Medical instrument control system

• US 20020059257A1
• Filed: 10/17/2001
• Published: 05/16/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Yoneyama, Yoshito, Matsumura, Isao
• Granted Patent: US 6,801,913 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 707/10
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/20 for the management or administration of healthcare resources or facilities, e.g. managing hospital staff or surgery rooms
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/40 for the management of medical equipment or devices, e.g. scheduling maintenance or upgrades
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99933 Query processing, i.e. searching
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99934 Query formulation, input preparation, or translation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99935 Query augmenting and refining, e.g. inexact access
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99937 Sorting

Abstract

A medical-instrument service providing system receives an online order for a medical instrument via a communication network from a service utilizing terminal of a medical institution, accesses a stock control server controlled by a supplier of the medical instrument, to check whether or not the on-order medical instrument is in stock in the supplier. If the on-order medical instrument is in stock in the supplier, the system instructs to deliver the medical instrument to the medical institution. If the on-order medical instrument is insufficient in stock, the system accesses a stock control server, controlled by other institution than the medical instrument, to check whether or not the instrument is in stock, via the communication network. If the on-order medical instrument is in stock, the system instructs to supply the medical instrument to the medical institution from the other institution.

Claims

1. A method for providing a selection support service for selecting a medical instrument used in a medical institution by utilizing a network system having a service providing system, a service utilizing terminal of said medical institution and a communication network, comprising:

a step of storing information indicating plural types of medical instruments, in relation with data respectively specific to the medical instruments, into a database of said service providing system;

a step of receiving medical information on a patient held by said medical instrument via said communication network, by said service providing system;

a step of searching said database in accordance with a selection criterion based on the received medical information on said patient, and selecting a medical instrument appropriate to said selection criterion from said plural types of medical instruments, in said service providing system; and

a step of displaying information on said selected medical instrument on said service utilizing terminal.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of displaying a screen image for inputting medical information on said patient to whom said medical instrument is applied, on said service utilizing terminal.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

a step of checking a stock status of said selected medical instrument; and

a step of displaying information on said medical instrument, with said checked stock status, on said service utilizing terminal.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

a step of displaying a screen image for receiving an online order for said medical instrument, selected and displayed on said service utilizing terminal, on said service utilizing terminal; and

a step of processing the order for said medical instrument received via said communication network.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein said step of processing the order has a step of instructing to supply said medical instrument to said medical institution.

6. The method according to claim 4, wherein said step of processing the order has a step of instructing a factory to manufacture said medical instrument.

7. The method according to claim 4, wherein said step of processing the order has:

a step of accessing a stock control server controlled by a supplier of said medical instrument to check whether or not said medical instrument is in stock in said supplier; and

a step of, if said medical instrument is out of stock in said supplier, accessing a stock control server controlled by an institution other than said medical institution via said communication network to check whether or not said medical instrument is in stock.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the medical information on said patient to whom said medical instrument is applied is obtained from said patient'"'"'s electronic medical record information recorded in an electronic medical recording system controlled by said medical institution.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the information on said selected medical instrument is recorded in the electronic medical recording system controlled by said medical institution.

10. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

a step of obtaining after-use information of said selected medical instrument via said communication network from said medical institution; and

a step of updating said selection criterion based on said after use information.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein said after-use information on said medical instrument includes measured data after application of said medical instrument to said patient.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein said database holds data of medical instruments by different makers.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein said medical instrument is an implanted tool placed in a patient'"'"'s body.

14. The method according to claim 1, wherein said medical instrument is an intraocular lens, and wherein said information on said patient is ophthalmologic measurement data of said patient, further wherein said selection criterion has a formula to obtain a lens power of intraocular lens based on said ophthalmologic measurement data, further wherein said method further comprising a step of selecting a lens having a lens power satisfying the lens power obtained by said formula from lenses registered in said database.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein said ophthalmologic measurement data include one or more of corneal power, an axial length, a corneal diameter, a pupil diameter, naked vision, corrected visual acuity, a spherical power upon correction, cylinder and cylinder axis, and wherein said method further comprising a step of searching said database for an intraocular lens satisfying said lens power and other conditions of ophthalmologic measurement data.

16. The method according to claim 14, further comprising a step of updating a coefficient of the formula for obtaining said lens power based on ophthalmologic measurement data after insertion of said intraocular lens into said patient'"'"'s eye.

17. The method according to claim 1, wherein said communication network is the Internet or a network using a private communication line, and wherein a server of said service providing system is provided on a local area network of said supplier of said medical instrument or on the Internet.

18. The method according to claim 1, wherein a server of said service providing system is provided on a local area network in said medical institution.

20. The system according to claim 19, wherein said program further executes a step of displaying a screen image for inputting medical information on said patient to whom said medical instrument is applied, on said service utilizing terminal.

21. The system according to claim 19, wherein said program further executes:

a step of checking a stock status of said selected medical instrument; and

a step of displaying information on said medical instrument, with said checked stock status, on said service utilizing terminal.

22. The system according to claim 19, wherein said program further executes:

a step of displaying a screen image for receiving an online order for said medical instrument, selected and displayed on said service utilizing terminal, on said service utilizing terminal; and

a step of processing the order for said medical instrument received via said communication network.

23. The system according to claim 22, wherein said step of processing the order has a step of instructing to supply said medical instrument to said medical institution.

24. The system according to claim 22, wherein said step of processing the order has a step of instructing a factory to manufacture said medical instrument.

25. The system according to claim 22, wherein said step of processing the order has:

a step of accessing a stock control server controlled by a supplier of said medical instrument to check whether or not said medical instrument is in stock in said supplier; and

a step of, if said medical instrument is out of stock in said supplier, accessing a stock control server controlled by an institution other than said medical institution via said communication network to check whether or not said medical instrument is in stock.

26. The system according to claim 19, wherein the medical information on said patient to whom said medical instrument is applied is obtained from said patient'"'"'s electronic medical record information recorded in an electronic medical recording system controlled by said medical institution.

27. The system according to claim 19, wherein the information on said selected medical instrument is recorded in the electronic medical recording system controlled by said medical institution.

28. The system according to claim 19, wherein said program further executes:

a step of obtaining after-use information of said selected medical instrument via said communication network from said medical institution; and

a step of updating said selection criterion based on said after use information.

29. The system according to claim 28, wherein said after-use information on said medical instrument includes measured data after application of said medical instrument to said patient.

30. The system according to claim 19, wherein said database holds data of medical instruments by different makers.

31. The system according to claim 19, wherein said medical instrument is an implanted tool placed in a patient'"'"'s body.

32. The system according to claim 19, wherein said medical instrument is an intraocular lens, and wherein said information on said patient is ophthalmologic measurement data of said patient, further wherein said selection criterion has a formula to obtain a lens power of intraocular lens based on said ophthalmologic measurement data, further wherein said program further executes a step of selecting a lens having a lens power satisfying the lens power obtained by said formula from lenses registered in said database.

33. The system according to claim 32, wherein said ophthalmologic measurement data include one or more of corneal power, an axial length, a corneal diameter, a pupil diameter, naked vision, corrected visual acuity, a spherical power upon correction, cylinder and cylinder axis, and wherein said program further executes a step of searching said database for an intraocular lens satisfying said lens power and other conditions of ophthalmologic measurement data.

34. The system according to claim 32, wherein said program further executes a step of updating a coefficient of the formula for obtaining said lens power based on ophthalmologic measurement data after insertion of said intraocular lens into said patient'"'"'s eye.

35. The system according to claim 19, wherein said communication network is the Internet or a network using a private communication line, and wherein a server of said service providing system is provided on a local area network of said supplier of said medical instrument or on the Internet.

36. The system according to claim 19, wherein a server of said service providing system is provided on a local area network in said medical institution.

38. The method according to claim 37, wherein said medical instrument is an implanted tool placed in a patient'"'"'s body.

39. The method according to claim 37, wherein said medical instrument is an intraocular lens, and wherein said information on said patient is ophthalmologic measurement data of said patient, further wherein said selection criterion has a formula to obtain a lens power of intraocular lens based on said ophthalmologic measurement data, further wherein said method further comprises a step of selecting a lens having a lens power satisfying the lens power obtained by said formula from lenses registered in said database.

40. The method according to claim 39, wherein said ophthalmologic measurement data include one or more of corneal power, an axial length, a corneal diameter, a pupil diameter, naked vision, corrected visual acuity, aspherical power upon correction, cylinder and cylinder axis, and wherein said method further comprises a step of searching said database for an intraocular lens satisfying said lens power and other conditions of ophthalmologic measurement data.

41. The method according to claim 39, further comprising a step of updating a coefficient of the formula for obtaining said lens power based on ophthalmologic measurement data after insertion of said intraocular lens into said patient'"'"'s eye.

42. The method according to claim 37, wherein said communication network is the Internet or a network using a private communication line, and wherein a server of said service providing system is provided on a local area network of said supplier of said medical instrument or on the Internet.

43. The method according to claim 37, wherein a server of said service providing system is provided on a local area network in said medical institution.

19. A system for providing a selection support service for selecting a medical instrument used in a medical institution by utilizing a communication network accessible from a service utilizing terminal of said medical institution, comprising:

a computer system including a database that holds information indicating plural types of medical instruments, in relation with data respectively specific to the medical instruments; and

an interface that connects said computer system to said communication network,

wherein said computer system holds a program for executing;

a step of receiving medical information on a patient held by said medical instrument via said communication network, by said service providing system;

a step of searching said database in accordance with a selection criterion based on the medical information on said patient, and selecting a medical instrument appropriate to said selection criterion from said plural types of medical instruments, in said service providing system; and

a step of displaying information on said selected medical instrument on said service utilizing terminal.

37. A method for providing a selection support service for selecting a medical instrument used in a medical institution by utilizing a network system having a service providing system, a service utilizing terminal of said medical institution and a communication network, comprising:

a step of storing information indicating plural types of medical instruments, in relation with data respectively specific to the medical instruments, into a database of said service providing system;

a step of receiving medical information on a patient held by said medical instrument via said communication network, by said service providing system;

a step of searching said database in accordance with a selection criterion based on the received medical information on said patient, and selecting a medical instrument appropriate to said selection criterion from said plural types of medical instruments, in said service providing system;

a step of obtaining measured data of said patient after application of said medical instrument to said patient via said communication network; and

a step of updating said selection criterion based on said information.

44. A system for providing an online ordering service for placing an order for a medical instrument used in a medical institution by utilizing a communication network accessible from a service utilizing terminal of said medical institution, comprising:

a computer system including a database that holds information indicating plural types of medical instruments, in relation with data respectively specific to the medical instruments; and

an interface that connects said computer system to said communication network,

wherein said computer system holds a program for executing;

a step of checking a stock status of a purchasable medical instrument in said medical institution;

a step of checking the stock status of said purchasable medical instrument in a supplier of said medical instrument;

a step of displaying a type of purchasable medical instrument, with said checked stock status, on said service utilizing terminal; and

a step of receiving an order for said displayed medical instrument via said communication network.

45. The system according to claim 44, wherein said medical instrument is an implanted tool placed in a patient'"'"'s body.

46. The system according to claim 44, wherein said medical instrument is an intraocular lens, and wherein said information on said patient is ophthalmologic measurement data of said patient, further wherein said selection criterion has a formula to obtain a lens power of intraocular lens based on said ophthalmologic measurement data, further wherein said program further executes a step of selecting a lens having a lens power satisfying the lens power obtained by said formula from lenses registered in said database.

47. The system according to claim 46, wherein said ophthalmologic measurement data include one or more of corneal power, an axial length, a corneal diameter, a pupil diameter, naked vision, corrected visual acuity, a spherical power upon correction, cylinder and cylinder axis, and wherein said program further executes a step of searching said database for an intraocular lens satisfying said lens power and other conditions of ophthalmologic measurement data.

48. The system according to claim 44, wherein said program further executes a step of updating a coefficient of the formula for obtaining said lens power based on ophthalmologic measurement data after insertion of said intraocular lens into said patient'"'"'s eye.

49. The system according to claim 44, wherein said communication network is the Internet or a network using a private communication line, and wherein a server of said service providing system is provided on a local area network of said supplier of said medical instrument or on the Internet.

50. The system according to claim 44, wherein a server of said service providing system is provided on a local area network in said medical institution.

51. A method for controlling a medical instrument supplied to a medical institution from a supplier of said medical instrument by utilizing a communication network between said medical institution and said supplier, comprising:

a step of controlling by using a database a shipped medical instrument by product serial code;

a step of receiving a product serial code of a medical instrument used in treatment, inputted by said medical institution upon the treatment, from a local area network in said medical institution via the Internet or a private communication line, by said supplier of said medical instrument;

a step of checking whether or not said received product serial code is registered in said database; and

a step of recording at least one of a date of use, a place of use and a usage pattern of said medical instrument, in relation with said product serial code, into said database.

52. The method according to claim 51, wherein in said medical institution, said product serial code is inputted by reading a bar code presented on said medical instrument by a bar code reader.

53. The method according to claim 51, wherein information on a patient to whom said medical instrument has been applied, obtained via said network or obtained from a patient card returned to said supplier, is recorded, in relation with said product serial code, in said database.

54. The method according to claim 51, wherein said medical institution has an electronic medical recording system on said local area network in said medical institution, and information on said medical instrument used for said patient is recorded in said patient'"'"'s medical record of said electronic medical recording system.

55. The method according to claim 51, wherein said medical instrument is an implanted tool placed in a patient'"'"'s body.

56. The method according to claim 51, wherein said medical instrument is an intraocular lens.

57. The method according to claim 56, wherein a bar code is presented on said medical instrument, and said bar code includes a product serial code of the intraocular lens, and wherein said product serial code includes one or more information of a model, a product serial number and a lens power of said intraocular lens.

59. The system according to claim 58, wherein in said medical institution, said product serial code is inputted by reading a bar code presented on said medical instrument by a bar code reader.

60. The system according to claim 58, wherein information on a patient to whom said medical instrument has been applied, obtained via said network or obtained from a patient card returned to said supplier, is recorded, in relation with said product serial code, in said database.

61. The system according to claim 58, wherein said medical institution has an electronic medical recording system on said local area network in said medical institution, and information on said medical instrument used for said patient is recorded in said patient'"'"'s medical record of said electronic medical recording system.

62. The system according to claim 58, wherein said medical instrument is an implanted tool placed in a patient'"'"'s body.

63. The system according to claim 58, wherein said medical instrument is an intraocular lens.

64. The system according to claim 63, wherein a bar code is presented on said medical instrument, and said bar code includes a product serial code of the intraocular lens, and wherein said product serial code includes one or more information of a model, a product serial number and a lens power of said intraocular lens.

58. A system for controlling a medical instrument supplied to a medical institution from a supplier of said medical instruments by utilizing a communication network between said medical institution and said supplier, comprising:

a computer system controlled by said supplier that controls by using a database a shipped medical instrument by product serial code; and

an interface that connects said computer system to said communication network, wherein said computer system holds a program for executing;

a step of receiving a product serial code of a medical instrument used in treatment, inputted by said medical institution upon the treatment, from a local area network in said medical institution via the Internet or a private communication line, by said supplier of said medical instrument;

a step of checking whether or not said received product serial code is registered in said database; and

a step of recording at least one of a date of use, a place of use and a usage pattern of said medical instrument, in relation with said product serial code, into said database.

65. A method for providing a medical instrument used in a medical institution by utilizing a network system having a service providing system, a service utilizing terminal of said medical institution and a communication network, comprising:

a step of receiving an online order for said medical instrument from said service utilizing terminal via said communication network, in said service providing system;

a step of accessing a stock control server controlled by a supplier of said medical instrument to check whether or not said medical instrument is in stock in said supplier, and if said medical instrument is in stock in said supplier, instructing to supply said medical instrument to said medical institution; and

a step of, if said medical instrument is out of stock in said supplier, accessing a stock control server controlled by an institution other than said medical institution via said communication network to check whether or not said medical instrument is in stock, and if an extra stock of said medical instrument exists, instructing to supply said medical instrument from said institution to said medical institution.

66. The method according to claim 65, further comprising a step of sequentially accessing plural stock control servers controlled by plural institutions other than said medical institutions and searching for the extra stock of said medical instrument via said communication network.

67. The method according to claim 65, further comprising a step of making a list of plural institutions having the extra stock of said medical instrument in increasing order of distance and time, from the closest institution, based on the result of search.

68. The method according to claim 65, further comprising a step of, if said medical instrument is out of stock in said supplier, instructing a manufacturer to manufacture said medical instrument.

69. The method according to claim 65, further comprising a step of checking whether or not there is an insufficient medical instrument other than said medical instrument, upon access to said stock control server of the institution other than said medical institution, and if there is an insufficient medical instrument, instructing to supply the insufficient medical instrument.

70. The method according to claim 65, wherein a business department or a distribution department under an instruction to supply said insufficient medical instruction supplies said medical instrument.

71. The method according to claim 65, wherein said medical instrument is an implanted tool placed in a patient'"'"'s body.

72. The method according to claim 65, wherein said medical instrument is an intraocular lens.

73. The method according to claim 65, wherein said communication network is the Internet or a network using a private line.

74. A stock checking system for checking a stock status of a medical instrument used in a medical institution by utilizing a communication network accessible from a service utilizing terminal of said medical institution, comprising:

a computer system including a database for controlling stock statuses of plural types of medical instruments; and

an interface that connects said computer system to said communication network, wherein said computer system holds a program for executing;

a step of receiving an online order for said medical instrument from said service utilizing terminal via said communication network;

a step of accessing said database controlled by a supplier of said medical instrument to check whether or not said medical instrument is in stock in said supplier; and

a step of, if said medical instrument is out of stock in said supplier, accessing a stock control server controlled by an institution other than said medical institution via said communication network to check whether or not there is an extra stock of said medical instrument.

75. The system according to claim 74, wherein said program further executes a step of sequentially accessing plural stock control servers controlled by plural institutions other than said medical institutions and searching for the extra stock of said medical instrument via said communication network.

76. The system according to claim 74, wherein said program further executes a step of making a list of plural institutions having the extra stock of said medical instrument in increasing order of distance and time, from the closest institution, based on the result of search.

77. The system according to claim 74, wherein said program further executes a step of, if said medical instrument is out of stock in said supplier, instructing a manufacturer to manufacture said medical instrument.

78. The system according to claim 74, wherein said program further executes a step of checking whether or not there is an insufficient medical instrument other than said medical instrument, upon access to said stock control server of the institution other than said medical institution, and if there is an insufficient medical instrument, instructing to supply the insufficient medical instrument.

79. The system according to claim 74, wherein a business department or a distribution department under an instruction to supply said insufficient medical instruction supplies said medical instrument.

80. The system according to claim 74, wherein said medical instrument is an implanted tool placed in a patient'"'"'s body.

81. The system according to claim 74, wherein said medical instrument is an intraocular lens.

82. The system according to claim 74, wherein said communication network is the Internet or a network using a private line.

83. A system for controlling supply of a medical instrument used in a medical institution by utilizing a communication network between said medical institution and a supplier of said medical instrument, comprising:

a computer system including a storage device that holds a program for performing said control and data, a processor for executing said program, and a network interface, said computer system being controlled by said supplier of said medical instrument,

wherein said program executes;

a step of accessing a stock control server controlled by said medical institution via said communication network;

a step of referring to contents of said stock control server to check a stock status of said medical instrument supplied to said medical institution by said supplier in the past, stored in said storage device; and

a step of, if it is determined that said medical instrument is insufficient in stock, instructing to supply said insufficient medical instrument to said medical institution.

84. The system according to claim 83, wherein a business department or a distribution department under an instruction to supply said insufficient medical instruction supplies said medical instrument.

85. The system according to claim 83, wherein said medical instrument is an implanted tool placed in a patient'"'"'s body.

86. The system according to claim 83, wherein said medical instrument is an intraocular lens.

87. The system according to claim 83, wherein said communication network is the Internet or a network using a private line.

88. An electronic medical recording system utilizing a local area network in a medical institution, comprising:

a server that has a database for controlling individual medical record information of respective patients, accessible from said local area network; and

an input device that inputs information on a medical instrument used in treatment for a patient,

wherein said information on said medical instrument inputted from said input device is recorded in said patient'"'"'s electronic medical record on said database.

89. The system according to claim 88, wherein input by said input device is performed upon treatment for said patient.

90. The system according to claim 89, further comprising a safe system for final check before surgery based on said information inputted from said input device.

91. The system according to claim 90, wherein said safe system accesses said patient'"'"'s electronic medical record by utilizing said local area network to check the record against said information inputted from said input device.

92. The system according to claim 88, wherein said information on said medical instrument includes a product serial code of said medical instrument, and wherein said product serial code is attached as a bar code to said medical instrument, further wherein said input device includes a bar code reader that reads said bar code.

93. The system according to claim 88, wherein said input device includes a handy terminal, and wherein input is performed in a place where the treatment for said patient is performed.

94. The system according to claim 88, wherein said information on said medical instrument is transmitted to said supplier of said medical instrument via the Internet or a private communication line from said local area network in said medical institution.

95. The system according to claim 88, wherein said medical instrument is an implanted tool placed in a patient'"'"'s body.

96. The system according to claim 88, wherein said medical instrument is an intraocular lens, and wherein said information on said medical instrument is attached to a package of said intraocular lens.

97. A terminal apparatus used in a medical institution, comprising:

a bar code reader;

a display; and

a computer that displays information on a medical instrument to be used on said display based on the result of reading a bar code attached to said medical instrument by said bar code reader.

98. The apparatus according to claim 97, further comprising a network interface for connection with a local area network of said medical institution.

99. The apparatus according to claim 97, wherein said terminal apparatus is a handy terminal.

100. The apparatus according to claim 97, wherein said terminal apparatus is used in a safe system for checking whether or not said medical instrument to be used is proper before surgery.

101. The apparatus according to claim 97, wherein said medical instrument is an implanted tool placed in a patient'"'"'s body.

102. The apparatus according to claim 97, wherein said medical instrument is an intraocular lens, and wherein said information on said medical instrument is attached to a package of said intraocular lens.

103. The apparatus according to claim 102, wherein a bar code is presented on said medical instrument, and said bar code includes a product serial code of said medical instrument, and wherein said product serial code includes one or more of information from a model, a product serial number, a lens power of said intraocular lens.

104. A medical safe system utilized in a medical institution, comprising:

an input device that inputs information on a medical instrument used in treatment for a patient upon the treatment; and

a computer that checks said information on said medical instrument inputted from said input device against said patient'"'"'s electronic medical record on an electronic medical recording system of said medical institution.

105. The system according to claim 104, wherein said medical instrument is an implanted tool placed in a patient'"'"'s body.

106. The system according to claim 104, wherein said medical instrument is an intraocular lens, and wherein said information on said medical instrument is attached to a package of said intraocular lens.

107. The system according to claim 106, wherein said information on said medical instrument includes a product serial code of said medical instrument, and wherein said product serial code is attached as a bar code to said medical instrument, further wherein said input device includes a bar code reader that reads said bar code.

108. The system according to claim 104, wherein said input device includes a handy terminal, and wherein input is performed in a place where the treatment for said patient is performed.

109. The system according to claim 104, wherein said information on said medical instrument is transmitted to said supplier of said medical instrument via the Internet or a private communication line from said local area network in said medical institution.