Remote diagnostic device for medical testing

• US 20070003115A1
• Filed: 06/30/2005
• Published: 01/04/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: CareStream Health Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Inventors: Patton, David, Wien, Richard, Blish, Nelson, Beaudet, Douglas, Switalski, Steven
• Application Number:
  US11/171,671
• Publication Number:
  US 20070003115A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 382/128
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/00 Other methods or instruments for diagnosis, e.g. instruments for taking a cell sample, for biopsy, for vaccination diagnosis vaccination prophylaxis, vaccination therapy A61B17/20; Sex determination; Ovulation-period determination menstruation tables G06C3/00; Throat striking implements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2010/0087 Breath samples
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/04 Constructional details of apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/00 Measuring for diagnostic purposes radiation diagnosis A61B6/00; diagnosis by ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves A61B8/00; Identification of persons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/097 Devices for facilitating collection of breath or for directing breath into or through measuring devices
• CPC Class Codes: G03C 1/49881 characterised by the process or the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: G03C 1/7614 Cover layers; Backing layers; Base or auxiliary layers characterised by means for lubricating, for rendering anti-abrasive or for preventing adhesion characterised by the inert particulate additive G03C1/95
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 30/20 for handling medical images, e.g. DICOM, HL7 or PACS
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation

Abstract

A remote diagnostic device for medical testing includes a kit dispenser (315), a sampling device (85) contained in the kit (59), a receiving web (62) for receiving a sample (64) after use by a user (305), a processor for developing the latent image, a scanner (195) for detecting a developed image, and a microprocessor (205) for analyzing the scanned image for pathogens. The receiving web forms a latent image of any pathogens present in the sample.

Claims

1. A remote diagnostic device for medical testing comprising:

a kit dispenser;

a sampling device contained in said kit;

a receiving web for receiving a sample after use by a user;

wherein said receiving web forms a latent image of any pathogens present in said sample;

a processor for developing said latent image;

a scanner for detecting a developed image; and

a microprocessor for analyzing said scanned image for pathogens.

2. A diagnostic device as in claim 1 wherein said sampling device is a breath capture kit.

3. A diagnostic device as in claim 2 wherein breath exhausted from said breath capture kit subsequently is passed through a filter impregnated with an AgX antimicrobial material, compound or composition.

4. A diagnostic device as in claim 1 wherein air exhausted from said diagnostic device is passed through a filter impregnated with an AgX antimicrobial material, compound or composition.

5. A diagnostic device as in claim 1 wherein said diagnostic device is a kiosk.

6. A diagnostic device as in claim 1 wherein said diagnostic device accepts credit cards or medical cards or both.

7. A diagnostic device as in claim 1 wherein said diagnostic device is connected to a remote server.

8. A diagnostic device as in claim 7 wherein said remote server recommends appointments with a doctor or a medical specialist based on said analysis of said scanned images.

9. A diagnostic device as in claim 8 wherein said diagnostic device offers said user an opportunity to pay a medical co-pay.

10. A diagnostic device as in claim 8 wherein said diagnostic device provides a referral to said medical specialist for said user'"'"'s appointment.

11. The diagnostic device of claim 1 wherein the sampling device is a swab for removing said sample from said user.

12. The diagnostic device of claim 1 wherein a removable anti-microbial disposable sheet protects surfaces around a sample receiving area.

13. The diagnostic device of claim 1 wherein a removable disposable shield protects said receiving web.

19. The test strip of claim 1 wherein the sampling area is surrounded by the non-sampling area.

14. A remote diagnostic device for medical testing comprising:

a kit dispenser;

a sampling device contained in said kit;

a receiver for receiving a sample after use of said sampling device by a user;

wherein said sample forms a latent image of any pathogens present in said sample;

a processor for developing said latent image;

a scanner for detecting a developed image; and

a microprocessor for analyzing said scanned image for pathogens.

15. The remote diagnostic device of claim 14 wherein the sampling device is a test strip having a sample area for receiving said sample.

16. The remote diagnostic device of claim 15 wherein said test strip sampling area is surrounded by a non-sampling area comprising an anti-microbial substance.

17. The remote diagnostic device of claim 16 wherein said anti-microbial substance is silver based compound.

18. A method for remotely administering a medical test comprising:

dispensing a test kit containing a sampling device;

applying said sampling device to a user;

depositing said sampling device on a receiving web;

forming a latent image of any pathogens present in said sampling device;

developing said latent image;

scanning said developed image; and

analyzing said scanned image for pathogens.

20. A remote diagnostic device for medical testing comprising:

a sampling device;

a receiver for receiving a sample after use of said sampling device by a user;

wherein said sample forms a latent image of any pathogens present in said sample; and

a processor for developing said latent image.

21. A remote diagnostic device as in claim 20 wherein a scanner creates an image file of said developed image

22. A remote diagnostic device as in claim 21 wherein a microprocessor analyses said scanned image for pathogens.

23. A remote diagnostic device as in claim 22 wherein results of said analysis is transmitted to a doctor.

24. A remote diagnostic device as in claim 23 wherein said doctor transmits a prescription or instructions to said microprocessor.

25. A remote diagnostic device as in claim 24 wherein said prescriptions or instructions are printed or displayed.

26. A remote diagnostic device as in claim 21 wherein a microprocessor analyses said scanned image for pathogens and wherein said microprocessor is remotely located from said diagnostic device.