Tele-diagnostic device

• US 6,224,548 B1
• Filed: 05/26/1998
• Issued: 05/01/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/26/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ineedmd.Com, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Ineedmd.Com, Inc.
• Inventors: Gopinathan, Govindan, Tilford, Arthur R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nasser, Robert L.
• Application Number:
  US09/084,647
• Time in Patent Office: 1,071 Days
• Field of Search: 600/300, 600/301, 128/903, 128/904
• US Class Current: 600/300
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/168 Fluid filled sensor housings
• 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 5/02055 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular condition and temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/022 by applying pressure to close blood vessels, e.g. against the skin; Ophthalmodynamometers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/024 Detecting, measuring or recording pulse rate or heart rate A61B5/0205, A61B5/021 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02438 with portable devices, e.g. worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1455 using optical sensors, e.g. spectral photometrical oximeters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/282 Holders for multiple electrodes for introduction into the body A61B5/287
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6806 Gloves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 7/003 Detecting lung or respiration noise
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/903 Radio telemetry

Abstract

A system (10) for collecting a plurality of diagnostic information and transmitting the diagnostic information to a remote location. The system (10) comprises a glove member (12) adaptable to be worn on a person'"'"'s hand and an interface unit (20) in electrical communication with the glove member (12). The interface unit (20) is capable of transmitting information to, and receiving information from, a remote location. The glove member (12) comprises a palm portion (1), a wrist portion (3) and five phalange portions (5-13). The glove member (12) further comprises an EKG diagnostic device, a blood pressure and pulse rate diagnostic device (54) and a temperature device (64). The glove member (12) may also further comprise a %0₂ diagnostic device (70) and an auscultation device (80).

Claims

1. A system for collecting a plurality of diagnostic information and transmitting the diagnostic information to a remote location, said system comprising;

a member contoured to at least a portion of a person'"'"'s hand, said member comprising a plurality of diagnostic devices, said diagnostic devices capable of sensing diagnostic signals from a person; and

an interface unit in electrical communication with said member, said interface unit capable of transmitting information to, and receiving information from, a remote location.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said plurality of diagnostic devices includes an EKG diagnostic device, a blood pressure and pulse diagnostic device and a temperature device.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein said plurality of diagnostic devices further includes a %O₂ diagnostic device.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein said plurality of diagnostic devices further includes an auscultation device.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein said member comprises a palm portion, a wrist portion and a plurality of phalange portions.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein said EKG diagnostic device includes at least a first EKG sensor located on said palm portion, a second EKG sensor located on said wrist portion, and a third EKG sensor located on at least one of said phalange portions.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein said EKG diagnostic device includes at least seven EKG sensors.

8. The system of claim 5 wherein said blood pressure and pulse rate device is located on said wrist portion of said member and includes an inflatable air bladder.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein said temperature device includes a thermistor which is responsive to temperature changes.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein said %O₂ device includes a LED emitter and an LED sensor, said LED sensor and LED emitter being located on one of said phalange portions.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein said interface unit comprises an EKG circuit board, a blood pressure and pulse rate circuit board, a temperature circuit board, a %O₂ circuit board, wherein said blood pressure and pulse rate circuit board includes a source of inflation fluid for inflating said air bladder.

12. The system of claim 2 wherein said EKG device comprises a plurality of EKG sensors.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein said member comprises a palm portion, a wrist portion and at least one phalange portion, wherein said EKG sensors are located on at least one of said palm portion, said wrist portion, and said phalange portion.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein said EKG sensors are located on said member on at least two of said palm portion, said wrist portion, and said phalange portion.

15. The system of claim 1 further comprising a satellite modem, wherein the remote location comprises a command center and said interface unit transmits information to, and receives information from, the remote location via a satellite connection through said satellite modem.

16. The system of claim 1 further comprising a telephone modem, wherein the remote location comprises a command center and said interface unit transmits information to, and receives information from, the remote location via a telephone wire connection through said telephone modem.

17. The system of claim 1 wherein said remote location comprises a personal computer.

18. The system of claim 1 wherein said remote location comprises a plurality of diagnostic readout machines.

19. The system of claim 1 wherein said member is adaptable to be worn over a person'"'"'s hand.

20. The system of claim 1 wherein said member further comprises an electrical connection plug capable of communicating with said devices and said interface unit, said member further comprising electrical circuitry providing electrical communication between said devices and said plug.

21. The system of claim 1 wherein said member has a shape that corresponds to at least a substantial portion of a person'"'"'s hand such that said member is capable of being worn on a person'"'"'s hand.

22. The system of claim 21 wherein said member has a palmar side, at least one of said diagnostic devices being located on said palmar side of said member.

23. The system of claim 22 wherein said member has a dorsal side.

24. The system of claim 21 wherein the information that said interface unit is capable of receiving comprises sound waves.

25. The system of claim 24 wherein said interface unit comprises a speaker.

26. The system of claim 25 wherein said interface unit comprises a microphone.

27. A diagnostic probe comprising:

a glove member comprising a palm portion, a wrist portion and a plurality of phalange portions, said glove member adaptable to be worn on a person'"'"'s hand;

an EKG diagnostic device located on said glove member;

a blood pressure and pulse rate device located on said glove member; and

a temperature device located on said glove member.

28. The diagnostic probe of claim 27 further comprising a %O₂ device located on said glove member and an auscultation device.

29. The diagnostic probe of claim 28 further comprising an electrical connection plug capable of communicating with said devices and an information transmission device, said probe further comprising electrical circuitry providing electrical communication between said devices and said plug.

30. The diagnostic probe of claim 29 wherein said EKG diagnostic device includes at least a first EKG sensor located on said palm portion, a second EKG sensor located on said wrist portion, and a third EKG sensor located on at least one of said phalange portions, said blood pressure and pulse rate device being located on said wrist portion of said member and including an inflatable air bladder, said temperature device including a thermistor which is responsive to temperature changes, and said %O₂ device including a LED emitter and an LED sensor, said led sensor and led emitter being located on one of said phalange portions.

31. The probe of claim 30 wherein said auscultation device includes an acoustical coupler and microphone.

32. The probe of claim 30 wherein each of said EKG sensors includes a stainless steel screen and a sponge for supplying an electrical contact enhancing fluid, said sponge being disposed between said glove member and said screen.

33. The probe of claim 27 wherein said EKG device comprises a plurality of EKG sensors.

34. The probe of claim 33 wherein said EKG sensor are located on at least one of said palm portion, said wrist portion, and said phalange portion.

35. The probe of claim 34 wherein said EKG sensors are located on said member on at least two of said palm portion, said wrist portion, and said phalange portion.

36. The probe of claim 35 wherein said EKG sensors are located on said member on said palm portion, said wrist portion and said phalange portion.

37. The probe of claim 27 wherein said glove member has a palmar side.

38. The probe of claim 37 wherein said glove member has a dorsal side.

39. A system for collecting diagnostic information and transmitting the diagnostic information to a remote location, said system comprising:

a member contoured to at least a portion of a person'"'"'s hand, said member comprising at least one diagnostic device, said diagnostic device capable of sensing diagnostic signals from a person; and

an interface unit in electrical communication with said member, said interface unit capable of transmitting information to, and receiving information from, a remote location.

40. The system of claim 39 wherein said member comprises a glove.

41. The system of claim 39 wherein said member has a shape that corresponds to at least a substantial portion of a person'"'"'s hand such that said member is capable of being worn on a person'"'"'s hand.

42. The system of claim 41 wherein said member has a portion shaped to contour to a person'"'"'s palm.

43. The system of claim 41 wherein said member has a portion shaped to contour to a person'"'"'s finger.

44. The system of claim 43 wherein said member has a portion shaped to contour to a person'"'"'s palm.

45. The system of claim 41 wherein said member comprises a wrist portion and a palm portion.

46. The system of claim 41 wherein said member comprises a palm portion and a phalange portion.

47. The system of claim 41 wherein said member has a palmar side, said member having at least one sensor on said palmar side of said member.

48. The system of claim 47 wherein said member has a dorsal side.

49. The system of claim 47 wherein said member further comprises an electrical connection plug capable of communicating with said devices and said interface unit, said member further comprising electrical circuitry providing electrical communication between said devices and said plug.

50. The system of claim 47 wherein said diagnostic device comprises an EKG diagnostic device and said sensor comprises a first EKG sensor.

51. The system of claim 50 wherein said member comprises a palm portion.

52. The system of claim 51 wherein said sensor is located on said palm portion of said member.

53. The system of claim 51 wherein said member further comprises at least two phalange portions, said sensor being located on one of said phalange portions of said member.

54. The system of claim 50 wherein said member comprises a palm portion, a wrist portion and a plurality of phalange portions.

55. The system of claim 54 wherein said first EKG sensor is located on said palm portion, said EKG diagnostic device further including a second EKG sensor located on said wrist portion, and a third EKG sensor located on at least one of said phalange portions.

56. The system of claim 55 wherein said EKG diagnostic device includes at least seven EKG sensors.

57. The system of claim 50 wherein said EKG device comprises a plurality of EKG sensors.

58. The system of claim 57 wherein said member comprises a palm portion, a wrist portion and at least one phalange portion, wherein said EKG sensors are located on at least one of said palm portion, said wrist portion, and said phalange portion.

59. The system of claim 58 wherein said EKG sensors are located on said member on at least two of said palm portion, said wrist portion, and said phalange portion.

60. The system of claim 59 wherein said EKG sensors are located on said member on said palm portion, said wrist portion and said phalange portion.

61. The system of claim 41 wherein the information that said interface unit is capable of receiving comprises sound waves.

62. The system of claim 41 wherein said interface unit comprises a speaker.

63. The system of claim 62 wherein said interface unit comprises a microphone.

64. The system of claim 41 wherein said member comprises a plurality of diagnostic devices.

65. The system of claim 64 wherein said member comprises at least one phalange portion, said plurality of diagnostic devices including a %O₂ diagnostic device comprising an LED emitter and an LED sensor, said LED sensor and LED emitter being located on said phalange portion.

66. The system of claim 64 wherein said plurality of diagnostic devices includes an EKG diagnostic device, a blood pressure and pulse diagnostic device and a temperature device.

67. The system of claim 66 wherein said plurality of diagnostic devices further includes a %O₂ diagnostic device.

68. The system of claim 67 wherein said plurality of diagnostic devices further includes an auscultation device.

69. The system of claim 67 wherein said blood pressure and pulse rate device is located on said wrist portion of said member and includes an inflatable air bladder.

70. The system of claim 67 wherein said interface unit comprises an EKG circuit board, a blood pressure and pulse rate circuit board, a temperature circuit board, a %O₂ circuit board, wherein said blood pressure and pulse rate circuit board includes a source of inflation fluid for inflating said air bladder.

71. A system for collecting a plurality of diagnostic information and transmitting the diagnostic information to a remote location, said system comprising:

a member contoured to at least a portion of a person'"'"'s hand, said member comprising a plurality of diagnostic devices comprising an EKG diagnostic device, a blood pressure and pulse diagnostic device having an inflatable air bladder, a temperature device, and a percent O₂ diagnostic device, said diagnostic devices capable of sensing diagnostic signals from a person; and

an interface unit in electrical communication with said member, said interface unit capable of transmitting information to, and receiving information from, a remote location,

said interface unit comprising an EKG circuit board, a blood pressure and pulse rate circuit board, a temperature board, a %O₂ circuit board, wherein said blood pressure and pulse rate circuit board includes a source of inflation fluid for inflating said air bladder.

72. A diagnostic probe comprising:

a member contoured to at least a portion of a person'"'"'s hand; and

at least one diagnostic device capable of sensing diagnostic signals from a person.

73. The probe of claim 72 wherein said member has a shape that corresponds to at least a substantial portion of a person'"'"'s hand such that said member is capable of being worn on a person'"'"'s hand.

74. The probe of claim 73 wherein said member has a palmar side, said diagnostic device having at least one sensor on said palmar side of said member.

75. The probe of claim 74 wherein said member has a dorsal side.

76. The probe of claim 74 wherein said at least one diagnostic device comprises a plurality of diagnostic devices.

77. The probe of claim 76 wherein said plurality of diagnostic devices includes an EKG diagnostic device, a blood pressure and pulse device and a temperature device.

78. The probe of claim 76 further comprising an electrical connection plug capable of communicating with said devices and an information transmission device, said probe further comprising electrical circuitry providing electrical communication between said devices and said plug.

79. The probe of claim 74 comprising electrical circuitry for providing communication between said diagnostic device and an information transmission device.

80. The probe of claim 74 wherein said diagnostic device comprises an EKG diagnostic device and said sensor comprises a first EKG sensor.

81. The probe of claim 74 wherein said at least one diagnostic device comprises a plurality of diagnostic devices.

82. The probe of claim 81 wherein said plurality of diagnostic devices includes an EKG diagnostic device, a blood pressure and pulse diagnostic device and a temperature device.

83. The probe of claim 82 wherein said plurality of diagnostic devices further includes a %O₂ diagnostic device.

84. The probe of claim 80 wherein said member comprises a palm portion, a wrist portion and a plurality of phalange portions.

85. The probe of claim 84 wherein said first EKG sensor is located on said palm portion, said EKG diagnostic device further including a second EKG sensor located on said wrist portion, and a third EKG sensor located on at least one of said phalange portions.

86. The probe of claim 73 wherein said member has a portion shaped to contour to a person'"'"'s palm.

87. The probe of claim 73 wherein said member has a portion shaped to contour to a person'"'"'s finger.

88. The probe of claim 87 wherein said member has a portion shaped to contour to a person'"'"'s palm.

89. The probe of claim 73 wherein said member comprises a wrist portion and a palm portion.

90. The probe of claim 73 wherein said member comprises a palm portion and at least one phalange portion.

91. The probe of claim 73 wherein said diagnostic device comprises an EKG diagnostic device comprising a plurality of EKG sensors.

92. The probe of claim 91 wherein said member comprises a palm portion, a wrist portion and at least one phalange portion, wherein said EKG sensor are located on at least one of said palm portion, said wrist portion, and said phalange portion.

93. The probe of claim 92 wherein said EKG sensors are located on said member on at least two of said palm portion, said wrist portion, and said phalange portion.

94. The probe of claim 93 wherein said EKG sensors are located on said member on said palm portion, said wrist portion and said phalange portion.