AU2018233023A1 - On-line healthcare consultation services system and method of using same - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract A computer-implemented method for providing training and help services to a healthcare provider, a healthcare manufacturer or a healthcare user. The method comprises providing a resource center that comprises a knowledge database, a decision support server and an interactive help system; building the knowledge database by compiling medical information in the knowledge database, the medical information comprising a plurality of protocols for providing medical care with a healthcare product; and analyzing the information in the knowledge database to develop the decision support server. The method further comprises, via a computer network, establishing a connection between the interactive help system and the healthcare provider, healthcare manufacturer and/or healthcare user at one or more remote locations; accessing the decision support server; and transmitting a selected portion of the medical information via the interactive help system to one or more of the healthcare provider, the healthcare manufacturer, and the healthcare user for training with the healthcare product. The method also comprises receiving feedback from the training with respect to the healthcare product; updating the medical information about the healthcare product stored in the knowledge database based on the feedback; and using the updated medical information in subsequent training.

Description

invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other features and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0022] Accordingly, those skilled in the ail will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based can be readily utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present disclosure. It is important, therefore, (hat equivalent constructions, insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, are included in the present disclosure.

[0023] For a belter understanding of the disclosure, its operating advantages and the aims attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter which illustrate preferred embodiments of the disclosure.

Brief description of the Drawings [0024] Fig. 1 is a schematic illustrating a preferred embodiment of the system of the present disclosure wherein a resource center is connected to various users;

[0025] Fig. 2 is a schematic illustrating a preferred embodiment of the system of the present disclosure wherein a site requiring medical consultation services is connected to the resource center with various means of communication;

[0026] Fig. 3 is a schematic illustrating a preferred embodiment of the system of the present disclosure wherein the system comprises a feedback loop;

[0027] Fig. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a preferred embodiment of the method of the present disclosure for building a knowledge database;

2018233023 21 Sep 2018 [0028] Fig. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a preferred embodiment of the method of the present disclosure wherein a resource center provides healthcare services to various users;

[0029] Fig. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a preferred embodiment of the method of the present disclosure as can be used in the event that a caregiver such as a nurse notices a change in patient status;

[0030] Fig. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a preferred embodiment of the method of the present disclosure as can be used in the event that a caregiver such as a physician who is al home requests a consultation;

[0031] Fig. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a preferred embodiment of the method of the present disclosure as can be used in the event that a caregiver such as a physician in an emergency room (ER) requests a consultation; and [0032] Fig. 9 is flowchart illustrating a preferred embodiment of the method of the present disclosure wherein a resource center provides training and help services to healthcare manufacturers.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments [0033] As seen in Fig. 1, the system of the present disclosure comprises a resource center 100 connected via a means of connection such as Intcrnet/WAN 110 to various healthcare users 112. A healthcare provider 120 is also connected via the Internet/WAN 110 to the resource center 100 and the healthcare users 112. The healthcare user 112 can be a patient or secondary healthcare provider who in turn provides healthcare to a patient. The healthcare provider 120 includes any healthcare professional, such as a nurse, therapist, physician, surgeon, and dentist, etc. The healthcare user 112 can be located anywhere such as in an extended care facility 114, in a hospital 116, at home 118, in a clinic (not shown), on an airplane (not shown), on a ship (not shown), on a bus (not shown), on a train (not shown), etc. A healthcare provider 120 can be located anywhere, such as at the office, at home, at another healthcare facility or at another location, collectively 122. A healthcare provider 120 can also be in transit, such in a car, on a ship or in an airport.

2018233023 21 Sep 2018 [0034] According to a preferred embodiment, the resource center 100 is in a location that is remote from the location where the primary care is being provided. Within the context of the present disclosure, remote means physically distinct, which could be as close as a few feel, e.g., down the hall from the location where the primary care is being provided or as far as thousands of miles away from where the primary care is being provided, e.g., on another continent.

[0035] The resource center 100 is connected via an internal TCP/IP network 132 or equivalent means to a decision support server 124 and a knowledge server 128. The network 132 is connected to a router 134 that is connected thorough a firewall 136 to the Intcmct/WAN 110. Further, the resource center 100 can be staffed with clinical experts 138.

[0036] The decision support server 124 is connected to a decision support database 126. The decision support server 124 is a computer server that operates software application(s), as would be known to one of skill in the art. The decision support database 126 stores the information necessary to support the decision support server 124.

[0037] The resource center 100 also comprises a knowledge server 128 and a knowledge database 130, The knowledge database 130 of the present disclosure comprises a retrievable database that gathers and stores medical information. As can be seen in Fig. 3, the medical information includes, but is not limited to, healthcare manufacturer information 330, medical literature 340, a laboratory 350, clinical information 360, clinical experts 138 and/or specially consultants 142 (as seen in Fig. 1). More preferably, the healthcare manufacturer information 330 comprises product reference material. Furthermore, the laboratory 350 can comprise a testing laboratory or an analysis laboratory for testing or analysis of healthcare products. The testing laboratory or analysis laboratory can be a testing area that tests and/or reproduces scenarios and interaction with medical devices to increase and enhance the safety and efficacy of a healthcare product such as a medical device or drug.

[0038] According to the present disclosure, the system includes a means for connecting the healthcare users 112 via the Internel/WAN 110 to the resource center 100. Such means can include a deployable robot 140. According to a preferred embodiment, the robot 140 can be a

2018233023 21 Sep 2018 mobile, interactive video conferencing unit remotely controlled by the clinical expert 138 located at the resource center 100 or other locations.

10039] The present disclosure further includes a system and method for remotely monitoring healthcare users 112, such as a patient, including a system and method for generating and transmitting input commands to a robot 140 from a remote location such as the resource center 100. The resource center 100 can include a personal computer that is operated by a clinical expert 138, such as a doctor. The input commands can move the robot 140 so that a robot camera and microphone can capture the video image and sounds of the patient and transmit them back to the remote resource center 100. The robot 140 can also have a monitor and a speaker to allow for two-way video conferencing between the patient and a doctor al the remote resource center 100. The robot 140 can move from room to room so that a doctor can make “patient rounds” within a medical facility. The system thus allows a doctor to visit patients from a remote location, thereby improving the frequency of visits and the quality of medical care. An example of such a robot is disclosed in U.S. Published patent application No. 2004/0143421 to Wang, ct at, entitled “Apparatus and method for patient rounding with a remote controlled robot,’¹ the entire disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference, ]0040J According to a preferred embodiment, specialty consultants 142. located in a home 146, office 148 or elsewhere, are connected to the resource center 100 via an Internet/WAN 144. in one embodiment, Intcrnet/WAN 144 is the same Internet/WAN 110 that connects the resource center 100 to the healthcare user 112. In an alternate embodiment, Internet/WAN 144 is a separate and/or distinct means of connection. The specialty consultants 142 can be specially healthcare consultants that provide an external source of medical information.

[0041J As seen in Fig. 2, the resource center 100 is preferably a dedicated site with multicommunication technologies staffed 24/7 by clinical experts 138 and connected via a connecting means such as the Intemet/WAN 110, a cellular connection 210 or a satellite connection 220 to a site requiring medical consulting services 240. According to a preferred embodiment, the resource center 100 is a remote location staffed with clinical experts 138 al an interactive help system 200 or consulting station. The interactive help system 200 has access via an internal network 132 to a communication server 230 that is in turn connected to the knowledge database

2018233023 21 Sep 2018

130. the decision support server 124, medical devices and scenario reproduction (not shown). More preferably, clinical experts 138 in the interactive help system 200 are equipped with bidirectional interactive voice, data and image transmission capabilities and are available to healthcare users 112 sueh as patients or secondary healthcare providers located at the site requiring medical consulting services 240. The site requiring medical consultation services 240 is preferably equipped with mobile two-way interactive audio-visual capabilities, such as a robot 140 that is connected via a wireless connection 250 to a TCP/IP network 260 that is in turn connected to a communication server 270. More preferably, the resource center 100 is a critical care resource center, a rapid response resource center, an emergency care resource center or a mass casualty response center.

[0042] According to a preferred embodiment, the site requiring medical consulting services 240 is a hospital 116, specialized transplant center or donor hospital in need of medical expertise to assist in providing support to the healthcare provider 120 that is to procure suitable donor organs. In this case, the transplant center or donor hospital would have access to the resource center 100 and the clinical experts 138 in the resource center 100 would provide (he technical expertise to permit the healthcare provider 120 at the hospital 116 or transplant center to procure the organs.

[0043] The connection according to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure can be a remote connection that connects the clinical experts 138 to healthcare providers 120, healthcare users 112 and healthcare manufacturers 310 located at geographically dispersed locations. The connection can also be a wireless telephone connection, dial-up telephone connection, wireless internet connection, cable connection or DSL connection. The connection can also comprise a telephone system, a facsimile system, an electronic mail system, a video system, a video conferencing system, an intranet system, an internet system, a heads-up display or a robot 140. According to a preferred embodiment, the robot 140 can comprise mobile video conferencing, more preferably, a clinical expert 138 located in a remote location such as the resource center 100 can control the robot 140.

[0044] Further examples of wireless access points include Cisco©, a device that allows wireless access to a local or wide area network (WAN). Otherwise, a wireless access point can be any device with radio transmitting and receiving capabilities (hat typically operates using 802.11a. b

2018233023 21 Sep 2018 or g protocol. “802.11” refers to a family of specifications developed by the Institute of

Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) for wireless LAN technology. 802.11 specifics an over-the-air interface between a wireless client/customer and a base station or between two wireless clients/customers, [0045J The heads-up display combines a micro-display with ncar-to-the-cyc (NTE) technology and a forward-viewing miniature camera, bi-directional microphone and speaker contained in the headgear and connected to an intranet or internet via wireless broadband width or cellular spectrums. This system is further connected to a server that provides file sharing and interacts between the wearer of the headgear and a remote location for the purpose of real time audio video conferencing, data exchange and demonstration and instruction.

[0046J According to a preferred embodiment, the clinical experts 138 comprise an intensivistlcd multi-disciplinary team. The multi-disciplinary team according to the present disclosure is a group of healthcare professionals with diverse specialties (medical, social, educational, developmental, etc.) who work together to develop an organized approach to the total management of a healthcare user 112 such as an ICU patient.

10047] As seen in Fig. 3, the resource center 100 can also comprise a feedback loop 300, wherein the feedback loop 300 provides feedback to a healthcare manufacturer 310 or to the knowledge database 130, lo enhance or improve products such as medical devices, medical protocols and/or drugs. As used herein, a healthcare manufacturer 310 comprises al least one of a medical device manufacturer or a drug manufacturer. More specifically, the step of providing the feedback loop 300 can comprise providing feedback to the healthcare manufacturer 310 via the feedback loop 300, preferably to increase and enhance the safety and efficacy of a healthcare product such as a drug or medical device. The step of providing the feedback loop 300 can also comprise providing feedback lo the knowledge database 130 via the feedback loop 300 to develop and build a comprehensive and robust knowledge database 130 as seen in Fig, 3.

J0048J According to a preferred embodiment, the resource center 100 can further comprise healthcare user data 320 such as demographic data, pharmacological data, physiological data, radiological images, hemodynamic parameters, laboratory data, device output data, audio data

2018233023 21 Sep 2018 and/or video data. Demographic data includes information about a healthcare user 112, such as the name, race, gender, etc. Pharmacological data includes information on the type, route and amount of pharmaceutical drugs that a healthcare user 112 receives. Radiological images include, but are not limited to. x-rays, CAT scans, MRI. angiography, and the like. Hemodynamic parameters include vital signs such as blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, pulmonary artery pressure, etc. Laboratory data includes results of tests from blood, urine, spinal fluid, etc. as tested for cell count, bacteria, etc. Device output data includes data transmitted from a medical device to an application that displays or stores that data for retrieval. Audio and video data includes data generated from video conferencing with a mobile or stationary video conferencing device that is displayed and can be stored electronically. According to a preferred embodiment, the electronic feed for the healthcare user data 320 is available in real lime, i.e., provides present time healthcare user data 320.

10049] Such healthcare user data 320 can be stored in information systems known by those of ordinary skill in the art. Such systems include, but are not limited to, systems made by Ccrncr, iMD Soft, CliniComp, Drager, GE. Phillips, GCQ, Eclipsys and Piseis. Access to such information systems provides access to critical patient information when decisions need to be made.

10050] According to another preferred embodiment, the step of building the knowledge database 130 comprises the step of collecting information and data 400 from clinical experts 138, specialty consultants 142, healthcare user data 320, healthcare manufacturer information 330, medical literature 340, a laboratory 350 and/or clinical information 360 and the step of processing same 410 as seen in Fig. 4. Once the information and data is collected 400 and processed 410, a document is drafted 420 and then validated 430 for content accuracy and quality assurance.

[0051] Where needed, there arc several existing data warehousing technologies known by those of ordinary skill in the ail. Examples of such technologies include, but are not limited to Oracle data warehouse. Microsoft SQL server, IBM DB2 data warehousing and Cognos and Brio data warehouse tools.

2018233023 21 Sep 2018 [0052] The present disclosure also relates to a method for healthcare manufacturers to provide training and help services to healthcare providers or healthcare manufacturer employees comprising the step of establishing a connection between a medical expert and the healthcare provider or healthcare manufacturer employee, wherein the medical expert provides education and training services. Preferably, the present disclosure relates to a method for providing training and help services to a healthcare provider 120, a healthcare manufacturer 310 or a healthcare user 112 comprising the steps of providing a resource center 100 that comprises a knowledge database 130, a decision support server 125 and an interactive help system 200, building the knowledge database 130 by compiling information 400, analyzing the information 410 in the knowledge database 130 to develop the decision support server 124, establishing a connection 110 between the interactive help system 200 and the healthcare provider 120, healthcare manufacturer 310 and healthcare user 112. accessing the decision support server 124, and delivering education, training and consultation services via the interactive help system 200 as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 5. More preferably, the method can further comprise the step of collecting healthcare user data 320. According to a preferred embodiment, the method further comprises the step of providing feedback to the healthcare manufacturer 310 or the knowledge database 130 via the feedback loop, [OO53J According to another preferred embodiment, the delivering step further comprises the step of delivering education, training and consultation services 24/7. The consultation services can include medical illness, medical device, educational, policy and procedure, ICU evaluation and assessment, staffing, protocol development and decision support and medical services, including corporate medical services. In one example the disclosure can be used to connect remote clinical experts 138 to healthcare providers 120 to enable real-time assistance with active patient issues. More specifically, the system and method of the present disclosure can be used in the event that a caregiver such as a nurse notices a change in patient status as shown in Fig. 6; in the event that a caregiver such as a physician who is at home requests a consultation as shown in Fig. 7; or also in the event that a caregiver such as a physician in an emergency room (ER) requests a consultation as shown in Fig. 8,

10054J According to another preferred embodiment, the consultation could be initiated by a request from a healthcare provider 120 to monitor a healthcare user 112. In this case, the

2018233023 21 Sep 2018 resource center 100, located in a location remote from the healthcare user 112, would notify the healthcare provider 120 in the event of any noted anomaly that may affect the healthcare user

112, [0055J As seen in Fig, 9, also disclosed is a method for a healthcare manufacturer 310 to provide training and help services to a healthcare provider 120 or healthcare manufacturer employees comprising the step of establishing a connection between a clinical expert 138 and the healthcare provider 120 or healthcare manufacturer employee, wherein the clinical expert 138 provides education and training services.

[0056J Having now described a few embodiments of the disclosure, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that (he foregoing is merely illustrative and not limiting, having been presented by way of example only. Numerous modifications and other embodiments are within the scope of the disclosure and any equivalent thereto. Il can be appreciated that variations to the present disclosure would be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the present disclosure is intended to include those alternatives.

[0057] Further, since numerous modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the disclosure to the exact construction and operation illustrated and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents can be resorted to as falling within the scope of the disclosure.

2018233023 21 Sep 2018

Claims (15)

1. Whal is claimed is:

   1. A computer-implemented method for providing training and help services to a healthcare provider, a healthcare manufacturer or a healthcare user, comprising the steps of:

   providing a resource center that comprises a knowledge database, a decision support server and an interactive help system;

   building (he knowledge database by compiling medical information in the knowledge database, the medical information comprising a plurality of protocols for providing medical care with a healthcare product;

   analyzing the information in the knowledge database to develop the decision support server;

   via a computer network, establishing a connection between the interactive help system and the healthcare provider, healthcare manufacturer and/or healthcare user at one or more remote locations;

   accessing the decision support server;

   transmitting a selected portion of the medical information via the interactive help system to one or more of the healthcare provider, the healthcare manufacturer, and the healthcare user for training with the healthcare product;

   receiving feedback from the training with respect to the healthcare product; updating the medical information about the healthcare product stored in the knowledge database based on the feedback; and using the updated medical information in subsequent training,
2. 2. The method of claim 2. wherein the step of updating is performed via a feedback loop that couples the interactive help system to the knowledge database.
3. 3. The method of claim 3, further comprising a step of providing feedback to the healthcare manufacturer via the feedback loop.
4. 4. The method of claim 4, wherein the step of providing feedback to the healthcare

   2018233023 21 Sep 2018 manufacturer further comprises a step of increasing and enhancing the safety and efficacy of the healthcare product.
5. 5. The method of any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the step of building the knowledge database further comprises compiling medical information from at least one of healthcare manufacturer information, medical literature, reference material, or clinical information.
6. 6. The method of claim 6, further comprising a step of validating the information compiled into the knowledge database.
7. 7. The method of any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the connection is a remote connection.
8. 8. The method of any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the connection is a wireless telephone connection, dial-up telephone connection, wireless internet connection, cable connection or DSL connection.
9. 9. The method of any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the connection comprises at least one of a telephone system, a facsimile system, an electronic mail system, a video system, a video conferencing system, an intranet system, an internet system, a heads-up display or a robot.
10. 10. The method of claim 10, wherein (he robot comprises bi-directional interactive video conferencing.
11. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the robot is remotely controlled by a clinical expert.
12. 12. The method of any one of claims 2 to 12, wherein the transmitting step further comprises a step of transmitting education, training and consultation services 24/7.
13. 13. The method of any one of claims 2 to 13, further comprising the step of collecting healthcare user data.

    2018233023 21 Sep 2018
14. 14. A computcr-implcmcnlcd method for healthcare manufacturers to provide training and help services to healthcare providers or healthcare manufacturer employees substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
15. 15. A computer-implemented method for providing training and help services to a healthcare provider substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

    2018233023 21 Sep 2018

    Figure 1

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    WO 2(108/1)30249 _PCT/IJS2006/039268,

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    Figure 2

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    WO 2008/030249 -_M^^^_^^^__^^^_^_^_PCT/US2006/039268

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    300

    Figure 3

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    4/9

    WO 2008/030249

    PCT/US2006/039268

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    Robot (140)

    Healthcare user (112)

    Robot activated through Internet/ WAN (110) connection

    Initial consultation begins with resource center (100)

    Additional specialty consultants (142) may be engaged

    Consultation completed

    Robot (140) on LAN (260) (e.g. hospital intranet) and

    Internet/WAN access (110) (e.g. internet, virtual private network (VPN), point to point) to enable remote control. Robot (140) can be deployed to any destination with appropriate wireless access point.

    Healthcare provider (120), healthcare user (112) and resource center (100) connect via telephone or voice over internet protocol (VOIP).

    Robot (140) is activated through the Internet/WAN connection (110) (e.g. VPN, point to point, satellite)

    Telephone or video conferencing, whiteboard interaction may be utilized during consultation. Resource center (100) may have access lo healthcare user data (320) to review radiographs, lab data, etc. Data viewed electronically or through video conferencing.

    /^Resource center (100) or healthcare provider (120) may request simultaneous consultation from a specialty consultant (142) or other clinical expert (138). They may join into telephone or video conference.

    Consultation completed with the ability for healthcare user (112) to notify resource center (100) utilizing robot (140) technology for follow up. Request from healthcare provider (120) may be to monitor healthcare user data (320) electronically or through robot (140) technology for defined period of time, e.g., number of hours, days, etc

    Figure 5

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    WO 2008/030249

    Robot at nursing station in the ICU

    Nurse goes to robot and activates connection Io resource center through robotic technology

    Resource center healthcare provider answers call from nurse through robotic technology

    Resource center healthcare provider engages full audio visual teleconferencing through robotic technology

    Nurse explains reason for initiating call to resource center and reviews patient's current status

    Resource oenter healthcare provider accesses patient data through existing patient data system

    Resource center healthcare provider analyzes patient data received through existing patient data system

    Resource center healthcare provider may request to visually assess patient through robotic technology with audio and visual capabilities

    Resource center healthcare provider may additionally request to visually assess accessory medical devices utilized in patient's care through robotic technology with audio and visual capabilities

    Resource center healthcare provider may request to engage additional consultation through robotic technology by connecting with another remote resource center equipped with robotic technology with audio and visual capabilities or through telephone connection

    Resource center healthcare provider may request to engage additional consultation through robotic technology by connecting with another health care professional equipped with robotic technology with audio and visual capabilities or through telephone connection

    Resource center healthcare provider may request to engage additional consultation by connecting with another health care professional not equipped with robotic technology through telephone connection

    Robotic technology may follow patient through departments such as OR, PACU, Diagnostic Radiology. Diagnostic Intervention.

    Upon completion of consultation with robotic technology, nurse returns robot to docking station

    Figure 6

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    PCT/US2006/039268

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    WO 2008/030249

    Robot at nursing station in the ICU / Physician^^ at home requests consultation with Robotic '\technology/

    Physician notifies resource center 100 through phone connection or interactive help system 200 Resource center healthcare provider answers call from the physician through phone connection or interactive help system 200 Resource center healthcare notifies nurse in ICU through phone connection or robotic technology Resource center healthcare provider engages full audio visual teleconferencing through robotic technology Nurse explains reason for initiating call to resource center and reviews patient’s current status Resource center healthcare provider accesses patient data through existing patient data system Resource center healthcare provider analyzes patient data received through existing patient data system Resource center healthcare provider may request to visually assess patient through robotic technology with audio and visual capabilities Resource center healthcare provider may additionally request to visually assess accessory medical devices utilized in patient's care through robotic technology with audio and visual capabilities Resource center healthcare provider may request to engage additional consultation through robotic technology by connecting with another remote resource center equipped with robotic technology with audio and visual capabilities ot through telephone connection Resource center healthcare provider may request to engage additional consultation through robotic technology by connecting with another health care professional equipped with robotic technology with audio and visual capabilities or through telephone connection Resource center healthcare provider may request to engage additional consultation by connecting with another health care professional not equipped with robotic technology through telephone connection Robotic technology may follow patient through departments such as OR, PACU, Diagnostic Radiology, Diagnostic Intervention. Upon completion of consultation with robotic technology, nurse returns robot to docking station

    Figure 7

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    PCT/US2006/039268

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    WO 2008/030249

    Robot at nursing station in the ICU

    Physician In ER requests -consultation with robotic technology

    Physician in ER notifies resource center 100 through robotic technology or phone connection

    Physician in ER goes to robot and activates connection to resource center through robotic technology

    Resource center healthcare provider answers call from Physician in ER through robotic technology

    Resource center healthcare provider engages futl audio visual teleconferencing through robotic technology

    Physician in ER explains reason for initiating call to resource center and reviews patient's current status

    Resource center healthcare provider accesses patient data through existing patient data system

    Resource center healthcare provider analyzes patient data received through existing patient data system

    Resource center healthcare provider may request to visually assess patient through robotic technology with audio and visual capabilities

    Resource center healthcare provider may additionally request to visually assess accessory medical devices utilized in patient's care through robotic technology with audio and visual capabilities

    Resource center healthcare provider may request to engage additional consultation through robotic technology by connecting with another remote resource center equipped with robotic technology with audio and visual capabilities or through telephone connection

    Resource center healthcare provider may request to engage additional consultation through robotic technology by connecting with another health care professional equipped with robotic technology with audio and visual capabilities or through telephone connection

    Resource center healthcare provider may request to engage additional consultation by connecting with another health care professional not equipped with robotic technology through telephone connection

    Robotic technology may follow patient through departments such as OR, PACU, Diagnostic Radiology, Diagnostic Intervention.

    Upon completion of consultation with robotic technology, nurse returns robot to docking station

    Figure 8

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    PCT/US2006/039268

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    Figure 9

    9/9