System and method for medical testing

Abstract

A method of analyzing a medical condition includes creating a wireless communication link between a base unit and a test device at a first location, initiating a test protocol utilizing the test device at the first location, remotely controlling the test protocol with the base unit, generating test data using the test device according to the test protocol, and transmitting the test data to a second location at a different site than the first location. The test data is indicative of performance of a physiological function.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of analyzing a medical condition, the method comprising:
 creating a wireless communication link between a base unit and a test device at a first location;   initiating a test protocol utilizing the test device at the first location;   remotely controlling the test protocol with the base unit;   generating test data using the test device according to the test protocol, wherein the test data is indicative of performance of a physiological function; and   transmitting the test data to a second location at a different site than the first location.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of creating the wireless communication link between the base unit and the test device at a first location comprises:
 transmitting a beacon from the base unit; and   detecting the beacon with the test device.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  and further comprising:
 transmitting a signal from the test device to the base unit after detecting the beacon. 
 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  and further comprising:
 automatically downloading the test data to a server when the base unit receives the signal transmitted from the test device. 
 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  and further comprising:
 remotely controlling the test device for training purposes. 
 
     
     
         6 . A method comprising:
 generating test data using a test device according to a test protocol, wherein the test data is indicative of performance of a physiological function;   establishing a communication link between the test device and a server, wherein the server is located remotely from the test device;   determining a cause of difficulty associated with the test device; and   remotely controlling the test device via the server for training purposes.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  and further comprising:
 performing diagnostics on the test device via the server to ascertain whether or not a technical problem is present in the test device. 
 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  and further comprising:
 reporting results of the diagnostics performed on the test device to the server. 
 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6  and further comprising:
 transmitting the test data to a second location at a different site than the first location. 
 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6  and further comprising:
 creating a wireless communication link between a base unit and the test device. 
 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the step of creating the wireless communication link between the base unit and the test device comprises:
 transmitting a beacon from the base unit; and   detecting the beacon with the test device.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the test device is controlled for a live training session for an operator present at the test device. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein an automated training protocol from the server is run on the test device. 
     
     
         14 . A system for testing and interpretation of a medical condition, the system comprising:
 a test device and configured to perform a medical testing protocol for generating test data, the test device configured to store a record containing test data and patient information, the test device further configured to transmit the record;   a recipient computer configured to receive the record from the test device, the recipient computer configured to display the test data, the test device and the recipient computer located at different sites, wherein the recipient computer includes an input device configured to enter input indicative of a medical interpretation of the test data;   a server configured to communicate with the test device and the recipient computer and to store the record and the input indicative of a medical interpretation of the test data, the server located remote from both the test device and the recipient computer at a different site; and   a base unit configured to wirelessly communicate with the test device to facilitate data transfer between the test device and the server.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the base unit is configured to detect the presence of the test device and to transmit a signal to the server as a function of detection of the presence of the test device. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the base unit is configured to automatically transmit the test data to the server when presence of the test device is detected. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the server is configured to remotely run at least one of a training protocol and a device diagnostic protocol on the test device.