APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR ANALYZING A MEDICAL CONDITION

• US 20140349326A1
• Filed: 02/06/2013
• Published: 11/27/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Michael Ingber
• Original Assignee: Michael Ingber
• Inventors: Ingber, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 10,152,702 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 435/19
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/145 Payments according to the detected use or quantity
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/40 for data related to laboratory analysis, e.g. patient specimen analysis
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/10 relating to drugs or medications, e.g. for ensuring correct administration to patients
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/13 delivered from dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 70/40 relating to drugs, e.g. their side effects or intended usage
• CPC Class Codes: G16Z 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 90/10 Information and communication technologies [ICT] supporting adaptation to climate change, e.g. for weather forecasting or climate simulation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/144444 Glucose
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/146666 Bile pigment
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/147777 Plural nitrogen in the same ring [e.g., barbituates, creatinine, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/173076 Nitrite or nitrate
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/200833 Carbonyl, ether, aldehyde or ketone containing

Abstract

Apparatus and methods are provided for analyzing a medical condition of a user. The apparatus may include a user interface configured to receive user identification information inputted by the user, an analyzer, and a processor all disposed within a common housing. The analyzer is configured to receive a biological specimen from the user and to analyze the biological specimen to generate analysis information. The processor is configured to store and forward the analysis information and to receive prescription information. The apparatus may include a communication unit configured to transmit the user identification information and the analysis information to a doctor at a remote location for review and to receive the prescription information from the doctor. The apparatus then may dispense the prescribed medication or print a medication prescription.

Claims

1. An apparatus for analyzing a medical condition of a user, the apparatus configured to exchange information via a network, comprising:

a user interface configured to receive user identification information input by the user;

an analyzer configured to receive a biological specimen from the user and to analyze the biological specimen to generate analysis information; and

a processor configured to store and forward the analysis information and to receive prescription information.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a communication unit operatively coupled to the processor, the communication unit configured to transmit the user identification information and the analysis information to a doctor for review over the network, the communication unit further configured to receive the prescription information from the doctor over the network.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an automated dispensing assembly configured to dispense a medication based on the prescription information.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the automated dispensing assembly is configured to store the medication.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a printer configured to print a medication prescription based on the prescription information.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an identification unit configured to identify the user, the identification unit having a magnetic stripe reader.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the analyzer comprises a reflectance spectroscope.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the analyzer is configured to receive the biological specimen on a reagent strip from a user and to analyze the biological specimen on the reagent strip to generate the analysis information.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the analysis information comprises information on any one of leukocytes, glucose, bilirubin, ketone, specific gravity, nitrite, pH, protein, urobilinogen, blood, albumin, creatinine, leukocyte esterase, red blood cells, white blood cells, bacteria, or any combination thereof in the biological specimen.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a payment unit configured to receive payment information from the user for use of the apparatus.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is sized and shaped in a handheld configuration.

12. A system for analyzing a medical condition comprising:

a remote doctor workstation;

a payment processing center; and

an apparatus configured to receive user identification information input by the user, to receive payment information, and to generate analysis information from analysis of a biological specimen of the user, the apparatus having a processor configured to transmit the identification information and the analysis information over a network to the remote doctor workstation and to transmit the user identification information and the payment information to the payment processing center over the network.

13. A method for analyzing a medical condition of a user, the method comprising:

receiving a biological specimen from the user at an apparatus;

analyzing the biological specimen from the user at the apparatus to generate analysis information;

transmitting the analysis information over a network from the apparatus to a doctor for diagnosis;

generating prescription information based on the diagnosis; and

transmitting the prescription information over the network to the apparatus or to a pharmacy.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising dispensing a medication based on the prescription information at the apparatus.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising printing a medication prescription based on the prescription information at the apparatus.

16. The method of claim 13, further comprising receiving user identification information input by the user.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein transmitting the analysis information comprises transmitting the analysis information and the user identification information over the network from the apparatus to the doctor.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein transmitting the analysis information over the network comprises transmitting the analysis information to computer readable storage, inputting the computer readable storage into a computer, and transferring the analysis information over the network from the computer to the doctor.

19. The method of claim 13, wherein transmitting the prescription information over the network comprises transmitting the prescription information to a computer over the network, transferring the prescription information to computer readable storage, and inputting the computer readable storage into the apparatus.

20. The method of claim 13, wherein analyzing the biological specimen comprises analyzing the biological specimen using a reflectance spectroscope.

21. The method of claim 13, wherein analyzing the biological specimen comprises analyzing the biological specimen on a reagent strip.

22. The method of claim 13, wherein the analysis information comprises information on any one of leukocytes, glucose, bilirubin, ketone, specific gravity, nitrite, pH, protein, urobilinogen, blood, albumin, creatinine, leukocyte esterase, red blood cells, white blood cells, bacteria, or any combination thereof in the biological specimen.

23. The method of claim 13, further comprising receiving payment information from the user for use of the apparatus.

24. The method of claim 13, wherein the condition diagnosed by the doctor includes any one of bronchitis, diarrhea, diphtheria, ear infections, food poisoning, gonorrhea, leprosy, Lyme disease, meningitis, pink eye, pneumonia, sinus infections, strep throat, syphilis, tetanus, tuberculosis, typhoid fever, an ulcer, a urinary tract infection, whooping cough, a yeast infection, acute nonbacterial disease, chronic nonbacterial disease, or any combination thereof.