JP2002297781A - Home medical appliance support system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a patient using a home medical appliance and a family of the patient to easily understand a reply to an inquiry about the home medical appliance and a solution of a trouble by an explanation from a remote place. SOLUTION: A transmitter 55 of the home medical appliance explaining device 5 outputs voice of an explainer of the home medical appliance 6 to a processing device 52 as voice data. A video camera 53 picks up an image of the home medical appliance 6 as a moving image, and outputs the picked up moving image to the processing device 52 as moving image data. The processing device synchronizes the voice data and the moving image data, and gives that to a sending/receiving device 51. The sending/receiving device 51 sends the voice data and the moving image data to a television communicating device 3 in an at-home patient through a private branch exchanger 4 and the communication network 2. The television communicating device 3 outputs the received voice data from a receiver 36 as voice, and indicates the moving image data on a television monitor as a moving image.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a method of responding to inquiries about home medical devices from home medical device users, troubles, etc., and explaining the answers, solutions, etc. to users of home medical devices. The present invention relates to a home medical device support system and a home medical device support device to be supported. Also,
The present invention relates to a home medical device support method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Home medical devices are sometimes provided to home patients who receive treatment or medical treatment at home. For example, an oxygen concentrator that feeds concentrated oxygen to a tube or nasal mask attached to the patient's nose, and a positive-pressure ventilator that sends positive-pressure air to the nasal mask to assist home patient breathing. An auxiliary device, an ultrasonic fracture treatment device for treating a fracture by ultrasonic waves, a home artificial dialysis device for performing artificial dialysis, and the like.

[0003] Such home medical devices are used in patients' homes where there are no doctors, nurses, device specialists, sales representatives of home medical devices, and the like. For this reason, a support center that responds to unclear points regarding handling methods and equipment troubles is set up 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The support center can be contacted by telephone.

[0004]

However, in many cases, it is not possible to provide a sufficient explanation for inquiries and troubles only by responding to the voice of the telephone. Often, the patient or family member who is inquiring does not fully understand the explanation.

[0005] In particular, at-home patients may be poor at machines because of their age, etc. In this case, even if the name of the part (part) of the home medical device is explained, the part (part) May not be specified (recognized). In this case, the description using the names of the device parts may not be meaningful. In addition, when the visual acuity is deteriorated, it may not be possible to recognize the description provided on the home medical device or the display on the liquid crystal display panel.

[0006] Conventionally, when a solution cannot be made by telephone alone, a sales representative or a nurse visits a home patient's home, answers an inquiry, explains a solution to a trouble, and so on. The problem was solved by operating home medical equipment. For this reason, the home patient could not use the home medical device during that time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and has as its object to provide a response to an inquiry about a home medical device and a solution to a problem to a patient or a family member using the home medical device. Is to be easily understood even from a remote explanation.

[0008]

To achieve the above object, a home medical device support system according to the present invention is a home medical device support system having a home medical device explanation device and a television communication device connected to a communication network. The home medical device explanation device picks up the voice of the person in charge of explaining the home medical device, outputs the voice as voice data, and all or one of the home medical device or its model. A first imaging unit that captures an image of the unit as a moving image and outputs the captured moving image as moving image data; audio data from the first audio input unit; and moving image data from the first imaging unit And a first transmitting means for transmitting the signal to the television communication device via the communication network in synchronization with the first communication device. First receiving means for receiving voice data and moving image data transmitted by the transmitting means via the communication network, and first voice output for outputting voice data received by the first receiving means as voice Means, and first display means for displaying the moving image data received by the first receiving means as a moving image;
It has.

A home medical device explanation device according to the present invention is a home medical device explanation device connected to a communication network and used for explaining a home medical device. Voice input means for picking up and outputting the voice as voice data; imaging means for capturing all or part of the home medical device or its model as a moving image and outputting the captured moving image as moving image data; Transmitting means for synchronizing the voice data of the voice input means and the moving image data of the imaging means and transmitting the data to the communication network.

[0010]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a home medical device support system according to the present invention. The home medical instrument support systems, home medical instrument support apparatus 1 and the m connected to the communication network 2 (m is a positive integer) and a television communication apparatus 3 ₁ to 3 _m in.

The communication network 2 is a wireless or wired communication network capable of communicating voice and moving images. The communication network 2 is constituted by a mobile communication network capable of communicating voice and moving images such as cdma2000, W-CDMA, etc. in the case of wireless communication.
N), ADSL, an optical communication network, and the like. Further, the communication network 2 may be a communication network in which such a wireless communication network and a wired communication network are combined.

Television communication devices 3 _{1 to} 3 _m (hereinafter collectively referred to as “television communication device 3”) are installed in each patient's home using home medical equipment, and include a patient, a family who cares for the patient (hereinafter, “family”). Patients etc.)).

The television communication device 3 is composed of, for example, a videophone, a mobile phone equipped with a video camera, or the like. 3
6 and an input device 37.

The transmitting and receiving device 31 transmits and receives voice and moving image data to and from the home medical device support device 1 via the communication network 2 under the control of the processing device 32. The video camera 33 is constituted by, for example, a CCD camera, and supplies a captured moving image to the processing device 32 as moving image data under the control of the processing device 32. The television monitor 34 displays the moving image data transmitted from the home medical device support device 1 via the communication network 2 as a two-dimensional image on a monitor screen under the control of the processing device 32.

The transmitter 35 is controlled by the processor 32 under the control of
The voice is given to the processing device 32 as voice data (voice signal). The receiver 36 outputs, under the control of the processing device 32, voice data transmitted from the home medical device support device 1 via the communication network 2 as voice.

The input device 37 includes, for example, a button for a hook and a button for inputting a dial number in the case of a videophone, and receives an instruction from a user (ie, a patient or the like) under the control of the processing device 32. 32.

The processing device 32 includes a transmitting / receiving device 31, a video camera 33, a television monitor 34, a transmitter 35, and a receiver 3.
6, and the input device 37 are controlled. Processing device 3
2 is a communication network 2 based on an identifier for specifying a communication partner such as a telephone number input from the input device 37.
Above, the TV communication device 3 and the home medical device support device 1
Set up a communication line (call) between.

The processing device 32 receives the voice data and the moving image data transmitted from the home medical device support device 1 to the transmitting / receiving device 31 via the communication network 1, and transmits the voice data to the receiver 36 and the moving image data. Are distributed to and provided to the television monitor 34, respectively.
On the other hand, the processing device 32 synchronizes the sound data from the transmitter 35 and the moving image data from the video camera 33 and provides the data to the transmitting and receiving device 31.

The home medical device support device 1 is installed at a home medical device support center. This home medical device support apparatus 1 has 4, n private branch exchanges (n is a positive integer).
Home medical equipment described apparatus 5 ₁ to 5 _n (hereinafter collectively referred to as "home medical devices described device 5 '.), And the n-home medical devices 6 ₁ to 6 _n (hereinafter collectively referred to as" home care equipment 6 " .).

The private branch exchange 4 is connected to the home medical device support device 1 via the communication network 2 from the television communication device 3.
Is connected to the home medical device explanation device 5 that is not in a call, and communication data (voice data and moving image) between the connected home medical device explanation device 5 and the television communication device 3 is connected. Data) exchange processing.

Each of the home medical device explanation devices 5 includes
24 instructors (operators, sales staff, nurses, etc.) who can respond to inquiries, troubles, etc. to the home medical device 6 and explain handling methods, solutions, etc.
It is on standby on a 365-day shift basis.

The home medical device explanation device 5 comprises a transmitting / receiving device 5
1, a processing device 52, a video camera 53, a television monitor (television receiver) 54, a transmitter 55, a receiver 56, and an input device 57.

The transmission / reception device 51 is controlled by the processing device 52 via the private branch exchange 4 and the communication network 2.
It transmits and receives audio and moving image data to and from the television communication device 3. The video camera 53 is composed of, for example, a CCD camera, and supplies a captured moving image as moving image data to the processing device 52 under the control of the processing device 52.
The TV monitor 54 displays the moving image data transmitted from the TV communication device 3 via the communication network 2 and the private branch exchange 4 as a two-dimensional image on a monitor screen under the control of the processing device 52.

The transmitter 55 is controlled by the processor 52 under the control of the processor 52.
The voice is given to the processing device 52 as voice data (voice signal). Under the control of the processing device 52, the receiver 56 transmits the communication network 2 and the private branch exchange 4 from the video telephone device 3.
The audio data transmitted via the terminal is output as audio.

The input device 57 includes a hook button, a dial number input button, and the like, and inputs an instruction of a person in charge of explanation to the processing device 52 under the control of the processing device 52.

The processing device 52 includes a transmitting / receiving device 51, a video camera 53, a television monitor 54, a transmitter 55, and a receiver 5.
6, and the input device 57 are controlled. Also, the processing device 5
2 is a communication network between the home medical device explanation device 5 (home medical device support device 1) and the television communication device 3 based on an identifier for specifying a communication destination such as a telephone number input from the input device 57. 2. A communication line (call) is set up on 2.

Further, the processing device 52 transmits audio data and moving image data transmitted from the television communication device 3 via the communication network 1 and the private branch exchange 4 and supplied from the transmission / reception device 51, the audio data to the receiver 56, and the moving image The image data is distributed to the television monitor 54 and given. On the other hand, the processing device 52 synchronizes the audio data from the transmitter 55 and the moving image data from the video camera 53 and gives the data to the transmitting and receiving device 51.

The video camera 53 is preferably a handy type in consideration of the convenience of the person in charge of explanation. The receiver 56 is a headphone type,
The transmitter 55 is preferably a microphone type attached to a headphone type receiver 56.

The home medical device 6 is used by each person in charge of explanation to explain the home medical device 6. The home medical device 6 includes all types of home medical devices (for example, oxygen concentrators, artificial respiratory assist devices (eg, oxygen concentrators) provided to patients in order to support various home medical devices used by patients and the like. Positive pressure type is included.), Ultrasonic fracture treatment equipment, home artificial dialysis equipment, etc.) are prepared in advance. It should be noted that the home medical device 6 may be a model or a model instead of the real product as long as it can explain the handling method and the solution to the trouble.

When the patient or the like has a question or trouble about the home medical equipment used by himself / herself, he / she makes a telephone call to the home medical equipment support apparatus (support center) 1 using the television communication apparatus 3. Thereby, for example, a connection request signal is transmitted from the transmission / reception device 31 of the television communication device 3 to the private branch exchange 4 via the communication network 2.

When the private branch exchange 4 receives the connection request signal, it selects one of the home medical device explanation devices 5 that is not currently in a call and sounds a ringing tone to it. This ringing tone is output from a speaker or the like (not shown) of the home medical device explanation device 5.

When the person in charge responds to this call, a communication line is set between the television communication device 3 and the home medical device explanation device 5 via the communication network 1 and the private branch exchange 4. With this communication line, the television communication device 3
The communication using the audio data and the moving image data is started between the device and the home medical device explanation device 5.

The patient or the like informs the person in charge of the explanation about the home medical device used by the patient, a trouble or the like by using both a voice and a moving image or only the voice. The sound is
The data is supplied from the transmitter 35 to the processing device 32 as audio data. The moving image is provided from the video camera 33 to the processing device 32 as moving image data. The processing device 32
The audio data and the moving image data are synchronized and given to the transmission / reception device 31.

The transmission / reception device 31 transmits the audio data and the moving image data (hereinafter, both of which are collectively referred to as “communication data”) provided from the processing device 31 to the communication network 2. The transmitted communication data is received by the transmission / reception device 51 via the private branch exchange 4. The transmitting / receiving device 51
The received communication data is provided to the processing device 52.

The processing unit 52 gives the voice data of the communication data to the receiver 56. As a result, the voice picked up by the transmitter 35 of the television communication device 3 is transferred to the receiver 56.
Output from Further, the processing device 52 gives the moving image data of the communication data to the television monitor 54. Thereby, the moving image captured by the video camera 33 of the television communication device 3 is displayed on the television monitor 54.

On the other hand, in response to the telephone call from the patient or the like, the person in charge of the explanation uses the video camera 53 to image the home medical device 6 used by the patient while using the transmitter 55 to
The usage and the solution of the trouble will be explained by voice.

The moving image picked up by the video camera 53 is given to the processing device 52 as moving image data, and the sound picked up by the transmitter 55 is given as sound data. The processing device 52 synchronizes the moving image data and the audio data and provides the data to the transmitting / receiving device 51. Transmitting / receiving device 51
Uses both of these data as communication data,
Then, the data is transmitted to the transmission / reception device 31 of the television communication device 3 via the communication network 2. The transmission / reception device 31 gives the received communication data to the processing device 32.

The processing device 32 gives the voice data of the communication data to the receiver 36. Thereby, the voice picked up by the transmitter 55 of the home medical device explanation device 5 is output from the receiver 36. Further, the processing device 32 gives the moving image data of the communication data to the television monitor 34. Thus, the moving image captured by the video camera 53 of the home medical device explanation device 5 is displayed on the television monitor 34.

For example, when there is a possibility that the power plug of the home medical device 6 is not inserted into the outlet, the person in charge of the explanation inserts the power plug of the home medical device 6 and inserts the power plug into the outlet. The insertion will be described by sound while the video camera 53 captures an image of the situation. The patient or the like can easily know which part of the home medical device 6 the power plug is attached to by listening to the audio description from the receiver 36 while watching the power plug displayed on the television monitor 34. ,
In addition, the user can easily know the insertion into the outlet. As a result, questions or troubles can be solved easily in a short time.

For example, in response to an inquiry that the ultrasonic fracture treatment device does not operate, the internal battery (battery or the like) of the ultrasonic fracture treatment device may be exhausted. The consumption of the built-in battery may be displayed on a liquid crystal display provided in the ultrasonic fracture treatment device.

In such a case, the person in charge of explanation first
The video camera 53 captures an image of the liquid crystal display section provided in the ultrasonic fracture treatment device, and instructs the patient or the like to check the liquid crystal display section. Patients
While watching the liquid crystal display section displayed on the TV monitor 34,
By listening to the instructions output from the receiver 36, even if the person who does not know the meaning of the term "liquid crystal display unit",
The liquid crystal display can be easily specified and confirmed.

While a person in charge of explanation captures a message or icon displayed on the liquid crystal display indicating the built-in battery consumption by the video camera 53, he / she voices that the message or icon is a sign of battery consumption. By explaining, the patient or the like can easily understand the meaning of the message or the icon displayed on the liquid crystal display unit.

Further, it may be difficult to confirm the display on the liquid crystal display section of a patient or the like who has reduced visual acuity. In such a case, the patient or the like uses the video camera 33 to take an image of the liquid crystal display (the liquid crystal display of the ultrasonic fracture treatment device on the patient side), and the person in charge of the explanation displays the image on the television monitor 54. By looking at the displayed liquid crystal display (the liquid crystal display of the ultrasonic fracture treatment device on the patient side), it is also possible to confirm / determine whether the built-in battery is exhausted.

In response to an inquiry about the operation method of the operation panel of the home medical device, the operation method can be easily explained by explaining the operation method by voice while imaging the operation panel. Can be easily understood.

In the case of an oxygen concentrator or a respiratory assist device, since the nasal mask attached to the patient's nose is not fitted to the nose, the air supplied to the nasal mask or the patient's nose is not fitted. There are inquiries such as the exhalation leaking from the nasal mask. In response to this inquiry, the patient and the like explained by sound, together with the video, how to fit and how to prevent air leakage.
Easy to understand and implement methods to prevent air leaks.

As described above, according to the home medical device support system according to the present invention, the answer to the inquiry about the home medical device can be explained simply and in an easy-to-understand manner. Can be easily understood. In particular, the combined use of voice and moving images facilitates explanation and understanding of patients with reduced visual acuity and hearing.

It is to be noted that either or either of the processing devices 32 and 52 may be constituted by a program describing the processing of the above-described processing device 32 (52) and a CPU or a microcomputer executing the program. It may be configured as a hardware circuit that executes the above-described processing. The program is
It may be provided by being recorded (stored) on a recording medium (floppy disk, hard disk, semiconductor memory, or the like).

Further, the television communication device 3 includes a transmitter 35
Alternatively, the video camera 33 may be omitted, and the transmission / reception device 31, the processing device 32, the television monitor 34, and the receiver 36 may be used. In this case, the inquiry from the patient or the like will be made by another telephone, facsimile or the like (not shown).

Further, the communication network 2 may be the Internet. In this case, the private branch exchange 4 can be constituted by a server.

(Appendix 1) A home medical device support system having a home medical device explanation device and a television communication device connected to a communication network, wherein the home medical device explanation device is a voice of a person in charge of explaining the home medical device. First audio input means for picking up the audio and outputting the audio as audio data, and capturing all or a part of the home medical device or its model as a moving image, and outputting the captured moving image as moving image data. A first imaging unit, and a first transmitting unit that synchronizes audio data from the first audio input unit and moving image data from the first imaging unit to the television communication device via the communication network. Transmission means, and wherein the television communication apparatus is configured to transmit the audio data and the moving image transmitted by the first transmission means via the communication network. First receiving means for receiving data, first audio output means for outputting the audio data received by the first receiving means as audio, and moving image data received by the first receiving means. A home medical device support system, comprising: first display means for displaying a moving image.

(Supplementary Note 2) In the supplementary note 1, the television communication device may include a second voice input unit that picks up a voice of a person who is explained about the home medical device and outputs the voice as voice data; A second transmission unit for transmitting voice data from the voice input unit to the home medical device explanation device via the communication network. A second receiving unit that receives the audio data transmitted via the communication network; and a second audio output unit that outputs the audio data received by the second receiving unit as audio. Yes, home medical device support system.

(Supplementary Note 3) In Supplementary Note 2, the television communication device may further include a second imaging unit that captures a moving image and outputs the captured moving image as moving image data,
The second transmitting unit synchronizes the moving image data from the second imaging unit with the audio data from the second audio input unit, and transmits the moving image data to the home medical device explanation device via the communication network. , The second receiving means, the second receiving means
The moving image data transmitted through the communication network by the transmitting means is further received, and the home medical device explanation device displays the moving image data received by the second receiving means as a moving image. A home medical device support system, further comprising a display means of:

(Supplementary Note 4) In any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 3, the home medical device or a part of the model thereof, which is imaged by the first imaging means, may be a power plug of the home medical device, An operation panel provided on the medical device for operating the home medical device, a display unit provided on the home medical device for displaying a state of the home medical device, or an oxygen concentrator or artificial A home medical device support system, which is at least one of a nasal mask provided on a respiratory assist device.

(Supplementary Note 5) A home medical device explanation device connected to a communication network and used for explaining a home medical device, which picks up a voice of a person in charge of explaining the home medical device and converts the voice as voice data. Voice input means for outputting, all or part of the home medical device or a model thereof as a moving image, and imaging means for outputting the captured moving image as moving image data; A transmission unit for synchronizing the moving image data of the imaging unit and transmitting the moving image data to the communication network.

(Supplementary Note 6) A home medical device support method in a home medical device support system having a home medical device description device and a television communication device connected to a communication network, wherein the home medical device description device is a home medical device. The voice of the person in charge of the explanation is picked up, the voice is converted into voice data, and all or a part of the home medical device or its model is captured as a moving image and converted into moving image data. Synchronizes with the moving image data and transmits to the television communication device via the communication network, the television communication device receives the transmitted audio data and the moving image data, and converts the received audio data into audio. And displaying the received moving image data as a moving image.

(Supplementary Note 7) A home medical device explanation method executed by a home medical device explanation device connected to a communication network and used for explaining a home medical device, wherein a speech of a person in charge of explaining the home medical device is provided. Picking up, converting the voice into voice data, capturing all or a part of the home medical device or its model as a moving image, converting the captured moving image into moving image data, and obtaining the voice data and the moving image. Synchronize the data and send it to the communication network,
Home medical device explanation method.

(Supplementary Note 8) A computer, which is connected to a communication network and includes voice input means for inputting voice and image capturing means for inputting a moving image, controls the voice input means to provide a person in charge of explaining the home medical device. Converting the voice of the home medical device or a model of the whole or a part of the moving image into moving image data by controlling the imaging means; And transmitting the moving image data to the communication network in synchronization with the moving image data.

[0058]

According to the present invention, a patient or his / her family using a home medical device can easily understand a response to an inquiry about the home medical device, a solution to a trouble, and the like even by remote explanation. it can. In addition, the person in charge of explaining the home medical device that responds to inquiries, troubles, and the like can quickly and easily convey the answer to the patient or the like so that the patient can understand it.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a home medical device support system according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 home medical instrument support apparatus 2 communication network 3 ₁ to 3 _m television communication device 4 PBX 5 ₁ to 5 _n home medical devices described device 31, 51 receiving apparatus 32, 52 processor 33, 53 video cameras 34 and 54 TV monitor (television receiver) 35, 55 a transmitter 36, 56 receiver 6 ₁ to 6 _n-home medical equipment

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A home medical device support system having a home medical device explanation device and a television communication device connected to a communication network, wherein the home medical device explanation device picks up a voice of a person in charge of explaining the home medical device. A first voice input unit for outputting the voice as voice data, a first voice input unit for capturing all or a part of the home medical device or its model as a moving image, and outputting the captured moving image as moving image data. And a first transmission for synchronizing audio data from the first audio input unit and moving image data from the first imaging unit to the television communication device via the communication network. Means for receiving the audio data and the moving image data transmitted by the first transmitting means via the communication network. First receiving means for transmitting, receiving the sound data received by the first receiving means as sound, outputting the sound data, and transmitting the moving image data received by the first receiving means to a moving image. And a first display means for displaying as a home medical device. 2. A home medical device explanation device connected to a communication network and used for explaining a home medical device, which picks up a voice of a person in charge of explaining the home medical device and outputs the voice as voice data. Voice input means, imaging means for capturing all or a part of the home medical device or a model thereof as a moving image, and outputting the captured moving image as moving image data, voice data of the voice input means, and the imaging Transmitting means for synchronizing the moving image data of the means and transmitting the data to the communication network.