US5724968A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Computerized medical diagnostic system including meta function
Assignee: Clinical Decision Support LLC
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Filing: 1993-12-29
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Granted: 1998-03-10
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Expires: 2013-12-29
Abstract
Abstract A system and method for providing computerized, knowledge-based medical diagnostic and treatment advice. The medical advice is provided to the general public over a telephone network. Two new authoring languages, interactive voice response and speech recognition are used to enable expert and general practitioner knowledge to be encoded for access by the public. "Meta" functions for time-density analysis of a number of factors regarding the number of medical complaints per unit of time are an integral part of the system. A semantic discrepancy evaluator routine along with a mental status examination are used to detect the consciousness level of a user of the system. A re-enter feature monitors the user's changing condition over time. A symptom severity analysis helps to respond to the changing conditions. System sensitivity factors may be changed at a global level or other levels to adjust the system advice as necessary.
Inventors
- 👤 Edwin C. Iliff
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 04:49
CPC Classifications
G; G16; G16H; G16H10/00; G16H10/60; G16H15/00; G16H40/00; G16H40/60; G16H40/67
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
125 words
An automated medical advice system, comprising: a computer; input means, connected to the computer, for receiving information from a patient; output means, connected to the computer, for transmitting information to the patient; a consultation history database stored in the computer, the database comprising a time ordered sequence of records, each record indicative of a patient's diagnostic consultation including the following fields: a date, a medical problem, an anatomical system, and a cause of the problem; means for searching the consultation history database using a match pattern to identify records having the match pattern; and means for analyzing the frequency of the patient's diagnostic consultations, wherein the records identified by the searching means permit assessment of an improvement or a deterioration of the patient's medical condition.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
125 words
An automated medical advice system, comprising: a computer; input means, connected to the computer, for receiving information from a patient; output means, connected to the computer, for transmitting information to the patient; a consultation history database stored in the computer, the database comprising a time ordered sequence of records, each record indicative of a patient's diagnostic consultation including the following fields: a date, a medical problem, an anatomical system, and a cause of the problem; means for searching the consultation history database using a match pattern to identify records having the match pattern; and means for analyzing the frequency of the patient's diagnostic consultations, wherein the records identified by the searching means permit assessment of an improvement or a deterioration of the patient's medical condition.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The automated medical advice system defined in claim 1, wherein the match pattern includes at least a cause field.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The automated medical advice system defined in claim 1, wherein the match pattern comprises a character string.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The automated medical advice system defined in claim 3, wherein the analysis means includes a match threshold representative of a preselected minimum number of records particular to the match pattern.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The automated medical advice system defined in claim 4, wherein the analysis means includes a time window used to access a set of records within the consultation history database, the time window comprising a selected period of time.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The automated medical advice system defined in claim 5, wherein the system provides a recommendation to the patient if the analysis means determines that the match threshold is achieved within the time window.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
75 words
The automated medical advice system defined in claim 1, wherein the searching means identifies a most recent record, a next most recent record, and a second most recent record, and wherein the analysis means includes a calculation of a time density ratio specified by dividing a time difference of the second most recent record and the next most recent record by the time difference of the next most recent record and the most recent record.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
The automated medical advice system defined in claim 1, additionally including a plurality of medical algorithms selectively executed by the computer, the medical algorithms including commands written in an authoring language program, said commands including at least one match pattern.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The automated medical advice system defined in claim 8, wherein each consultation history database record is written in response to a write command in a selected one of the medical algorithms.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The automated medical advice system defined in claim 1, wherein the input means includes a dual tone multiple frequency (DTMF) signal processing system.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The automated medical advice system defined in claim 1, wherein the input means includes an automatic speech recognition system.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The automated medical advice system defined in claim 1, wherein the output means includes a speech playback system.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
44 words
The automated medical advice system defined in claim 1, wherein in each of the records of the consultation history database, the cause of the problem field comprises one of the following: allergy, environment, infection, mental, poison, trauma, vascular, genetic, nutritional, metabolic, endocrine, or tumor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
45 words
The automated medical advice system defined in claim 1, wherein in each of the records of the consultation history database, the anatomical system field is selected from the group consisting of skeletal (orthopedic), cardiovascular, gastro-intestinal, gynecologic, hematologic, larynx, nervous, ophthalmologic, respiratory, skin, urological, and endocrine.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The automated medical advice system defined in claim 1, wherein the match pattern includes at least a problem field.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The automated medical advice system defined in claim 1, wherein the match pattern includes at least an anatomic system field.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-03-09 | 2001-09-08 | 2002-03-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-03-09 | 2005-09-08 | 2006-03-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-03-09 | 2009-09-08 | 2010-03-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |