Disclosure of Invention
However, the electronic stethoscope is used only when an examiner such as a doctor who operates the stethoscope faces a patient and performs medical treatment in an environment where positional information, contact state information, and the like can be referred to.
Thus, for example, if a patient is located in a remote area and is difficult to face-to-face with the attending physician, it is still difficult for the surrogate examiner to accurately reproduce auscultation conditions.
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a remote medical system using a digital stethoscope, which enables a medical examiner to perform medical treatment even on a patient in a remote area.
In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is characterized by comprising: a stethoscope that acquires sound information based on body sounds of a patient; and transmission processing means that transmits the sound information to an external device, wherein the stethoscope has transmission means for transmitting the sound information to the transmission processing means, the transmission means has reception means for receiving the sound information, and playback processing means for performing playback processing to play back the sound information on the external device.
According to the present invention, by having a patient use a stethoscope, an examiner can listen to sound information based on the body sound of the patient even when the patient is in a remote area. Thus, even when it is difficult to perform a face-to-face medical treatment, the examiner can perform the medical treatment.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, further comprising a contact position display device placed on the body of the patient, characterized in that contact marks showing the contact position of the stethoscope with respect to the body of the patient are provided on the surface of the contact position display device.
By adopting such a configuration, the examiner can accurately transmit the proper contact position of the stethoscope for obtaining desired sound information to the patient, and even telemedicine for the patient to use the stethoscope can smoothly perform medical treatment.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the stethoscope has means for removably attaching the chestpiece.
By adopting this configuration, the examiner can perform medical treatment using a chest piece that is self-enjoying and familiar.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is characterized in that recording means are included for recording said sound information.
By adopting this configuration, the examiner can use the sound information for the electronic medical record. That is, the examiner can share his findings with the patient and confirm the medical procedure.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the transmission processing means comprise analysis processing means for analyzing and processing the sound information.
By adopting such a configuration, the examiner can use more detailed information on the sound information such as graphic information visualizing the sound information and heart noise information for the electronic medical record.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is characterized in that it comprises filter means for extracting specific frequency components of said sound information.
By adopting this configuration, the examiner can listen to the sound information more clearly.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is characterized in that the stethoscope has switching means for switching the filter characteristic of the filter means.
By adopting such a configuration, even when the locations where the plurality of pieces of sound information are obtained are different, the examiner can apply an appropriate filter characteristic to each location, so that the plurality of pieces of sound information can be listened to more clearly.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the stethoscope has a volume adjustment device for adjusting the volume of the sound information.
By adopting such a configuration, the examiner can listen to the sound information at an appropriate loudness.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is characterized in that the stethoscope has holding means for holding a contact state with the body of the patient.
By adopting such a configuration, even in a case where it is difficult to move the body, for example, when the patient is in a bedridden state or the like, the examiner can always obtain and listen to the sound information based on the body sound of the patient.
The invention relates to a remote medical treatment method, which is characterized in that: sound information based on body sounds of a patient is acquired by a stethoscope, the sound information acquired by the stethoscope is transmitted to a transmission processing means, and playback processing for playing back the sound information received by the transmission processing means on an external device is performed.
According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a remote medical system using a digital stethoscope, which enables a medical examiner to perform medical treatment even on a patient in a remote area.
Detailed Description
A telemedicine system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below using fig. 1 to 11.
The embodiment shown below is only one example of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the following embodiment.
For example, in the present embodiment, although the configuration, operation, and the like of the telemedicine system are described, the same configuration method, apparatus, computer program, storage medium, and the like can achieve the same effects. Further, the program may be stored in a storage medium. By using the storage medium, for example, the program can be installed in a computer. The storage medium in which the program is stored may be a non-transitory storage medium such as a CD-ROM.
Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of a remote medical system S when remote medical treatment is performed.
As shown in fig. 1, the telemedicine system S includes: astethoscope 1 which is mounted with a chestpiece C and acquires sound information based on body sounds of a patient; atransmission processing device 2 that transmits sound information to an external apparatus; a patient terminal T1, a examiner terminal T2, and a listening device L.
In addition, although in this embodiment, the listening device L is a headphone, it may be an ear plug, a speaker, or the like.
Thestethoscope 1 wirelessly communicates with the patient terminal T1.
Thetransmission processing apparatus 2, the patient terminal T1, and the examiner terminal T2 are communicably connected via the network N, respectively.
The patient terminal T1 and the examiner terminal T2 are, respectively, an information communication terminal such as a personal computer, a smartphone having a touch panel, a tablet terminal, and a portable information terminal such as a PDA, which has a communication unit as an interface for communicating with external devices, an input unit such as a touch panel and physical keys, an output unit such as a display, and a voice input/output unit for performing voice input/output.
In addition, the patient terminal T1 and the examiner terminal T2 store, in the auxiliary storage unit, a telemedicine program or a Web browser program used when the face-to-face telemedicine shown in fig. 6 to 8 is executed.
As shown in fig. 2, thestethoscope 1 includes transmission means 101 for transmitting sound information to the transmission processing means 2, filter means 102 for extracting specific frequency components of the sound information, switching means 103, and volume adjusting means 104.
In addition, thetransmission processing apparatus 2 includes: a receivingdevice 201 that receives sound information; playback processing means 202 that performs playback processing for playing back sound information on an external device; arecording device 203; and ananalysis processing device 204.
As shown in fig. 3, thestethoscope 1 has a stethoscopemain body 11 and adetachable device 12 provided on an upper portion of the stethoscopemain body 11.
The stethoscopemain body 11 is provided on an outer surface thereof with aswitching device 103 and a dial-type (ダイヤル -type)volume adjusting device 104 configured as a switch, and a power supply unit 11a for turning on/off thestethoscope 1, a connection unit 11b for connecting to an external device.
The connection unit 11b includes: a USB terminal 11b1 for connecting and charging to an external device such as thetransmission processing apparatus 2, and a telephone terminal 11b2 for connecting with the listening apparatus L.
The connection unit 11b may include an AV terminal such as a lightning (lightning) terminal, a VGA terminal, and the like.
When the patient listens to his own voice information in the remote medical care or when the examiner listens to the patient's voice information in the general face-to-face medical care or home visit care, the telephone terminal 11b2 is connected to a headphone, an ear plug, a speaker, or the like to be used.
In addition, thestethoscope 1 is configured in a structure capable of wireless communication with the patient terminal T1 and the listening device L through the transmission device 101. As the wireless communication standard, various wireless communication configurations such as a wireless communication standard such as bluetooth (registered trademark) and Zigbee (registered trademark), a mesh network format, and a P2P (point-to-point) form can be adopted.
In addition, the examiner or patient can connect thestethoscope 1 and the patient terminal T1 by electric wires using the USB terminal 11b1 according to the use environment or the like.
Further, the inspector terminal T2 and the listening device L may also be configured to be able to perform wireless communication in the same manner.
As shown in fig. 4(a), the attaching and detachingdevice 12 includes a pair of attaching and detaching device bodies 12a, a substantially cylindrical chest piece accommodating unit 12b, and a plurality of annular bodies 12 c.
The upper portion of the detachable device main body 12a is biased by a spring (not shown) provided in the stethoscopemain body 11 to a substantially cylindrical sound collection unit 11c provided on the upper surface of the stethoscopemain body 11.
A pair of fitting grooves 12b1 are provided on the outer surface of the chest piece accommodating unit 12b, and an upper protrusion 12a1 (see fig. 5) of the detachable device main body 12a is fitted into thefitting groove 12b 1.
The annular body 12c is resilient and is contoured to be slightly larger than the inner diameter of the chest piece receiving unit 12 b.
As shown in fig. 4(b), the lower portion of the chestpiece C is stepped.
When mounting the chestpiece C to the attaching and detachingdevice 12, as shown in fig. 5(a), the patient or examiner first mounts the annular body 12C to the lower segments of the chestpiece C, and then inserts the lower portions into the chest housing unit 12 b.
Subsequently, the patient or examiner changes the pair of detachable device bodies 12a from the state shown in fig. 5(b-1) to the state shown in fig. 5 (b-2). That is, the patient or examiner presses the lower portions of the pair of detachable device main bodies 12a toward the stethoscopemain body 11, thereby separating the pair ofupper protrusions 12a 1.
Next, the patient or examiner brings the lower surface of the chest piece accommodating portion 12b into contact with the upper surface of the stethoscopemain body 11, and receives the sound collection unit 11c in the chest piece accommodating unit 12 b.
Next, the patient or examiner unloads the pressing force of the pair of detachable device bodies 12a against thestethoscope body 11, thereby biasing the pair of upper protrusions 12a1 toward the sound collection unit 11c again.
Thus, as shown in fig. 5(C), the pair of upper protrusions 12a1 are fitted into the pair of fitting grooves 12b1, and the chestpiece C is placed on thestethoscope 1.
In addition, in fig. 5, the detachable device main body 12a, the chest piece accommodating unit 12b, the annular body 12c, and the sound collection unit 11c are shown in a sectional view.
In addition, in fig. 5(b-1), 5(b-2) and 5(c), the stethoscopemain body 11 is omitted except for the upper surface of the stethoscopemain body 11 and the sound collecting unit 11 c.
The sound acquired by the chestpiece C is input into the stethoscopemain body 11 via the sound collecting unit 11C.
Inside the stethoscopemain body 11, a microphone element, an amplifier, and the like are built in, and sound input into the stethoscopemain body 11 is converted into sound information that can be transmitted to the outside.
Hereinafter, a case where the remote medical treatment is performed using the remote medical treatment system S will be described with reference to fig. 6 to 8.
First, as shown in fig. 6, a patient X and a examiner Y face each other via a patient terminal T1 and an examiner terminal T2, respectively, so that they can communicate with each other.
Then, the patient X holds thestethoscope 1 with the chestpiece C set therein with his or her own hand.
In addition, the examiner Y wears the listening device L on the ear to listen to the sound information based on the body sound of the patient X.
Further, as shown in fig. 7, the patient X is mounted with a contact position display device W.
The contact position display means W is a T-shirt in the present embodiment, and a plurality of contact marks W1 showing the contact positions of thestethoscope 1 with respect to the body of the patient X are provided on the surface thereof.
The plurality of contact marks W1 are respectively configured such that different numbers are described in a circular frame.
The contact position display device W is preferably a garment from the viewpoint of ease of placement, but is not particularly limited as long as it can be placed on the body.
The contact mark W1 does not necessarily have to be arranged as described above, and any arrangement may be adopted as long as the patient X and the examiner Y can recognize the contact position.
Further, the number of the contact marks W1 is not particularly limited, may be several, and may be provided on the back surface.
Next, as shown in fig. 8, the patient X moves thestethoscope 1 held with his or her hand to bring the chestpiece C into contact with the contact mark W1.
At this time, the examiner Y transmits the number of the desired contact mark W1 corresponding to the portion from which the sound information is to be acquired from among the plurality of contact marks W1, so that the patient X contacts the chest piece C with the desired contact mark W1.
In addition, fig. 7 shows a case where the examiner Y instructs the patient X to bring the chest piece C into contact with the contact mark W1 described with thenumeral 1.
The sound information acquired by thestethoscope 1 is transmitted to thetransmission processing device 2 by the transmission device 101 via the network N.
The transmission processing means 2 receives the transmitted sound information by the reception means 201, and performs playback processing by the playback processing means 202.
The sound information playback-processed by thetransmission processing device 2 is transmitted to the examiner terminal T2 via the network N, and then played back by the listening device L so as to be listened to by the examiner Y.
The switching means 103 switches the filter characteristics of the filter means 102.
The volume adjustment means 104 adjusts the volume of the sound information acquired by thestethoscope 1.
In the present embodiment, theswitching device 103 and thevolume adjustment device 104 can be appropriately used so that the examiner Y can listen to the sound information played back via the listening device L in a clearer state.
Specifically, for example, when the filter characteristic of thefilter device 102 is to sharpen lung sounds and the chestpiece C is in contact with the contact mark W1 corresponding to the portion to which heart sounds are listened, the examiner Y instructs the patient X to switch the filter characteristic of thefilter device 102 to the characteristic to sharpen heart sounds by theswitching device 103.
In addition, thefilter device 102 may include a so-called through filter that can directly hear the sound acquired from the chestpiece C as it is, a so-called noise reduction filter that reduces the ambient sound, and the like. Further, thefilter device 102 may be configured such that the stethoscopemain body 11 appropriately reads a program for updating, thereby adding filter characteristics sought by each specialist, such as internal medicine, pediatrics, cardiology, respiratory medicine, and the like.
In addition, for example, when the volume of the sound information is low and difficult to listen, the examiner Y instructs the patient X to increase the volume of the sound information by thevolume adjustment device 104.
Therecording device 203 records the sound information acquired by thestethoscope 1.
In addition, although in the present embodiment, therecording apparatus 203 is configured to be included in thetransmission processing apparatus 2, it may be included in thestethoscope 1.
The analysis processing means 204 performs analysis processing on the sound information acquired by thestethoscope 1.
More specifically, theanalysis processing device 204 performs a drawing process, a process of acquiring cardiac noise information, and the like by performing frequency analysis on the acquired pieces of sound information.
The cardiac noise information is information such as the frequency of cardiac noise, the time of occurrence of cardiac noise, and the duration of cardiac noise in the specific sound information.
In this embodiment, the acquired sound information may be useful for medical treatment by being recorded by the recording means 203 or being subjected to analysis processing by the analysis processing means 204.
Specifically, the acquired pieces of sound information are stored in a storage unit (not shown) that thetransmission processing apparatus 2 has by thesound recording apparatus 203.
Then, for example, when the finding is shared with the patient X after the medical treatment, or when the progress of the medical treatment is confirmed or the like at a desired timing, the examiner Y may call desired sound information from thetransmission processing apparatus 2, and the sound information may be played back on the examiner terminal T2.
The examiner Y may also retrieve the graphic information and the cardiac noise information in which the sound information is visualized from thetransmission processing apparatus 2 and display these pieces of information on the examiner terminal T2.
That is, the sound information recorded by therecording device 203 and the sound information analyzed and processed by theanalysis processing device 204 are useful for medical treatment as a part of the electronic medical record.
In addition, thestethoscope 1 can be used flexibly like an IC recorder by therecording device 203. Thus, the examiner Y uses thestethoscope 1 to record not only the sound information based on the body sounds of the patient X but also the conversation contents at the time of medical treatment, and can make it a part of the electronic medical record by making it into text or the like.
Further, theanalysis processing device 204 may be configured to detect an abnormal waveform from the sound information and warn the patient X or the examiner Y of the abnormality. Thus, even if the patient X is not subjected to the remote medical treatment by the examiner Y, the patient X can auscultate himself/herself with thestethoscope 1, and if an abnormality is warned, the patient X can seek the finding from the examiner Y by transmitting the sound information to the examiner Y.
Fig. 9 shows an example of display of the electronic medical record K on the examiner terminal T2.
Fig. 9(a) is an example of displaying the whole electronic medical record K, and fig. 9(b) is an example of enlarging and displaying the sound information display unit K3.
As shown in fig. 9, a human body diagram K1 is displayed on an electronic medical record K, and a plurality of pressable sound information selecting units K2 are displayed at positions corresponding to the contact marks W1.
The inspector Y presses the specific sound information selecting unit K2 to display the sound information display unit K3, on which information relating to the specific sound information is displayed K3.
The sound information display unit K3 displays, for example, graphic information K3a in which specific sound information is visualized, heart murmur information K3b, a comment K3c made by the examiner Y, and also displays a playback button K3 d.
The examiner Y can play back a specific sound message by pressing the playback button K3 d.
Such a display on the examiner terminal T2 may be displayed on the patient terminal T1.
According to the present embodiment, even when the patient X is located in a remote area, the examiner Y can let the patient X listen to the sound information based on the body sound of the patient X using thestethoscope 1. This enables the examiner Y to perform medical treatment even when the face-to-face medical treatment is difficult.
Further, by the contact position display means W, the examiner Y can accurately transmit an appropriate contact position of thestethoscope 1 for acquiring desired sound information to the patient, and even in the case of letting the patient X perform remote medical treatment using thestethoscope 1, the medical treatment can be smoothly performed.
In addition, since thestethoscope 1 has thedetachable device 12, the examiner Y can perform medical treatment using a chest piece which is self-liked and has been used conventionally.
In addition, since thetransmission processing apparatus 2 includes therecording apparatus 203, the examiner Y can flexibly use the sound information for the electronic medical record K. That is, the examiner Y can share the process of finding and confirming the examination treatment with the patient X.
In addition, since thetransmission processing device 2 includes theanalysis processing device 204, the examiner Y can flexibly use more detailed information about the sound information, such as graphic information or cardiac noise information in which the sound information is visualized, for the electronic medical record K.
In addition, since thestethoscope 1 includes thefilter device 102, the examiner Y can listen to the sound information more clearly.
In addition, since thestethoscope 1 has the switching means 103, even when the sites where the plurality of sound information is acquired are different, the examiner Y can apply an appropriate filter characteristic to each site. A plurality of sound information can be listened to more clearly.
In addition, since thestethoscope 1 has thevolume adjustment device 104, the examiner Y can listen to the sound information at an appropriate volume.
In addition, various shapes, sizes, and the like of each constituent member shown in the above-described embodiments are only one example, and various changes may be made based on design requirements and the like.
For example, in the present embodiment, although the case of performing remote medical care is shown, the present system is of course applicable to the case of performing general face-to-face medical care and home visit care.
When the face-to-face medical care and the home visit care are conducted, the patient terminal T1 is not necessary, and the examiner Y can operate theswitching device 103, thevolume adjustment device 104, and the like.
Further, as shown in fig. 10, thestethoscope 1 may have a holding means H for holding a contact state to the body of the patient X.
The holding means H is configured, for example, as a band-shaped body provided at both ends thereof with connecting means (not shown), such as hook and loop fasteners or a plug-type snap, so that a loop of a predetermined size can be formed, which is partially fixed on one side surface of thestethoscope 1.
Thestethoscope 1 configured in this manner is, as shown in fig. 11, attached to the patient X in a state of being in contact with the portion to obtain sound information by wrapping the holding means H around the chest and waist of the patient X.
Thereby, even in a case where it is difficult to move the body, for example, in a state where the patient X is bedridden, the examiner can always obtain and listen to the sound information based on the body sound of the patient X.
In addition, a plurality ofstethoscopes 1 may be attached to the holding means H, configured to bring the chestpiece C of eachstethoscope 1 into contact with different portions, so that sound information obtained from different portions such as heart sounds and lung sounds can be obtained simultaneously.