Remote non-invasive biofeedback diagnostic system based on patient image

• US 20040204632A1
• Filed: 04/14/2003
• Published: 10/14/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Clinictech Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Clinictech Incorporated
• Inventors: Lee, Hanmyung
• Granted Patent: US 6,921,365 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/300
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/16 Devices for psychotechnics using teaching or educational appliances G09B1/00 - G09B7/00; Testing reaction times ; Devices for evaluating the psychological state
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/378 Visual stimuli
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/486 Bio-feedback A61B5/375 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 30/20 for handling medical images, e.g. DICOM, HL7 or PACS
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 30/40 for processing medical images, e.g. editing
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/905 Feedback to patient of biological signal other than brain electric signal

Abstract

A non-invasive remote diagnostic system includes a central processing unit (CPU) adapted to feed an image of a patient such as a digital photograph to be displayed to an operator by a first computer monitor. A second computer monitor is displaying a realistic outline of a target area of diagnostic interest such as an outline of a human organ or a particular portion thereof. These two monitors together with a CPU are adapted to induce a state of heightened consciousness and intuition of a system operator. A detecting/evaluating unit is sensing non-invasively the operator'"'"'s biofeedback response while the operator is exposed to the images. The biofeedback response is converted to an electrical signal and is fed back into the CPU to compare against a predetermined database of similar signals obtained from volunteers with known diseases. The biofeedback signal allows a non-invasive remote diagnosis of a patient'"'"'s state of health.

Claims

1. A remote non-invasive diagnostic system comprising:

a central processing unit including a situation-generating block for producing a series of predetermined patient-specific visual images, said central processing unit also including means adapted to receive a biofeedback signal from an operator exposed to said images;

a consciousness induction unit including a first means and a second means of visual display to display said predetermined patient-specific visual images to the operator to cause a heightened state of consciousness and intuition of the operator, and

a detection/evaluation unit equipped with a sensor means to sense the biofeedback response of the operator,

wherein a biofeedback loop is formed between said central processing unit sending said predetermined patient-specific visual images to said consciousness induction unit to be displayed to the operator, said detection/evaluation unit sensing the response of biofeedback of the operator representing the operator'"'"'s response to said images, said detection/evaluation unit further generating an electrical signal reflecting said biofeedback response and sending said electrical signal back to said central processing unit.

2. The remote non-invasive diagnostic system as in claim 1, wherein said patient-specific visual images include a patient'"'"'s image and an outline of a target area of diagnostic interest.

3. The remote non-invasive diagnostic system as in claim 2, wherein said patient'"'"'s image is a digital photograph of the patient.

4. The remote non-invasive diagnostic system as in claim 2, wherein said outline of a target area is a picture of a human organ or tissue.

5. The remote non-invasive diagnostic system as in claim 3, wherein said digital photograph of the patient is being displayed by said first means of visual display and said outline of a target area is being respectively displayed by said second means of visual display.

6. The remote non-invasive diagnostic system as in claim 1, wherein said first means of visual display is adapted to display continuously the image of the patient while said second means of visual display is adapted to display a succession of outlines of various target areas.

7. The remote non-invasive diagnostic system as in claim 1, wherein said first and said second means of visual display are computer monitors.

8. The remote non-invasive diagnostic system as in claim 1, wherein said first and said second means of visual display are slide projectors.

9. The remote non-invasive diagnostic system as in claim 1, wherein said electrical signal generated by said detection/evaluation unit is used in diagnosis of a functional state of a target area of said patient.

10. The remote non-invasive diagnostic system as in claim 1, wherein said central processing unit is adapted to record said electric signals from said detection/evaluation unit into a database and for comparison of said electric signals against previously known electrical signals.

11. The remote non-invasive diagnostic system as in claim 1, wherein said sensor means are incorporated in a triggering sensor with a noise generator, said biofeedback response of the operator including a noise change in said triggering sensor.

12. The remote non-invasive diagnostic system as in claim 1, wherein said consciousness induction unit further comprising supplemental means to produce a series of predetermined stimuli to induce consciousness of the operator, said supplemental means including a peripheral means to transmit said stimuli to the operator.