TELE-DIAGNOSTIC DEVICE

• US 20070038136A1
• Filed: 09/25/2006
• Published: 02/15/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/26/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ineedmd.Com, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Ineedmd.Com, Inc.
• Inventors: Gopinathan, Govindan, Tilford, Arthur
• Granted Patent: US 7,435,222 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/508
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/168 Fluid filled sensor housings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02055 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular condition and temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/021 Measuring pressure in heart or blood vessels A61B5/0205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/022 by applying pressure to close blood vessels, e.g. against the skin; Ophthalmodynamometers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/024 Detecting, measuring or recording pulse rate or heart rate A61B5/0205, A61B5/021 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02438 with portable devices, e.g. worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1455 using optical sensors, e.g. spectral photometrical oximeters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14552 Details of sensors specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/282 Holders for multiple electrodes for introduction into the body A61B5/287
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/332 Portable devices specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6806 Gloves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 7/003 Detecting lung or respiration noise
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 7/04 Electric stethoscopes microphones, acoustic transducers therefor H04R

Abstract

A system, probe, and method for collecting a plurality of diagnostic information and transmitting the diagnostic information to a remote location. The system comprises a member contoured to at least a portion of a person'"'"'s hand, and an interface unit in electrical communication with the member. The interface unit is capable of transmitting information to a remote location. The member comprises at least eight sensors.

Claims

1. A system for collecting diagnostic information and transmitting the diagnostic information to a remote location, the system comprising:

a member comprising a palm portion, a wrist portion and a plurality of phalange portions comprising an index finger phalange portion and a middle finger phalange portion, with the index finger phalange portion being at least as long as the middle finger phalange portion of the member, the member comprising an EKG diagnostic device comprising at least eight EKG sensors located on the member on at least two of the palm portion, the wrist portion, and at least one of the phalange portions; and

an interface unit in communication with the member, wherein the interface unit is capable of transmitting information to a remote location.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the EKG sensors are located on the palm portion, the wrist portion, and at least one of the phalange portions of the member.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the EKG diagnostic device comprises at least 10 sensors.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the EKG diagnostic device comprises 11 sensors.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the index finger phalange portion is longer than the middle finger phalange portion of the member.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein at least four of the EKG sensors are located on the index finger phalange portion of the member.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein at least five of the EKG sensors are located on the index finger phalange portion of the member.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of phalange portions comprise a thumb portion, with at least one of the EKG sensors being located on the thumb portion of the member.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of phalange portions comprise a pinky finger portion, with at least one of the EKG sensors being located on the pinky finger portion of the member.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein at least one of the EKG sensors is located on a palmer surface of the palm portion of the member.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein the member has a shape that corresponds to at least a substantial portion of a person'"'"'s hand such that the member is capable of being worn on a person'"'"'s hand.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the member has a portion shaped to contour to a person'"'"'s palm.

13. The system of claim 11 wherein the member has a portion shaped to contour to a person'"'"'s finger.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein the member has a portion shaped to contour to a person'"'"'s palm.

15. The system of claim 1 wherein the member comprises a glove.

16. The system of claim 11 wherein the member comprises a plurality of diagnostic devices.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein the plurality of diagnostic devices includes the EKG diagnostic device, a blood pressure and pulse diagnostic device, and a temperature device.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein the plurality of diagnostic devices further includes a percent O₂ diagnostic device.

19. The system of claim 18 wherein the plurality of diagnostic devices further includes an auscultation device.

20. The system of claim 16 wherein the plurality of diagnostic devices comprises the EKG diagnostic device, a blood pressure and pulse rate device, a temperature device, a percent O₂ device, and an auscultation device.

21. The system of claim 1 wherein the member consists essentially of a palm portion, a wrist portion and a plurality of phalange portions.

22. The system of claim 1 wherein the wrist portion of the member is sufficiently sized that it does not extend over a substantial portion of a forearm.

23. The system of claim 1 wherein the wrist portion of the member is sufficiently sized that it extends over less than one-half of a forearm.

28. The diagnostic probe of claim 1 wherein the member comprises a glove.

24. A method of obtaining and transmitting medical diagnostic information from a remote location, the method comprising:

providing a member comprising at least an EKG diagnostic device, the diagnostic device comprising at least eight EKG sensors located on the member, the member comprising a palm portion, a wrist portion and a plurality of phalange portions with the EKG sensors being located on at least two of the palm portion, the wrist portion, and at least one of the phalange portions, wherein the plurality of phalange portions comprise an index finger phalange portion and a middle finger phalange portion, with the index finger phalange portion being at least as long as the middle finger phalange portion;

placing the member on a first person to collect medical diagnostic information from the first person at a remote location; and

transmitting the diagnostic information from the first location to a second location.

25. A system for collecting diagnostic information, the system comprising:

a glove member and an EKG diagnostic device, the diagnostic device comprising at least eight EKG sensors secured to the glove member, the glove member comprising a palm portion, a wrist portion and a plurality of phalanges with the EKG sensors being located on at least two of the palm portion, the wrist portion, and at least one of the phalanges;

wherein the plurality of phalanges comprises a middle finger phalange and an index finger phalange being at least as long as the middle finger phalange.

26. A diagnostic probe for collecting diagnostic information and transmitting the diagnostic information to a remote location, the probe comprising:

a member comprising a palm portion, a wrist portion and a plurality of phalanges comprising an index finger phalange and a middle finger phalange, with the index finger phalange being at least as long as the middle finger phalange; and

an EKG diagnostic device secured to the member, the diagnostic device comprising at least eight EKG sensors located on the member on at least two of the palm portion, the wrist portion, and at least one of the phalanges.

27. The diagnostic probe of claim 26 further comprising an interface unit in communication with the device for transmitting information to the remote location.