MULTIPHASIC HEALTH SCREENING METHOD AND MODULE

• US 3,857,383 A
• Filed: 11/17/1972
• Issued: 12/31/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 05/11/1970
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Charles N. Dewey, Edmond L. Morgan, Ethan J. Allen, Irwin H. Sommerfeld
• Original Assignee: Charles N. Dewey, Edmond L. Morgan, Ethan J. Allen, Irwin H. Sommerfeld
• Inventors: Sommerfeld, Irwin H., Morgan, Edmond L., Allen, Ethan J., Dewey, Charles N.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kamm, William E.
• Application Number:
  US05/307,485
• Time in Patent Office: 774 Days
• Field of Search: 128/2R,2.5A,2.5R,2.6A,2.6R,2.1A,2.1R,2.1P,1R
• US Class Current: 600/301
• 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: Y10S 128/906 Multiphasic diagnostic clinic

Abstract

The individual or individuals to be tested are positioned relative to a portable, multiphase module and are subjected to a plurality of sequential health screening tests, most of which require the individuals to provide an electrically transduced input to a portion of the module, some of the inputs requiring electronic sensors to be coupled to the individuals. Tests are sequentially programmed in a random and/or predetermined mode. Test conditions are initially monitored for acceptability and then are recorded by one or more of a plurality of instruments. The module houses all test equipment, controls and sequencing means, whereby a technician can speedily obtain at low cost a health screening profile.

Claims

1. A semi-automatic, multiphasic health screening method for human individuals comprising the steps of:

orienting at least two individuals adjacent to a multiphasic health screening module having therein a plurality of different electronically operable health parameter measuring test devices coupled to a common group of test readout recorders, whereby the entire screening is accomplished adjacent the module;

electronically coupling each individual to the one module by way of a plurality of sensors and leads which transmit a plurality of different health parameters to at least some of the test devices in the module;

automatically selecting a predetermined sequence of health screening tests to be performed on each individual by use of the test devices said selecting including the step of directing electrically which test is being performed upon each individual, such that at any one time a different test is being directed to each individual;

performing each selected test for a relatively short period of time, and only once per individual by way of said automatically selecting;

encOding, at least in part by the readout recorders, the data results from each test prior to advancing to the next test; and

automatically enabling the performing of the next of the predetermined sequence of health tests and then accomplishing said steps of performing and encoding.

2. The method according to claim 1 further including monitoring electronically the data results prior to said encoding, and enabling said encoding by at least a portion of the recorders during said period of time and only after acceptable data has been monitored.

3. The method according to claim 1 further including the steps of:

overriding said automatically selecting, electrically selecting on demand a repeating of any of said health screening tests, and repeating said steps of performing and encoding for any selected test repeating.

4. The method according to claim 1 including programming electronically said selecting and enabling in an automatic and sequentially predetermined mode, and manually commencing and terminating each said step of performing.

5. A multiphasic health screening module comprising:

cabinetry, a plurality of different medical testing means for measuring medical health parameters housed within said cabinetry, a common electric power input to said module and said testing means, a plurality of test data recording means interconnected in common to at least some of said plurality of testing means, means for coupling said testing means to a plurality of individuals to be tested, central control means, including a central control panel which interconnects said testing means with said recording means and with said coupling means, said central control means further including programmed selecting means connected to said testing means and said recording means, operation selection means also being on said central control panel, said selecting means including interconnecting means which defines a sequential, repetition-free mode of programmed testing by said central control means, whereby a plurality of multiphasic health screening tests can be obtained by means of said module only in a sequentially programmed mode, and said control panel includes direction control means interconnected to said coupling means, said testing means and said recording means, for selectively directing a test to a particular individual, while at the same time another test can be directed to another particular individual, whereby a plurality of individuals can be coterminously screened by said module.

6. A module according to claim 5 wherein said recording means include test output monitoring means for assisting in determining the acceptability of test data output, and said selecting means includes structure for enabling said monitoring means prior to the enabling of a remainder of the recording means, and for enabling at least a portion of such remainder upon a determination that acceptable test data is being generated by way of a testing means.

7. A module according to claim 5 wherein said testing means selecting means includes means for repeating any desired test, independent of the programmed sequential mode of testing.

8. A module according to claim 5 which includes electronic safety and alarm means connected at least to said coupling means and said selecting means and responsive to any abnormal electric parameter being applied from the module to the coupling means to speedily decouple said coupling means electrically and inhibit the testing means in an alarm condition, and said selecting means having a reset control for terminating the inhibit state after termination of an alarm condition.

9. A semi-automatic, multiphasic health testing method for human individuals comprising the steps of:

orienting at least two individuals adjacent to a modular console having therein a plurality of different health parameter measuring instruments and readout recording means;

electrically coupling each individual to the console by way of a plurality of sensors and leads which tranSmit a plurality of different health parameters to at least some of the test instruments in the console;

selecting a predetermined sequence of tests to be performed on each individual by use of the test instruments;

directing electrically which test is being performed upon each individual, such that at any one time a different test is being directed to each individual;

performing each selected test for a relatively short period of time, and only once per individual by way of said selecting;

encoding into the readout recorders, the data results from each test prior to advancing to the next test;

advancing to the next of the predetermined sequence of health tests and then accomplishing said steps of directing, performing and encoding for such next test.

10. A multiphasic health screening apparatus comprising:

cabinetry, a plurality of different medical testing means and data recording means housed within said cabinetry for measuring and recording medical health parameters, means for coupling said testing means to a plurality of individuals to be tested, central control means, including a central control panel which interconnects said testing means with said recording means and with said coupling means, said central control means further including test selecting means connected to said testing means and said recording means, and including interconnecting means which defines a sequential, repetition-free mode of testing by use of said central control means, and said central control means includes direction control means interconnected to said coupling means, said testing means and said recording means, for selectively directing a test to a particular individual, while at the same time another test can be directed to another particular individual, whereby a plurality of individuals can be coterminously screened by said apparatus.