Direct manual examination of remote patient with virtual examination functionality

• US 6,726,638 B2
• Filed: 10/18/2002
• Issued: 04/27/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cel-Kom LLC
• Original Assignee: Cel-Kom LLC
• Inventors: Ombrellaro, Mark P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hindenburg, Max F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Szmal, Brian Scott
• Application Number:
  US10/274,569
• Publication Number:
  US 20030045815A1
• Time in Patent Office: 557 Days
• Field of Search: 600/587, 600/300, 600/595, 600/552, 600/553, 600/554, 600/555, 341/20, 345/161, 345/145, 345/168, 345/157, 345/156, 128/903, 128/904, 434/275, 434/274, 434/262
• US Class Current: 600/587
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0247 Pressure sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/046 in a matrix array
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/168 Fluid filled sensor housings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0022 Monitoring a patient using a global network, e.g. telephone networks, internet
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/103 Detecting, measuring or recording devices for testing the shape, pattern, colour, size or movement of the body or parts thereof, for diagnostic purposes A61B5/08 takes precedence; measuring aids for tailors A41H1/00; measuring instruments specially adapted for dentistry A61C19/04
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6805 Vests
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6806 Gloves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6825 Hand
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6831 Straps, bands or harnesses
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16Z 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass

Abstract

A simulator assembly (600) for simulating the tactile response of an item is disclosed. The simulator assembly includes a playback module (602) having sensory modulation subunits (636) operable to exert a force in response to an input signal. A tactile playback assembly (800) for translating input signals into tactile sensations upon a user is also provided. The tactile playback assembly includes a playback garment (806) having sensory modulation subunits adapted to generate a force upon a user in response to an input signal. An imaging exam assembly (900) for palpating a body and obtaining images of the body is also disclosed. An ultrasonic imaging system is further disclosed. A device for remotely conducting a direct manual examination of a patient is disclosed. A method of imparting tactile sensations to a body of a user is disclosed. A method of recording tactile data is disclosed.

Claims

1. A stimulator assembly for simulating the tactile response of a real item, the simulator assembly comprising:

(a) a playback module having a data file generated from a tactile examination of the real item, the playback module uses the data file to simulate tactile characteristics of the real item, wherein the playback module is formed generally in the shape of at least a portion of the real item, the playback module including an outer skin;

(b) a plurality of cavities disposed in the playback module and beneath the outer skin; and

(c) a plurality of sensory modulation subunits, each sensory modulation subunit disposed at least partially within one of the plurality of cavities, each sensory modulation subunit exerts a force against the outer skin in response to a received input signal wherein the received input signal is responsive to a force applied to the playback module.

2. The simulator assembly of claim 1, wherein the sensory modulation subunits further comprise a pressure transducer adapted to generate an output signal in response to an applied force.

3. The simulator assembly of claim 2, further comprising a computer system functionally connected to the sensory modulation subunits, wherein the computer system transmits the input signals to dynamically control the forces exerted by the sensory modulation subunits.

4. The simulator assembly of claim 3, wherein the computer system further receives the output signals generated by the sensory modulation subunits and further wherein the received output signals are used to determine the sensory modulation subunits input signals.

5. The simulator assembly of claim 4, wherein the computer system further comprises a memory module containing data defining the firmness of the simulated item and wherein the data is used to determine the sensory modulation subunit input signals.

6. The simulator assembly of claim 4, wherein the sensory modulation subunits comprise a piston-type variable resistor.

7. The simulator assembly of claim 4, wherein the sensory modulation subunits comprise a linear actuator.

8. The simulator assembly of claim 7, wherein the sensory modulation subunits further comprise an optical encoder that detects movement of the linear actuator and generates a responsive signal.

9. The simulator assembly of claim 4, wherein the sensory modulation subunits comprise an expansion chamber adapted to receive a pressurizing fluid.

10. The simulator assembly of claim 9, further comprising a reservoir of pressurizing fluid and wherein a plurality of sensory modulation subunits are fluidly connected to the reservoir with a valve.

11. The simulator assembly of claim 1, wherein the simulated item is a portion of a human body.

12. The simulator assembly of claim 11, wherein the data file comprises a portion of patient medical record.

13. A device for remotely conducting a direct manual examination of a patient comprising:

(a) a hand control unit having at least one first sensory modulation subunit that;

(i) detects a force applied to the first sensory modulation subunit and generates a first signal in response to the detected force, and

(ii) exerts a force in response to a received second signal;

(b) a patient examination module, the patient examination module having a plurality of second sensory modulation subunits that are selectively connectable to the first sensory modulation subunit, such that;

(i) the second sensory modulation subunit receives the first signal and exerts a force in response to the received first signal, and

(ii) detects a force resisting the exerted force and generates the second signal based on the detected resisting force, the second signal being received by the first sensory modulation subunit; and

(c) a recording device in signal communication with the first and second sensory modulation subunits that records the first and second signals into a medical record such that the direct manual examination may be simulated at a later time.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein the first sensory modulation subunit is coupled in signal communication with a first computer, wherein the second sensory modulation subunit is coupled in signal communication with a second computer, and wherein a communication network operatively connects the first computer with the second computer.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein the communication network operates over a global telecommunication network.

16. The device of claim 13, wherein the hand control unit and the patient examination module are in non-contiguous locations.

17. A method of recording a medical record comprising the steps of:

applying a sensor array to a patient that is detects the tactile response of the patient to an applied external force;

applying an external force to the patient; and

recording the tactile response of the patient to the applied external force such that the tactile response can be replayed in a tactile simulator assembly.