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 - 55 . (canceled) 
     
     
         56 . A medical diagnostic device for diagnosis of a subject's condition, the device comprising:
 (A) a main body comprising a power source and processing components;   (B) an extension or attachment having an anatomical interface which is applied to a subject's body and obtains visual, audio, or electrical measurement of the subject's condition; and   (C) diagnostic elements, wherein the diagnostic elements are contained in the main device or in the extension or attachment,
 characterized in that the anatomical interface is structurally configured to position, align, or stabilize the device or a subject's tissue when the device is applied to the subject's body. 
   
     
     
         57 . The device according to  claim 56 , wherein:
 (a) the main body further comprises electrical contacts, a light source, and a video capturing element; and   (b) the extension or attachment further comprises a lens system, a light output, and optical fibers which channel light from the light source in the main body to the light output.   
     
     
         58 . The device according to  claim 57 , wherein the main body further comprises a wireless chip, a microphone, and/or a video chip. 
     
     
         59 . The device according to  claim 58 , wherein the device further comprises one or more capturing elements which are located in the main body, in the extension or attachment, or both. 
     
     
         60 . The device according to  claim 56 , wherein the extension or attachment captures images or sounds of the ear, oral cavity, throat, nose, nasal passages, chest, heart, or lungs. 
     
     
         61 . The device according to  claim 56 , wherein the extension or attachment has a stop to prevent overinsertion. 
     
     
         62 . The device according to  claim 56 , wherein the device and the extension or attachment are connected and communicate wirelessly or via a direct connection. 
     
     
         63 . The device according to  claim 56 , wherein the extension or attachment is flexible, hinged, rotatable, curved, or angled, or the attachment is inflatable or expandable. 
     
     
         64 . The device according to  claim 56 , wherein the extension or attachment has diagnostic elements at its tip. 
     
     
         65 . The device according to  claim 56 , wherein the anatomical interface has an extendable structure having a variable length for adjustment of position of diagnostic elements when applied to a subject's body. 
     
     
         66 . The device according to  claim 56 , wherein the device is in the form of a stethoscope and comprises a camera structurally configured to assist a user to position the device and/or to confirm correct positioning of the device on the subject's body. 
     
     
         67 . The device according to  claim 56 , wherein the device is structurally configured for placement into a subject's ear canal for imaging of the ear canal or ear drum, and the device is configured to obtain an image of the ear canal or ear drum without substantial manipulation of the subject's outer ear during use. 
     
     
         68 . The device according to  claim 56 , wherein the device is structurally configured for application to a subject's oral cavity or throat, and the device comprises a light input and/or output which is positioned within the oral cavity during use. 
     
     
         69 . An attachment for a medical diagnostic device for diagnosis of a subject's condition, the attachment structurally configured to be affixed to a main body having a power source, processing components, and diagnostic elements and having an anatomical interface which is applied to a subject's body to capture obtains visual, audio, or electrical measurement of the subject's body and thereby obtain measurement of the subject's condition,
 characterized in that the anatomical interface is structurally configured to position, align, or stabilize the device or a subject's tissue when the device is applied to the subject's body.   
     
     
         70 . The attachment according to  claim 69 , wherein the attachment has a stop to prevent overinsertion, and the attachment optionally has an extendable structure having a variable length for adjustment of position of diagnostic elements when applied to a subject's body.