WO2024039291A1

WO2024039291A1 - A portable telemedicine kiosk

Info

Publication number: WO2024039291A1
Application number: PCT/SG2023/050555
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sia Nguan Eugene TAN; Ganesh SETHURAMAN; Tai Wee WONG
Original assignee: Medlyves Pte Ltd
Priority date: 2022-08-15
Filing date: 2023-08-14
Publication date: 2024-02-22

Abstract

Disclosed is a telemedicine kiosk comprising a frame structure; a videoconferencing module having a display unit, an audio unit and a video camera for enabling an appointment of a telemedicine session within a confined area, the display unit being incorporated with a kiosk user interface and displaceable to a first position during the telemedicine session; a communication module for connecting the videoconferencing module and the service terminal wirelessly for the telemedicine session; a pair of motorized wheels attached to a bottom of the frame structure allowing the kiosk; a power module housed within the frame structure; a computing module in communication with the videoconferencing module, the communication module, the motorized swivel arm, and the power module. Preferably, the computing module is configured to displace the display unit between the first position and the second position by controlling the motorized swivel arm.

Description

A Portable Telemedicine Kiosk

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a portable telemedicine kiosk, which is applicable in providing telemedicine service through a real-time videoconference between a patient and a remotely located medical practitioner. The portable telemedicine kiosk is particularly constructed in a fashion to enable it to be employed in a confined area having numerous obstacles such as a floor of nursing home serving the needs of multiple patients.

Background

Telemedicine utilizes telecommunication and information technology to provide clinical health care services towards patients, from a distance, under situation which accessing such services physically through a hospital or clinic has become difficult or unrealistic. For instance, bedridden patients staying in nursing home and the like may require routine medical checkup to ensure wellbeing of the patients. Nevertheless, moving these patients even to the nearest hospital demands great effort from the nursing home in terms of manpower and time. The bedridden patients in the meantime are subjected to unnecessary risk throughout their journey to the hospital. The advent of the telemedicine has significantly eliminated the distance barriers enabling almost immediate access to medical services when the need arises. Numerous efforts have been put up to improve the existing telemedicine system from different aspects, particularly its reliability and conveniency to access. International patent publication no. W02008022423 disclose a telemedicine system having an interface module in constant communication with a central server to verify a tool used remotely by receiving a verification code from the interface module. Korean patent publication no. 101030909 describes another telemedicine system in the form of a docking station, which can be detachably fastened to an item such as medical cart in an ambulance for constantly monitoring status of a patient on his way being transported to the hospital. Likewise, Chinese patent no. 102567611 discloses a telemedicine system with a machine-to-machine (M2M) module to facilitate data sharing among different telemedicine systems and reliable data recovery in case corruption of stored data associated to the patient. The abovementioned systems indeed deliver the intended features rendering consultations through interactive telemedicine services becoming more reliable and safer to use. Still, these systems are not directed to widen the reach of the telemedicine services to vulnerable group such as bedridden patients or the like with other mobile disabilities. Particularly, it is more ideal to have a system being at least partially autonomous to bring the telemedicine system to those bedridden patients and the like free from any unwanted hassles according to a time and/or date predetermined by the medical practitioners or medical officers taking care of the patients.

Summary

One object of the present disclosure is to provide a portable or transportable telemedicine system with great mobility to reach patients in need of telemedicine services. In more specific, the telemedicine system is constructed in a relatively small form factor to be moved around in a confined area scattered with obstacles bringing telemedicine services to a number of patients resided in the confined area.

Still, another object of the present disclosure is to provide a telemedicine system equipped with one or more autonomous features for facilitating a bedridden patient to attend a telemedicine session with ease.

More object of the present disclosure is to provide a telemedicine system with improved portability. Particularly, the disclosed system may be powered by battery packs permitting the disclosed system to be moved or to navigate in the confined area free from the restraint of powering cord. Preferably, the battery packs can be swapped when the energy stored in the battery packs powering the disclosed kiosk becomes depleted or drained below a predetermined amount/ percentage.

Further object of the present disclosure is directed to provide greater accessibility towards telemedicine services regardless of restriction caused by physical distance between a patient and a medical practitioner using the disclosed portable kiosk.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a telemedicine kiosk is disclosed. Essentially, the telemedicine kiosk comprises a frame structure; a videoconferencing module having a display unit, an audio unit and a video camera for enabling an appointment of a telemedicine session between a patient and a medical practitioner remotely located at a service terminal throughout telemedicine session within a confined area, the display unit being suspended on top of the frame structure in a default position using a swivel arm supported on the frame structure, the display unit being incorporated with a kiosk user interface and displaceable to a first position during the telemedicine session; a communication module for connecting the videoconferencing module and the service terminal wirelessly for the telemedicine session; at least a pair of motorized wheels attached to a bottom of the frame structure allowing the kiosk to move on a relatively flattened surface; a power module attached to the frame structure; a computing module in communication with the videoconferencing module, the communication module, the swivel arm, and the power module. Preferably, the computing module is configured to displace the display unit between the default position and the first position by controlling movements of the swivel arm.

In some embodiments, a navigation module communicating with the computing module is incorporated to the kiosk for generating a navigation map of the confined area.

In some embodiments, the computing module is configured to control the at least pair of motorized wheels to navigate the kiosk through the confined area according to the navigation map generated. More preferably, the navigation map of the confined area comprises at least a designated point corresponding to a designated location in the confined area that the computer module is configured control the at least pair of motorized wheels to navigate the kiosk through the confined area to arrive at the designated location, which is a location for conducting the telemedicine session.

In some embodiments, the designated location is assigned by the medical practitioner or an administrator of kiosk.

In some embodiments, the service terminal permits the medical practitioner to manage the date and time of an appointment of videoconference through a service interface provided at the service terminal. For more embodiments, the swivel arm comprises a first joint, a second joint and a third joint enabling the swivel arm to realize seven degree of freedom movement for displacing the display unit towards the first position.

For more embodiments, the computing module is configured to displace the display unit to the first position upon receiving a first input from an operator through the videoconferencing module.

For more embodiments, the default position is predetermined by an administrator using the kiosk user interface and information about coordination of the first position is stored in a database as a first position data with the database being communicatively connecting to the computing module. Preferably, the computing module displaces the display unit towards the first position through controlling movement of the swivel arm according to the information of the first position data retrieved from the database.

For several embodiments, the database stores information of a default position of the display unit as a default position-data that the computing module displaces the display unit towards the first position according to the information of the first position data retrieved from the database.

For several embodiments, the kiosk further comprises one or more screening tools for measuring and collecting physiological data of the patient during the telemedicine session to derive a diagnosis or prognosis for the patient. Preferably, the screening tools is any one or a combination of digital stethoscope, thermometer, pulse oximeter, examination camera, and blood pressure monitor.

For several embodiments, the kiosk further comprises a power module for powering operation of the kiosk, the power module comprising an electrical grid interconnecting the modules and at least one rechargeable battery pack storing an amount of chemical energy being electrically connecting to the grid for supplying power to the interconnected modules. More preferably, the battery module is configured to send an audiovisual alert through the kiosk user interface upon detecting the amount of stored chemical energy dropped below a predetermined percentage. For more embodiments, the computing module is configured to prohibit commencement of the telemedicine session upon detecting the amount of stored chemical energy dropped below a predetermined percentage.

Brief Description Of The Drawings

Fig. 1 shows schematic layout of an overall telemedicine architecture applicable for the disclosed kiosk;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the telemedicine kiosk or telemedicine cart disclosed;

Fig. 3 is a top view of the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 4 is a front view of the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 5 is a side view of the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the kiosk with the swivel arm being displaced to a first position facilitating a telemedicine session;

Fig. 7 shows hinges or joints of the swivel arm realizing seven degree of freedom (DOF) to move a display unit mounted onto the arm with the inset illustrating the mount at the back of the display unit; and

Fig. 8 shows an example of the kiosk user interface.

Detailed Description

The preferred embodiment of the disclosure is now described with reference to the figures, where like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements. While specific configurations and arrangements are discussed, it should be understood that this is done for illustrative purposes only. A person skilled in the art will recognize that the other configurations and arrangements can be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. The term “operator” or “administrator” are used interchangeably throughout this specification referring to a person given the right to manage, operate, prepare and/or set up the disclosed kiosk for a telemedicine session of telemedicine services. Preferably, the operator is a nurse with sufficient clinical experience or knowledge to run the telemedicine session on site, with or without further instructions from the medical practitioner, doctor or specialist presiding the session.

The term “medical practitioner” used hereinafter may refer to at least one of a physician, a specialist of a given medical field, a nurse, a pharmacist, a physiotherapist, and a nutritionist who is qualified to at least provide professional advice and opinion with respect to health being of the patient. More than one medical practitioner may attend a single consultation or telemedicine session as a combined effort to derive the diagnosis outcome, strategize a therapeutic course, or advise on means to improve health being of the patient.

The term “module” or “modules” used hereinafter can refer to any one or combination of software and hardware incorporated and/or interconnected to provide the desired function contributing to the objects of delivering telemedicine services.

Fig. 1 depicts one possible architectural layout of a telemedicine system (200) or network involving implementation of a mobilized telemedicine kiosk (100) featuring at least partial autonomous functionalities to facilitate consultation session by a bedridden patient through the telemedicine services offered. In general, a plurality of secured backend servers (210) forms a hub connecting different entities participating the telemedicine services. In particular, the telemedicine system (200) comprises a database (220) storing all essential information such as electronic medical records (EMR) and one or more supportive healthcare institutes having a plurality of service terminals (250) providing medical specialists of various fields for handling different enquiries associated to health issues of a number of patients being the members of the telemedicine system (200). The telemedicine system (200) or network may engage a manufacturer with offices and/or factories to produce client terminal of various designs or models to meet different needs of the clients. For example, normal home user can purchase or rent, preferably by way of subscription, a briefcase-like telemedicine kiosk instead of a pushcart-like kiosk (100), as disclosed hereinafter, implemented at nursing home. Referring now to Fig. 2 to 5, an embodiment of the disclosed telemedicine kiosk (100) is illustrated. The telemedicine kiosk (100) essentially comprises a frame structure (110); a videoconferencing module (120) having a display unit (121), an audio unit and a video camera (122) for enabling an appointment of a telemedicine session between a patient and a medical practitioner remotely located at a service terminal (250) throughout telemedicine session within a confined area, the display unit (121) being suspended on top of the frame structure (110) in a default position using a motorized swivel arm (160) supported on the frame structure (110), the display unit (121) being incorporated with a kiosk user interface and displaceable to a first position during the telemedicine session; a communication module for connecting the videoconferencing module (120) and the service terminal (250) wirelessly for the telemedicine session; at least a pair of motorized wheels attached to a bottom of the frame structure (110) allowing the kiosk (100) to move on a relatively flattened surface; a power module attached to the frame structure (110); and a computing module in communication with the videoconferencing module (120), the communication module, the motorized swivel arm (160), and the power module.

According to some embodiments, the frame structure (110) serves to provide support for mounting, storing, keeping, maintaining and/or securing various modules used to establish the telemedicine kiosk (100). The frame structure (110) may comprise a base frame (111), a body frame (112) erected on top of the base frame (111) around the back of the base frame (111), and a planar frame (113) extending horizontally away from and around the top of the body frame (112) in a manner substantially parallel to the top of the base frame (111) with a void spacing the planar frame (113) and the top of the base frame (111) apart. A push grip (118) may be positioned about the front of the planar frame (113). The base frame (111) can be a substantially cuboid receptacle or case enclosing a first storage space therein. At least one of the front, back or side facades of the base frame (111) can be detachable or hingably yanked away for accessing the first storage space. The first storage space may preferably keep one or more battery packs of a power module, one or more DC motors to drive the movement of the motorized wheels, the computing module, a cooling module to dissipate heat out of the first storage space, and/or etc. Preferably, the power module especially the battery packs kept in the first storage space are coupled with the cooling module to avoid overheating of the battery packs along the course of discharging its energy to power the operation of the disclosed kiosk (100). Similarly, the computing module is preferably coupled with the cooling module to get rid of the heat generated when processing all the data processed through there. The cooling module may have one more fan to blow heated air out from the first storage space via cutouts (115) carved on the side or back facade of the base frame (111) as shown. The bottom (116) of the base frame (111) may be expanded in size in relation to the top of the base frame (111) to stabilize the kiosk (100) better upon installing each corner of the bottom (116) with a motorized wheel for mobility of the disclosed kiosk (100). As to the body frame (112), it may define an empty space too to be used as a second storage space. The second storage space can be used to house other modules or components cannot be fitted into the first storage space. Preferably, electrical wires forming an electrical grid draining power off the battery packs for backing operation of other modules may run within the second storage space. The data cable connecting the computing module to the display unit (121) for transmitting data about the videoconference of the telemedicine session may run in the second storage space too. At least portion of the front and/or the back facade of the body frame (112) can be detachably opened to permit access towards the second storage space. A locking mechanism may be equipped to secure the detachable facade for accessing the first and/or second storage putting additional layer of security to the disclosed kiosk (100).

With reference to Fig. 2, the planar frame (113) projecting out from the body frame (112) is generally suspended above the base frame (111). The top of the planar frame (113) can be used for placing one or more input means (270) such as keyboard or mouse for user or administrator of the kiosk (100) to enter information about the telemedicine session into the telemedicine system (200). An undermount extension drawer (117) can be installed underneath the planar frame (113) through rollers and sliding rails respectively fixed on the planar frame (113) and the extension drawer (117). The extension drawer (117) can be pulled away from the planar frame (113) to reveal a third storage space or retracted back under the planar frame (113). The extension drawer (117) offers a third storage space. The third storage space has relatively smaller capacity compared to the first and the second storage spaces. Preferably, the smaller third storage space is dedicated for keeping some medicaments to be applied to a patient by the nurse and/or administrator assisting the telemedicine services. To keep the medicaments safe from unintended use, the drawer (117) or the third storage space is preferably locked. A passcode may be provided by the medical practitioner prescribing the medicaments to the nurse. The one-time passcode may be generated at the service terminal (250) upon recording the prescription at the service terminal (250). A different passcode will be generated for different telemedicine session. Still, a conventional key and lock mechanism may be employed to secure the third storage space in some embodiments rather than deploying a digital lock system requiring the passcode. For such embodiments, the key to unlock the third storage space. In the embodiments illustrated in Fig. 3, the third storage space preferably stores a number of health screening tools (253) to be used by the site operator of the disclosed kiosk (100).

From Fig. 2-5, the swivel arm (160) is erected on top of the body frame (112) around an area closer to the back of the body frame (112) to preserve overall stability of the kiosk (100). The swivel arm (160) comprises a vertically extending first segment (161) hinged to a second segment (163) though a first joint (162), a third segment (165) hinged to the second segment via a second joint (164), and a third joint (166) to hinge the display unit (121) to one end of the third segment (165) enabling the swivel arm (160) to realize seven degree of freedom movement for displacing the display unit (121) towards the first position. The segments are pole- or shaft-like construct fabricated from mechanically strong metal or alloy such as stainless steel. One in the field shall understand that there are different ways to arrange, combine or connect these segments and joints to realize seven degree of freedom movement for displacing the display unit (121). Preferably, the swivel arm (160) has a fixed end to anchor on the body frame (112) and a mounting end for attaching the display unit (121). The mounting end of the swivel arm (160) preferably possesses a standard VESA mount (169), as shown in the inlet of Fig. 7 to fit wide range of display unit (121) compatible with the mount. More preferably, each of the joint of the swivel arm (160) is motorized that the movement of each joint in relation to each other in the three-dimensional space is controlled by the computing module. Furthermore, the computing module is configured to displace the display unit (121) to the first position upon receiving a first input from an operator through the videoconferencing module (120). The first input can be selected one of several predetermined positions which the fashion the display unit (121) being displaced away from the default position. Each position has a corresponding position data stored in a database. The position data may include coordinate data, preferably based on Cartesian coordinate system or the like, associated to the corresponding position of the display unit (121) being displaced to facilitate the computing module to automatically adjust the swivel arm (160) to displace the display unit (121) to the chosen position preferably before commencement of the telemedicine session. These positions may include the first position and a first position data. The telemedicine session may be more ideal to be carried out by orientating the display unit to a second position, with a second position data saved in the database, for another patient due to resting posture of this particular bedridden patient. The second position is different from the first position for the telemedicine session. Similar principle shall apply to a third position, a fourth position and so on. Alternatively, the first position can be decided by the operator or the nurse assisting a telemedicine session. The operator can decide the first position using a program presenting on the user interface (270) of the kiosk (100) and run by the computing module. For example, the operator can simply enter coordinates of the first position, as a first input, in relation to the three axes then the computing module shall adjust the swivel arm (160) automatically according to the first input. Still, in some embodiments, the operator or nurse can manually adjust the swivel arm (160) by twisting and turning the each of the joint by hand until the display unit (121) reaches the ideal adjusted position for conducting the telemedicine session. For these embodiments with adjustment through hands, the operator can instruct the computing module to determine the position data corresponding to the ideal adjusted position followed by memorizing and storing the determined position data in the database. The operator can directly recall the stored determined position data to drive the swivel arm (160) resume the ideal adjusted position in next the telemedicine session.

Furthermore, the database stores information of a default position of the display unit (121) as a default position-data that the computing module displaces the display unit (121) towards the first position according to the information of the first position data retrieved from the database in some embodiments. Also, the operator can decide the default position in some embodiments. For instance, the default position with the corresponding default-position data may require the displace unit to be tilted towards a certain orientation to ease the storing or charging the kiosk (100) when it is not in use. More specifically, in these embodiments, the default position is predetermined by an administrator or operator using the kiosk user interface (270) and information about coordinate of the first position is stored in a database as a first position data with the database being communicatively connecting to the computing module. Subsequently, the computing module displaces the display unit (121) towards the first position through controlling movement of the swivel arm (160) according to the information of the first position data retrieved from the database or resume the display unit (121) and the swivel arm (160) towards the default position using the default-position data. To facilitate adjustment of the swivel arm (160) by the computing module, the first, second and the third joints are preferably motorized in some embodiments. Each of the joint may be coupled with one or more servo motor and/or stepper motor to drive at rotation of the joint towards at least one axis. The motor coupled to each joint are preferably interconnected and in constant communication with the computing module. An IO adaptor may be used to interface communication between the computing module and the motors. An external case may be used to enclose the joint and the motors coupled to the joint to protect both the motors and the joint as well as improve aesthetic appearance of the disclosed kiosk (100).

Pursuant to a number of preferred embodiments, the disclosed kiosk (100) further comprises a navigation module communicating with the computing module for generating a navigation map of the confined area. In some embodiments, the navigation module comprises a LIDAR (light detection and ranging) system with multiple sensors to sense the environment around the confined area. Nonetheless, other environmental sensing and mapping system such as visual simultaneous localization and mapping (vSLAM) system can be employed as well for mapping the confined area and/or navigate the kiosk (100) through the mapped confined area. The navigation map is preferably a real-time 3D map of the confined area. The LIDAR or vSLAM system may comprise, but not limited to, one or more cliff sensors, one or more bump sensors, one or more ultrasonic time-of-flight (ToF) sensors, one or more optical sensors, one or more optical encoders, etc. At least one of these sensors uses infrared or laser to map and measure the confined area. To generate the map, the operator may firstly instruct the kiosk (100) to cruise within the confined area for generating the navigation map by way of sensing and registering obstacles such as beds, tables, or any other furniture positioned within the confined area. Preferably, the user interface (270) of the kiosk (100) may have a virtual tab clickable or activatable for instructing the kiosk (100) to cruise and map. The navigation map will be updated and stored in the database upon activating the mapping tab provided in the user interface (270). In more embodiments, the computing module is configured to control the at least pair of motorized wheels to navigate the kiosk (100) through the confined area according to the navigation map generated. The at least pair of motorized wheels can be part of the navigation module in some embodiments.

It is important to note that the navigation map of the confined area may comprise at least a designated point corresponding to a designated location in the confined area that the computer module is configured control the at least pair of motorized wheels to navigate the kiosk (100) through the confined area to arrive at the designated location, which is a location for conducting the telemedicine session. More preferably, the designated location is assigned by the medical practitioner or an administrator of kiosk (100) in a number of embodiments. Particularly, the designated location is the location where a telemedicine session will be held. The designated location is preferably a place around bedside of the bedridden patient. The operator or medical practitioner can recall the navigation map store in the database and have the navigation map present on the display unit (121). From the display unit (121), the medical practitioner or the operator can register the designated location as the corresponding designated point in the navigation map then saving the navigation map using the newly registered designated point as part of the updated information of the navigation map. It is worth noting that the computing module will not maneuver the kiosk (100) to the designated location unless the date and time of the corresponding telemedicine session has been filled in and stored in the database. Preferably, a service terminal (250) permits the medical practitioner to manage the date and time of an appointment of videoconference of the telemedicine session through a service interface provided at the service terminal (250). The medical practitioner can also determine the period or duration of an appointed telemedicine session and register the duration required for a given telemedicine session. The service terminal (250) can be a laptop, tablet, computer or even smartphone used by the medical practitioner to connect to the telemedicine system (200). The service terminal (250) may be installed with the service user interface or service interface to access the telemedicine system (200) for setting up a new appointment of the telemedicine session or modify a previously set appointment. Still, the operator of the disclosed kiosk (100) can also input the date and time of a telemedicine session using the kiosk user interface (270). The disclosed kiosk (100) can be considered a user terminal or client terminal connecting to the telemedicine system (200). For more embodiments, the computing module checks the all the registries of the appointments of the telemedicine services of a given date before allowing docketing time and/or duration of a new appointment of the given date to avoid double -booking of the kiosk (100) by two or more patients. A notification will be shown on the display unit (121) informing the operator that the requested slot for the telemedicine session is unavailable for the kiosk (100) and prompting the operator to find a new date or time.

During the telemedicine session, the operator of the kiosk (100) may need to assist the medical practitioner to measure and collect physiological data of the patient such that at least a preliminary diagnosis can be concluded about well-being of the patient. As shown in Fig. 3, one or more screening tools (253) for measuring and collecting physiological data of the patient during the telemedicine session to derive a diagnosis or prognosis for the patient. The screening tools (253) is any one or a combination of digital stethoscope, thermometer, pulse oximeter, examination camera, and blood pressure monitor. The kiosk user interface (270) is designed to share the collected physiological data on the display unit (121) that the nurse, patient and/or family members of the patient sitting in for the telemedicine session is aware of the readings of screening. For instance, Fig. 8 illustrates one embodiment of the kiosk user interface (270) presenting readings associated to measurement of blood pressure of a patient. Furthermore, an examination camera is employed for several embodiments of the kiosk (100). More specifically, the medical practitioner may need to examine lesion such as bedsore or other symptoms present on the skin of the patient from time to time that the examination can be performed using the examination camera, which can be handheld and connected to the computing module and/or communication module to relay then exhibit the image or video captured in real-time on the display unit (121) and the service terminal (250). The examination camera is separable from the kiosk (100) for a distance in order to reach the patient for examination. The connection of the examination camera with the computing module and/or communication module can be either wired or wireless.

In some embodiments, the communication may be a combination of, but not necessarily, router and modem to transmit all the data generated including audiovisual files of the videoconference, readings of health screening, input from the operator and/or medical practitioners, EMR, etc. preferably to the backend server (210) of the telemedicine system (200). Part of data are communicated in between the disclosed kiosk (100) and the service terminal (250). The data to be transmitted has to be processed to a format complying with the network and/or internet protocol such as transmission control protocol (TCP), hyper text transfer protocol (HTTP), hypertext transfer protocol secure (HTTPS), file transfer protocol (FTP), user datagram protocol (UDP), etc. before the communication module can actually transfer the data out of the kiosk (100). On the other hand, the data received by the kiosk (100) from the server (210) and/or the service terminal (250) may also require conversion from the format complying with the network protocol to a video and/or audio file format playable on the videoconference module. The transmitted data and the received data may be subjected to data compression and data decompression respectively before being uploaded to the server (210) and downloaded to the kiosk (100).

To optimize mobility of the disclosed kiosk (100), a power module for powering operation of the kiosk (100) is incorporated in some embodiments. Preferably, the power module comprises an electrical grid interconnecting the modules and at least one rechargeable battery pack storing an amount of chemical energy being electrically connecting to the grid for supplying power to the interconnected modules. The electrical grid is an electrically conductive framework including wires, circuit boards, etc. interconnecting the modules to receive electrical energy, preferably in the form of direct current, derived from the battery packs. The operator can swap, replace or exchange used battery pack with depleted energy with a fully charged battery pack. In several embodiments, the power module has at least a first battery back and a second battery pack. Specifically, the power module is fashioned to initially drain power from the first battery pack followed by the second battery pack, which is deployed as a backup battery pack upon depletion of the chemical energy stored in the first battery pack below a predetermined percentage or level. In further embodiments, the battery module or the computing module is configured to send an audiovisual alert through the kiosk user interface (270) upon detecting the amount of stored chemical energy dropped below a predetermined percentage. Through the audiovisual alert, the operator shall become aware the need to recharge the battery packs or replace them with fully charged battery packs. Pursuant to more preferred embodiments, the computing module is configured to prohibit commencement of the telemedicine session upon detecting the amount of stored chemical energy dropped below a predetermined percentage. By prohibiting initialization of the telemedicine session, the disclosed kiosk (100) compels the operator to replace the depleted battery ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted telemedicine session. Optionally, the power module may comprise a remotely positioned docking station connecting to a power source for readily charging the depleted battery packs when the kiosk (100) is not put in use. The docking station preferably connects to a commercial electrical grid with consistent electricity supply. One or more electrical contact points is fabricated on the docking station to abut on corresponding contact points carried on the kiosk (100) once the kiosk (100) is brought into contact with the docking station for charging.

It is to be understood that the present disclosure may be embodied in other specific forms and is not limited to the sole embodiment described above. However, modification and equivalents of the disclosed concepts such as those which readily occur to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the claims which are appended thereto.

Claims

1. A telemedicine kiosk comprising: a frame structure; a videoconferencing module having a display unit, an audio unit and a video camera for enabling an appointment of a telemedicine session between a patient and a medical practitioner remotely located at a service terminal throughout the telemedicine session within a confined area, the display unit being suspended on top of the frame structure in a default position using a swivel arm supported on the frame structure, the display unit being incorporated with a kiosk user interface and displaceable to a first position during the telemedicine session; a communication module for connecting the videoconferencing module and the service terminal wirelessly for the telemedicine session; at least a pair of motorized wheels attached to a bottom of the frame structure allowing the kiosk to move on a relatively flattened surface; a power module attached to the frame structure; a computing module in communication with the videoconferencing module, the communication module, the swivel arm, and the power module, wherein the computing module is configured to displace the display unit between the default position and the first position by controlling movements of the swivel arm.

2. The telemedicine kiosk of claim 1 further comprising a navigation module communicating with the computing module for generating a navigation map of the confined area.

3. The telemedicine kiosk of claim 2, wherein the computing module is configured to control the at least pair of motorized wheels to navigate the kiosk through the confined area according to the navigation map generated.

4. The telemedicine kiosk of claim 3, wherein the navigation map of the confined area comprises at least a designated point corresponding to a designated location in the confined area that the computer module is configured control the at least pair of motorized wheels to navigate the kiosk through the confined area to arrive at the designated location, which is a location for conducting the telemedicine session.

5. The telemedicine kiosk of claim 4, wherein the designated location is assigned by the medical practitioner or an administrator of kiosk.

6. The telemedicine kiosk of claim 5, wherein service terminal permits the medical practitioner to manage the date and time of an appointment of videoconference through a service interface provided at the service terminal.

7. The telemedicine kiosk of claim 1, wherein the swivel arm comprises a first joint, a second joint and a third joint enabling the swivel arm to realize seven degree of freedom movement for displacing the display unit towards the first position.

8. The telemedicine kiosk of claim 7, wherein the computing module is configured to displace the display unit to the first position upon receiving a first input from an operator through the videoconferencing module.

9. The telemedicine kiosk of claim 1, wherein the default position is predetermined by an administrator using the kiosk user interface and information about coordination of the first position is stored in a database as a first position data with the database being communicatively connecting to the computing module, the computing module displaces the display unit towards the first position through controlling movement of the swivel arm according to the information of the first position data retrieved from the database.

10. The telemedicine kiosk of claim 1, wherein the database stores information of a default position of the display unit as a default position-data that the computing module displaces the display unit towards the first position according to the information of the first position data retrieved from the database.

11. The telemedicine kiosk of claim 1 further comprising one or more screening tools for measuring and collecting physiological data of the patient during the telemedicine session to derive a diagnosis or prognosis for the patient.

12. The telemedicine kiosk of claim 11, wherein the screening tools is any one or a combination of digital stethoscope, thermometer, pulse oximeter, examination camera, and blood pressure monitor.

13. The telemedicine kiosk of claim 1 further comprising a power module for powering operation of the kiosk, the power module comprising an electrical grid interconnecting the modules and at least one rechargeable battery pack storing an amount of chemical energy being electrically connecting to the grid for supplying power to the interconnected modules.

14. The telemedicine kiosk of claim 13, wherein the computing module is configured to send an audiovisual alert through the kiosk user interface upon detecting the amount of stored chemical energy dropped below a predetermined percentage.

15. The telemedicine kiosk of claim 13, wherein the computing module is configured to prohibit commencement of the telemedicine session upon detecting the amount of stored chemical energy dropped below a predetermined percentage.