Claims:We Claim:
1. A medical kiosk having a modular configuration and designed to provide tele-med services to a user, said
a. medical kiosk including first and second front panels,
b. first and second rear panels,
c. an interior chamber,
d. a chamber access opening,
e. a user video conferencing system
2. The medical kiosk as defined in claim 1, wherein said first and second front panels are designed to be interchangeable with one another.
3. The medical kiosk as defined in claim 1, wherein said user video conferencing system includes a display monitor, a camera, a microphone, and a user input device.
4. The medical kiosk as defined in claim 1, wherein said interior chamber includes a medical compartment that holds a medical device
5. The medical kiosk as defined in claim 4, wherein said medical compartment includes a lockable door, said lockable door designed to be unlockable when the medical provider allows access to the user.
, Description:Technical Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to medical services, for providing medical services to individuals at locations that traditionally have not provided medical services, and more particularly to a medical kiosk for using a medical kiosk to providing medical services to individuals at locations that are remote from a medical provider.
Background of the Invention
Medical services are traditionally provided to individuals at a doctor's office or medical facility. Typically, an individual contact his/her medical provider when the individual requires some type of medical assistance. The medical provider then sets an appointment time and date for the individual to see the medical provider. Many times, the time and date of the appointment are inconvenient for the individual. Furthermore, the individual seeking medical assistance may desire or need more immediate medical assistance and cannot wait for the time and date set by the medical provider. In such situations, the individual goes to the emergency room of a hospital or some type of medical clinic (e.g., Minute Clinic, Take Care Clinic, Urgent Care Clinic, etc.), if such clinics are available or convenient to visit.
The costs associated with visiting a medical provider can be costly depending on the type of insurance, if any, the individual carries. When an individual visit the emergency room of a hospital, the medical costs can be substantially higher and insurance coverage may be limited to various types of visits. Insurance coverage and cost of the visit may also vary at various clinics. In many communities, clinics are not readily available, thus the individual must either visit the medical provider or go to the hospital.
Various pharmacy and drug stores have begun offering medical services on their premises. These locations generally offer flu shots and very basic medical services, and are typically provided by a nurse practitioner, not a doctor. As such, only very limited types of medical services are offered at such locations. Also, these locations are not offered in a private environment. Generally, the services are provided in a side corridor or partitioned location in the facility.
In view of the current state of the medical services, there is a need for providing medical services in a more convenient, desirable, timely and cost-effective manner.
Object of the Invention
The present invention is directed to a method and device for providing medical services, diagnoses, health, and/or wellness advice to individuals in a convenient, desirable, timely and cost-effective manner.
Summary of the Invention
The novel medical device of the present invention and the novel method for providing medical services, diagnoses, health advice, and/or wellness advice addresses the current deficiencies that exist for providing medical services to individuals.
In one non-limiting aspect of the invention, there is provided a remote medical service arrangement wherein a patient can receive various types of medical advice and services remotely from a medical provider. Traditionally, a patient was required to go to a medical facility to personally meet with and be diagnosed by the medical provider. The present invention is directed to a method wherein medical services, diagnoses, health advice, and/or wellness advice can be dispensed by a medical provider at a location that is remote from the patient. In one non-limiting arrangement, there is provided an audio and/or video link between one or more medical providers located at one or more locations and the patient is located at some other location that is remote from the one or more medical providers. The novel method for providing medical services, diagnoses, health advice, and/or wellness advice enables a medical provider to provide medical services, diagnoses, health advice, and/or wellness advice to patients without the patient having to physically visit the medical provider and/or having to go to the medical provider's office or place of work. As can be appreciated, the audio and/or video link that is used by the medical provider can enable the medical provider to provide medical services, diagnoses, health advice, and/or wellness advice at a single remote location or a plurality of remote locations. When the audio and/or video link enables the medical provider to provide medical services, diagnoses, health advice, and/or wellness advice to a plurality of remote locations, a single medical provider and/or a plurality of medical providers can be used to provide medical services, diagnoses, health advice, and/or wellness advice to patients that are located at a variety of different remote locations. When a plurality of medical providers is used, the medical providers can be located at the same or different locations. As can be appreciated, the novel method for providing medical services allows for more flexibility for a patient to obtain medical services, diagnoses, health advice, and/or wellness advice. The site at which the patient obtains the medical services, diagnoses, health advice, and/or wellness advice can be located in non-traditional locations that are more convenient to a patient and/or can be located at multiple locations to provide easier and/or more convenient access to such medical services, diagnoses, health advice, and/or wellness advice. The multiple locations can be in a single neighbourhood, multiple neighbourhoods, a single town or city, multiple towns or cities, a single state or province, multiple states or provinces, a single country, or multiple countries. The novel method can also be used to provide medical services, diagnoses, health advice, and/or wellness advice at non-standard hours (e.g., evening hours, weekend hours, holiday hours, etc.) to enable a patient to obtain medical services, diagnoses, health advice, and/or wellness advice that are more convenient and timely to the patient. In another and/or alternative non-limiting aspect of the invention, the novel method of the present invention can be used to provide a variety of different medical services, diagnoses, health advice, and/or wellness advice. Non-limiting examples of such medical services, diagnoses, health advise, wellness advise and/or medical conditions that can be identified, treated and/or addressed include, but are not limited to Acid Reflux, Hypertension Management, Allergies, Athlete's Foot, Acne, Mental Health Counselling, Wellness Counselling, Asthma, Cold Sores, Vaccinations, Arthritis, Bronchitis, Impetigo, Wellness Coaching, Weight Loss, Eating Disorders, Bladder Infections, Insect Stings, Allergic Reactions, Haemorrhoids, Minor Burns, Health Risk Management, Migraine Headaches, Common Colds, Minor Skin Infections, Chronic Disease Management, Coughs, Poison Oak/Ivy, Diarrhea, Rashes, Diabetes, Ringworm, Lice, Ear Infections, Sties, Flu, Fever, Gout, Headache (minor), Pink Eye, Sinus Infections, Sore Throat, Ear Infections, Cramps, STDs, Strep Throat, Throat Infections, Feeding Problems For New-borns, Vomiting, Teething, Gastrointestinal Problems, Anxiety, Depression, Formula Advice For New-borns, Concussion, Head Injuries, Bone Fractures, Hair Loss, Alopecia, Eye Infections, Urinary Tract Infections, Constipation, Appendicitis, Pharyngitis, Medication Therapy Management etc. As can be appreciated, other or additional types of medical services and/or health care services can be provided. The medical services and/or health care services that can be provided can include, but are not limited to, 1) providing advice and/or recommendations about a medical condition, 2) diagnosing a medical condition, 3) providing referral services for a medical condition, 4) prescribing medicine for a medical condition, 5) periodically monitoring a medical condition, 6) providing routine check-up services, 7) providing advice and/or recommendations about medical and/or health matters, 8) providing a course of treatment for a medical condition, 8) providing health counselling, 9) providing health information, 10) providing wellness counselling, and/or 11) providing wellness information. As can be appreciated, other or additional services can be provided to the patient. Any type of medical condition, medical concern, health concern, wellness concern, etc. can be addressed by the novel method for providing medical services of the present invention. Hereinafter, these services will be collectively referred to as medical services. As can be appreciated, the type of services provided to a patient will depend on the specific medical condition, medical concern, wellness concern, and/or health concern of the patient. In many instances, the medical provider will be able to diagnose, address and/or treat the specific medical condition, medical concern, wellness concern, health concern, etc. of the patient. In some instances, the specific medical condition, medical concern, wellness concern, health concern, etc. of the patient may be too complicated or complex to address via an audio and/or video link, thus the medical provider in such situations may have to refer the patient to a hospital, a doctor's office, counsellor, psychiatrist/psychologist, medical specialist, health professional, dietician, rehabilitation facility, a traditional medical clinic for further counselling, treatment and/or diagnosis, or some other location or professional that can address the patient's needs and/or requirements.
Brief Description of Drawings
FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a medical kiosk in accordance with the present invention.
Detailed Description of Invention
Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for the purpose of illustrating one non-limiting embodiment of the invention only and not for the purpose of limiting same, FIGS. 1 illustrate one non-limiting embodiment of the medical kiosk in accordance with the present invention. The medical kiosk is designed to be used by a user to obtain medical services. Such medical services are generally tele-med services wherein one or more medical providers located at a remote location provide medical services to one or more users that are using the medical kiosk. As can be appreciated, non-tele-med services can also be provided to a user that is using the medical kiosk.
The shape, size and configuration of the medical kiosk are non-limiting. The materials and colors of the medical kiosk are also non-limiting. Generally, the materials used to form the medical kiosk include materials that resist or prevent microbial growth; however, this is not required. The medical kiosk illustrated in FIGS. 1is designed to accommodate about 1-4 adults; however, it can be appreciated that the medical kiosk can be designed to accommodate additional users.
The medical kiosk is generally designed to be modular so that it can be easily assembled and disassembled; however, this is not required. FIG. 1 illustrates one non-limiting set of modular components of the medical kiosk. The medical kiosk generally includes a floor panel however, this is not required. The floor panel, when used, is generally a one-piece unit however, the floor panel can be formed of multiple pieces. The floor panel is generally formed of a durable material. The floor panel can be formed of a slightly compressible material to facilitate in the comfort of walking on the floor panel however, this is not required. The floor panel is illustrated as having an oval shape. however, other shapes can be used. The maximum length of the floor panel is generally 3-15 feet, typically 4-12 feet, more typically about 6-10 feet, and even more typically about 8-9 feet; however, other lengths can be used. The maximum width of the floor panel is generally 3-10 feet, typically 4-8 feet, and more typically about 4-6 feet; however; other widths can be used. The top surface area of the floor panel is generally 10-150 sq. ft., typically 15-80 sq. ft., and more typically about 50-60 sq. ft.; however, other surface areas of the floor panel can be used. The floor panel can be sized to enable a user in a wheelchair to enter the medical kiosk and turn and/or fully maneuver in the medical kiosk while sitting in the wheelchair however, this is not required. The thickness of the floor panel is generally about 0.1-5 inches, and typically about 0.25-3 inches. however, other thicknesses of the floor panel can be used.
A weight scale can optionally be partially or fully embedded in the floor panel. As can be appreciated, a weight scale can be placed on the top surface of the floor panel and/or positioned on other regions of the medical kiosk. The weight scale, when used, provides information about the weight of a user. The information from the scale can be electronically transferred to a medical provider or displayed to the user or medical provider.
A ramp can be optionally used to facilitate entry and exiting of the medical kiosk. however, this is not required. The shape and size of the ramp is non-limiting. The ramp can be made of a similar material as the floor panel. however, this is not required. The ramp generally includes a sloped surface to facilitate in transitioning from a floor surface to the top surface of the floor panel however, this is not required.
The medical kiosk can optionally include one or more benches, stools and/or chairs. When bench is included in the medical kiosk, the bench is generally positioned on the back-interior wall of the medical kiosk, however, this is not required. The bench can be used to allow a parent, guardian, spouse, relative, friend, etc. to sit in the medical kiosk while the user is obtaining medical services in the medical kiosk. The bench can be designed to enable one or more persons to sit on the bench. The bench can optionally include a storage space under the seat of the bench that can be used to store supplies, equipment, etc. for the medical kiosk. A liftable seat section can be used to access the storage space. When the bench includes a storage space, the bench can include a lock to limit access to the storage space, however, this is not required. As can be appreciated, the medical kiosk can include one or more chairs, not shown, to enable one or more users to sit in the medical kiosk while receiving medical services in the medical kiosk. The bench is generally about 10-25 inches high, and typically about 16-20 inches high; however, other heights can be used.
The medical kiosk is illustrated as having two front panels 140, 150, two rear panels 160, 170, one side wall 180, and one door system 190. The front panels, rear panels, side wall, and door system are generally formed of a durable material. As can be appreciated, the medical kiosk can be designed to only include a single front panel and/or a single rear panel. As can also be appreciated, the medical kiosk can be designed to include more than two front panels or more than two rear panels. As can be appreciated, the medical kiosk can be designed to include more than one side wall and/or more than one door system. As can also be appreciated, a side wall can be substituted for another door system; however, this is not required. The general shape and size of the front and rear panels are the same; however, this is not required.