedicine systems and procedures which enable health services and/or diagnosis to be provided at a distance remotely.

1 . An imaging apparatus for obtaining images inside a patient's ear canal, the imaging apparatus comprising a main body and an extension having a central axis structurally configured for insertion into the patient's ear canal, the imaging apparatus comprising an imaging element structurally configured for obtaining images which are angled relative to and/or offset of the central axis of the extension into the ear canal. 
     
     
         2 . The imaging apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the imaging apparatus comprises an engagement member which is structurally configured to be supported in-use by a patient's ear or head. 
     
     
         3 . The imaging apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the imaging apparatus comprises a wireless transmission element for wirelessly transmitting the obtained images to a computing device. 
     
     
         4 . The imaging apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the extension has a soft outer surface for improved patient comfort during insertion of the extension into the patient's ear canal. 
     
     
         5 - 7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . A kit for collecting diagnostic information of a patient, the kit comprising:
 a. a main body comprising a diagnostic processor for obtaining medical diagnostic information of the patient, the body comprising a transmission element for transmitting the diagnostic information via a wired or wireless connection to a computing device; and   at least two attachments for the main body selected from the group consisting of:   b1. a first attachment comprising an imaging element, accessing element, and/or capturing element structurally configured for imaging the ear canal and/or the ear drum of the patient;   b2. a second attachment comprising an imaging element, accessing element, and/or capturing element structurally configured for imaging the oral cavity and/or throat of the patient; and   b3. a third attachment comprising a sound accessing element and/or capturing element structurally configured to obtain internal sounds of the patient's body.   
     
     
         9 - 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A method of remotely providing medical information to a patient by a health care professional, the method comprising the steps of:
 a. providing to the patient the imaging apparatus according to  claim 1 ;   b. providing, via a remote connection, the patient's current medical data to the health care professional;   c. optionally providing the health care professional with the patient's medical history;   d. causing the imaging device to provide medical diagnostic information over the remote connection to the health care professional;   e. causing the health care profession to develop an assessment of the patient's current physical condition on the basis of the current medical data and the medical history if available; and   f. communicating the assessment to the patient or patient's caregiver over an electronic communications channel.   
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14 , further comprising:
 e. providing, by the health care professional, the patient or patient's caregiver with treatment information.   
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the treatment instructions comprises providing the patient with a prescription for a drug or a laboratory procedure; directions to visit a medical care provider, pharmacy, hospital, or laboratory; and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . A method of remotely providing medical information by a health care provider to a patient, the method comprising the steps of:
 a. providing to the patient the imaging apparatus according to  claim 1 ;   b. providing, via a remote connection, instructions to an untrained or semi-trained consumer to perform an examination protocol for a patient's condition using an examination device which stores and/or transmits current patient medical data for use in an asynchronous or telemedicine environment;   c. transmitting, by the consumer, the examination protocol data to the health care provider;   d. causing the imaging device to provide medical diagnostic information over the remote connection to the health care professional;   e. causing the healthcare provider to develop an assessment of the patient's current physical condition on the basis of the data obtained by the examination device; and   f. communicating the assessment to the patient or the patient's caregiver over the remote connection.   
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 18 , further comprising:
 e. providing, by the health care professional, the patient or patient's caregiver with treatment information.   
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein the examination protocol data is transmitted to the health care provider in real time or not in real time. 
     
     
         21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . An examination device for performing an examination protocol for a patient's condition, the examination device comprising:
 a. an anatomical interface structurally configured for application to a predetermined area of the patient's body;   b. an accessing and capturing component which obtains current medical data of the patient after application of the anatomical interface to the patient's body;   c. a diagnostic processing component which processes the medical data obtained by the accessing and capturing component; and   d. an transmission element for electronically transmitting medical data for viewing and interpretation by a medical care provider.   
     
     
         23 . The device according to  claim 22 , wherein the anatomical interface is structurally configured for application to the patient's ear, nose, throat, eye, wrist, skin, head, skin, extremities, torso, or a body orifice. 
     
     
         24 . The device according to  claim 22 , wherein the device further comprises a remote control component which is structurally configured to respond to control signals sent remotely by the medical care provider or a caregiver over the communications link. 
     
     
         25 . The device according to  claim 22 , wherein the communications link transmits the obtained medical data in the form of still images, a video feed, an audio feed, a data stream, or a combination thereof, to the medical care provider. 
     
     
         26 . The device according to  claim 22 , wherein the device comprises a port or jack configured for attachment to a mobile telephone, laptop computer, tablet computer, or desktop computer. 
     
     
         27 . The device according to  claim 22 , wherein the capturing component is a mobile telephone, laptop computer, tablet computer, desktop computer, or is custom-designed. 
     
     
         28 . The device according to  claim 22 , wherein the diagnostic component is a mobile telephone, laptop computer, tablet computer, desktop computer, or is custom-designed. 
     
     
         29 . A telehealth system for remote diagnosis of a patient's medical condition, the system comprising:
 A. a user subsystem configured for receiving a patient's current medical data, the user subsystem comprising:
 1. a communication device; 
 2. a diagnostic processing device; and 
 3. the imaging apparatus according to  claim 1 ; 
   B. a provider subsystem configured for communicating with a health care provider, the provider subsystem comprising:
 1. a communication device; and 
   C. an infrastructure subsystem configured to process and store medical data and diagnostic information received from the user subsystem and the provider subsystem, the instrastructure subsystem comprising:
 1. an application server comprising computer instruction code configured to communication with:
 a. a database configured to store a patient's personal information and electronic health record; 
 b. diagnostic computer instruction code configured to receive current patient medical information and to provide diagnostic information concerning the patient's medical condition; and 
 c. a database configured to store archived diagnostic information; 
 
 2. a server comprising computer instruction code configured to communicate with one or more third-party patient personal information or electronic health record databases; and 
 3. a server comprising computer instruction code configured to communicate with a third party telehealth system, 
   wherein the user, provider, and infrastructure subsystems are structurally configured to communicate information over an electronic data network.