Remote delivery and monitoring of health care

• US 9,999,385 B2
• Filed: 09/25/2015
• Issued: 06/19/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Copeland, Michael P., Fleming, Mark S., Lara, Christina A., Sanchez, Calline K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Natnithithadha, Navin
• Assistant Examiner(s): Reddy, Sunita
• Application Number:
  US14/866,507
• Publication Number:
  US 20160015310A1
• Time in Patent Office: 998 Days
• Field of Search: 600306, 600437, 600300, 378 1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0045 Devices for taking samples of body liquids devices for taking blood samples A61B5/15
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/376 using X-rays, e.g. fluoroscopy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/378 using ultrasound
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0214 of power generation or supply
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0431 Portable apparatus, e.g. comprising a handle or case
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0456 Apparatus provided with a docking unit
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0475 Special features of memory means, e.g. removable memory cards
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0013 Medical image data A61B1/00011, A61B6/56, A61B8/56 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0022 Monitoring a patient using a global network, e.g. telephone networks, internet
• 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 5/445 Evaluating skin irritation or skin trauma, e.g. rash, eczema, wound, bed sore
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6812 Orthopaedic devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7207 of noise induced by motion artifacts
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/74 Details of notification to user or communication with user or patient indicating measured values G01D7/00; user input means input or output arrangements for computers G06F3/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7445 Display arrangements, e.g. multiple display units
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 30/40 for processing medical images, e.g. editing
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation

Abstract

Various embodiments for providing remote delivery and monitoring of health care are provided. In one embodiment, a portable apparatus is provided for dermatological monitoring, comprising a housing and an imaging device integrated into the housing. The imaging device obtains a digital, high-resolution, dermatological image of a patient and a processor device integrated into the housing applies an anti-motion algorithm to the dermatological image to enhance image quality. A wireless communications interface is additionally integrated into the housing and coupled to the processor device, to upload the dermatological image to a remote server to be viewed by a medical professional.

Claims

1. A small portable camera apparatus for dermatological monitoring, comprising:

a housing used in-home by a patient, the housing having three mechanical buttons including a physical power button, a physical photo capturing button, and a physical upload button;

an imaging device integrated into the housing, wherein the imaging device obtains a digital, high-resolution, dermatological image of the patient, the dermatological image comprising a macro image;

a processor device integrated into the housing and in communication with the imaging device, wherein the processor device applies certain software to the dermatological image to enhance image quality; and

a wireless communications interface integrated into the housing and coupled to the processor device, wherein the wireless communications interface is pre-programmed at an office of a medical professional to, subsequent to obtaining the dermatological image by depressing the photo capturing button and immediately thereafter upon depressing the upload button on the housing, automatically and with no further input from the patient, upload the dermatological image of the patient in-home from the camera apparatus to a remote server residing at the office of the medical professional to be viewed by the medical professional, wherein upon successful upload of the dermatological image to the remote server, the dermatological image is automatically deleted from a memory device of the camera apparatus.

2. The portable apparatus of claim 1, wherein the memory device is integrated into the housing and in communication with the processor device, the memory device configured for storing the dermatological image.

3. The portable apparatus of claim 1, further including a power system integrated into the housing and in communication with the processor device, wherein the power system provides electrical power to at least one of the imaging device, the processor device, and the wireless communications interface, wherein the power system includes a battery device, the battery device accessible through the housing, and further wherein the battery device includes an indicator light for indicating a battery status.

4. The portable apparatus of claim 1, further including an indicator light activated upon a successful capture of the dermatological image.

5. The portable apparatus of claim 1, further including an indicator light activated upon a successful upload of the dermatological image to the remote server.

6. The portable apparatus of claim 1, further including a lighting device coupled to the imaging device, wherein the lighting device is configured for obtaining the dermatological image.

7. The portable apparatus of claim 1, wherein the wireless communications interface is compatible with an Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) communications protocol.