Automated Diagnostic Kiosk for Diagnosing Diseases
First Claim
1. An automated diagnostic apparatus for analyzing vials containing samples from users, comprising:
- a body unit,an automated diagnostic instrument in said body unit that analyzes sample vials and produces diagnoses for users,a movable vial acquisition unit in said body unit that transfers sample vials from the users to the said automated diagnostic instrument, anda control in said body unit that is connected to said movable vial acquisition unit and said automated diagnostic instrument.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An automated and autonomous diagnostic apparatus that is capable of dispensing collection vials and collections kits to users interesting in collecting a biological sample and submitting their collected sample contained within a collection vial into the apparatus for automated diagnostic services. The user communicates with the apparatus through a touch-screen monitor. A user is able to enter personnel information into the apparatus including medical history, insurance information, co-payment, and answer a series of questions regarding their illness, which is used to determine the assay most likely to yield a positive result. Remotely-located physicians can communicate with users of the apparatus using video tele-medicine and request specific assays to be performed. The apparatus archives submitted samples for additional testing. Users may receive their assay results electronically. Users may allow the uploading of their diagnoses into a central databank for disease surveillance purposes.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. An automated diagnostic apparatus for analyzing vials containing samples from users, comprising:
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a body unit, an automated diagnostic instrument in said body unit that analyzes sample vials and produces diagnoses for users, a movable vial acquisition unit in said body unit that transfers sample vials from the users to the said automated diagnostic instrument, and a control in said body unit that is connected to said movable vial acquisition unit and said automated diagnostic instrument. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An automated diagnostic apparatus for analyzing vials containing samples from users, comprising:
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a body unit, an automated diagnostic instrument in said body unit that analyzes samples and produces diagnoses for the users, a movable vial acquisition unit in said body unit that transfers sample vials from the users to the said automated diagnostic instrument, and vials, a vial storage and archiving unit in said body that stores and archives said vials, and is accessible by said movable vial acquisition unit, a control in said body unit that is connected to said movable vial acquisition unit, said vial storage and archiving unit, and said automated diagnostic instrument. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of transferring vials within said body unit, comprising the steps of:
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removing vial from a location where user placed vial, delivering vial to automated diagnostic instrument for sample acquisition and processing. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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22. A method of transferring vials within said body, comprising the steps of:
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removing a vial from a tray of vials, delivering and placing a vial in a location for user pickup, removing vial from a location where user placed vial, delivering vial to automated diagnostic instrument for sample acquisition and processing, and delivering vial from automated diagnostic instrument and placing vial into tray for archiving purposes. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A method of transferring vials in said unit body including the steps of:
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positioning the vial acquisition unit above and below a vial in a container, vertically elevating the vial from the container from beneath using an extendable piston, clasping the elevated vial above the container using a gripping mechanism, and removing the vial from its container for transport to another location.
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Specification