GB2558880A

GB2558880A - Medical consultation system

Info

Publication number: GB2558880A
Application number: GB1700107.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Rosenes Eliyahu; Teitelbaum Marcelo
Original assignee: Equatel UK Ltd
Current assignee: Equatel UK Ltd
Priority date: 2017-01-05
Filing date: 2017-01-05
Publication date: 2018-07-25
Also published as: GB201700107D0

Abstract

A medical consultation system comprises one or more activation devices for issue to a user, the activation device comprising a memory component. The system also comprises a medical consultation device having a user interface, a device reader 9 for reading information to and receiving information from the activation device. The medical consultation device connects to an electronic health records platform over a communications network and collects medical data from the user preferably from a plurality of sensors. The medical consultation device checks for a connection to the electronic health records platform and if the connection is available uploads the medical data to the electronic health records platform. The medical consultation device is preferably solar powered and preferably has two antennae, one directional and one omnidirectional. Also claimed is a corresponding method of conducting a medical consultation.

Description

(71) Applicant(s):

Equatel (UK) Limited

2nd Floor Parkgates, Bury New Road, Prestwich, Manchester, Lancashire, M25 0TL, United Kingdom (72) Inventor(s):

Eliyahu Rosenes Marcelo Teitelbaum (56) Documents Cited:

EP 1077415 A1 WO 2009/112975 A1 JP 2001147972 A

WO 2013/096954 A1 CN 102004853 A1 US 20120296674 A1 (58) Field of Search:

INT CL G06F

Other: WPI, EPODOC, TXTE (74) Agent and/or Address for Service:

Wilson Gunn

5th Floor, Blackfriars House, The Parsonage, MANCHESTER, M3 2JA, United Kingdom (54) Title of the Invention: Medical consultation system

Abstract Title: Medical consultation system and method comprising medical consultation device communicating with electronic health records platform (57) A medical consultation system comprises one or more activation devices for issue to a user, the activation device comprising a memory component. The system also comprises a medical consultation device having a user interface, a device reader 9 for reading information to and receiving information from the activation device. The medical consultation device connects to an electronic health records platform over a communications network and collects medical data from the user preferably from a plurality of sensors. The medical consultation device checks for a connection to the electronic health records platform and if the connection is available uploads the medical data to the electronic health records platform. The medical consultation device is preferably solar powered and preferably has two antennae, one directional and one omnidirectional. Also claimed is a corresponding method of conducting a medical consultation.

1/2

Figure 1

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Figure 2

Medical Consultation System

Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a medical consultation system. In particular, the present invention relates to a medical consultation system operable to collect medical data of a user and store said data online and offline.

Background to the Invention

Access to adequate medical services is vital to ensuring the health and happiness of a populace. In some regions, for example rural areas, accessing such services can be difficult, due to a low number of medical professionals (doctors, nurses, etc.) in the areas when compared to the number of patients. This is especially true in developing countries, where hospitals or health clinics may be located in a central town or city but provide services to several villages in the same region. It can be difficult for patients in many of these villages to reach the hospital or health clinic due to the distances involved and poor transportation networks, resulting in inadequate medical services being provided.

Alternatively, a medical professional can visit the patients’ villages to provide medical services. However even once a village is accessed by a medical professional, providing a medical consultation can be difficult due to lack of access to a patient’s medical records. If in physical form, such records are easily lost and difficult to manage for multiple patients. If in electronic form (e.g. stored on a USB device), there can be a lack of places to power said device or plug in to display the records. If the medical records are stored online, then intermittent internet access common to many regions can prevent access. In addition, a lack of medical equipment in remote regions results in lower quality medical consultations.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a medical consultation system that at least partially overcomes or alleviates the above problems.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a medical consultation system comprising:

a) one or more activation devices for issue to a user or respective users, the or each activation device comprising a memory component;

b) one or more medical consultation devices comprising at least one user interface, a device reader for reading information from and storing information to an activation device and a connection unit for sending and receiving data over a communications network; and

c) an electronic health records platform comprising a memory storage unit for storing at least one patient record and operable to send and receive data over a communications network; wherein

d) the or each medical consultation device is arranged to: read an activation device presented by a user thereby to begin a user interaction with the respective medical consultation device; collect medical data from the user via the or each interface; store the medical data on the memory component; check for a connection to the electronic health records platform via the connection unit; and, if a connection to the electronic health records platform is available, upload the medical data to the electronic health records platform.

Providing a system for collecting medical data on a user allows a medical professional to use said data to provide a higher quality medical consultation.

Additionally, storing said medical data both offline and, when access is possible, online allows a medical professional (and the user) to always have access to the data for a medical consultation. Access to old medical data results in a medical consultation in which the health of the patient over a period of time can be evaluated, resulting in a better quality of care. Storing the medical data on the activation device rather than in physical documents reduces the chances of the data being lost, while the or each activation device being designed to work with the or each medical consultation device means there the data can always be accessed from the or each activation device. In addition, using an activation device to begin the user interaction may allow a user to use the medical consultation system even when the electronic health records platform is unavailable (for example if the connection to it is down).

The electronic health records platform may be arranged to store the uploaded medical data on the memory storage unit as part of a patient record.

The device reader may be operable to add a notification to the medical data stored on the memory component, the status of the notification indicating whether or 20 not the medical data has been uploaded to the electronic health records platform.

Additionally, the device reader may be operable to update the status of the notification if and when the medical data is uploaded to the electronic health records platform.

The device reader may be operable, in response to a connection to the electronic health records platform becoming available, to check the status of the notification of the medical data on the memory component of a presented activation device and the connection unit may be operable, in response to medical data with a notification whose status indicates the medical data has not been uploaded being found, to upload the found medical data to the electronic health records platform.

The addition of a notification to the medical data allows medical data to always eventually be uploaded to the memory storage unit, whenever a connection is available. This results in a more complete medical history of a user being stored online, which when accessed results in a better medical consultation. Updating the notification once the medical data is uploaded prevents data from being uploaded multiple times, preventing time, power and network capacity from being wasted.

The memory component of an activation device may be operable to store identification data associated with a particular user. Additionally, the or each patient record may be associated with a particular user. Preferably, the or each patient record may comprise identification data associated with said user.

The device reader may be operable to read any identification data stored on the memory component of a presented activation device, the connection unit may be operable to upload the read identification data to the electronic health records 20 platform and the electronic health records platform may be operable to compare the read identification data with the identification data on each patient record, find any patient record with identification data matching the read identification data and thus identify the user associated with the activation device using the patient record found.

Identifying a user from an activation device allows each user to have their own activation device, which stores their own medical data. This reduces the risk of private medical data from being shared with a third party, since the user can keep their own activation device. Identifying the user from their activation device speeds up the process of a medical consultation, since the user does not need to manually enter identification details to the or each medical consultation device. This also makes the system much easier to use.

Additionally or alternatively, the medical consultation device may comprise a biometric sensor, such as a fingerprint sensor. The biometric sensor may be operable by a user to input biometric data. The identification data stored on the user’s activation card and/or on the user’s patient record on the electronic health records platform may comprise matching biometric data. The medical consultation device may be operable to compare the inputted biometric data to the biometric data on the inserted activation card and/or the found patient record so as to confirm the identity of the user.

Including a biometric sensor allows the medical consultation system to confirm the identity of the user, which prevents unauthorised use of a user’s activation card.

The electronic health records platform may be operable to connect to at least 20 one computing device associated with a medical professional. Additionally, the medical consultation system may be operable, via the connection unit and the electronic health records platform, to conduct a remote medical consultation between a medical consultation device and a computing device. The or each medical consultation device may comprise an input device operable to input information into the medical consultation system, and an output device to operable to output information from the medical consultation system. The input device may comprise one or more of the following: a touch screen, a camera and/or a microphone. The output device may comprise one or more of the following: a display screen and/or a speaker. The input device and/or output device may be operable to allow a user to interact with the medical consultation system. The memory storage unit may be operable to be remotely accessible by a medical professional via the computing device.

Allowing for a remote medical consultation means that a medical professional does not need to visit a user, and nor does a user need to travel to the medical professional. The or each medical consultation device can, for instance, be placed in a central location in a village so as to be accessible by multiple patients. Such remote medical consultations increase the ease of access to a medical professional, and allows for better quality and more frequent medical consultations. The medical data and patient medical history, being stored online, is still accessible to the medical professional when using the system.

The or each medical consultation device may comprise a solar unit operable to power the or each medical consultation device. The solar unit may comprise one or more solar panels. Additionally, the solar unit may comprise a battery. The or each medical consultation device may comprise a plug operable to connect the or each medical consultation device to a mains power supply. The battery may be rechargeable, either via the solar panel or via the mains power supply. The solar unit may comprise a controller operable to direct the or each solar panel to either power the medical consultation device or to recharge the battery, as necessary. The or each medical consultation device may be operable to enter a hibernation mode in which it will not activate for set time periods.

The use of a solar unit allows the or each medical consultation device to work even when no adequate power supply is provided. The use of a hibernation mode at set times also reduces the amount of power needed by the device while keeping the system accessible when needed (for example, the or each medical consultation device may hibernate at night when access to the system is not needed and the solar unit would struggle to supply sufficient power anyway).

The connection unit may comprise at least two antenna. Preferably, the connection unit may comprise at least one omni-directional antenna and one directional antenna. Preferably, the or each medical consultation device may be operable to compare the signals received by each antenna and choose the antenna with the strongest signal as the means of connection to the electronic health records platform. This function may be performed by a radio module comprised in the medical consultation device.

The use of an antenna allows the or each medical consultation device to connect to the electronic health records platform even when no wired connection is available. The use of an omni-directional antenna and a directional antenna increases the chances of a connection being available, and the ability to switch between the antennas results in the strongest signal always being used by a medical consultation device.

The or each medical consultation device may comprise at least one USB port operable to connect an external device to the or each medical consultation device. Additionally, the or each medical consultation device may be operable to restrict the type of external device which can connect to the medical consultation device via the or each USB port. Additionally or alternatively, the or each medical consultation device may be operable to prevent the external device uploading at least specified types of data via the or each USB port and/or the medical consultation device may be configured so that it will not run or install at least specified types of executable files stored on the external device via the or each USB port. Preferably, the medical consultation device is configured to not run or install any executable files stored on the external device via the or each USB port. The or each medical consultation device may also comprise at least one unrestricted USB port. Additionally, the or each medical consultation device may comprise a lock operable to prevent unauthorised access to the or each unrestricted USB port. The or each medical consultation device may comprise a cover for the or each USB port. The or each cover may be operable to be temporarily removed to allow access to the respective USB port.

The inclusion of a USB port allows a user to download information from the medical consultation system, such as his medical data. Placing restrictions on the type of USB device which can connector its permitted functionality reduces the chance of a virus or other unwanted application being uploaded to the system.

The or each medical consultation device may comprise a tag reader operable to read the information from at least one tag. The or each tag may be associated with a particular medicine. The or each medical consultation device may be operable to run an algorithm on the information read from a tag to identify the medicine associated with the tag. When the or each medical consultation device comprises a display screen, the or each medical consultation device may be operable to display the identified medicine. The tag reader may comprise an NFC reader.

The or each medical consultation device can therefore identify medicine 5 obtained by the user. The user can check to ensure the medicine they have been issued is genuine, which reduces the chances of the user using incorrect or fake medicine.

The memory storage unit may be operable to store a list of registered medical professionals comprising one or more entries. The or each entry may comprise identifying details of the respective medical professional. The identifying details may include any of the following: name, address, telephone number and/or medical field or title. Additionally, the or each entry may comprise a username and password. The or each computing device may be operable to transmit an inputted username and password to the electronic health records platform, and the electronic health records platform may be operable to compare the transmitted username and password to the corresponding details on the entries on the list of medical professionals. Additionally, the electronic health records platform may be operable, if an entry with a matching username and password is found, to identify a medical professional to the medical consultation system based on the identifying details of the found entry. The electronic health records platform may be operable, if no entry with a matching username and password is found, to transmit a request to the computing device for a new username and/or password to be inputted.

Additionally or alternatively, when the or each medical consultation device comprises an input device the username and password may be inputted via said input device and the connection unit may be operable to transmit an inputted username and password to the electronic health records platform. In such cases, the electronic health records platform may be operable, if no entry with a matching username and password is found, to transmit a request to the or each medical consultation device for a new username and/or password to be inputted.

The or each medical consultation device may be operable to request a medical consultation. The request may comprise one or more of the following: details of the medical field or medical professional the user wishes to consult with, the time of the requested consultation and/or the date of the requested consultation. When the or each medical consultation device comprises an input device, the request may be inputted via said input device. The connection unit may be operable to transmit the request to the electronic health records platform.

The memory storage unit may be operable to store a schedule of medical consultations. The schedule of medical consultations may comprise one or more entries, each entry detailing the medical professional, time and date. The electronic health records platform may be operable to compare a transmitted request against the or each entry on the schedule of medical consultations. The electronic health records platform may be operable, if no entry matching the request is found, to enter the request onto the schedule of medical consultations as a new entry. Additionally, the electronic health records platform may be operable, if a matching entry is found, to transmit an indication to the or each medical consultation device that the request was rejected. The indication may comprise details as to why the request was rejected. The or each medical consultation device may be operable to enable a user to view the schedule of medical consultations.

Scheduling future medical consultations in this way allows a medical professional’s workload to be tracked and managed more easily, while also ensuring a user can have a medical consultation at a time suitable to them with their preferred medical professional. Viewing the schedule also helps a user choose the best slot available for their medical consultation.

The memory storage unit may be operable to store a record of epidemics comprising a list of epidemic diseases and their symptoms. The medical consultation system may be operable to update the record of epidemics. The record of epidemics may comprise details on when a particular disease is considered epidemic. The details on when a particular disease is considered epidemic may comprise a set number of diagnoses in a region in set time period. Additionally, the record of epidemics may comprise a list of diagnoses. The or each entry on the list of diagnoses may comprise the diagnosed disease and the region in which the relevant patient resides. The electronic health records platform may be operable to check patient records for diagnoses. Additionally, the electronic health records platform may be operable to compare any diagnoses found to the list of epidemic diseases and their symptoms. The electronic health records platform may be operable to add any matching diagnoses to the record of epidemics. Preferably, the electronic health records platform may be operable to check whether a disease is epidemic in a region. The electronic health records platform, if a disease is epidemic in a region, may be operable to transmit a notification to medical professionals and/or users in the region.

The medical consultation system allows for epidemics to be noted more quickly and their progress tracked remotely, which reduces the risks of medical professionals spreading the disease themselves by interacting with patients. Notifying patients of epidemics allows them to take action to reduce the risks of them becoming infected. Having a list of diagnoses available on an online platform also improves the management of the response to an epidemic.

The memory storage unit may be operable to store a recommended 5 vaccination plan. The recommended vaccination plan may comprise a list of vaccinations for a given area, and the age and/or times at which to be vaccinated.

Patient records may comprise a list of the vaccinations a user has had. The electronic health records platform may be operable to compare patient records to the recommended vaccination plan. Additionally, the electronic health records platform may be operable, if a patient record shows a user has not had a particular recommended vaccination, to add a note on to the patient record indicating that vaccination is recommended.

Adding a note to a patient records allows a user and/or a medical professional to identify the particular vaccination is necessary next time the patient record is accessed. The system will therefore increase vaccination rates in a region and improve the health of users, while allowing medical professionals to keep track of vaccination rates.

The or each medical consultation device may be operable to update a patient record. The patient record updated may be associated with the user. The update may 20 comprise details of a user’s death, including age and cause of death. Additionally or alternatively, the or each medical consultation device may be operable to create a new patient record. The creation of a new patient record may comprise details of a birth, including name, medical data and details of family members.

The activation device may comprise a SIM card. The device reader may comprise a SIM card reader.

One or more interfaces may comprise a medical sensor operable to collect medical data by taking medical readings from a user. The or each medical sensor may be attached to the medical consultation device via one or more connection ports. The medical consultation device may comprise a memory unit operable to store a list of approved medical sensors. Each entry on the list of approved sensors may comprise a make and/or model of sensor. Preferably, the medical consultation device may be operable to compare the make and/or model of the or each medical sensor attached to the medical consultation device to the list of approved sensors and only allow approved sensors to connect to the medical consultation device.

Uploading the medical readings of a user from a plurality of medical sensors to the same electronic health records platform allows a medical professional to view all of a user’s medical data together, improving the diagnosis process and therefore providing a better service.

The electronic health records platform may be operable to receive a request from a medical professional for patient records of users with specified identification data and, in response to the request, find and display patient records comprising at least some identification data which matches the specified identification data. The 20 identification data associated with each user and the specified identification data may comprise a user’s name, physical features, ethnicity and/or location. The request may be inputted into, and the patient records displayed on, the or each medical consultation device and/or computing device.

Searching for and displaying patient records (and therefore medical data) allows medical professional’s to compare and contrast medical data from particular groups of patients (including, for example, patients in a particular geographical area and/or of a particular tribe). Since the medical data can comprise all the medical sensor reading of a patient, this comparison allows a medical professional to determine and notice any health trends which may occur in a particular group, allowing for more focused treatment and prevention plans for said group.

The or each medical consultation device may comprise a memory, such as a hard drive operable to store still or video images. The still or video images may be related to health education and/or instructions for use of a particular device. The or each medical consultation device may comprise a CPU operable to manage the or each medical consultation device. The CPU may comprise an android operating system.

The memory component may be operable to store details of a user’s payment 15 system. The payment system may be any one of the following: credit card, debit card, mobile phone based money transfer systems, insurance provider, bank account or a monetary stipend. The device reader may be operable to read the details of the payment system from the memory component of an activation device, and the electronic health records platform may be operable to use the details to direct a 20 request for payment for services rendered by the medical consultation system to the payment system. A record of payments made may be stored on the memory component and/or as part of the relevant patient record. The record of payments may comprise one or more of the following: times and dates of payment, services paid for, times and dates of services and/or method of payment.

Additionally or alternatively, the electronic health records platform may comprise a virtual wallet. The medical consultation device may be operable to add 5 funds to the virtual wallet using a user’s payment details. Funds may be added from a designated payment system. Additionally, the medical consultation system may be operable to deduct funds from the virtual wallet to pay for services rendered.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of conducting a medical consultation comprising the following steps:

a. reading an activation device presented by a user to a medical consultation device, using a device reader of the medical consultation device, thereby to begin a user interaction with the medical consultation device;

b. collecting medical data of the user using one or more user interfaces of the medical consultation device;

c. storing the medical data on a memory component of the presented activation device;

d. checking for a connection, using the connection unit of the medical consultation device, between the medical consultation device and an electronic health records platform; and

e. if a connection is available, uploading the medical data to the electronic health records platform;

The method of medical consultation as of the second aspect of the present invention may incorporate any or all features of the system of the first aspect of the present invention, as desired or as appropriate.

Detailed Description of the Invention

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram of a medical consultation device according to the present invention; and

Figure 2 is a schematic block diagram of a medical consultation system according to the present invention.

Referring to the drawings, the medical consultation device 2 comprises a substantially rectangular box 3. On the front face of the box is a touch screen 4 which a user can use to interact with the medical consultation device 2 and which also acts as a display. Above the touch screen 4 is a camera 5 built into the front face, which can take a still or video image of the user. To the side of the touch screen 4 is a cradle (not shown) for holding a telephone handset 6 which can be used by the user to communicate with a medical professional during a medical consultation. Alternatively, there is a hands free speaker 7, on the front face below the touch screen

4 and microphone 8, on the front face above the touch screen 4. On a side face of the box is a device reader 9 into which a user inserts an activation device 10 so as to activate the medical consultation device 2. In a preferred embodiment, the device reader 9 comprises a card reader and an activation device 10 comprises a personal card which the medical consultation device 2 uses to identify the user when inserted into the device reader 9.

The medical consultation device 2 also comprises a central processing unit 11 (CPU) for managing the device. The CPU 11 has an associated hard drive 12. The

CPU 11 runs an Android operating system, configured to allow a single secure application to run off the medical consultation device 2.

The medical consultation device 2 can connect to a cloud-based electronic health records (EHR) platform 13. The connection can be via a wired (not shown) or alternatively via a wireless, cellular and/or satellite network, depending on which connection types are available. In some embodiments, the medical consultation device 2 comprises two antenna 14, 15 for wireless, cellular and/or satellite network communication. The first antenna is a directional antenna 14, which is pointed towards the closest base station. The second antenna is an omni-directional antenna

15. The medical consultation device may comprise a radio module 29, which may be connected to one or both antennas 14, 15, and can measure the strength of the signal each antenna receives. The CPU 11 then compares the signal strengths against each other, and uses the antenna which provides the stronger signal to setup a connection. In a preferred embodiment, the CPU 11 rechecks and compares the antennas’ signal strengths after a set period, and if the signal strengths have changed so that the other antenna has the stronger signal the CPU 11 will then switch to using the other antenna.

The medical consultation device 2 also comprises one or more connection ports 16 for connecting a variety of different medical sensors 17, including a heart rate monitor (e.g. an EKG device), a glucose monitor, a blood diagnostics tool, a device to test hearing, a device to test eyesight, a stethoscope, an ultrasound sensor, a blood pressure sensor and a thermometer. Readings from the medical sensors 17 are recorded to both the activation device 10 inserted into the device reader 9 and, when a connection is available, the EHR platform 13.

The medical sensors 17 are stored in storage box when not in use. The storage box comprises a USB hub 31 to which each medical sensors is connected. The USB hub 31 then connects to the or each connection port 16 so as to connect the medical sensors 17 to the medical consultation device 2. Preferably, one of the connection ports 16 is a USB port through which power is supplied to the USB hub 31 and medical sensors 17. In addition, the medical sensors may communicate with the medical consultation device via the USB port. Alternatively, the medical sensors 17 may communicate via a wired or a wireless connection (such as Bluetooth or an audio connection) via a different connection port 16. Preferably, the medical consultation device 2 only allows medical devices from a list of approved sensors to connect. Unapproved sensors are restricted from connecting. Even more preferably, the list of approved sensors is stored on an internal SIM card of the medical consultation device, the internal SIM card also restricting unapproved sensors from connecting.

The medical consultation device also comprises one or more solar panels 18, a 20 controller 30 and a battery 19. The or each solar panel 18 powers the medical consultation device 2 when it is in use. Any excess power generated by the or each solar panel 18 is directed by the controller 30 to be stored in the battery 19. When the medical consultation device 2 is not in use, the controller 30 directs the solar panel 18 to recharge the battery 19 as necessary. The battery 19 is then used to help power the medical consultation device 2 when the power supplied by the solar panel 18 is insufficient (for example, at night).

In some embodiments, the medical consultation device comprises a plug 20 for connecting to any available mains power supply 21, which can alternatively power the medical consultation device 2. In one embodiment, the mains power supply 21 charges the device directly. Additionally or alternatively, the mains power supply 21 also recharges the battery as necessary. This allows the battery to be used to power the medical consultation device 2 when the mains power supply 21 becomes unavailable (due to a power outage, for example).

In a preferred embodiment, so as to save power the CPU 11 can direct the medical consultation device to enter a hibernation mode in which it will not activate.

When in hibernation mode the amount of power used by the medical consultation device 2 is minimised. After the period set for hibernation ends, the device 2 automatically wakes up and can be used as normal. The time periods during which time the device 2 should hibernate are set by the application.

The medical consultation device 2 can be located on any substantially flat surface (for example an inside or outside wall of a building, or the side of a tree), so long as the solar panel 18 has direct access to sunlight. In a preferred embodiment, the back face of the medical consultation device 2 is attached to and locked into position 20 on the surface to prevent the medical consultation device 2 being removed by an unauthorised person.

In some embodiments the medical consultation device 2 also comprises two USB ports 22, 23. Preferably, the CPU 11 designates the first USB port 22 for public use, and the second 23 for private use. A USB device 24 which is connected to the public USB port 22 is fdtered based on the uevent generated by connection. Only if the uevent indicates that the USB device 24 is a mass storage device and that no applications are to be installed will the USB device 24 be allowed to connect to the medical consultation device 2. A user may then use a connected USB device 24 to download information, including, for example, personal information and/or health education videos on to the USB mass storage device 24. The connections to the private USB port 23 are not fdtered. The public USB port 22 is placed on the side face of the medical consultation device 2 for easy access by a user. The private USB port

23 is placed on the back face of the medical consultation device 2. Since in some embodiments the back face faces the surface the medical consultation device 2 is locked to, only a person who can unlock the medical consultation device 2 from its position (i.e. an operator) can access the private USB port 23.

Preferably, the private USB port 23 is also the connection port 16 via which 15 power and/or a connection is supplied to the USB hub 31.

When not in use, the or each public USB port 22 is covered by a flexible plastic cover 25 (the cover for the public USB port 22 being shown) to prevent contaminants from entering the respective USB port. Each cover 25 clips into place over the respective USB port. When a user wishes to insert a device into the USB port the cover 25 can be partially removed to allow access. Preferably, the cover 25 then falls back into place once the device is removed from the USB port.

In use, a user activates the medical consultation device 2 by inserting their activation device 10 into the device reader 9. The activation device 10 can be a dedicated SIM card or smart card designed for use in the medical consultation device

2, or a standard SIM or smart card. The user then interacts with the application via the touch screen 4. The user can select from a variety of different services offered. When determining which services to offer to a user, the application checks whether a connection to the EHR platform is available 13. Only if a connection is available are certain services offered, including a medical consultation.

Once a service is selected, the medical consultation device 2 scans the inserted activation device 10 looking for a designated storage file. The designated storage file contains the user’s identifying information, including their name, the username and password used to identify them to the EHR platform 13, and their phone number.

Alternatively, the medical consultation device 2 may request the user input their username and password via the touch screen 4 so as to identify them.

Preferably, the medical consultation device 2 has a fingerprint sensor. If a fingerprint sensor is present, the medical consultation device 2 requests a user scan their finger on the finger print sensor. The identity of the user can then be confirmed by comparing the scanned finger print to a stored finger print scan on the inserted activation card 10 and/or user’s patient record on the EHR platform 13.

If no such designated storage file is found (if, for example, the user is using the medical consultation device 2 for the first time), the medical consultation device 2 20 will select an empty storage file to be the designated storage file. In the case of a SIM card, typically the selected storage file will be SMSP - 0x6F42, since in most SIM cards this file is left empty. Otherwise the medical consultation device 2 will select phonebook file - record 200. Once a storage file is selected, the user is asked to enter their identifying information to the medical consultation device 2 via the touchscreen

4. In this case, the user is also asked to indicate whether they are using the system 1 for the first time. If yes, a note indicating this is the case is included in the identifying information.

If a service is requested which requires a connection to the EHR platform 13 (for example, a medical consultation), the medical consultation device 2 checks which connections are available and then uses the connection with the strongest signal to connect to the EHR platform 13. The medical consultation device 2 then sends the user’s identifying information to the EHR platform 13, which compares the identifying information sent against a record of patients stored on the platform 13.

The identifying information is formatted so that each item of information (first name, last name, username, password, phone number, etc.) is separated from the rest into a field. Each field has an associated name to identify the type of information found in it. Each patient record on the record of patients contains the same set of named fields, each field containing information on the relevant patient. Therefore when comparing the identifying information against the record of patients, the information in the username and password fields in the identifying information are compared to the same fields in each patient record. If a patient record is found which has a matching username and password, then the EHR platform 13 identifies patient record as belonging to the user. The EHR platform 13 will then compare the rest of the fields of the identifying information with the respective fields of the patient record, and update the patient record to match the identifying information if and when non-matching fields are found. The medical history of the patient is also stored on the patient record.

If no matching username and password combination is found the EHR platform 13 indicates that this is the case to the medical consultation device 2, which then displays the identifying information to the user and asks them if the information is correct and if they are a new user. If the identifying information is corrected, the process of comparing the information to the record of patients is repeated.

If the user indicates that they are a new user, or if the identifying information included a note indicating this is the case, the medical consultation device 2 will request an authorised person. This authorised person can interact with the medical consultation device 2 via the touch screen 4 or via a computer 26 connected to the medical consultation system 1. If the authorised person interacts via a computer 26, then the medical consultation device sends the request to the relevant computer 26.

The authorised person then stores the identifying information on the activation card

10, and creates a new patient record and stores the identifying information on this record, without any note indicating the user is new. The EHR platform 13 checks the information in the username field against all the usernames stored on the record of patients. If the username is unique, the EHR platform 13 confirms the patient record and instructs the medical consultation device 2 to remove any note indicating the user is new from the identifying information stored on the designated storage file. If the username is not unique, the EHR platform indicates this to the medical consultation device 2, which then requests that the user input a new username. The checking process is repeated with any new username inputted into the medical consultation device 2, until a unique username is chosen.

If a medical consultation is requested, the medical consultation device 2 is connected to a computer 26 used by a medical professional, via the EHR platform 13.

The medical professional can then conduct a consultation with the user, the user using the camera and telephone handset (or the hands free speaker and microphone) to participate in the consultation. The EHR platform can provide the medical professional with the relevant patient record on request. The medical professional may be an authorised person, and vice versa.

During the medical consultation, the user can be directed to take readings using one or more of the medical sensors 17 connected to the medical consultation device 2. The medical professional can instruct the touch screen 4 to display instructions on how to take a reading with a particular sensor 17, the instructions being drawn from either the hard drive 12 of the medical consultation device or the EHR platform 13. The CPEi 11 directs the reading from a sensor 17 to be stored in the designated storage file on the activation device 10. The bytes of the designated storage file are separated into groups of 5, with each group of 5 bytes being assigned a unique ID code between 0-999. The EHR platform 13 assigns each unique ID code to a particular medical sensor 17, and the list of assigned ID codes is stored on the EHR platform 13 and the hard drive 12. The most recent reading from a particular medical sensor 17 is stored in the assigned 5 bytes of storage space: the first 2 bytes recording the reading date, the third byte indicating whether the reading is also stored on the EHR platform 13 and the last 2 bytes recording the reading from the medical sensor

17. The reading is also uploaded to the EHR platform 13 and added to the patient record, and can be displayed to the medical professional.

When a reading with a medical sensor 17 is taken and no connection to the EHR platform 13 is available, the reading will be recorded to the user’s activation device 10 with a flag at the third byte indicating the record has not been stored on the

EHR platform 13. When a connection to the EHR platform 13 becomes available and the activation device 10 is inserted into the device reader 9, the CPU 11 will check any medical sensor 17 readings stored in the designated storage file. Any readings which are marked as having not been stored on the EHR platform 13 will be uploaded, and the flag at the third byte will be altered to show that the reading is now also stored on the EHR platform 13.

The medical professional can offer a diagnosis and/or prescribe medicine for the user on the basis of the medical consultation. The medical professional can also instruct a user in a treatment plan, including instructing them to watch health education videos and/or to take readings using particular medical sensors 17 according to a schedule set by the medical professional. The educational videos can be downloaded from the EHR platform 13 and stored on the hard drive 12. The videos can then be played whether a connection the EHR platform 13 is available or not. The instructions for taking a readings using a medical sensor 17 are also stored on the hard drive 12.

The results of the medical consultation are recorded on the EHR platform 13 as part of the patient record. The medical professional can review the details of medical consultation, any readings taken by the user and any instructions/diagnoses/prescriptions which were the result of the medical consultation as and when necessary.

The medical professional, when logging on to the system 1, identifies themselves by inputting their username and password into their computer 26. The computer 26 transmits this username and password combination to the EHR platform

13. The EHR platform 13 has a list of the registered medical professionals, each entry including details of the respective medical professional (for example name, address, phone number, medical title) and a username and password. The EHR platform 13 compares the transmitted username and password to the list of medical professionals.

If a match is found, the medical professional is identified and logged onto the system. If no match is found, the EHR platform 13 transmits a request to the computer 26 for the medical professional to re-enter their username and password.

In some embodiments the EHR platform 13 can send the details of any prescription set by the medical professional to a pharmacy, where the medicine is measured out and either stored for collection by the user or sent for delivery to the user. Details of the prescription set by the medical professional are also stored on the user’s activation device 10. When collecting the prescribed medicine from the pharmacy or collecting the delivery, the pharmacist or courier can check the prescribed medicine against the details of the prescription saved to the activation device 10 to ensure the correct medicine is being supplied to the correct user.

In a preferred embodiment the pharmacist can add a NFC sticker 27 to any prescription medicine issued. The medical consultation device 2 comprises an NFC reader 28, which a user can use to scan the NFC sticker 27 on any prescription medicine issued to them. The CPU 11 analyses the reading from the NFC reader 28 and, based on an algorithm, identifies the medicine. The identity of the medicine can then be displayed to the user via the touch screen 4, so that they can ensure they have been issued the correct medicine.

Any medical diagnosis resulting from a medical consultation is recorded on the EHR platform 13 as part of a record of epidemics stored on the memory storage unit. The record of epidemics also comprises a list of diseases and their symptoms. In some embodiments the EHR platform 13 can review the type and number of diagnoses in a given area, and identify the occurrence of any epidemics. If an epidemic is noted, then the EHR platform 13 can keep track of additional reports of the illness and send the reports to the appropriate medical professionals and/or health organisations. Preferably, when a user in an area identified as undergoing an epidemic connects to the EHR platform 13 via the medical consultation device 2, the EHR platform 13 can send a warning to the user about the epidemic. This warning can contain information on symptoms to look out for and ways to minimise the risks of infection.

Payment for the services rendered through the medical consultation device 2 can be made using payment details recorded on a user’s activation device 10. If no payment details can be found on the activation device 10, the user will be asked to enter payment details into the medical consultation device 2 via the touch screen 4.

The details entered are then stored on the activation device 10. The payment details can be associated with the medical consultation device 2, or they can be part of a more general method of payment which is also intended for other purposes as well.

Methods of payment include credit cards, mobile phone based money transfer systems, insurance providers and/or stipends from health service providers or NGOs.

A record of any payments made is stored on the user’s activation device 10 and the EHR platform 13.

Alternatively, the EHR platform 13 may comprise a virtual wallet. A user can add funds to this virtual wallet via their payment details, and payment for services rendered by the system can be taken from the virtual wallet.

There are various additional services offered by the medical consultation 5 device 2, the particular services on offer at a given time depending on if a connection to the EHR platform 13 is available or not. Services requiring a connection include scheduling a medical consultation with a medical professional (the schedule being stored on the EHR platform), taking part in a medical consultation, checking a user’s medical history, registering a birth or death on the EHR platform 13 and checking a user’s vaccination history. Services which do not require a connection include updating the personal details or payment details on the user’s activation device 10, taking a scheduled reading with a medical sensor 17, viewing health educational videos and checking payment history.

When a user selects scheduling a medical consultation with a medical 15 professional, the medical consultation device 2 requests the user enter the details of the medical consultation via the touch screen 4. The details of the medical consultation include the date, time and medical field or name of the medical professional. The details of the requested medical consultation are then sent to the EHR platform 13, which checks the details against a schedule of medical consultations. If the requested medical professional is not available on the requested date and at the requested time, the EHR platform 13 informs the medical consultation device 2 that this is the case. The medical consultation device 2 then requests that the user enter new details for a medical consultation via the touch screen 4, these new details then be checked against the schedule of medical consultations.

If a requested medical consultation time slot is available, the EHR platform informs the medical consultation device 2 that this is the case and enters the details of the medical consultation onto the schedule of medical consultations. The medical consultation device 2 displays via the touch screen 4 that the request for a medical 5 consultation has been successful. The relevant medical professional can then view the details of the medical consultation when accessing the schedule of medical consultations via their computer 26. In some embodiments, a user may also view the schedule of medical consultations via the touch screen 4 of the medical consultation device 2 so as to determine when to request a medical consultation.

When registering a birth or death, the medical consultation device 2 requests that the user input the details via the touch screen 4. The details of the birth or death can include time, date, name, address, details of family members (for a birth) and age (for a death). In some embodiments, the details can include medical information (such as medical information on the new-born or cause of death, respectively). The details are then sent to the EHR platform 13. For a death, the EHR platform 13 compares the details entered with the identifying information on the stored patient records, finds the relevant patient record and adds the details to it. For a birth, the EHR platform 13 creates a new patient record and adds the details entered to the new patient record.

A user’s medical history can include a user’s vaccination history. In some 20 embodiments, the EHR platform 13 includes a recommended vaccination plan for each area in which the medical consultation system 1 operates. The recommended vaccination plan can include the types of vaccinations recommended and the ages and/or times at which they should be given. In a preferred embodiment, the EHR platform 13 can compare the medical histories of each patient record with the recommended vaccination plan for the area in which the patient record indicates the patient resides. If a vaccination is recommended, the EHR platform 13 makes a note on the relevant patient record. When a patient record with such a note is next accessed (either by a user using the system or by a medical professional) the EHR platform 13 sends a notification to the medical consultation device 2 (for a user) or the computer 26 (for a medical professional), respectively, instructing that a notice should be displayed detailing the recommended vaccination.

The medical consultation device 2 can also be used by a medical professional conducting face-to-face consultations with users in the vicinity of the medical consultation device 2. The medical professional inserts a user’s activation device 10 and then selects the face-to-face consultation option. The medical professional also enters their username and password so as to identify themselves to the system 1. The medical consultation device 2 can then be used by the medical professional as an aid to the face-to-face medical consultation by, for example, allowing readings to be taken with the medical sensors 17, providing the user medical history and showing requested health education videos. The results of a face-to-face medical consultation, for instance the medical professional’s diagnosis, prescription and/or instructions, can be recorded to the EHR platform 13. The face-to-face consultation service can be used even when no connection to the EHR platform 13 is available, although with more limited functions (e.g. no access to user’s medical history stored on the EHR platform).

The above embodiments are described by way of example only. Many variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A medical consultation system comprising:

d) the or each medical consultation device is arranged to: read an activation device presented by a user thereby to begin a user interaction with the medical consultation device; collect medical data from the user via the or each interface; store the medical data on the memory component; check for a connection to the electronic health records platform via the connection unit and, if a connection to the electronic health records platform is available, upload the medical data to the electronic health records platform.

2. A medical consultation system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the device reader is operable to add a notification to the medical data stored on the memory component, the status of the notification indicating whether or not the medical data has been uploaded to the electronic health records platform.

3. A medical consultation system as claimed in claim 2 wherein the device reader is operable to update the status of the notification if and when the medical data is uploaded to the electronic health records platform.

4. A medical consultation system as claimed in either of claims 2 or 3 wherein

5 the device reader is operable, in response to a connection to the electronic health records platform becoming available, to check the status of the notification of the medical data on the memory component of a presented activation device and the connection unit is operable, in response to medical data with a notification whose status indicates the medical data has not been

10 uploaded being found, to upload the found medical data to the electronic health records platform.

5. A medical consultation system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the memory component of an activation device is operable to store identification data associated with a particular user.

15

6. A medical consultation system as claimed in claim 5 wherein the or each patient record is associated with a particular user.

7. A medical consultation system as claimed in claim 6 wherein the or each patient record comprises identification data associated with said user.

8. A medical consultation system as claimed in claim 7 wherein the device reader

20 is operable to read any identification data stored on the memory component of a presented activation device, the connection unit is operable to upload the read identification data to the electronic health records platform and the electronic health records platform is operable to compare the read identification data with the identification data on each patient record, find any patient record with identification data matching the read identification data and identify the user associated with the activation device using the patient record found.

9. A medical consultation system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the

5 electronic health records platform is operable to connect to at least one computing device associated with a medical professional.

10. A medical consultation system as claimed in claim 9 operable to conduct a remote medical consultation, via the connection unit and the electronic health records platform, between a medical consultation device and a computing

10 device.

11. A medical consultation system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the or each medical consultation device comprises a solar unit operable to power the respective medical consultation device.

12. A medical consultation system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the

15 or each medical consultation device is operable to enter a hibernation mode in which it will not activate for set time periods.

13. A medical consultation system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the connection unit comprises at least two antenna.

14. A medical consultation system as claimed in claim 13 wherein the connection

20 unit comprises at least one omni-directional antenna and one directional antenna.

15. A medical consultation system as claimed in either of claims 13 or 14 wherein the or each medical consultation device comprises a radio module operable to compare the signals received by each respective antenna and choose the antenna with the strongest signal as the means of connection to the electronic health records platform.

16. A medical consultation system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the or each medical consultation device comprises at least one USB port operable to connect an external device to the respective medical consultation device.

17. A medical consultation system as claimed in claim 16 wherein the or each medical consultation device is operable to restrict the type of external device which can connect to the medical consultation device via the or each USB port.

18. A medical consultation system as claimed in either of claims 16 or 17 wherein the or each the medical consultation device is configured so that it will not run or install at least specified types of executable files stored on the external device via the or each USB port.

19. A medical consultation system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the or each medical consultation device comprises a tag reader operable to read the information from at least one tag.

20. A medical consultation system as claimed in claim 19 wherein the or each tag is associated with a particular medicine.

21. A medical consultation system as claimed in claim 20 wherein the medical consultation device is operable to run an algorithm on the information from a tag so as to identify the medicine associated with the tag.

22. A method of conducting a medical consultation comprising the following steps:

a. reading an activation device presented by a user, using a device reader of a medical consultation device, thereby to begin a user interaction with the medical consultation device;

c. storing the medical data on a memory component of the activation device;

d. checking for a connection, using a connection unit of the medical consultation device, to an electronic health records platform; and

e. if a connection is available, uploading the medical data to the electronic health records platform.

23. A method of conducting a medical consultation as claimed in claim 22 comprising the step of adding a notification to the medical data stored on the memory component, the status of the notification indicating whether or not the medical data has been uploaded to the electronic health records platform.

24. A method of conducting a medical consultation as claimed in claim 23 comprising the step of updating the status of the notification if and when the medical data is uploaded to the electronic health records platform.

25. A method of conducting a medical consultation as claimed in either of claims 23 or 24 comprising the steps of, in response to a connection to the electronic health records platform becoming available, checking the status of the notification of the medical data on the memory component of a presented activation device and, in response to medical data with a notification whose status indicates the medical data has not been uploaded being found, uploading the found medical data to the electronic health records platform.

26. A method of conducting a medical consultation as claimed in any of claims 22 to 25 comprising the step of storing identification data associated with a

5 particular user on the memory component of an activation device.

27. A method of conducting a medical consultation as claimed in claim 26 comprising the steps of reading any identification data stored on the memory component of a presented activation device, uploading the read identification data to the electronic health records platform, comparing the read

10 identification data with identification data on each patient record, finding any patient record with identification data matching the read identification data and identifying the user associated with the activation device using the patient record found.

28. A method of conducting a medical consultation as claimed in any of claims 22

15 to 27 comprising the step of connecting the electronic health records platform to at least one computing device associated with a medical professional.

29. A method of conducting a medical consultation as claimed in claim 28 comprising the step of conducting a remote medical consultation, via the connection unit and the electronic health records platform, between a medical

20 consultation device and a computing device.

30. A method of conducting a medical consultation as claimed in any of claims 22 to 29 comprising the step of a medical consultation device entering a hibernation mode in which it will not activate for set time periods.

31. A method of conducting a medical consultation as claimed in any of claims 22 to 30 comprising the steps of comparing the signals received by two or more antenna of the connection unit and choosing the antenna with the strongest signal as the means of connection to the electronic health records platform.

32. A method of conducting a medical consultation as claimed in any of claims 22 to 31 comprising the step of connecting an external device to the medical consultation device via a USB port of the medical consultation device.

33. A method of conducting a medical consultation as claimed in claim 32 comprising the step of restricting the type of external device which can connect to the medical consultation device via the or each USB port.

34. A method of conducting a medical consultation as claimed in either of claims 32 or 33 comprising the step of preventing the medical consultation device from running or installing at least specified types of executable files stored on the external device via the or each USB port.

35. A method of conducting a medical consultation as claimed in any of claims 22 to 34 comprising the step of reading information from at least one tag via a tag reader of the medical consultation device.

36. A method of conducting a medical consultation as claimed in claim 35 comprising the step of running an algorithm on the information from a tag so as to identify a medicine associated with the tag.

Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: GB 1700107.4