Diagnostic delivery service

• US 8,249,218 B2
• Filed: 01/29/2009
• Issued: 08/21/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gearbox LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, L.L.C. (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Bowers, Jeffrey A., Hyde, Roderick A., Ishikawa, Muriel Y., Kare, Jordin T., Leuthardt, Eric C., Rivet, Dennis J., Sweeney, Elizabeth A., Wood, Lowell L. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Artman, Thomas R
• Application Number:
  US12/322,334
• Publication Number:
  US 20100187304A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,300 Days
• Field of Search: 378/62, 378/63, 378/92, 378/98, 378/102, 378/114, 378/115
• US Class Current: 378/102
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0059 using light, e.g. diagnosis by transillumination, diascopy, fluorescence A61B5/0093, A61B5/1455, A61B5/02416 and A61B5/0261 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0091 for mammography
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4312 Breast evaluation or disorder diagnosis A61B5/0091 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4528 Joints A61B5/4533, A61B5/4538 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4021 involving movement of the focal spot
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4405 the apparatus being movable or portable, e.g. handheld or mounted on a trolley
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4417 related to combined acquisition of different diagnostic modalities
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4423 related to hygiene or sterilisation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/502 for diagnosis of breast, i.e. mammography
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/508 for non-human patients
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/5247 combining images from an ionising-radiation diagnostic technique and a non-ionising radiation diagnostic technique, e.g. X-ray and ultrasound
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/548 Remote control of the apparatus or devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/00 Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves imaging of objects using sonar G01S15/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/0825 for diagnosis of the breast, e.g. mammography
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4416 related to combined acquisition of different diagnostic modalities, e.g. combination of ultrasound and X-ray acquisitions
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4472 Wireless probes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/565 involving data transmission via a network
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/1074 Details of the control system, e.g. user interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/06 using light
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/10 : X-ray therapy; Gamma-ray therapy; Particle-irradiation therapy A61N5/01 takes precedence

Abstract

Systems, methods, and other modalities are described for (a) obtaining an indication relating to an emission module (which may be dangerous, e.g.) or its user (who may be untrained, e.g.) and for (b) configuring the module or causing an irradiation (for imaging, e.g.) in response to the indication.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a first and a second energy emitter set;

an image detection structure;

means for detecting one or more actions by a user of the second energy emitter set and of the image detection structure and emitting a detection signal based on a detection of an action of the one or more actions by the user;

means for receiving user input;

means for certifying the user based at least partly on the received user input, wherein the means certifies the user by at least one of authenticating an identity of the user or verifying that the user is qualified to use the second emitter set and the detection structure;

means for outputting a certification signal based on the user certification;

means for activating the first energy emitter set and the image detection structure;

means for activating the second energy emitter set and the image detection structure partly based on the certification signal and partly based on the detection signal;

means for receiving one or more remote signals, the means for receiving being configured to receive the one or more remote signals via at least one of a wireless linkage, the Internet, a cellular network, a wide area network, or a private or public telecomunications service;

one or more energy emitters of the first energy emitter set configured for scanning;

means for configuring and operating the one or more emitters of the first energy emitter set, responsive to at least one of the one or more remote signals, the operating to include triggering an emission of energy from at least one of the one or more energy emitters; and

a handheld, mobile device comprising at least the means for receiving one or more remote signals, the means for configuring and operating the first energy emitter set.

2. A system comprising:

a first and a second energy emitter set;

a first image detection structure;

circuitry for detecting one or more actions by a user and emitting a detection signal based on a detection of an action of the one or more actions by the user;

circuitry for receiving user input;

circuitry for certifying the user based at least partly on the received user input, wherein the circuitry is configured to certify the user by at least one of authenticating an identity of the user or verifying that the user is qualified to use the second emitter set and the detection structure;

circuitry for outputting a certification signal based on the user certification;

circuitry for activating the first energy emitter set and the first image detection structure;

circuitry for activating the second energy emitter set and the first image detection structure partly based on the certification signal and partly based on the detection signal;

circuitry for receiving one or more remote signals, the circuitry for receiving being configured to receive the one or more remote signals via at least one of a wireless linkage, the Internet, a cellular network, a wide area network, or a private or public telecomunications service;

one or more energy emitters of the first energy emitter set configured for scanning;

circuitry for configuring and operating the one or more emitters of the first energy emitter set, responsive to at least one of the one or more remote signals, the operating to include triggering an emission of energy from at least one of the one or more energy emitters; and

a handheld, mobile device comprising at least the circuitry for receiving one or more remote signals, the circuitry for configuring and operating the first energy emitter set.

3. The system of claim 2, further comprising:

a second image detection structure configured to obtain an image resulting from output from the second energy emitter set.

4. The system of claim 2, further comprising:

a display configured to present video data in a vicinity of the first image detection structure.

5. The system of claim 2, further comprising:

a camera configured to acquire a facial image; and

a display configured to present the facial image in a vicinity of the first image detection structure.

6. The system of claim 2, further comprising:

a speaker configured to present audio data in a vicinity of the first image detection structure.

7. The system of claim 2, further comprising:

an energy emitter of the second energy emitter set; and

circuitry for sensing a position of a part of a subject'"'"'s body relative to the energy emitter of the second energy emitter set, wherein the circuitry for sensing a position is configured to perform the sensing without obtaining an image of the part of the subject'"'"'s body.

8. The system of claim 2, further comprising:

circuitry for sensing a position of at least one emitter of the second energy emitter set.

9. The system of claim 2, further comprising:

circuitry for capturing data from output from at least one of the one or more energy emitters of the first energy emitter set;

circuitry for computing one or more of an image, a coordinate, diagnostic data or a measurement based on the captured data;

a wearable article of clothing configured to support both the circuitry for capturing data and the circuitry for computing and further configured to communicate the one or more of the image, the coordinate, the diagnotic data, or the measurement; and

circuitry for receiving, via the wearable article of clothing, one or more of the image, the coordinate, the diagnostic data or the measurement.

10. The system of claim 2, further comprising:

circuitry for capturing data from output from at least one of the one or more energy emitters of the second energy emitter set;

circuitry for computing one or more of an image, a coordinate, diagnostic data or a measurement based on the captured data;

a wearable article configured to support both the circuitry for capturing data and the circuitry for computing and further configured to communicate the one or more of the image, the coordinate, the diagnotic data, or the measurement;

a transmitter for receiving, via the wearable article, one or more of the image, the coordinate, the diagnostic data or the measurement, the transmitter configured to transmit one or more of the image, the coordinate, the diagnostic data or the measurement via at least one of a wireless linkage, the Internet, a cellular network, or a private or public telecommunications service; and

a handheld system comprising at least the first emitter set and the transmitter.

11. The system of claim 2, further comprising:

circuitry for sensing a type of energy from the second energy emitter set.

12. The system of claim 2, wherein the circuitry for certifying the user based at least partly on the received user input, wherein the circuitry is configured to certify the user by at least one of authenticating an identity of the user or verifying that the user is qualified to use the second emitter set and the detection structure comprises:

circuitry for certifying the user based at least partly on the received user input, wherein the circuitry is configured to certify the user by authenticating, other than by biometric authentication, an identity of the user and by administering a skill test requiring correct user answers to test questions; and

wherein the system further comprises;

circuitry for activating the second energy emitter set; and

the circuitry for receiving one or more remote signals, configured to receive a remote signal, of the one or more remote signals, that comprises the certification signal and the detection signal.

13. The system of claim 2, further comprising:

an energy emitter of the second energy emitter set; and

circuitry for sensing a position of the energy emitter relative to a body part, the sensing being performed without acquiring an image of the body part with the energy emitter;

circuitry for guiding a user, verbally or visually, based on the sensing of the relative position, through a sequence of positioning operations for moving the energy emitter relative to the body part;

circuitry for capturing data from output of the energy emitter and for computing a digital image based on the captured data;

circuitry for receiving a signal indicating a failure to recognize one or more physiological features in the digital image and for providing user guidance in response to the signal; and

a handheld, portable device comprising at least the energy emitter, the circuitry for sensing, the circuitry for guiding, the circuitry for capturing, and the circuitry for receiving.

14. The system of claim 2 in which the circuitry for activating the second energy emitter comprises:

circuitry for detecting an effect of the activating of the second energy emitter set upon a part of a subject'"'"'s body, wherein the effect of the activating of the second energy emitter set includes at least one of a computed coordinate, a measurement, or a diagnosis.

15. The system of claim 2, further comprising:

a support for positioning the first image detection structure to receive energy from the second energy emitter set.

16. The system of claim 2, further comprising:

the first energy emitter set, configured to emit radio-frequency energy.

17. The system of claim 2, further comprising:

the first energy emitter set, configured to emit ultrasound energy.

18. The system of claim 2, further comprising:

the first energy emitter set, configured to emit x-ray energy.

19. The system of claim 2, further comprising:

the second energy emitter set, configured to emit x-ray energy.

20. The system of claim 2, further comprising:

a handheld device configured to support at least the first energy emitter set.

21. The system of claim 2 in which the circuitry for activating the second energy emitter set comprises:

the circuitry for activating the second energy emitter set, configured for detecting whether an emission device is positioned to irradiate a body part and for activating the second energy emitter set and the first image detection structure;

partly based on the certification signal;

partly based upon whether the emission device is detected to be positioned to irradiate the body part; and

partly based on the detection signal.

22. The system of claim 2, further comprising:

at least one common emitter in the first energy emitter set and in the second energy emitter set.

23. The system of claim 2, further comprising:

an ionizing radiation emitter as part of the second energy emitter set.

24. The system of claim 2, further comprising:

a visible light emitter as part of the first energy emitter set.

25. The system of claim 2, further comprising:

the first image detection structure, comprising a camera.

26. The system of claim 2, further comprising:

the first energy emitter set, configured to emit visible light.

27. The system of claim 2, further comprising:

circuitry for accepting input from another user;

circuitry for certifying the other user based at least in part on the received user input, wherein the circuitry for certifying the other user is configured to certify the other user by at least one of authenticating an identity of the other user or verifying that the other user is qualified to use the emission device;

the first energy emitter set, including at least an ultrasound emitter that is configured to be operable by the other user.

28. The system of claim 2, further comprising:

circuitry for accepting input from another user;

circuitry for certifying the other user based at least in part on the received user input, wherein the circuitry for certifying the other user is configured to certify the other user by at least one of authenticating an identity of the other user or verifying that the other user is qualified to use the emission device;

the first image detection structure, comprising a camera configured to be operable by the other user.

29. The system of claim 2, further comprising:

the first image detection structure comprising a camera configured to be operable by the user.

30. The system of claim 2, in which the circuitry for activating the second energy emitter set comprises:

at least an ionizing radiation emitter of the second energy emitter set;

circuitry for determining or measuring cumulative ionizing radiation energy emissions from the ionizing radiation emitter; and

circuitry for acquiring and responding to the determined or measured cumulative ionizing radiation energy emissions from the ionizing radiation emitter by preventing emitter emissions from the ionizing radiation emitter that would allow the cumulative ionizing radiation emissions from the ionizing radiation emitter to exceed a threshold;

circuitry for resetting, responsive to at least one of the one or more remote signals, the circuitry for determining or measuring, the resetting to allow at least one additional emitter emission from the ionizing radiation emitter.

31. The system of claim 2, further comprising:

the second energy emitter set, including at least an ionizing radiation emitter.

32. The system of claim 2, further comprising:

circuitry for accepting input from another user;

circuitry for certifying the other user based at least in part on the received user input, wherein the circuitry for certifying the other user is configured to certify the other user by at least one of authenticating an identity of the other user or verifying that the other user is qualified to use the emission device;

circuitry for detecting one or more actions by the other user and emitting a second detection signal based on a detection of an action of the one or more actions by the other user;

circuitry for activating the first energy emitter set at least partly in response to the second detection signal.

33. The system of claim 2, further comprising:

one or more energy emitters of the first energy emitter set configured for scanning; and

circuitry for detecting and capturing data from output from at least one of the one or more energy emitters of the first energy emitter set and for computing an image from the captured data.

34. The system of claim 2, further comprising:

the first energy emitter set, configured to emit visible light;

the first image detection structure comprising a camera configured to be operable by the user;

a second image detection structure configured to obtain an image resulting from output from the second energy emitter set;

the second energy emitter set, configured to emit x-ray energy.

35. The system of claim 34, further comprising:

a handheld device configured to support at least the first energy emitter set; and

circuitry for sensing a position of at least one emitter of the second energy emitter set.

36. The system of claim 34, further comprising:

circuitry for receiving a remote signal that includes the detection signal and the certification signal, wherein the remote signal is a signal that is received by the circuitry for receiving via a least one of the Internet, a cellular network, or a wide area network.

37. The system of claim 2, further comprising:

circuitry for accepting input from another user;

circuitry for certifying the other user based at least in part on the received user input, wherein the circuitry for certifying the other user is configured to certify the other user by at least one of authenticating an identity of the other user or verifying that the other user is qualified to use the emission device;

the first image detection structure, comprising a camera configured to be operable by the user and by the other user;

circuitry for detecting and capturing data from output from at least one of the one or more energy emitters of the first energy emitter set and for computing a first image from the captured data;

the circuitry for detecting one or more actions by the user, configured to emit a second detection signal based on a detection of a second user action of the one or more user actions by the user; and

circuitry for activating the first energy emitter set at least partly in response to the second detection signal.

38. The system of claim 37, further comprising:

a support for positioning the first image detection structure to receive energy from the second energy emitter set; and

circuitry for sensing a type of the energy from the second energy emitter set.

39. The system of claim 37, further comprising:

the second energy emitter set, including at least an ionizing radiation emitter; and

a second image detection structure configured to obtain a second image resulting from output from the second energy emitter set.

40. The system of claim 2, further comprising:

at least one common emitter in the first energy emitter set and in the second energy emitter set;

another energy emitter of the second energy emitter set; and

circuitry for sensing a position of a part of a subject'"'"'s body relative to the other energy emitter of the second energy emitter set, wherein the circuitry for sensing a position is configured to perform the sensing of the position without obtaining an image of the body part.

41. The system of claim 40, further comprising:

circuitry for accepting input from another user;

circuitry for certifying the other user based at least in part on the received user input, wherein the circuitry for certifying the other user is configured to certify the other user by at least one of authenticating an identity of the other user or verifying that the other user is qualified to use the emission device;

the first image detection structure, comprising a camera configured to be operable by the other user; and

a display configured to present video data in a vicinity of the first image detection structure.

42. The system of claim 2, further comprising:

circuitry for detecting and capturing data from output from at least one of the one or more energy emitters of the first energy emitter set and for computing an image based on the captured data;

circuitry for providing guidance including audio data that facilitates one or more user actions that position the at least one of the one or more energy emitters of the first energy emitter set for imaging of a body part and that triggers the irradiation of the body part; and

a speaker configured to present the audio data in a vicinity of the the at least one of the one or more energy emitters of the first energy emitter set.

43. The system of claim 2, further comprising:

circuitry for detecting and capturing data from output from at least one of the one or more energy emitters of the first energy emitter set and for computing an image based on the captured data;

a wearable article of clothing configured to support the circuitry for detecting and capturing data and and the circuitry for computing an image and further configured to communicate the image;

circuitry for receiving the image via the wearable article.

44. The system of claim 2, further comprising:

one or more energy emitters of the first energy emitter set configured for scanning;

circuitry for detecting and capturing first data from output from at least one of the one or more energy emitters of the first energy emitter set;

circuitry for computing a first image based on the captured first data;

the second energy emitter set, configured to emit x-ray energy;

a second image detection structure configured to capture second data from at least one of the one or more energy emitters of the second energy emitter set and further configured to obtain a second image from the captured second data;

circuitry for accepting input from another user;

circuitry for certifying the other user based at least in part on the received user input, wherein the circuitry for certifying the other user is configured to certify the other user by at least one of authenticating an identity of the other user or verifying that the other user is qualified to use the emission device;

circuitry for detecting one or more actions by the other user and emitting a second detection signal based on a detection of an action of the one or more actions by the other user;

circuitry for activating the first energy emitter set at least partly in response to the second detection signal;

circuitry for activating the second energy emitter set; and

the circuitry for receiving one or more remote signals, configured to receive a remote signal, of the one or more remote signals, that includes the certification signal and the detection signal.

45. The system of claim 44, further comprising:

a wearable article of clothing configured to support the circuitry for detecting and capturing first data and and the circuitry for computing a first image and further configured to communicate the first image;

circuitry for receiving the first image via a wearable article; and

circuitry for receiving one or more results of the activating of the second energy emitter set via the wearable article.

46. The system of claim 45, further comprising:

a display configured to present a facial image in a vicinity of the first image detection structure; and

a speaker configured to present audio data in the vicinity of the first image detection structure.

47. A system comprising:

first and second energy emitter sets;

a first image detection structure;

circuitry for detecting one or more actions by a user and emitting a detection signal based on a detection of an action of the one or more actions by the user;

circuitry for receiving user input;

circuitry for certifying the user based at least partly on the received user input, wherein the circuitry is configured to certify the user by at least one of authenticating an identity of the user or verifying that the user is qualified to use the first and second energy emitter sets and the first image detection structure;

circuitry for outputting a certification signal based on the user certification;

circuitry configured for activating the first energy emitter set and the first image detection structure;

circuitry configured for activating the second energy emitter set and the first image detection structure partly based on the certification signal and partly based on the detection signal;

circuitry for receiving one or more remote signals, the circuitry for receiving being configured to receive the one or more remote signals via at least one of a wireless linkage, the Internet, a cellular network, a wide area network, or a private or public telecomunications service;

one or more energy emitters of the first energy emitter set configured for scanning;

circuitry for configuring and operating the one or more emitters of the first energy emitter set, responsive to at least one of the one or more remote signals, the operating to include triggering an emission of energy from at least one of the one or more energy emitters; and

wherein the circuitry for activating the second energy emitter set comprises;

at least an ionizing radiation emitter of the second energy emitter set;

circuitry for determining or measuring cumulative ionizing radiation energy emissions from the ionizing radiation emitter;

circuitry for acquiring and responding to the determined or measured cumulative ionizing radiation energy emissions from the ionizing radiation emitter by preventing emitter emissions from the ionizing radiation emitter that would allow the cumulative ionizing radiation emissions from the ionizing radiation emitter to exceed a threshold; and

circuitry for resetting, responsive to at least one of the one or more remote signals, the circuitry for determining or measuring, the resetting to allow at least one additional emitter emission from the ionizing radiation emitter.