System, method and apparatus for performing real-time virtual medical examinations

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a method for permitting a real-time virtual medical examination using a patient device and at least one diagnostic device including receiving, at the patient device, a signal transmitted from the at least one diagnostic device; generating diagnostic information based on the received signal; encrypting the diagnostic information; establishing communication over a network between the patient device and a first remote server; establishing a video conferencing session via a second remote server; and transmitting the encrypted diagnostic information to the first remote server.

1 . A method for permitting a real-time virtual medical examination using a patient device and at least one diagnostic device, comprising:
 receiving, at the patient device, a signal transmitted from the at least one diagnostic device;   generating diagnostic information based on the received signal;   encrypting the diagnostic information;   establishing communication over a network between the patient device and a first remote server;   establishing a video conferencing session via a second remote server; and   transmitting the encrypted diagnostic information to the first remote server.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein transmitting the encrypted diagnostic information further comprises:
 concurrently conducting the video conferencing session while transmitting the encrypted diagnostic information to the first remote server.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the signal from the at least one diagnostic device is transmitted to the patient device via one of a wireless connection and a wired connection. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the wireless connection is Bluetooth. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least one diagnostic device is a spirometer, a stethoscope, a sphygmomanometer, a blood pressure monitor, a blood chemistry analyzer, a pulse oximeter, an electrocardiograph, an ultrasound probe or a scale. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving a graphical user interface program from a third remote server.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 transmitting encrypted voice and video signals to the second remote server; and   receiving and decrypting encrypted voice and video signals from the second remote server.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second remote servers are integrated in one server. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the patient device is at least one a personal computer, a tablet computer, a personal data assistant or a cellular telephone. 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus for receiving a real-time virtual medical examination using at least one diagnostic device, comprising:
 a memory;   at least one processor configured to execute instructions stored in the memory to:
 receive a signal transmitted from the at least one diagnostic device; 
 generate diagnostic information based on the received signal; 
 encrypt the diagnostic information; 
 establish communication over a network between the patient device and a first remote server; 
 establish a video conferencing session via a second remote server; and 
 transmit the encrypted diagnostic information to the first remote server. 
   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to execute instructions stored in the memory to:
 concurrently conduct the video conferencing session while the at least one processor is further configured to execute instructions to transmit the encrypted diagnostic information to the first remote server.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the signal from the at least one diagnostic device is transmitted to the patient device via one of a wireless connection and a wired connection. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the wireless connection is Bluetooth. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein at least one diagnostic device is a spirometer, a stethoscope, a sphygmomanometer, a blood pressure monitor, a blood chemistry analyzer, a pulse oximeter, an electrocardiograph, an ultrasound probe or a scale. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to execute instructions stored in the memory to:
 receive a graphical user interface program from a third remote server.   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to execute instructions stored in the memory to:
 transmit encrypted voice and video signals to the second remote server; and   receive and decrypting encrypted voice and video signals from the second remote server.   
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the first and second remote servers are integrated in one server. 
     
     
         18 . A method for permitting a real-time virtual medical examination by a health care provider using health care provider device on a patient using a patient device, comprising:
 establishing communication over a network with the health care provider device and the patient device;   receiving, from the patient device, encrypted diagnostic information related to the patient, the encrypted diagnostic information generated from at least one diagnostic device; and   transmitting the encrypted diagnostic information to the health care provider device.   
     
     
         19 . A system for performing a real-time virtual medical examination, comprising:
 a network permitting communication between a patient device and a physician device, the patient device configured to generate encrypted diagnostic information based on a signal transmitted from at least one diagnostic device received signal;   a first server in communication with the network and configured to receive the encrypted diagnostic information from the patient device and transmit the encrypted diagnostic information to the physician device; and   a second server configured to permit a video conferencing session between the patient device and the physician device.   
     
     
         20 . A method for advertising medical information on a patient device, comprising:
 generating at least one advertisement related to a health-related product or service;   enabling a user to purchase the health-related product or service via a patient device, the patient device operable to permit a real-time virtual medical examination.   
     
     
         21 . A method for permitting a real-time virtual medical examination on a patient by a health care provider using a health care provider device, comprising:
 establishing communication over a network with a first remote server;   receiving, at the physician device, encrypted diagnostic information relating to the health of the patient;   decrypting the received diagnostic information;   establishing a video conferencing session via a second remote server;   receiving input indicative of health instruction information;   encrypting the health instruction information; and   transmitting the encrypted health instruction information.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the physician device is a handheld device having at least a camera, a microphone and a display. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the health instruction information is voice data, wherein transmitting the health instruction information further comprises:
 transmitting the encrypted health instruction information to the first remote server.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the health instruction information is at least one of text or image data, wherein transmitting the health instruction information further comprises:
 transmitting the encrypted health instruction information to the second remote server.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the health instruction information includes information indicating that at least one diagnostic test be performed on the patient. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 concurrently conducting the video conferencing session while transmitting the health instruction information.