JP2000157497A - Communication system and method for medical information - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a communication system for medical information, which makes it possible to send precise biological information to a medical institution without attaching it on a patient's body all the time. SOLUTION: A patient carries portable terminals T1, T2, and T3 as a medical communication device. This portable terminal T1 (T2 and T3 have the same structures as T1) has an electrode E for detecting the wave of electrocardiogram. When the patient feels uneasy such as a palpitation of the heart, by placing the electrode E of the portable terminal T1 on the chest (near the upper part of the heart), the wave of electrocardiogram is detected. At the portable terminal T1, this detection signal is judged whether it meets a required condition, and the detection signal that meets the required condition is extracted. The extracted detection signal is transmitted from the portable terminal T1 to a center device 4 at a medical institution through a public line network (or exclusive line). At the center device 4, a medical diagnosis is done according to the transmitted detection signal. The result of this diagnosis is sent back to the transmitter, i.e., the portable terminal T1. Consequently, the patient is able to know the result of the diagnosis.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a medical information communication system using a portable communication device, and more particularly to an improvement in the efficiency of collecting biological information for performing a medical diagnosis, prompt notification of a diagnosis result, and the like. Things.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventional medical information communication systems include:
2. Description of the Related Art A sensor for detecting biological information such as a pulse and a blood pressure is always attached to a patient's body. The biological information detected by the sensor is provided to a portable wireless telephone connected to the sensor. The portable wireless telephone periodically connects to a center device of a medical institution by telephone and transmits biological information.

[0003] The center device of a medical institution grasps the patient's condition based on the received biometric information and, when it is determined that the situation is an emergency or a dangerous state, sends an emergency message to the patient's portable radio telephone. Send

[0004] In this way, it is possible to monitor a patient who is away from a medical institution. In particular, since the biological information is constantly monitored, a change in the biological information can be reliably grasped, and this has a great effect on severe patients.

[0005]

However, the above-mentioned conventional medical information communication system has the following problems.

[0006] Since the sensor for detecting biological information is always attached to the patient's body, there is a possibility that the patient may feel uncomfortable due to the attachment. Especially in mild patients who do not need to constantly monitor their biological information,
Even more so.

[0007] Further, when the patient exercises or touches the sensor mounting portion, there is a possibility that an emergency may be erroneously determined due to a change in biological information.

Further, since the detection by the sensor and the periodic transmission to the medical institution are always performed, there is a problem that the power consumption of the portable radiotelephone is intense and the battery runs out immediately.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems and provides a medical information communication system which does not need to be constantly worn on a patient's body and can send accurate biological information to a medical institution. The purpose is to do.

[0010]

According to the medical information communication system of the first aspect and the medical information communication method of the second aspect, a medical information communication apparatus on a patient side detects biological information and outputs a detection signal. Generating, extracting the feature of the detection signal, determining whether the detection signal contains biological information worthy of analysis based on the extracted feature, and notifying the operator of the determination result, and determining the determination result. Based on, to extract the detection signal corresponding to the biological information worthy of analysis, and to extract the extracted detection signal and specific information identifying the patient to the center device of the medical institution, in the center device of the medical institution, The specific information is recorded in association with a patient registered in advance, and the detection signal and the specific information transmitted from the medical information communication device are received, and the specific information is received. Based on, it acquires a corresponding patient, the detection signal, is characterized in that so as to record in association with the patient identified.

As described above, in the medical information communication device on the patient side, it is determined whether or not the detection signal contains biological information that is worthy of analysis, and the determination result is reported to the operator. Therefore, even if a sensor or the like for detecting biological information is not always attached to the patient's body but is attached only at the time of measurement, the operator correctly attaches the sensor or the like based on the notified determination result. And an accurate detection signal can be obtained.

Further, based on the determination result, a detection signal corresponding to biological information worthy of analysis is extracted, and the extracted detection signal is transmitted to a center device of a medical institution. Therefore, even if a sensor or the like is mounted only at the time of measurement, a detectable analysis signal can be transmitted to the medical institution.

[0013] In the center device of the medical institution, the specific information is recorded in association with a pre-registered patient, and based on the specific information sent from the medical information communication device, the corresponding patient is recorded. And records the detection signal in association with the patient. Therefore, it becomes easy for the medical institution to deal with the detection signal to be subjected to medical diagnosis and the patient.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the medical information communication device or the medical information acquisition device detects that a predetermined amount of the detection signal has been stored in the storage device, and notifies the operator of the detection signal. And a transmission start command input means for giving a transmission start command to the transmission means. Therefore, the operator can perform an operation of starting transmission upon receiving the notification of the completion of storage.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the medical information communication device or the medical information acquisition device detects that a predetermined amount of the detection signal has been stored in the storage means, and issues a command to transmit the detection signal stored in the storage means. It has control means. Therefore, transmission can be automatically performed upon completion of storage of the detection signal.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the medical information communication device or the medical information acquisition device further includes a notifying unit for notifying the detection signal that the detection signal does not include biological information worthy of analysis. It is characterized by. Therefore, the operator can correctly wear the detection means according to the notification from the notification means.

The center device according to a fourteenth aspect is characterized in that the center device is provided with a transmission means for transmitting a medical diagnosis result to the medical information communication device of the transmission source. Therefore, the patient can quickly know the medical diagnosis result corresponding to the transmitted detection signal.

[0018] "Patient" refers to a person who wishes to receive a diagnosis, and not only a person having any disease,
It is a concept that includes healthy people.

"Biological information detecting means" means a means for outputting a detection signal of biological information, not only means having a portion that comes into contact with a human body such as a contact electrode, but also a human body such as an infrared sensor. This is a concept that includes means that does not have a part. In the embodiment, the electrodes E1, E2, E3 and the operational amplifier 40 correspond to a biological information detecting unit.

"Characteristic extracting means" refers to means for extracting a characteristic of a detection signal, and in the embodiment, corresponds to the differentiator 42 and the cycle measuring circuit 44 in FIG.

The "extracting means" refers to a means for extracting a detection signal worthy of analysis. In the embodiment, steps S2, S3, and S5 in FIG. 8 and steps S2 and S5 in FIG.
3, S5 and steps S2, S3, S5 in FIG. 11 correspond to this. Also, "detection signal worthy of analysis"
A detection signal meaningful enough to be analyzed or diagnosed by a doctor or the like. In the embodiment, a portion α in FIG. 6A is a detection signal worthy of analysis, and a portion β in FIG. 6A is a detection signal not worthy of analysis. is there. Further, the whole of FIG. 6E (that is, including the γ portion) is a detection signal worthy of analysis.

"Notification means" means that the operator can hear,
Means for providing notification by visual sense, touch, etc. In the embodiment, the buzzer 108, the speaker 104, the LCD 1
10 corresponds to this.

The "transmitting means" of the medical information communication apparatus means at least means for transmitting a detection signal, and corresponds to the communication control section 62 in the embodiment.

[0024] The "patient information storage section" refers to a section storing at least patient specific information. In the embodiment, the patient master 506 corresponds to this.

"Connection information" refers to information necessary for establishing communication with a terminal device carried by a patient, and is a concept including a telephone number, a password, login information, and the like. In the embodiment, the terminal telephone number in FIG. 18 corresponds to this.

The "receiving means" of the center device means at least means for receiving a detection signal, and corresponds to the communication control section 530 in the embodiment.

The "patient specifying means" corresponds to step S53 in FIG. 16 in the embodiment.

The "medical information recording means" corresponds to step S54 in FIG. 16 in the embodiment.

The "transmitting means" of the center device means at least means for transmitting a reception signal, and corresponds to the communication control section 530 in the embodiment.

The "connection means" means means for at least electrically connecting the medical information acquisition device to the communication device. In the embodiment, the connector 109 in FIG. 13 corresponds to this.

In the embodiment, the "storage completion notifying means" is a buzzer 1 sounded in step S7 of FIG.
08 corresponds to this.

In the embodiment, the "transmission start command input means" corresponds to the transmission button 116.

The "determining means" refers to means for determining whether or not the detected signal contains biological information worthy of analysis. In the embodiment, steps S2 and S3 in FIG.
Steps S2 and S3 in FIG. 10 and steps S2 and S3 in FIG. 11 correspond to this. Further, the comparator 7 shown in FIG.
4 also corresponds to this.

The term "medical institution" is a concept that includes not only an institution such as a hospital having a doctor or the like who analyzes or diagnoses a detection signal, but also an institution that receives a detection signal for the institution.

"Recording medium on which the program is recorded"
RO that records a program executable by the CPU
M, RAM, hard disk, flexible disk,
Refers to a recording medium such as a CD-ROM. The programs include not only those that can be directly executed by the CPU but also those that need to be installed once, those that are compressed, and those that are encrypted.

[0036]

FIG. 1 shows an overall schematic configuration of a medical information communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The patient has a mobile terminal T which is a medical communication device.
I carry 1, T2, T3. This mobile terminal T1 (T
2, and T3 have the same configuration) includes an electrode E for detecting an electrocardiogram waveform. When the patient feels uneasy about the heart palpitations, the electrocardiogram waveform is detected by applying the electrode E of the portable terminal T1 to the chest (near the upper part of the heart). In the mobile terminal T1, it is determined whether the detection signal satisfies a predetermined condition, and a detection signal satisfying the predetermined condition is extracted.

The extracted detection signal is sent from the portable terminal T1 to the center device 4 of the medical institution via the public line network (or dedicated line) 2. The center device 4 performs medical diagnosis based on the sent detection signal. This diagnosis result is sent back to the transmission source portable terminal T1. Thereby, the patient can know the diagnosis result.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the portable terminal T and the center device 4. The biological information detecting means 10 of the mobile terminal T detects biological information such as an electrocardiogram waveform. The feature extracting means 16 performs a process of extracting a feature of the detection signal,
The extracted features are given to the extracting means 12. Extraction means 12
Determines whether the biological information satisfies a predetermined condition based on the characteristic, and supplies a detection signal that satisfies the predetermined condition to the transmitting unit 14. The transmitting unit 14 transmits the given detection signal and the specific information for specifying the patient to the center device 4. Therefore,
A detection signal that satisfies a predetermined condition is sent to the center device 4. In other words, efficient communication can be performed while avoiding transmission of an undesired detection signal (detection signal not worthy of analysis) due to improper mounting of the biological information detecting means 10 or the like.

The notifying means 18 notifies the operator of the determination result of the extracting means 12 by sound or characters. This allows the operator to determine whether or not the biological information detecting means 10 has been correctly mounted on the measurement site and whether the detection signal has been correctly obtained.

The receiving means 22 of the center device 4 receives the detection signal and the specific information sent from the terminal device T. The patient information storage unit 36 previously stores identification information of the patient and connection information to the medical information communication device carried by the patient in association with the patient registered in the system. The patient identification unit 28 identifies the source patient by referring to the patient information storage unit 36 based on the received identification information.

The medical information recording means 24 records the transmitted detection signal in association with the specified patient.

The patient specifying means 28 sends a reception signal to the transmitting means 30 if the patient is successfully specified, that is, if the transmitting source patient is a registered patient. Transmission means 3
0 transmits the given reception signal to the terminal device T.

In the terminal device T, this is received by the receiving means 20 and the display means 17 and the speaker 19 notify that the reception has been performed.

On the other hand, in the center device 4, the received detection signal is displayed or printed by the output means 26. The doctor sees this and makes a diagnosis, and inputs a medical diagnosis result from the input means 34. The input medical diagnosis result is recorded by the medical diagnosis result recording means 32 and is given to the transmission means 30. The transmitting unit 30 transmits the medical diagnosis result to the terminal device T.

In the terminal device T, this is received by the receiving means 20, and the medical diagnosis result can be known through the display means 17 and the speaker 19. For example, a doctor's voice prompts you to "Go to the nearest medical facility immediately" or "Please go to a medical facility in a few days and see it."
Medical diagnosis results such as "don't worry" can be obtained. Further, these medical diagnosis results may be obtained by text mail from a doctor.

The biological information can be measured as long as it can be subjected to a non-invasive test, such as blood pressure, pulse, body temperature, sweating, and electrocardiogram waveform.

FIG. 3 shows the appearance of the terminal device T according to an embodiment in the case of measuring an electrocardiogram waveform (a weak current associated with cardiac activity). FIG. 3A shows the front surface, and FIG. 3B shows the back surface. In FIG. 3A, an antenna 102 is provided at an upper end of the housing 100. Speaker 104 and microphone 10
Reference numeral 6 is for making a call. In addition, a buzzer 108 for performing notification is provided. The buzzer 108 may be shared with the speaker 104. Below the speaker 104, a liquid crystal display (LCD) 110 is provided. The operation button 112 is used when used as a normal telephone. Measurement start button 114
Is used when starting the measurement of the electrocardiogram waveform. The transmission button 116 is used to transmit a detection signal as a measurement result. Note that, inside the housing 100, a telephone unit for realizing a function as a mobile phone and a measurement unit for measuring biological information are provided.

As shown in FIG. 3B, 3
Two electrodes E1, E2, E3 are provided. At the time of measurement, as shown in FIG. 5, these three electrodes E1, E2,
Apply directly to skin with E3 back side down. As shown in the figure, it is preferable to apply three electrodes obliquely on the upper part of the heart 39 to obtain an effective electrocardiogram waveform.

FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of the telephone unit 200 and the measuring unit 300 provided inside the housing 100. Electrode E
1 is to the + input of operational amplifier 40, electrode E2 is to ground,
The electrode E3 is connected to the negative input. Although the measurement can be performed only with the electrodes E1 and E3, the provision of the electrode E2 connected to the ground makes it possible to perform accurate measurement with less influence of noise.

FIG. 6A shows a case where an electrocardiogram waveform is measured.
4 shows an example of an output (detection signal) of the operational amplifier 40. The portion of α is a state where accurate measurement is performed, and the portion of β is a state where accurate measurement is not performed due to a defective mounting state or the like. Since the part β cannot be diagnosed, it is useless to transmit it to the center device of the medical institution. Therefore, in the embodiment of FIG.
Remove the part β, take out the part α worthy of diagnosis,
The data is transmitted to the center device.

The detection signal from the operational amplifier 40 is differentiated by a differentiator 42. FIG. 6B shows this differential waveform. The rising and falling edges of the detection signal can be clarified by the differential waveform, and the fluctuation of the reference level in the detection signal can be canceled.

The differentiated waveform from the differentiator 42 is given to a period measuring circuit 44. The cycle measuring circuit 44, for example,
As shown in FIG. 7, a threshold circuit 44a and a timer 44b
Composed of In the threshold circuit 44a,
The differential waveform is cut by the threshold value Th. This removes changes that are smaller than current changes due to cardiac activity. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6C, a signal reflecting the rising of the electrocardiogram waveform is obtained in the portion α.

The timer circuit 44b receives the signal of FIG. 6C and sequentially outputs the periods t1, t2,... Of the signal as period data (digital data). That is, it is possible to obtain a cycle of a steep rising portion of the detection signal.

The CPU 46 determines the suitability of the detection signal based on the cycle data according to the program recorded in the memory 50. That is, in this embodiment, the period of the detection signal is extracted as a feature, and it is determined based on the period whether or not the detection signal appropriately includes electrocardiogram waveform information.

FIG. 8 shows a flowchart of an electrocardiogram waveform recording portion of the program recorded in the memory 50. Hereinafter, the flow of processing will be described with reference to this flowchart. First, upon detecting that the measurement start button 114 has been pressed, the CPU 46 starts the processing in FIG. First,
In step S1, an operational amplifier 40, a differentiator 42,
Power is supplied to the cycle measuring circuit 44 to perform the above measurement.

Next, the CPU 46 takes in cycle data from the cycle measuring circuit 44 (step S2). Further, it is determined whether or not the detection signal is appropriate based on the acquired cycle data (step S3). For example, it is determined whether there is at least one rising in three seconds (that is, whether the period is three seconds or less).
If there is no rise once in three seconds, it is determined that an appropriate detection signal has not been obtained. This is shown in FIG.
As shown in the figure, when the detection signal is obtained correctly, the detection signal rises at a predetermined interval, but otherwise, there is little sharp rise and a flat output is considered. It is. If the detection signal is as shown in FIG. 6A, the part α is determined as an appropriate signal, and the part β is determined as an inappropriate signal.

In the above-described embodiment, at least one rising is performed every three seconds. However, it may be determined that the rising is performed twice or more every five seconds, or three or more times every ten seconds.

If the result of the determination is that the above condition is satisfied, the CPU 46 determines whether or not there is free space in the detection signal recording memory 51 (step S4).
If so, the CPU 46 controls the A / D converter 48,
The detection signal converted to digital data is stored in the memory 51.
(Step S5). Next, the CPU 46 determines whether or not the stored digital data (detection signal to be transmitted) has reached a predetermined amount (step S6). If not, the process returns to step S2 to repeat the processing.

If the result of the determination is that the above condition is not satisfied, the CPU 46 outputs an error sound from the buzzer 52, which is a notification means (step S11). At the same time, I / F
54, to the communication control unit 62 via the I / F 60,
A command is issued to display an error on LCD 110. This allows the operator to select the current electrodes E1, E2, E
Learn how to apply 3.

As described above, when the correct detection signal is not obtained, the recording of the fetched periodic data is not performed, and the process returns to step S2 to fetch the next periodic data. Therefore, only the cycle data satisfying the condition is recorded in the memory 51. For example, in the case of an electrocardiogram waveform as shown in FIG. 6A, the part of β is removed, and the part of α and the part (not shown) satisfying the condition following β are stored in the memory 51. If there is a part that does not satisfy the condition, that fact is also recorded in the memory 51 together.

In this embodiment, since the determination is made based on the cycle, the portion (β portion in FIG. 6A) resulting from the electrode mounting failure or the like is not stored in the memory 51, and the abnormal portion of the electrocardiogram waveform (γ in FIG. 6E). Portion) is stored in the memory 51.

When the stored digital data reaches a predetermined amount, the CPU 46 outputs a recording completion sound from the buzzer 52 (step S7). Thus, the operator can know that the measurement of the electrocardiogram waveform has been completed.

In step S4, the memory 51
When the capacity is exhausted, a warning to that effect is notified from the buzzer 52 and displayed on the LCD 110 (step S8). On the other hand, when the operator presses a memory clear button (not shown), the memory is cleared,
It returns to step S4 (step S10). If the memory clear button is not pressed, the processing is stopped.

In the above embodiment, if the condition is not satisfied in step S3, the process automatically returns to step S2 to take in the next cycle data.
However, when the condition is not satisfied, the processing may be stopped, and the measurement may be restarted by pressing the measurement start button 114 by the operator. In this case, the data stored in the memory 51 before the processing is stopped is kept as it is, and data obtained by re-measurement is added thereto. In this case, in step S6, the measurement may be continued until the total amount of the data before the stop of the processing and the data after the re-measurement reaches a predetermined amount, or the data after the re-measurement (the data is not stopped once). The measurement may be continued until the data obtained in step (1) reaches a predetermined amount. In the latter case,
For example, if the portion α in FIG. 6A is not longer than the predetermined time, the measurement is continued until the condition that satisfies the condition continues for a predetermined time by re-measurement (see FIG. 6D).

In any of the above cases, it is preferable to transmit all data to the center device.

In the above description, the data stored before the stop of the processing is held as it is. However, the data which has been stopped in a short period of time may be discarded.

Further, in the above embodiment, the determination is made every time the periodic data is taken in (step S).
3). However, if the condition is satisfied even once from the start of the measurement, the determination may not be performed thereafter, and the data may be stored until the predetermined amount is reached. This is because once the mounting is performed correctly, it is assumed that correct data can be obtained unless the mounting position is changed.

When the recording process is completed as described above,
The CPU 46 performs a transmission process. FIG. 9 shows a flowchart of the transmission process of the program recorded in the memory 50. First, in step S12, the CPU 46 determines whether or not the transmission button 116 has been pressed by the operator. If the transmission button 116 is not pressed after a lapse of a predetermined time after the completion of the recording of the detection signal, the standby state is stopped and the processing is terminated (step S13). When the transmission button 116 is pressed within a predetermined time, the CPU 46 determines the telephone number of the center device 4 of the medical institution previously recorded in the memory 50 and the patient ID information for specifying the patient carrying the terminal device T. (Specific information). Next, the telephone number is transferred to the interface (I / F) 5.
4. It is given to the communication control unit 62 via the I / F 60 to instruct to establish communication. When the communication with the center device 4 is established by the communication control unit 62 (that is, when the telephone is connected), the memory 5 is connected via the I / F 54 and the I / F 60.
The detection signal recorded in No. 1 is given to the communication control unit 62 to instruct the communication control unit 62 to transmit the detection signal to the center device 4 (step S14). At this time, it instructs that the above-mentioned patient ID information is also transmitted. In this embodiment, the patient ID information is used as the specific information, but the telephone number of the terminal device T carried by the patient may be used as the specific information.

Next, the CPU 46 waits for a reception completion message (acceptance signal) returned from the center device 4 via the communication control unit 62 (step S15). If there is a reception completion message, it is notified by buzzer 52 and displayed on LCD 110. Thereby, it is possible for the patient to confirm whether or not the biological information has been correctly transmitted.

If there is no reception completion message within a predetermined time, a command is sent to the communication control unit 62 to transmit again (steps S16 and S14). Further, the operator can forcibly stop the transmission by pressing a transmission stop button (not shown).

In the above embodiment, the detection signal is transmitted after the operator presses the transmission button 116. However, as soon as the storage is completed in step S6, step S14 may be executed. By doing so, the operator can set the transmission button 11
Even if the user does not press 6, transmission can be performed automatically. In this case, the transmission button 116 may not be provided. Also,
The storage completion notification in step S7 is unnecessary.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, step S1
If the predetermined time has elapsed in 3, the process is stopped, but the transmission process may be performed at this point.

Note that steps S11 and S11 described above are performed.
It is preferable that the sound and the melody of the buzzer at 7 and the buzzer of the completion of reception be different so that the operator can easily distinguish them. Alternatively, each notification may be made by vibration instead of or together with the sound.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a part of an electrocardiogram waveform recording process according to another embodiment. In this embodiment, if the predetermined condition is not satisfied, a warning and a display are performed, and the process is continued from step S4 without stopping the process. By doing so, it is not possible to store only the detection signal satisfying the predetermined condition,
At least, the operator can know whether the currently measured detection signal satisfies a predetermined condition. Therefore, a more accurate detection signal can be obtained.

Further, in FIG. 10 (FIG. 8), a warning and a display are performed when the predetermined condition is not satisfied, but this may be performed when the predetermined condition is satisfied. Further, this may be performed in both cases.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a part of an electrocardiogram waveform recording process according to still another embodiment. In this embodiment, when a predetermined condition is not satisfied, a warning and a display are performed, and then the already recorded data is cleared (step S21). Thereafter, the process returns to step S2, and the determination and recording are newly performed. If a detection signal that satisfies the condition can be recorded continuously for a predetermined amount, a buzzer sound of completion is notified (step S7). Therefore, the operator can perform the correct mounting depending on the error sound, and can know that the recording has been completed by the completion sound.

In the above embodiment, the feature is extracted by the differentiator 42 and the cycle measuring circuit 44, and the CPU 46 makes the judgment. However, as shown in FIG. 12, the determination may be performed using the counter 72 and the comparator 74, and the determination result may be provided to the CPU 46.

The counter 72 counts in response to the output of the threshold circuit 70. That is, the number of rises of the detection signal is counted. The timer 76 outputs the count value of the counter and clears the count value every predetermined time (for example, one minute) for the determination. The predetermined value holding unit 78 holds a predetermined number of rises (for example, once) for determination. The comparator 74 calculates the count value (the number of rises) from the counter as
It is determined whether the value is equal to or more than the held predetermined value.
If the value is equal to or more than the predetermined value, a determination result that the condition is satisfied is output. Otherwise, a determination result that the condition is not satisfied is output.

In the above embodiment, the electrodes E1, E
2, E3 and the operational amplifier 40 constitute a biological information detecting means to detect an electrocardiogram waveform. However, blood pressure, pulse, body temperature, perspiration, etc. may be detected as biological information. Further, not only one piece of biometric information but also a plurality of pieces of biometric information may be detected and transmitted to the center device.

For detecting a blood pressure, an optical sensor and a measuring circuit, for a pulse, a piezoelectric element and a measuring circuit, for a body temperature, a temperature sensor and a measuring circuit, for sweating, an electrode and an electric conductivity measuring circuit. Thus, the biological information detecting means can be configured.

In the above embodiment, the period of the detection signal is extracted as a feature, and based on this, it is determined whether or not the electrocardiogram waveform is correctly obtained. In addition to ECG waveforms, periodic biological information (for example,
Pulse, blood pressure, etc.), the cycle can be similarly extracted as a feature and determined. However, the determination made on the terminal device T side is whether or not the detection signal includes biological information enough to merit a diagnosis. Therefore, it is sufficient to extract features to such an extent that such determination is possible, and it is not necessary to perform feature extraction to the extent necessary for medical diagnosis.

Note that it is preferable to appropriately select features to be extracted for determination according to the characteristics of the target biological information. For example, in the case of body temperature, a change in the measured temperature is extracted as a feature, and whether or not a correct detection signal is obtained is determined based on whether or not the change is an exponential function.

In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the telephone unit 200 and the measuring unit 300 are separated and the I / F 5
4. The connection is made by the I / F 60. However, the functions of the CPU 46 and the memories 50 and 51 of the measuring unit 300 may be realized by the CPU and the memory of the communication control unit 62 of the telephone unit 200. In this case, I / F
The I / F 60 becomes unnecessary.

Further, in the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, all the functions are housed integrally in one case 100. However, as shown in FIG.
May be separable from the housing 100a housing the. 13A is the front surface, FIG. 13B is the back surface, and FIG.
Shows a side surface when the two housings 100a and 100b are separated. As shown in FIG. 13C, electrical connection is made by a connector 109.

FIG. 14 shows a flow of processing in the center device, which represents each function of the center device shown in FIG. 2 more specifically. The connection with the terminal device T is established by the modem (or terminal adapter) 502 by the communication control 504. Patient ID sent from terminal device T
The information is collated in the patient master 506. If the patient is registered in the patient master 506, the control device 510
Waits for the end of data transmission from the terminal device T, and returns a reception completion message.

The data check 508 determines whether or not the data has been received without error using an error correction code or the like. If there is an error, the communication control 504 issues a retransmission instruction. The measurement data (detection signal) received without error is recorded in the measurement database 512. Further, the measurement data is associated with the patient, and the patient-specific data 51 is stored.
Recorded as 4.

When performing the analysis, the measurement data of the corresponding patient is taken out of the memory 516 from the patient-specific data 514. This measurement data is processed by the waveform analysis 518 and displayed on the display 520. The doctor will display 52
Diagnosis is performed with reference to 0, and the diagnosis result is input from the input device 522. The diagnosis result is recorded in the patient-specific history DB 524 and returned to the terminal device T via the communication control 504.

FIG. 15 shows a hardware configuration when each function of the center device shown in FIGS. 2 and 14 is realized using two computers. The communication control unit 530 is configured as shown in FIG.
4 modem 502, communication control 504, data check 5
08 is a part that performs the function of the subroutine. Computer 532
Mainly, a process of identifying a patient based on the patient ID information sent from the terminal device T and recording the received measurement data (detection signal) in association with the identified patient is performed.
The computer 534 acquires the recorded measurement data, displays it on the display 536 or the like, and performs a diagnosis by a doctor.

As in this embodiment, reception of measurement data
By providing a computer for recording and a computer for analysis and diagnosis, the load can be distributed. Further, it is also possible to install the computer 532 at a centralized center and to install the computer 534 connected to the computer 532 at each hospital or the like.

However, in some cases, the computer 53
2 and the function of the computer 534 may be realized by one computer. Further, it may be realized by three or more computers.

In FIG. 15, the patient master 50
6, measurement database 512, patient-specific data 514,
It constitutes a part of the computer 532. The display 536, the keyboard 538, and the history database 524 constitute a part of the computer 534.

FIG. 16 shows a flowchart of a program recorded in a recording device (not shown) of the computer 532. When the communication control unit 530 receives a notification that a call from the terminal device T has been received, the computer 532 operates as shown in FIG.
6 is started.

First, in step S50, the patient ID information sent from the terminal device T is obtained and held.
Further, the measurement data sent from the terminal device is recorded in the measurement database 512 of the recording device (Step S).
51). Next, it is determined whether the reception of the measurement data has been completed (step S52). If not, continue recording the measurement data.

When the reception of the measurement data is completed, the process proceeds to step S53. In step S53, it is determined whether or not the acquired patient ID information is registered in the patient master 506 of the recording device. As shown in FIG. 18, the patient master 506 records patient ID information, a patient name, a terminal telephone number, and the like. If the received patient ID information is not registered in the patient master 506, processing for unauthorized access (step S57) is performed, and the process ends.

If the patient is a registered patient, the reception date and time and the measurement data are recorded in a patient data file prepared for each patient (step S54). FIG. 19 illustrates a data file of Taro Yamada. Following the items of the patient ID and the patient name, the reception date and time and the measurement data are recorded and added each time. Note that the measurement data may not be directly recorded in the patient data file, but only the file name of the measurement data stored in the measurement DB 512 may be recorded.

Next, referring to the patient master 506, the telephone number of the patient is acquired (step S55). Further, the obtained telephone number is provided to the communication control unit 530, the communication with the terminal device T is performed, and a reception completion message is transmitted (step S56).

As described above, the computer 532 performs the process of receiving and recording the measurement data.

FIG. 17 shows a flowchart of a diagnostic processing program recorded in a recording device (not shown) of the computer 534. When the diagnostic process is started, the computer 534 displays a list of unprocessed measurement data (that is, no diagnostic chart has been input) and a list of patients on the display 53.
6 is displayed. The doctor refers to display 536,
A patient is selected with a mouse or the like (step S60).

When a patient is selected, the computer 534
Communicates with the computer 532 and outputs the patient-specific data 5
From 14, the measurement data of the patient is acquired (step S61). Further, the telephone number of the patient is acquired from the patient master 506 (step S61).

Next, processing for displaying the acquired measurement data on the display 536 is performed (step S6).
2). For example, according to a predetermined rule, processing such as changing the color of a portion (for example, a portion having a different period) that should be noted in the diagnosis of the measurement data is performed. The measurement data thus processed is displayed on the display 536 (step S63). Note that a printout may be performed by a printer (not shown).

The physician who makes the diagnosis looks at the measurement data (electrocardiogram waveform) displayed on the display 536 and makes an analysis and a diagnosis. The doctor inputs a diagnostic chart from the keyboard 538. Also, a diagnostic result to send back to the patient (eg, "Go to the nearest medical facility immediately"
"Please go to a medical institution within a few days and have it seen" and "No worry" are also input (step S64). When the doctor inputs a diagnosis chart and a diagnosis result from the keyboard 538 (step S64), the diagnosis chart,
History database 5 of a recording device (not shown) for storing the diagnosis results
Record at 24. Also record the measurement data. In this way, the history database records the diagnosis history for each patient.

Further, the telephone number obtained in step S61 is given to communication control device 530 to establish communication, and a diagnosis result is transmitted (step S66). In this way, the diagnosis result is returned to the patient.

Note that the diagnosis result can be transmitted as voice, text, or mail thereof.

In the above embodiment, the doctor inputs the diagnosis result from the keyboard 538, and transmits the result as voice, text, or mail thereof. But,
After inputting the diagnostic chart, the doctor may make a telephone call to the patient's terminal device T and verbally communicate the diagnostic result. At this time, the telephone number acquired in step S61 may be displayed on the display 536, and the doctor may dial, or the communication control device 530 may be connected by automatic dialing.

In the above embodiment, the diagnosis result based on the diagnosis chart is transmitted, but the contents of the diagnosis chart may be transmitted as the diagnosis result.

In the above embodiment, an image pickup device such as a CCD camera may be provided in the terminal device T, and the image data at the time of measurement may be transmitted together with the measurement data (detection signal). When a doctor makes a diagnosis in the center device 4, it is possible to make a more accurate diagnosis with reference to the video data (video of the face, image of the skin surface, etc.). In addition, by watching an image from when the measurement start button 114 is pressed to when the electrode is brought into contact, it is possible to know a part to which the electrode is applied in general, and it can be used as a reference for diagnosis.

Further, the combination of the image and the output from the acceleration sensor provided in the terminal device T may be used to know the site where the electrode is applied. In any case, more accurate diagnosis can be performed by transmitting the site information indicating the site to which the electrode is applied from the terminal device T.

In each of the above embodiments, a function for acquiring the current position (geographical position) may be provided in the terminal device T, and the function may be sent to the center device 4. The center device 4 can know the location of the patient based on the information on the current position. Therefore,
In an emergency, it is possible to contact a medical institution near the patient and respond.

As a function of acquiring the current position, a method of acquiring the current position based on a signal from a base station, such as a so-called PHS, a method of acquiring the current position by a radio wave from a satellite, and the like can be used.

In each of the above embodiments, the CPU
Some or all of the functions realized using (computer) may be realized by hardware logic.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a medical information communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a terminal device T and a center device 4 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of a terminal device T.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a terminal device T.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a use state of the terminal device T.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a detection signal waveform and feature extraction.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating details of a cycle measurement circuit.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of an electrocardiogram waveform recording process.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of an electrocardiogram waveform transmission process.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of an electrocardiogram waveform recording process according to another embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of an electrocardiogram waveform recording process according to another embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a circuit in a case where feature extraction and determination are realized by hardware.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of a terminal device according to another embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a flow of processing of the center device 4.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of a center device 4.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of a process of receiving and recording measurement data.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart of a diagnosis process.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a patient master.

FIG. 19 shows patient-specific data.

[Explanation of symbols]

 T: Terminal device 4: Center device 10: Biological information detection means 12: Extraction means 14: Transmission means 16: Feature extraction means 18: Notification means 20: Reception Means 22 ・ ・ ・ Receiving means 24 ・ ・ ・ Medical information recording means 26 ・ ・ ・ Output means 28 ・ ・ ・ Patient specifying means 30 ・ ・ ・ Transmitting means 32 ・ ・ ・ Medical diagnosis result recording means 34 ・ ・ ・ Input means 36 ... Patient information storage unit

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Masanobu Managa 22 Kyocera Communication System Co., Ltd., 5-5 Higashino Kitanoue-cho, Yamashina-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto (72) Inventor Yasuhiro Tsuda Higashi-nohoku, Yamashina-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto 22 Kyocera Communication System Co., Ltd. 5 in Inoue-cho (72) Inventor Mitsuru Nakamura 350 Nishisato, Hirara-shi, Okinawa F-term (reference) AA25 AA37 AA42 AA44 BB12 BB20 DD01 DD29 EE06 EE07 EE10 EE18 FF01 FF02 FF04 FF16 GG03 GG18 GG19 GG21 GG31 GG66 GG70 5K067 AA21 BB21 DD51 EE02 EE16 FF02 HH11

Claims (15)

[Claims] (A) a plurality of portable medical information communication devices;
(b) a medical information communication system including a medical institution side center device, wherein the portable medical information communication device detects (a1) biological information, and outputs a detection signal. And (a2) receiving the detection signal, extracting a feature of the detection signal, and a feature extraction unit, (a3) based on the feature extracted by the feature extraction unit,
Extracting means for determining whether the detection signal contains biological information worthy of analysis, and extracting a detection signal corresponding to the biological information worthy of analysis; and (a4) notifying the operator of a result of the determination by the extracting means. Means, and (a5) a detection signal taken out by the taking out means, and transmitting means for transmitting specific information specifying a patient using the medical information communication device to the center device on the medical institution side, The center device includes: (b1) a patient information storage unit storing the specific information in association with a pre-registered patient; and (b2) receiving a detection signal and specific information sent from the medical information communication device. Receiving means, (b3) referring to the patient information storage unit, a patient specifying means for searching and specifying a corresponding patient based on the specifying information, and (b4) the detection signal, the patient specifying means specified Medical information communication system, comprising the a medical information recording means for recording in association with the user. 2. A medical information communication method between a center device of a medical institution and a patient who is located away from the medical institution and carries the medical information communication device, wherein the patient-side medical information communication device comprises: A detection signal is generated by detecting biological information by a sensor, a feature of the detection signal is extracted, and based on the extracted feature, it is determined whether the detection signal includes biological information worthy of analysis. Notifying the operator of the determination result, extracting a detection signal corresponding to biological information worthy of analysis based on the determination result, and transmitting the extracted detection signal and specific information for identifying a patient to the center device of the medical institution. In the center device of the medical institution, the specific information is recorded in association with a patient registered in advance, and is sent from the medical information communication device. Receiving the detection signal and the specific information, acquiring a corresponding patient based on the specific information, and recording the detection signal in association with the specified patient. . 3. A biological information detecting means for detecting biological information and outputting a detection signal, a characteristic extracting means for receiving the detection signal and extracting a characteristic of the detection signal, and a characteristic extracted by the characteristic extracting means. Extracting means for determining whether the detection signal contains biological information worthy of analysis, and extracting a detection signal corresponding to the biological information worthy of analysis; and a medical institution for detecting the detection signal extracted by the extraction means. A portable medical information communication device comprising: 4. A medical information acquisition device for acquiring medical information for transmitting medical information by connecting to a communication device, comprising: biological information detecting means for detecting biological information and outputting a detection signal; Receiving the signal, extracting a characteristic of the detection signal, extracting a characteristic of the detection signal, and determining whether the detection signal contains biological information worthy of analysis based on the characteristic extracted by the characteristic extraction means. A medical information acquisition device comprising: an extraction unit that extracts a detection signal corresponding to biological information that deserves the following; and a connection unit that provides the extracted detection signal to a communication device as medical information. 5. The medical information communication apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the medical information acquiring apparatus according to claim 4 further stores a detection signal extracted by the extracting means, and a predetermined amount of the detection signal is stored in the storage means. Is detected,
Storage completion notifying means for notifying the operator of this, and transmission start command input means operated by the operator and giving a transmission start command to the transmitting means. 6. The medical information communication device according to claim 3, further comprising: a storage unit for storing the detection signal extracted by the extraction unit; and a predetermined amount of the detection signal stored in the storage unit. Is detected,
Control means for issuing a command to transmit the detection signal stored in the storage means. 7. The medical information communication device or the medical information acquisition device according to any one of claims 3 to 6, further comprising: if the extracting unit determines that the detection signal does not include biological information worthy of analysis. It is provided with a notifying means for notifying this. 8. Biological information detecting means for detecting biological information and outputting a detection signal, transmitting means for transmitting the detection signal to a medical institution, receiving the detection signal, and extracting characteristics of the detection signal Extracting means for determining whether the detection signal contains biological information worthy of analysis based on the features extracted by the characteristic extracting means, and notifying means for notifying the determination result of the determining means And a portable medical information communication device comprising: 9. A medical information acquisition device for acquiring medical information for transmitting medical information by connecting to a communication device, comprising: biological information detecting means for detecting biological information and outputting a detection signal; A feature extraction unit that receives a detection signal and extracts features of the detection signal; and determines whether or not the detection signal includes biological information worthy of analysis based on the feature extracted by the feature extraction unit. A medical information acquisition device comprising: means, notification means for notifying the determination result of the determination means, and connection means for providing a detection signal to the transmission device as medical information. 10. A recording medium on which a program executable by a computer is recorded, receiving a detection signal from a biological information detecting means, extracting characteristics of the detection signal, and detecting a detection signal based on the extracted characteristic. A recording medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute a process of determining whether biological information worthy of analysis is included therein and extracting a detection signal corresponding to biological information worthy of analysis. 11. A recording medium on which a program executable by a computer is recorded, wherein a detection signal is received from a biological information detecting means, a feature of the detection signal is extracted, and a detection signal is generated based on the extracted feature. A recording medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute a process of determining whether biological information worthy of analysis is included therein and notifying an operator of the determination result. 12. Detecting biological information by a sensor, generating a detection signal, extracting a feature of the detection signal, and determining whether the detection signal contains biological information worthy of analysis based on the extracted feature. Determining whether the biological information is worthy of analysis, extracting a detection signal corresponding to the biological information, and transmitting the extracted detection signal to a medical institution. 13. A sensor for detecting biological information, generating a detection signal, transmitting the detection signal to a medical institution, receiving the detection signal, extracting a characteristic of the detection signal, and extracting the characteristic. And determining whether the detection signal contains biological information worthy of analysis, and reporting the determination result based on the detection signal. 14. A center device for receiving a signal from a medical information communication device carried by a patient, comprising: a detection signal indicating biological information transmitted from the medical information communication device and identification information for identifying a patient. Receiving means for receiving, a patient information storage unit storing the connection information of the patient and the medical information communication device carried by the patient in association with the specific information, and referring to the patient information storage unit, based on the specific information. Patient identification means for acquiring the corresponding patient and connection information to the medical information communication device carried by the patient, input means for inputting a medical diagnosis result based on the received detection signal, and acquisition by the patient identification means And a transmission means for transmitting a medical diagnosis result to a transmission source medical information communication apparatus based on the connection information obtained. 15. A medical information communication device carried by a patient sends the information to a computer having a recording device in which specific information and connection information to the medical information communication device carried by the patient are recorded in association with a patient registered in advance. A recording medium that records a detection signal indicating biological information that has been obtained and a program for processing specific information for specifying a patient, and refers to the recording device, and, based on the specific information, a corresponding patient and The computer acquires connection information to the medical information communication device carried by the patient, and transmits a medical diagnosis result based on the biological information to the transmission source medical information communication device based on the acquired connection information. A recording medium on which a program for causing a computer to perform a process of giving an instruction to a connected transmitting device is recorded.