JPH08215158A - Medical support system making use of function of communication satellite - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To enable a plurality of doctors stationed in different places to simultaneously examine a patient by transmitting the medical data of the patient to a plurality of the doctors in the remote places, and examining one patient using the patient, images and voices while conversing by the use of the function of a television conference. CONSTITUTION: A nurse 104 having both a portable type television conference unit 102 capable of a loop type multipoint conference and a portable type medical equipment 102 with her, makes a round visit to the home 101 of a patient receiving a home medical treatment such as a single aged man by a round medical support vehicle 105 furnished with the function of satellite communication. The signals of multimedia such as images, voices, data and the like are transmitted to a plurality of medical facilities 107 in remote places by the use of a communication satellite 106 through the round medical support vehicle 105. The nurse 104 so supports a plurality of doctors 109 stationed at the different places that they can simultaneously examine a patient while conversing with the patient by making use of the function of a multipoint television conference based on the analysis of data received by the doctors 109.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a configuration of a medical support system, and more particularly, to remote communication using multimedia communication for bidirectionally transmitting and receiving image, voice and data via a communication line including satellite communication. The present invention relates to a configuration of a medical support system that enables diagnosis, treatment, and consultation by connecting patients and doctors existing on the ground with a communication line.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a system for treating home-care patients represented by elderly people living alone, a nurse (home helper, etc.) makes a round-trip visit to the patient's home and makes a diagnosis, treatment or consultation by contacting a doctor. Home medical support systems are being spread. Even with this home-based medical support system, it is possible for a nurse to report the patient's condition to a doctor through a telephone line, and the nurse can take appropriate measures according to the doctor's instructions. Specialized knowledge is required for the training, and because the communication ability between the nurse and the doctor makes it impossible to perform appropriate treatment or lacks real-time treatment, it is necessary to include training for nurses. Therefore, cost and time are required for full diffusion. On the other hand, due to the widespread use of digital communication networks and broadband communication networks, there is a reality of detailed images (that is, sufficiently useful for a doctor's diagnosis) via a communication line (for example, a bidirectional communication image and voice transmission / reception function of CATV and ISDN networks). It has become possible to send and receive (detailed images), and using this technology, we will introduce a medical system that can send necessary information to doctors in remote areas and obtain instructions regarding appropriate treatment. ing. Using this medical system, even a doctor in a remote area can accurately understand the condition of the patient and can provide effective treatment. Depending on the patient's situation, the knowledge of a few specialists in remote areas can be used. It is possible to administer optimal treatment by using this method, but the patient must go to the point where such equipment (generally an expensive system that requires precise moving images) exists. The current situation is that it is limited to cases requiring advanced medical care, and it is used as it is for the system for treating home-care patients represented by elderly people living alone, as shown at the beginning, and the patient is treated through a caregiver. It is difficult in terms of cost to receive medical examination and treatment as if they were facing a doctor.

[0003]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION As described above,
With the conventional technology, CAs can be used for home care patients' homes and medical facilities.
It was difficult to carry out medical support services in places where it was not introduced to the TV or ISDN network, and even if the CATV or ISDN network was subscribed, multiple doctors (home doctor and specialist) could talk at the same time. I couldn't even see him. Especially in the CATV network, it has been difficult to implement the service unless the home care patient's home and the medical facility have joined the same CATV network.

An object of the present invention is to eliminate the drawbacks of the medical support system described in the above-mentioned prior art, and to join a home care patient home or medical facility where a plurality of doctors in different places can simultaneously examine one patient. An object of the present invention is to provide a means for immediately constructing a home medical care support system and performing medical examination and treatment nationwide or evenly in the world regardless of the type of communication network.

More specifically, the CAT is provided at the home of the patient for home medical treatment.
Even if V or ISDN network is not installed, it is possible to receive detailed medical examination and treatment as if a patient at home is facing a remote doctor who is equivalent to the conventional technology. It is an object of the present invention to provide an at-home medical support system which has a simple configuration, is economical, and is easy to handle, which does not burden the patient or caregiver with the operation. In addition, it is possible to send and receive data necessary for medical treatment while using face-to-face communication with a doctor in a remote place using images and voice without installing special equipment to receive home medical support services at the home care patient home. Therefore, it is to provide a home medical support system capable of providing high-level medical services by enabling appropriate nursing care, medical examination, and treatment in real time. Furthermore, depending on the condition of the patient at home, it is possible to provide optimal medical services by connecting to any medical facility in a remote place that is necessary depending on the situation at the required time. Even when multiple people, such as caregivers and family members, are in different remote areas, it is possible to provide high-level medical services and provide patients with peace of mind by enabling simultaneous communication conversations between these people. Allows multiple doctors and family members to understand the current situation of patients, who can receive treatment and medical examinations. It is easy to give peace of mind to both the treated side and the treated side, and enhance the safety of medical services. It is to provide an in-home medical support system capable of performing a simple, economical and easy-to-use configuration. In addition, by applying such a home care support system, we will provide a versatile and high-level emergency care support system that uses communication lines that can be used not only for home care but also for emergency care. To do.

[0006]

As means for solving the above-mentioned problems of the medical support system, in the medical support system of the present invention, a loop can be carried by the nurse and carried by the nurse in the home of the patient. Type video conference unit capable of multipoint conference, portable medical device unit for medical examination and treatment, and multimedia such as image, voice and data transmitted / received to / from the portable video conference unit and portable medical device unit A patrol medical support vehicle equipped with a satellite communication function that can send and receive signals to and from remote medical facilities (hospitals, clinics, clinics, etc.) was set up, and a nurse patrols a home care patient home with a patrol medical support vehicle. The medical data sent and received from the video conferencing unit and the portable medical device unit that the nurse brought to the home care patient's home for loop type multipoint conference can be configured. Mutual multimedia signals are sent and received by the satellite communication function via the patrol medical support vehicle, and a computer (PC) that processes and displays medical data is installed to allow the doctor to give medical examinations and treatment instructions. Is a satellite communication system or a satellite communication system and C
By connecting with a combination network of ATV and ISDN network, a patient at home for treatment can send and receive data necessary for medical treatment while face-to-face with a doctor at a remote place using images and voice. Therefore, it is possible to provide appropriate care, medical examination and treatment in real time.

[0007]

[Function] A nurse with a portable video conferencing unit and a portable medical device unit capable of loop-type multipoint conferences makes a round-trip visit to the homes of home-care patients such as the elderly living alone using a mobile medical support vehicle equipped with satellite communication function. . The nurse uses the two-way communication function of the satellite communication system alone or the combination of the satellite communication system and the CATV or ISDN network to transmit the medical data of the patient to a plurality of doctors in remote areas.
Based on the analysis result of the consultation data, the doctor at the remote place can use the video conference function capable of multipoint conferencing so that the doctor can talk with the patient interactively by using the image and the voice. As a result, regardless of the home care patient's home or the communication network to which the medical institution subscribes, the patient can be seen at the same time by multiple doctors in different locations, while the doctors can be distributed to remote patients. Can efficiently examine a large number of patients while staying in a medical facility.

[0008]

Embodiments of the home medical support system of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. (1) Overall Configuration FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing the concept of the overall configuration of a home medical support system using the satellite communication function according to the present invention. In this system, a caregiver 104 having a portable video conference unit 102 and a portable medical device unit 103 capable of a loop-type multipoint conference uses a patrol medical support vehicle 105 equipped with a satellite communication function with a home care patient such as an elderly person living alone. It is a patrol visit to the house 101. The caregiver 104 transmits the multimedia signals such as images, voices, data, etc. transmitted and received by the portable video conference unit 102 and the portable medical equipment unit 103 carried by the caregiver 104 via the patrol medical support vehicle 105 equipped with a satellite communication function. Using the two-way communication function of the communication satellite 106, the data is transmitted to a plurality of remote medical facilities (independent medical facilities) 107 having satellite communication facilities (in many cases, one location if necessary). The nurse 104 analyzes the data about the patient 108 received by the doctor 109, and based on the result, a plurality of doctors 109 at different locations simultaneously use the multipoint video conference function to communicate with the patient and Face to Fa.
We will support you so that you can have an examination while having a conversation at ce.

In addition to the stand-alone medical facility 107, the medical facility includes a teleport center 110 having satellite communication facilities, a regional satellite center 111, and a communication network (CATV or IS).
There is a network type medical facility 113 connected by a (DN network, etc.) 112. This network type medical facility 113
In the case of, the data of the portable video conference unit 102 and the portable medical device unit 103 carried by the caregiver 104 is transmitted from the patrol medical support vehicle 105 equipped with the satellite communication function via the communication satellite 106 to the satellite communication facility Existing teleport center 110 and local satellite center 111
And receives the signal converted into the signal format of the connected communication network via the communication network. In the case of transmission from the network type medical facility 113, the reverse process is performed. This communication network includes networked medical facilities 11
3 is also connected to the network-type home-based patient home 114 which receives home-based medical support services from the communication network 3. The loop-type multipoint conference can be carried out even when the independent medical facility 107 and the network-type medical facility 113 are mixed. Similarly, the loop-type multipoint conference can be held even when the network-type home-based patient home 101, the independent medical facility 107, and the network-type medical facility 113 are mixed.

As will be described in detail later, an emergency medical support system using the satellite communication function can be constructed by using the same system as the home medical support system using the satellite communication function. The ambulance 120 equipped with a satellite communication function is equipped with an ambulance satellite communication unit, an ambulance video conference unit, and a data-communicable medical device unit. The nurse 104 who boarded the ambulance uses the two-way communication function of the satellite communication system or the combination network of the satellite communication system and the CATV or ISDN network to send the medical data of the emergency patient to the emergency medical facilities 107 or 113 at the remote location. While transmitting to the doctor 109 who is present, the doctor 109 uses the video conference function based on the analysis result of the consultation data to communicate with the patient 108 and Face to
We will support you so that you can consult while talking on Face,
Take appropriate first aid measures as directed by your doctor.

(2) Detailed Configuration The detailed configuration and operation of the home medical support system using the satellite communication function according to the present invention, which is outlined in FIG. 1, will be described below. FIG. 2 is a mobile medical support vehicle 1 equipped with a portable video conference unit 102, a portable medical device unit 103, and a satellite communication function carried by a nurse 104.
It is a device block diagram which shows the structure of the device of 05. In the figure, i) a portable video conference unit 102 includes a patient unit 21, a caregiver unit 22, and a video conference unit 2.
3, an operating unit 24, and a data transmitting / receiving unit 25. Here, the patient unit 21 is used when a doctor in a remote place uses the video conference function to talk with a patient, and the portable camera 201 with zoom and telephoto variable functions,
In order for the doctor to observe the condition of the patient well, a simple platform 202 for adjusting the vertical and horizontal positions of the camera, a microphone 203, and a monitor 204 with a speaker are included. The camera 201 and the simple pan / tilt head 202 can be controlled by a doctor at a remote place via a communication line. The nurse unit 22 is used by a doctor in a remote place to have a professional conversation with a nurse by using the video conference function, and includes a camera 205, a monitor 206, and a highly confidential head set (with a microphone). 207). further,
The video conference unit 23 is based on the ITU-T international standard H.264. Three
It is a video conferencing device that is compliant with 20 and has the following typical functions. A nurse operates the operation device 24 to call (call) a video conference unit installed in a medical facility in a remote place, a function to disconnect the line (end call) when the conversation ends, a patient unit 21 and the nurse unit 22
(However, the microphone 203 of the patient unit 21 and the head set 207 of the caregiver unit 22 are constantly connected to the system, and it is considered that the doctor can monitor the patient's remarks at all times. The conversation between the doctor and the nurse is retained), the zoom of the camera 201,
Functions for controlling the telephoto function and adjusting the vertical and horizontal positions. A doctor at a remote location operates the operation device of his / her video conference unit to switch between the patient unit 21 and the caregiver unit 22 of the video conference unit at the patient's home, control the zoom of the camera 201, and the telephoto function. Functions such as adjusting the vertical and horizontal positions. A function that captures and encodes camera images and a function that decodes received encoded images and outputs them to the monitor (ITU-T
International standard H.264 In the case of having the function of the video conference device conforming to H.320, 261), a function of capturing and encoding a microphone sound and a function of decoding a reception coded sound and outputting to a speaker or an earphone (ITU-T international standard H.264).
In the case of having the function of the video conference device conforming to G.320, 711/722/728) and the like. A function to take in the data output of the portable medical device unit 103, multiplex it with encoded video and audio, and output it to the data transmission / reception unit 25, and separate the data received from the data transmission / reception unit 25 into encoded video, audio, and digital data. , A function for separating digital data into an internal control signal and an external digital signal and outputting the external digital signal to the portable camera 201, the simple platform 202, and the portable medical device unit 103 (ITU-T international standard H.32).
If the video conferencing device has the function of a video conference device conforming to H.
221/230/242) etc.

The video conference unit 23 is ITU-
International standard H.T. In addition to the functions of the video conference apparatus conforming to 320, it also has the following representative functions. Loop type multipoint conference function. It is used to connect multiple video conferencing units in a loop so that multiple people can conduct video conferencing at the same time. For example, it is used to connect patients, home doctors, specialists, and families in remote areas at the same time. To do. Details will be described later with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. Echo canceller function. This is a function that prevents how the speaker output sound interferes with the microphone input sound to cause howling.

The data transmission / reception unit 25 is
Input / output signals of the portable video conference unit 102 are transmitted / received to / from the data transmission / reception unit of the traveling medical assistance vehicle 105 via the cable 29. As the cable 29, a pair cable, a coaxial cable, an optical cable, or the like can be selected depending on the distance between the portable video conference unit 102 and the traveling medical assistance vehicle 105. In the case of an optical cable, the data transmission / reception unit 25 has a structure in which the interface with the video conference unit 23 is ITU-T standard X-21, and the interface with the optical cable is O / E and E / O conversion unit.

Ii) The portable medical device unit 103 is a device carried by a nurse 104 to allow a doctor at a remote place to monitor the health condition of the patient 108 online. The vital sensor housing unit 26, the IC card 27, It is composed of a vital sensor 28. Here, the vital sensor accommodating unit 26 includes the nurse 104 and the patient 108.
Is measured by the patient data (date of birth, sex, age, medical history, etc.) built in the IC card 27 and the vital sensor 28 (sensors for measuring electrocardiogram 208, blood pressure 209, body temperature 210, pulse 211, etc.). It has a function of sequentially collecting the data and transmitting it to a doctor at a remote place through the portable video conference unit 102. Vital sensor-accommodation unit 26 and video conferencing unit 2
Although various kinds of interfaces with 3 are conceivable, generally, RS-232C is suitable as the physical interface in the IEEE standard start-stop synchronization.

Iii) The patrol medical support vehicle 105 is the nurse 10
4 (home helper, etc.) can board the multimedia signal of the portable video conference unit 102 carried by the caregiver 104 and the data of the portable medical device unit 103, and the remote medical facility (hospital, clinic, clinic, etc.). ) And a satellite communication device capable of transmitting and receiving data to and from each other, and includes a data transmitting / receiving unit 30, a satellite transmitting / receiving unit 31, an antenna unit 32, a satellite transmitting / receiving antenna (movable) 33, and an antenna position control unit 34. Here, the data transmission / reception unit 30 is the portable video conference unit 102.
The data transmission / reception unit 25 has the same function and configuration. In addition, the satellite transceiver unit 31 modulates the baseband signal from the data transceiver unit 30 with a high frequency and sends it to the antenna unit 32, or demodulates the high frequency from the antenna unit 32 and outputs the data in the form of a baseband signal. Output to 30. There are various methods to put the multimedia signal used for video conference on the radio wave of satellite communication, but in general, VS of the ITU international standard is used.
The AT method is used. The antenna unit 32 and the antenna position control unit 34 are arranged by the antenna position control unit 34 so that an absolutely careless caregiver can easily point the satellite transmitting / receiving antenna (movable) 33 to the communication satellite 106 for antenna alignment. The position information is semi-automatically calculated, and the antenna unit 32 drives the satellite transmitting / receiving antenna (movable) 33 in accordance with the information to perform positioning.

FIG. 3 shows that the patient 1 at the patient's home 101 can communicate by communicating with the above-mentioned equipment on the patrol medical support vehicle 105 side.
It is a device block diagram which shows the structure of the device installed in the independent medical facility 107 which performs 08 medical examinations. Independent medical facility 1
Reference numeral 07 is a medical facility capable of direct satellite communication via the patrol medical support vehicle 105 and the communication satellite 106, and is composed of a stationary video conference unit 35 equipped with a personal computer (personal computer) 36 and a fixed satellite communication unit 37. To be done. Therefore, it can be installed anywhere in the service area of the communication satellite. i) The components of the stationary video conference unit 35 are almost the same as those of the portable video conference unit 102 of FIG. 2, and are composed of a camera 205, a microphone 203, a speaker monitor 204, a video conference unit 23, and an operating unit 24. . Here, the video conference unit 23 has a function of allowing a doctor to freely operate the portable camera 201 and the simple pan 202 of the portable video conference unit 102 of the patient's home 101 by operating the operating device 24. are doing. Therefore,
The doctor can observe the patient at a desired angle and size while freely operating the portable camera 201 and the simple pan head 202 at the patient's house. Also, the personal computer 36
The data of the IC card 27 of the patient and the data of the vital sensor 28 attached to the patient 108 are received and once stored in the memory, the data is read out according to the key operation of the doctor and the analysis result is displayed. Although various kinds of interfaces between the personal computer 36 and the video conference unit 23 can be considered, generally, the RS-232C physical interface is suitable for the start-stop synchronization of the IEEE standard.

Ii) The fixed satellite communication unit 37 transmits the multimedia signal of the stationary video conference unit 35 connected to the personal computer 36 to the portable video conference of the patient's home 101 via the communication satellite 106 and the patrol medical support vehicle 105. It has a function of connecting to the unit 102, and is composed of a satellite transceiver unit 31, an antenna unit (fixed) 38, and a satellite transceiver antenna (fixed) 39. Here, the antenna unit (fixed) 38 is a satellite transceiver antenna (fixed) 3
9 is a mechanism for accurately aligning 9 in the direction of the communication satellite 106. However, since the antenna is fixed, it is adjusted only once at the time of installation work. Therefore, the structure is extremely simple as compared with the antenna unit 32 of the patrol medical support vehicle 105.

In the medical facility of the medical support system according to the present invention, as shown in the overall conceptual diagram of FIG. 1, in addition to the above independent medical facility 107, a teleport center 110 having satellite communication facilities and a regional satellite are provided. Since there is a network-type medical facility 113 connected to the center 111 by a communication network (CATV, ISDN network, etc.) 112, the configuration of these facilities will be described below. FIG. 4 is a device configuration diagram showing configurations of devices installed in the teleport center 110 and the network medical facility 113. In the figure, a teleport center 110 has a system function for integrally controlling the satellite communication system and a teleport center 1.
The multimedia signal of the portable video conference unit 102 received from the traveling medical support vehicle 105 equipped with the satellite communication function in 10 via the communication satellite 106 is once converted into the signal format of the communication network 112 connected to the center. Converted,
It has a function of sending to the network type medical facility 113 via the communication network 112, which will be specifically described below.

I) The teleport center 110 has a satellite communication master station unit 41, an ATM switch 42, a data communication system 43, a multimedia system 44, which integrally controls the entire satellite communication system used by the medical support system according to the present invention.
It is composed of an integrated PBX 45 and a TA (terminal adapter) 46. Satellite communication master station unit 41
Is a satellite transmission / reception antenna (fixed) 401, antenna unit 402, antenna position control unit 403, satellite transmission / reception unit 404, satellite system control unit 405.
It is composed of Here, satellite transceiver antenna (fixed)
Although the satellite transmission / reception antenna (fixed) 401 and the antenna unit 402 are fixed, since they are master stations, the antenna position control unit 40 for fine adjustment of position is provided.
3 is added, the configuration is basically the same as that of the fixed satellite communication unit 37 of the independent medical facility 107. Further, the satellite transmitting / receiving unit 404 modulates the baseband signal from the ATM switch 42 or the satellite system control unit 405 with a high frequency and sends it to the antenna unit 402, or demodulates the high frequency from the antenna unit 402 and outputs the baseband signal. It is output to the ATM exchange 42 and the satellite system control unit 405 in the form of a form. Then, the satellite system control unit 405 determines that the slave station (the traveling medical support vehicle 10
5. Independent medical facility 107, regional satellite center 1
11), etc., has a function of allocating and releasing a communication channel, monitoring the state of a slave station, and controlling and controlling this satellite communication system. Since these units are master stations, the power radiated from the antenna is large for the purpose of using for various services.
Due to the large antenna aperture and wide frequency band, the mechanical strength, radio wave distortion and linearity are taken into consideration.

The ATM switch 42 controls the multimedia data signal output from the satellite transmission / reception unit 404 via the data signal system 43, the multimedia system 44, and the TA 46 of the communication system connected to the inside of the teleport center 110 and the outside of the teleport center 110. Distribution to PBX45 system, data signal system 43, multimedia system 44,
A function of multiplexing multimedia data signals from the PBX45 system under TA46 and outputting to the satellite transmission / reception unit 404, and exchange of multimedia data signals between the data signal system 43, the multimedia system 44, and the PBX45 system under TA46. With function.

TA46 is ITU-T International Standard X.264. 21
Procedural video conference unit 23 output signal to communication satellite 10
The signal is received via 6, converted into an N-ISDN signal, and then output to the governing PBX 45. The governing PBX 45 is the communication network 11
2 Network-type medical facilities for transit via ISDN 11
Connect to 3. The signal transmitted from the network type medical facility 113 follows the reverse route to reach the video conference unit 23. When the communication network 112 is CATV, an additional device is required between the governing PBX 45 and the communication network 112 (CATV). Generally, CATV transmission equipment and HE
(Het end). The CATV transmission device is I
An RF modulation / demodulation unit (QPSK or N) for inserting and separating SDN digital signals into 6 MHz television channels.
control unit (TDM-TDMA) for setting a communication channel between the terminal and the HE (xQAM system, etc.)
Method etc.). HE is a part of the center function of CATV, which converts TV signals into RF signals and converts them into CATV.
After being combined with the transmission channel RF channel arrangement, it is output to the CATV transmission channel.

Ii) The network type medical facility 113 is connected to the communication network 112, and the traveling medical assistance vehicle 1 is connected via the teleport center 110 and the regional satellite center 111.
05 and the function of communicating with the communication network 112 accommodating network type home patient home 114.
The equipment configuration is TA46, video conference unit 23,
The operation unit 24, the camera 205, the microphone 203, the monitor with speaker 204, and the personal computer 36 are included. The functions of these devices are similar to those already described in the TA 46 of the stand-alone medical facility 107 or the teleport center 110. Similar to the case of the teleport center 110, when the communication network 112 is CATV, the TA 46 and the communication network 1
Additional equipment is required between 12 (CATV). Generally, it is called a CATV network home termination device. The CATV network home terminal device is an RF modulation / demodulation unit (QPSK or NxQAM system) for inserting and separating an ISDN digital signal into a 6 MHz television channel, and a control unit for setting a communication channel between the terminal and the HE. (TDM-TDMA system, etc.).

The network-type home-based patient home 114 shown in FIG. 4 is a home-based patient home that is directly connected to the network-type medical facility 113 via the communication network 112. Can receive home medical support service from the network type medical facility 113. The content of the medical support service is almost the same as that provided to the home 101 of the home patient via the patrol medical support vehicle 105, and the visiting caregiver 104 has a patrol medical support vehicle without a satellite communication function or a patient home 114 on foot.
It comes in different points. The device configuration carried by the visiting caregiver 104 is substantially the same as that of the portable video conference unit 102 and the portable medical device unit 103.
The difference is that the communication network changes from satellite communication to ISDN or CA.
The data transmission / reception unit 25 of the portable video conference unit 102 is replaced with the TA 46 in order to replace the TV. Also in this embodiment, as described above, when the communication network 112 is CATV, it is necessary to insert the CATV network home termination device between the TA 46 and the communication network 112 (CATV).

FIG. 5 is a device configuration diagram showing the configuration of the devices installed in the regional satellite center 111. In the figure, the regional satellite centers 111 are installed in the local prefectural offices and small and medium-sized cities, and are connected to communication networks (ISDN and CAT).
V) is a satellite communication satellite station that is installed to provide home medical services, including the surrounding municipalities. Therefore, the network type medical facility 1 via the communication network 112
13 and the home patient home 114. The equipment of this regional satellite center 111 includes a satellite transmitting / receiving antenna (fixed) 39, a satellite transmitting / receiving unit 38, a satellite transmitting / receiving unit 31, a TA 46, and, if necessary, an ATM switch 4.
2, audio system 51, data system 43, multimedia system 4
It consists of four communication networks. Among them, the satellite transmitting / receiving antenna 39, the satellite transmitting / receiving unit 38, and the satellite transmitting / receiving unit 31 are exactly the same as the fixed type satellite communication unit 37 of the independent medical facility 107, while the TA 46,
And, if necessary, the ATM switch 42, voice system (control P
BX, etc.) 51, data system 43, multimedia system 44
The communication network is exactly the same as the corresponding device of the teleport center 110.

Up to this point, the nurse 104 who visits the home patient home 101 or the network type home patient home 114 carries the portable video conference unit 102 and the portable medical device unit 103, and the home patient home 101 is It was premised that the patrol medical support vehicle 105 equipped with a satellite communication function patrols. However, it is also possible to install a stationary video conference unit and a stationary medical device unit in a long-term home care patient or a patient's house where there are circumstances, rather than carrying these devices each time. At this time, the portable video conference unit 102 and the portable medical device unit 103 may be permanently installed in the house as they are. Furthermore, an independent medical facility 1
As in 07, a satellite communication slave station may be permanently installed. The configuration of the slave station at this time is exactly the same as that of the fixed satellite communication unit 37 of the independent medical facility 107. The connection with the video conference unit is carried by the portable video conference unit 10.
If the configuration of 2 is not changed, the cable 29 and the data transmission / reception unit 30 are added, and if the configuration of the portable video conference unit 102 is changed, the data transmission / reception unit 25 of the portable video conference unit 102 is deleted, It may be configured to be directly connected. When the satellite communication slave station is permanently installed, only the antenna unit 38 and the antenna (fixed) 39 of the fixed satellite communication unit 37 are installed, and the satellite transceiver unit 31 is carried by the caregiver 104. As the configuration to come, the configuration may be such that the burden on the home medical care patient is reduced as much as possible.

As described above, if the home medical support system using the satellite communication function according to the present invention is used,
It is possible to easily construct an emergency medical support system that uses the satellite communication function and has excellent medical support capabilities. Hereinafter, based on the configuration and operation outline of the emergency medical support system using the satellite communication function described above, the device configuration and function of the ambulance 120 equipped with the satellite communication function shown in FIG. 6 will be mainly described. The emergency medical support system using the satellite communication function includes an ambulance 120 equipped with the satellite communication function, an independent medical facility 107 as an emergency hospital, and a network type medical facility 113. The communication route between the ambulance 120 equipped with the satellite communication function, the independent medical facility 107 of the emergency hospital and the network type medical facility 113 is the patrol medical support vehicle 105 equipped with the satellite communication function, the independent medical facility 107 and the network type medical facility 113. It exactly matches the communication route. The ambulance 120 equipped with the satellite communication function includes an ambulance video conference unit 61, a data multiplexing / demultiplexing unit 62,
Portable medical device unit 103, emergency sensor A63
~ It consists of an emergency sensor N64, a personal computer 36, and an ambulance satellite communication unit 65. Here, the ambulance video conference unit 61 is the portable video conference unit 1
The data transmission / reception unit 25 is deleted from No. 02, and the function, operation purpose, and operation method are exactly the same. Further, the data multiplexing / separating unit 62 accommodates and controls the portable medical device unit 103 and the emergency sensor A63 to the emergency sensor N64 specially prepared for the ambulance. These data are multiplexed and sent to the video conference unit 23, and the control signal from the video conference unit 23 is separated and output to the portable medical device unit 103 and the emergency sensor A63 to the emergency sensor N64. The personal computer 36 has exactly the same function as the personal computer 36 of the independent medical facility, and is used by the nurse to constantly monitor the state of the emergency patient. The ambulance satellite communication unit 65 is the satellite communication device mounted on the patrol medical support vehicle 105 without the data transmission / reception unit 30 and has the same function, purpose of mounting, and operation method.

Next, the loop type multipoint conference function installed in the video conference unit 23 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. The basic form of the loop-type multipoint conference used in the present embodiment was the one filed by the same applicant in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 5-22321 (Japanese Patent Application No. 3-174025). FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram showing a functional conceptual configuration of a loop-type multipoint conference. In principle, there is no limit to the number of connected video conference units, but for ease of explanation and understanding, here, the case where four video conference units are connected in a loop by the ISDN network 75 will be described. To do. Further, FIG. 8 is a screen configuration diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the video conference apparatus when a multipoint conference is to be carried out. The operation will be described below. An image / speech synthesis unit 701 (including a multipoint conference control function, which has a function of synthesizing a monitor screen 81 (semi-moving image) displayed on the monitor 80 of the caregiver of FIG. 8 and the sound 82. For details, refer to Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei 5-22321). As shown in FIG. 7, a video conference unit 23 having a built-in video conference unit 23
The video conference unit (B) hospital specialist A, the video conference unit (C) hospital specialist B, and the video conference unit (D) nurse are sequentially connected in a loop. The nurse of the video conference unit (d) participates in the conference via the satellite communication device mounted on the traveling medical support vehicle 105. Therefore, it is necessary to set a communication route for the satellite communication system 77 with 2 channels and for the ISDN system 76 with 2 channels (two TAs 46). Therefore, the video conference unit 23 and the data transmission / reception units 25 and 30 are connected to each other in the X.X. 21 two communication ports,
Although not explicitly shown between the video conference unit (a) 71 to the video conference unit (c) 73 and the ISDN network 75, T
It is essential to have two A46s each. With the above settings, as shown in the screen display example of FIG.
4 is on the screen 81 of his / her monitor 80, a doctor 83 who is a patient's doctor, a hospital specialist A84, and a hospital specialist B8.
5. People who are in different remote places while calling the nurse 86 (self) at the same time, watching the quasi-moving images of the other three people, and listening to the voice (composed of a + b + c) It becomes possible to have a meeting with.

[0028]

As described above, according to the present invention, a teleconferencing unit capable of a satellite communication function and a loop-type multipoint conference, regardless of a communication network to which a home patient's home or a medical facility joins,
By combining a portable medical device unit and a data analysis / display PC, a nationwide home medical support system and an emergency medical support system that allows multiple doctors in different locations to simultaneously examine one home patient can be instantly provided.
Can be provided.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration conceptual diagram showing a configuration example of a home medical support system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a device configuration diagram of a subscriber's house and a patrol medical support vehicle in the home medical support system.

FIG. 3 is a device configuration diagram of an independent medical facility.

FIG. 4 is a device configuration diagram of a teleport center and a network type medical facility.

[FIG. 5] Similarly, a device configuration diagram of a regional satellite center.

FIG. 6 is also a device configuration diagram of an ambulance equipped with a satellite communication function.

FIG. 7 is a similar conceptual diagram of a loop-type multipoint conference in a home medical support system.

FIG. 8 is a screen configuration diagram showing a screen display example of the loop type multipoint conference system.

[Explanation of symbols]

101 ... at-home patient home, 102 ... portable video conference unit, 103 ... portable medical device unit, 104 ... nurse, 105 ... patient medical support vehicle,
106 ... communication satellite, 107 ... independent medical facility, 108 ... patient, 109 ... doctor,
110 ... Teleport Center, 111.
..Regional satellite centers, 112 ... communication networks, 11
3 ... Network medical facility, 114 ... Network home patient home, 120 ... Ambulance equipped with satellite communication function.

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code Office reference number FI Technical display location H04N 7/15 H04N 7/15

Claims (19)

[Claims] 1. A portable video conference unit and a portable medical device unit capable of a loop-type multipoint conference brought by a caregiver to a home patient's home, and a remote unit connected to the portable video conference unit and the portable medical device unit. A medical care support vehicle equipped with a satellite communication function capable of communicating with local medical facilities, a stationary video conference unit capable of loop-type multipoint conference, and processing of medical data transmitted from the portable medical device unit. A personal computer for displaying is connected to at least one medical facility by a satellite communication system, a combination network of a satellite communication system and an ISDN network, or a combination network of a satellite communication system and a CATV network, and Home-patients Home-patients and caregivers can exchange voice, image, and data bidirectionally for medical examination and treatment of the patients. Medical support system using satellite communication function to be applied. 2. A teleconferencing unit and a medical device unit capable of performing a loop-type multipoint conference in a home patient's home, and a nurse visiting the home patient's home to connect the teleconferencing unit and the medical device unit to a remote location. A patrol medical support vehicle equipped with a satellite communication function capable of communicating with medical facilities, a stationary video conference unit capable of a loop-type multipoint conference, and a personal computer for processing and displaying medical data transmitted from the portable medical device unit. A satellite communication system, a combination network of a satellite communication system and an ISDN network, or a combination network of a satellite communication system and a CATV network is connected to at least one medical facility in which the medical facility is installed by a doctor of the medical facility. A patient and a caregiver bidirectionally transmit and receive voice, image and data to perform medical examination and treatment of the patient. Medical support system using communication function. 3. A mobile teleconferencing unit capable of performing a loop-type multipoint conference carried by a home patient home equipped with a satellite communication function capable of communicating with a remote medical facility and a nurse visiting the home home. A portable medical device unit is combined with the satellite communication function, and a stationary video conference unit capable of a loop-type multipoint conference and a personal computer for processing and displaying medical data transmitted from the portable medical device unit are installed. Between one medical facility and the home patient's home, a satellite communication system, a combination network of a satellite communication system and an ISDN network, a satellite communication system, and a CATV.
Satellite communication in which a doctor of the medical facility connects and receives a voice, an image, and data bidirectionally between a doctor of the medical facility and a caregiver to perform medical examination and treatment of the patient. Medical support system using functions. 4. A home patient home equipped with a teleconferencing unit capable of performing a loop type multipoint conference, a medical device unit, and a satellite communication function capable of communicating with a remote medical facility, and a stationary type capable of performing a loop type multipoint conference. A satellite communication system or a combination network of the satellite communication system and the ISDN network or a satellite communication system between the video conference unit and at least one medical facility in which a personal computer for processing and displaying medical data transmitted from the medical device unit is installed. And CAT
When a caregiver who visits the home patient's home is connected by a combination network of V networks, the doctor of the medical facility allows the patient and the caregiver of the home patient's home to perform both voice, image and data. A medical support system utilizing a satellite communication function, which transmits and receives data to and from the patient to perform medical examination and treatment of the patient. 5. A medical device unit comprising a video conference unit capable of carrying a loop-type multipoint conference, a medical device unit, an emergency sensor, a data demultiplexing unit, and a personal computer on which a nurse caring for an emergency patient can board. And a satellite communication function-equipped ambulance equipped with a satellite communication unit that communicates with a remote medical facility via satellite communication, a stationary video conference unit capable of loop-type multipoint conference, and the satellite communication-equipped ambulance. A satellite communication system or a combination network of the satellite communication system and the ISDN network or a satellite communication system and the CAT is provided between at least one emergency medical facility in which a personal computer for processing and displaying medical data transmitted from the medical device unit is installed.
Satellite communication in which a doctor in the medical facility performs bi-directional transmission / reception of voice, image, and data between a patient in the ambulance and a caregiver to perform medical examination and treatment of the patient, connected by a combination network of V networks. Medical support system using functions. 6. A medical facility connected by the satellite communication system includes a stationary video conference unit including a camera, a microphone, a monitor with speakers, a video conference unit, and an operating unit, a satellite transmitting / receiving unit, and an antenna unit. The medical support system using the satellite communication function according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which is an independent medical facility including a fixed satellite communication unit having a fixed satellite transmitting / receiving antenna and a personal computer. 7. A medical facility connected by the combination network of the satellite communication system and the ISDN network or the combination network of the satellite communication system and the CATV network is a teleport center or a regional satellite center and an ISDN network or a CAT, respectively.
The medical support system using the satellite communication function according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which is a network type medical facility connected by a combination of V networks. 8. The satellite communication master station unit comprising a fixed satellite transmission / reception antenna, an antenna unit, an antenna position control unit, a satellite transmission / reception unit, and a satellite system control unit, and signals transmitted / received to / from the satellite transmission / reception unit. 8. The satellite communication according to claim 7, further comprising an ATM exchange for distributing and exchanging the data signal system, the multimedia signal system, and the PBX via the TA, and further comprising a CATV transmission device and HE when the teleport center is connected to the CATV network. Medical support system using functions. 9. The regional satellite center is composed of at least a fixed satellite transmitting / receiving antenna, an antenna unit, a satellite transmitting / receiving unit, and a TA, and a signal transmitted / received to / from the satellite transmitting / receiving unit is a data signal system and a multimedia signal system. An ATM switch that can be distributed and exchanged to the supervising PBX via TA can be added, and when the regional satellite center is connected to the CATV network, CAT
The medical support system using the satellite communication function according to claim 7, further comprising a V transmission device and an HE. 10. The network type medical facility comprises a stationary video conference unit equipped with a camera, a microphone, a monitor with speakers, a video conference unit, and an operating device, and a TA.
8. The medical support system using satellite communication function according to claim 7, further comprising a CATV network home termination device when the teleport center or the regional satellite center is connected to the CATV network. 11. The portable video conference unit capable of loop-type multipoint conference comprises a patient unit, a caregiver unit, a video conference unit, an operating unit, and a data transmitting / receiving unit. A medical support system using the satellite communication function described in Crab. 12. The medical support system using the satellite communication function according to claim 4, wherein the video conference unit includes a patient unit, a caregiver unit, a video conference unit, and an operating unit. 13. The patient unit comprises a portable camera, a simple platform, a microphone and a monitor with a speaker, and the caregiver unit comprises a camera, a monitor, a headset comprising a microphone and a speaker. A medical support system using the satellite communication function according to claim 11. 14. A satellite communication function of the patrol medical support vehicle,
3. The medical support system using the satellite communication function according to claim 1, comprising a cable, a data transmission / reception unit, a satellite transmission / reception unit, an antenna unit, a movable satellite transmission / reception antenna, and an antenna position control unit. 15. The medical support system using the satellite communication function according to claim 3, wherein the satellite communication function comprises a cable, a satellite transmission / reception unit, an antenna unit, and a fixed satellite transmission / reception antenna. 16. The medical support system using the satellite communication function according to claim 5, wherein the satellite communication unit comprises a cable, a satellite transceiver unit, an antenna unit, a movable satellite transceiver antenna, and an antenna position control unit. 17. The ITU-T is used for the video conference unit.
International standard H.264 The medical support system using the satellite communication function according to claim 11 or 12, comprising a function of a video conference device conforming to 320, a loop type multipoint conference function, and an echo canceller function. 18. The loop-type multipoint conferencing function has a function of connecting a plurality of videoconference units in a loop by a combination of a satellite communication system and an ISDN network or a CATV network,
The function of combining the image and voice sent from another video conference unit with the image and voice sent from another video conference unit by the built-in video conference unit and sending it to the next video conference unit. 18. The medical support using the satellite communication function according to claim 17, wherein the video conference unit is provided with two X-21 ports for realizing the function of deleting the voice of the above and outputting to the monitor with the speaker. system. 19. The medical device unit comprises a vital sensor including an electrocardiogram, a blood pressure, a body temperature, and a patient's physical condition sensor including a pulse, an IC card, and a vital sensor-accommodating unit. 6. A medical support system using the satellite communication function according to any one of 5 to 5.