US 6,046,761 A · Interactive communication system for medical treatment of remotely located patients

Abstract

A system for providing medical services to a patient at a location remote to a medical practitioner comprises a patient's station and a medical practitioner's station in communication with each other. Both stations are equipped with video and audio capability allowing both the practitioner and patient to see and hear one another. A variety of devices are present at both stations that enable the transmission of information between the parties. Several monitors, located at the patient's station, enable the practitioner to measure and monitor several health related parameters. A camera is mounted in the patient's station in front of a frame that holds the patient's driver's license or other forms of identification. Images of the patient's identifying documents are transmitted to the medical practitioner station to allow positive identification. Payment for medical services rendered is accomplished by using a credit card reader in the patient's station, supplying an accepted insurance card, or by obtaining an account number from the retailer who on whose premises the patient's station is located.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A system for examination of a patient by a medical practitioner comprising:

a first station;
a second station spaced apart from said first station;
first communicating means in said first station;
second communicating means in said second station;
means for connecting said first and said second communicating means so that said patient and said practitioner can transfer information between said first and said second stations when said patient is at said first station and said practitioner is at said second station;
means carried by said first station for verifying the identity of said patient, said verifying means including means carried by said first station for generating a still image of at least one identification card of said patient, said generating means being in electrical connection with said connecting means so that said first communicating means can transmit said still image to said second communicating means;
and
means carried by said first station for establishing a mode of payment for said examination.

5 more elements

A system for examination of a patient by a medical practitioner comprising:

a first station;
a second station spaced apart from said first station;
first communicating means in said first station;
second communicating means in said second station;
means for connecting said first and said second communicating means so that said patient and said practitioner can transfer information between said first and second stations when said patient is at said first station and said practitioner is at said second station;
means carried by said first station for measuring the heart rate of said patient, said heart rate measuring means being in electrical connection with said connecting means;
means carried by said first station for measuring the temperature of said patient, said temperature measuring means being in electrical connection with said connecting means;
means carried by said first station for verifying the identity of said patient, wherein said verifying means further comprises means carried by said first station for generating an image of at least one identification card carried by said patient, said generating means being in electrical connection with said connecting means;
and
means carried by said first station for establishing a mode of payment.

7 more elements

A system for examination of a patient by a medical practitioner comprising:

a first station;
a second station spaced apart from said first station;
first communicating means in said first station;
second communicating means in said second station;
means for connecting said first and said second communicating means so that said patient and said practitioner can transfer medical information between said first station and said second station when said patient is at said first station and said practitioner is at said second station;
means carried by said first station for generating an image of at least one identification card carried by said patient, said generating means being in electrical connection with said connecting means;
and
means carried by said first station for accepting a credit card, said accepting means being in electrical connection with said connecting means;
and
an electronic signature device carried by said first station, said electronic signature device being in electrical connection with said connecting means.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Interactive communication system for medical treatment of remotely located patients

Life of this patent

Interactive communication system for medical treatment of remotely located patients

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20