Virtual medical instrument for performing medical diagnostic testing on patients

• US 5,776,057 A
• Filed: 02/04/1997
• Issued: 07/07/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cmed, Inc. (Cmed Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Cmed, Inc. (Cmed Group Ltd.)
• Inventors: Swenson, Michael R., Holland, Gregory R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cohen, Lee S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WINAKUR, ERIC FRANK
• Application Number:
  US08/794,380
• Time in Patent Office: 518 Days
• Field of Search: 128/630, 128/670, 128/709, 128/903, 600/301, 600/483, 600/508
• US Class Current: 600/301
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/024 for determining the visual field, e.g. perimeter types
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/028 for testing visual acuity; for determination of refraction, e.g. phoropters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0205 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular conditions and different types of body conditions, e.g. heart and respiratory condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/12 Audiometering
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/20 for measuring urological functions restricted to the evaluation of the urinary system A61B5/4375 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/369 Electroencephalography [EEG] devices for psychotechnics A61B5/16
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/389 Electromyography [EMG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4863 Measuring or inducing nystagmus
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation

Abstract

A virtual medical instrument (VMI) system comprises data storage for storing input diagnostic test protocols for two or more of EEG, EKG, EMG/NCV, PFT, CMG, EP, ENG, visual acuity, visual field, limb dynometric and audiogram testing. The VMI system includes a universal interface having a number of electrical contacts and sets of electrical conduits associated with the different stored diagnostic test protocols. A selector enables a system user to select any one of the stored diagnostic test protocols for conducting on a patient. The system is constructed to enable the selected diagnostic test protocol to be performed on a patient after the corresponding set of electrical conduits are connected to the universal interface contacts and to the patient. Further included is an electrical signal generator connected to the universal interface for providing electrical signals to the patent if such electric signals are required by the selected test protocol. Electrical signals are received by the system through the electrical conduits connected to the universal interface from a patient and an output corresponding to the received electrical signals is provided, the output including one or more of strip chart printer, conventional printer, modem, computer diskette, audio recorder and video recorder.

Claims

1. A virtual medical instrument system for a medical facility having a plurality of patient medical diagnostic test protocols, said virtual medical instrument comprising:

a. a universal interface having a number of electrical contacts, said universal interface being configured for having connected to at least some of said contacts any selected set of a plurality of different sets of electrical conduits associated with a like plurality of different patient diagnostic test protocols;

b. computer means for electronically storing said plurality of different patient diagnostic test protocols;

c. selecting means connected to said computer means for enabling the selection of any one of said plurality of different patient diagnostic test protocols for conducting on a patient, the simultaneous selection of the corresponding set of electrical conduits to be connected to particular electrical contacts of said universal interface, and for causing the selected diagnostic test protocol to be performed on said patient after the corresponding set of electrical conduits have been connected to the universal interface contacts and to the patient on which the selected diagnostic test protocol is to be performed;

d. receiving means connected to said universal interface for receiving electrical signals from the set of electrical conduits connected to said universal interface contacts from a patient undergoing said selected diagnostic test protocol and for providing said electrical signals to said computer means; and

e. output means connected to said computer means for providing a detectable output corresponding to said received electrical signals.

2. A virtual medical instrument system for a medical facility having a plurality of patient medical diagnostic test protocols, said virtual medical instrument comprising:

a. a universal interface having a number of electrical contacts, said universal interface being configured for having connected to at least some of said contacts any selected set of a plurality of different sets of electrical conduits associated with a like plurality of different patient diagnostic test protocols;

b. selecting means connected to information and data storage means for enabling a user of the system to select from said information and storage means any desired one of said plurality of different patient diagnostic test protocols for conducting on a patient, and for selecting the appropriate set of electrical conduits to be connected to corresponding electrical contacts of said universal interface;

c. operating means for causing the selected diagnostic test protocol to be performed on said patient after said appropriate electrical conduits are connected between said corresponding electrical contacts of said universal interface and said patient on which the selected diagnostic test protocol is to be performed;

d. receiving means connected to said universal interface for receiving electrical signals from the set of electrical conduits connected to said universal interface contacts from a patient undergoing said selected diagnostic test protocol, said receiving means including a preamplifier connected to said universal interface for amplifying one or more of the electrical signals received therefrom; and

e. output means for providing a detectable output corresponding to said received electrical signals.

3. A virtual medical instrument system for a medical facility having a plurality of patient medical diagnostic test protocols, said virtual medical instrument comprising:

a. a universal interface having a number of electrical contacts, said universal interface being configured for having connected to at least some of said contacts any selected set of a plurality of different sets of electrical conduits associated with a like plurality of different patient diagnostic test protocols;

b. selecting means connected to information and data storage means for enabling a user of the system to select from said information and storage means any desired one of said plurality of different patient diagnostic test protocols for conducting on a patient, and for selecting the appropriate set of electrical conduits to be connected to corresponding electrical contacts of said universal interface, said selecting means including verifying means for assuring that when the electrical contacts associated with the selected diagnostic test protocol are connected to particular ones of the universal interface contacts only the preselected diagnostic test protocol is enabled;

c. operating means for causing the selected diagnostic test protocol to be performed on said patient after said appropriate electrical conduits are connected between said corresponding electrical contacts of said universal interface and patient on which the selected diagnostic test protocol is to be performed;

d. receiving means connected to said universal interface for receiving electrical signals from the set of electrical conduits connected to said universal interface contacts from a patient undergoing said selected diagnostic test protocol; and

e. output means for providing a detectable output corresponding to said received electrical signals.