U.S. patent application number 17/068703 was filed with the patent office on 2021-04-15 for selective access to medical symptom tracking data using dispersive storage area network (san).
The applicant listed for this patent is DISPERSIVE NETWORKS, INC.. Invention is credited to Thomas Andrew Dawson, Robert W. Twitchell, JR..
Application Number | 20210110899 17/068703 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005290320 |
Filed Date | 2021-04-15 |
![](/patent/app/20210110899/US20210110899A1-20210415-D00000.png)
![](/patent/app/20210110899/US20210110899A1-20210415-D00001.png)
![](/patent/app/20210110899/US20210110899A1-20210415-D00002.png)
![](/patent/app/20210110899/US20210110899A1-20210415-D00003.png)
![](/patent/app/20210110899/US20210110899A1-20210415-D00004.png)
![](/patent/app/20210110899/US20210110899A1-20210415-D00005.png)
![](/patent/app/20210110899/US20210110899A1-20210415-D00006.png)
![](/patent/app/20210110899/US20210110899A1-20210415-D00007.png)
![](/patent/app/20210110899/US20210110899A1-20210415-D00008.png)
![](/patent/app/20210110899/US20210110899A1-20210415-D00009.png)
![](/patent/app/20210110899/US20210110899A1-20210415-D00010.png)
View All Diagrams
United States Patent
Application |
20210110899 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Twitchell, JR.; Robert W. ;
et al. |
April 15, 2021 |
SELECTIVE ACCESS TO MEDICAL SYMPTOM TRACKING DATA USING DISPERSIVE
STORAGE AREA NETWORK (SAN)
Abstract
A method of monitoring symptoms of a person includes repeating,
over a period of time, the steps of: selecting, by the person, one
or more symbolic representations corresponding to one or more
symptoms from a predefined set of symbolic representations
presented to the person; and electronically recording data
regarding the one or more symbolic representations selected by the
person such that the data is electronically accessible later for
generating a history of the symptoms of the person over the period
of time. The data is transferred over virtual networks using
virtual dispersive routing and stored in dispersive storage area
networks (SANs). The data is classified as trusted, corrupted,
invalid or uncertain, and/or as trusted, ambiguous and
inadequate.
Inventors: |
Twitchell, JR.; Robert W.;
(Cumming, GA) ; Dawson; Thomas Andrew; (Aldershot,
GB) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
DISPERSIVE NETWORKS, INC. |
Alpharetta |
GA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005290320 |
Appl. No.: |
17/068703 |
Filed: |
October 12, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
16278706 |
Feb 18, 2019 |
10803978 |
|
|
17068703 |
|
|
|
|
14833829 |
Aug 24, 2015 |
10210949 |
|
|
16278706 |
|
|
|
|
13361943 |
Jan 30, 2012 |
9116734 |
|
|
14833829 |
|
|
|
|
13007595 |
Jan 14, 2011 |
8560634 |
|
|
13361943 |
|
|
|
|
13360739 |
Jan 28, 2012 |
|
|
|
13007595 |
|
|
|
|
61462055 |
Jan 28, 2011 |
|
|
|
61462055 |
Jan 28, 2011 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04L 67/1097 20130101;
G06F 16/22 20190101; G06F 16/1827 20190101; G06F 2009/45575
20130101; G06F 2009/45579 20130101; G16H 10/60 20180101; G06F
9/45558 20130101; G06F 16/24 20190101 |
International
Class: |
G16H 10/60 20060101
G16H010/60; G06F 9/455 20060101 G06F009/455; G06F 16/182 20060101
G06F016/182; G06F 16/22 20060101 G06F016/22; G06F 16/24 20060101
G06F016/24; H04L 29/08 20060101 H04L029/08 |
Claims
1-179. (canceled)
180. A method for storing and accessing information in a dispersive
storage area network, comprising (a) storing information from an
electronic device by, (i) breaking up, at the electronic device,
the information into a plurality of portions; (ii) providing a
plurality of virtual network connections at the electronic device
by spawning a plurality of virtual machines that each virtualizes
network capabilities of a network interface of the electronic
device, and (iii) storing each portion of the plurality of portions
at a respective storage device of a plurality of storage devices
by, for each respective portion, communicating data packets
containing the respective portion of the information to the
respective storage device from the electronic device using one of
the provided virtual network connections; and (b) thereafter
accessing, by the electronic device, the stored information by, (i)
providing a plurality of virtual network connections at the
electronic device by spawning a plurality of virtual machines that
each virtualizes network capabilities of a network interface of the
electronic device, (ii) receiving data packets communicated from a
respective storage device of the plurality of storage devices using
one of the provided virtual network connections, the received data
packets containing data representing one of the portions of the
information, and (iii) assembling the received data packets into
the stored information; (c) wherein data in at least some portions
of the plurality of portions is redundant to other data in the at
least some portions of the plurality of portions such that the
stored information can be reassembled even if data is not received
from all of the storage devices of the plurality of storage
devices.
181. The method of claim 180, wherein the electronic device is
disposed at a first location, and each of the storage devices is
disposed at a location remote from the first location.
182. The method of claim 181, wherein the electronic device is
disposed at a first medical facility.
183. The method of claim 182, wherein the first medical facility is
a hospital.
184. The method of claim 182, wherein the first medical facility is
a doctor's office.
185. The method of claim 182, wherein one of the storage devices is
disposed at a second medical facility.
186. The method of claim 180, wherein the electronic device
comprises a phone.
187. The method of claim 180, wherein one of the storage devices
comprises a phone.
188. The method of claim 180, wherein the electronic device
comprises a tablet.
189. The method of claim 180, wherein one of the storage devices
comprises a tablet.
190. The method of claim 180, wherein the electronic device
comprises an Internet-enabled television.
191. The method of claim 180, wherein the electronic device
comprises a laptop.
192. The method of claim 180, wherein the electronic device
comprises a server.
193. A method for storing and accessing medical information in a
dispersive storage area network, comprising (a) storing medical
information from an electronic device by, (i) breaking up, at the
electronic device, the medical information into a plurality of
portions; (ii) providing a plurality of virtual network connections
at the electronic device by spawning a plurality of virtual
machines that each virtualizes network capabilities of a network
interface of the electronic device, and (iii) storing each portion
of the plurality of portions at a respective storage device of a
plurality of storage devices by, for each respective portion,
communicating data packets containing the respective portion of the
medical information to the respective storage device from the
electronic device using one of the provided virtual network
connections; and (b) thereafter accessing, by the electronic
device, the stored medical information by, (i) providing a
plurality of virtual network connections at the electronic device
by spawning a plurality of virtual machines that each virtualizes
network capabilities of a network interface of the electronic
device, (ii) receiving data packets communicated from a respective
storage device of the plurality of storage devices using one of the
provided virtual network connections, the received data packets
containing data representing one of the portions of the medical
information, and (iii) assembling the received data packets into
the stored medical information; (c) wherein data in at least some
portions of the plurality of portions is redundant to other data in
the at least some portions of the plurality of portions such that
the stored medical information can be reassembled even if data is
not received from all of the storage devices of the plurality of
storage devices.
194. The method of claim 193, wherein the electronic device is
disposed at a first location, and each of the storage devices is
disposed at a location remote from the first location.
195. The method of claim 194, wherein the electronic device is
disposed at a first medical facility.
196. The method of claim 195, wherein the first medical facility is
a hospital.
197. The method of claim 195, wherein the first medical facility is
a doctor's office.
198. The method of claim 195, wherein one of the storage devices is
disposed at a second medical facility.
199. The method of claim 193, wherein the method further comprises
displaying, at the electronic device, one or more symbolic
representations corresponding to one or more symptoms from a
predefined set of symbolic representations, and receiving user
input corresponding to a selection of one or more symbolic
representations of the predefined set, the medical information that
is stored and accessed in the dispersive storage area network
comprising the received user input.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELAYED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application is a U.S. continuation patent
application of, and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.120 to,
U.S. nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 16/278,706 filed
Feb. 18, 2019, which '706 application is a U.S. continuation patent
application of, and claims priority under .sctn.120 to, U.S.
nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 14/833,829, filed Aug.
24, 2015, which '829 application is a U.S. continuation patent
application of, and claims priority under .sctn.120 to, U.S.
nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 13/361,943, filed Jan.
30, 2012, which '943 application is a U.S. nonprovisional patent
application of, and claims priority under .sctn.119(e) to, U.S.
provisional patent application 61/462,055, filed Jan. 28, 2011, and
which '943 application is a U.S. continuation-in-part patent
application of, and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.120 to,
U.S. nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 13/360,739, filed
Jan. 28, 2012, which '739 application is a U.S. nonprovisional
patent application of, and claims priority under .sctn.119(e) to,
U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/462,055, filed Jan. 28,
2011, and which '739 application is a continuation-in-part patent
application of, and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.120 to,
U.S. nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 13/007,595, filed
Jan. 14, 2011, which '595 application published as U.S. patent
application publication no. 2011/0179136 on Jul. 21, 2011. The
disclosure of each of the priority applications, any publications
thereof, and any patents issuing therefrom, is incorporated by
reference herein. Moreover, the principal disclosure of provisional
patent application No. 61/462,055 is contained in the Appendix
hereof, which is incorporated by reference herein.
COPYRIGHT STATEMENT
[0002] All of the material in this patent document is subject to
copyright protection under the copyright laws of the United States
and other countries. The copyright owner has no objection to the
facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the
patent disclosure, as it appears in official governmental records
but, otherwise, all other copyright rights whatsoever are
reserved.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The healthcare industry is undergoing transformational
change with a massive drive for standardized communication systems,
robust security, improved efficiency, and increased accountability.
In addition to this, there have been major and rapid advances in
medical sensing and mobile communications devices with advances in
functionality coupled with improvements in portability
(miniaturization and power efficiency). There have also been
unprecedented advances in objective technologies across the board
and specialties, especially in the areas of imaging and laboratory
analysis.
[0004] While such advances have been going on, this technical
culture has effectively neglected the most important reason for
medical presentation and intervention, i.e., the stories as told by
the patients. Indeed, clinical professors universally reinforce the
importance of patient history in medical monitoring and diagnosis.
Medical history is acknowledged by most healthcare professionals to
supersede the importance of examination, imaging, and laboratory
investigations. Without an accurate recall and transcription of
events, the accuracy of medical diagnosis can be critically
compromised. For example, an individual who is breathing with
difficulty, and is red and blotchy and cannot remember eating a
peanut thirty minutes earlier, will compromise a physician's
diagnosis of a nut allergy and may lead to the individual not
avoiding nuts and having the same potentially life-threatening
problem in the future.
[0005] In addition, physicians rely on patient feedback on efficacy
of interventions, reporting of adverse effects, and progression of
disease. Due to treatment and individual variability (resulting
from a myriad of factors including genetics, nutrition, lifestyle,
and history), the response to any one intervention is variable and,
thus, feedback is extremely important. For the treating physician,
monitoring this response occurs mainly at the post-prescription
appointment. This can be problematic because there can be a
significant delay or error in reporting adverse effects, or lack of
efficacy, due to elapsed time between appointments, thereby
resulting in decreased likelihood of an accurate recall of
events.
[0006] This reliance on "the individual's story" is of significant
importance because it likely relates directly to the problem that
precipitated the person's visit to the health care provider. There
are, however, problems with this reliance on doctor/patient
communication, as human memory is fallible, and there can be
variable delays between reporting and the actual time of the course
of events leading up to the appointment. It is well established
that recall of events can be inaccurate, and this is even more of
an issue in certain medical conditions, such as a head injury. As
well as memory, bias at the time of any professional consultation
due to literacy, general communication skills, language barriers,
cultural barriers, ethnic barriers, and socioeconomic barriers also
impede effective communications between individuals and their
medical healthcare providers.
[0007] In addition to the above, there are potentially multiple
transcription errors at the healthcare provider level from other
factors including preconception, leading and closing questioning,
time pressure, and general misunderstanding There is fallibility of
conventional healthcare provider/patient communications.
[0008] Some tools have been developed to address the foregoing
foreseen deficiencies in the current healthcare paradigm, but they
generally require a reasonably high degree of literacy to make full
use of such tools. Exemplary tools are disclosed, for example, in
U.S. Pat. No. 6,529,195 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,856,315, each of which
is incorporated herein by reference for disclosure of such tools.
For example, body image mapping has been used for tracking pain;
and pictorial charts have been used for depicting symptoms to
identify infections or asthma.
[0009] Nonetheless, it is believed that no one has used
representations of symptoms in an on-screen format that actually
depict how the symptoms feel; enable the assignment to symptoms of
values (including binary values, ranges, measures, and
intensities); and/or associated the symptoms with time thereof
and/or special (geographical) location thereof; and then entered
such data into electronic health records for the purposes of
clinical decision making.
[0010] One or more of these unique benefits and advantages are
provided in accordance with one or more aspects and features of the
present invention. Indeed, it is believed that one or more aspects
and features address current limitations in the widespread
usability of technologies, including: user input, which generally
requires some knowledge of how to use the technologies with
keyboard entry; instructions and guidance, which utilizes written
text, thus failing to be usable by those with disabilities or
language difficulties; and the lack of decision making based on
patient stories being built into current clinical decision making
applications.
[0011] As will be appreciated from the disclosure below, one or
more aspects and features of the invention solves problems of
communicating, translating and transcribing. This especially
applies to those persons who are otherwise limited in the way they
can communicate using language, ether verbal or written/typed.
Indeed, many aspects and features of the invention are
patient-centric and empower individuals, and populations of
individuals, in communicating their stories, giving voice to their
experiences of symptoms over time and enhancing medical decision
making based thereon.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The present invention generally relates to systems,
apparatus, and methods pertaining to medical data acquisition and
storage and, more particularly, to the monitoring, storage and
access to medical data pertaining to symptoms experienced by
people. Furthermore, some aspects and features of the invention
generally revolve around tracking symptoms utilizing desktop or
mobile hardware and software for input through a variety of user
interfaces.
[0013] The present invention includes many aspects and features.
Moreover, while many aspects and features relate to, and are
described in, the context of symptom tracking, analysis, and
decision making based at least in part thereon, one or more aspects
of the present invention are not limited to such use only. Indeed,
some aspects are applicable without regard to the context or type
of data that is acquired, while some aspects relate to a language
agnostic system for communicating and recording medical symptoms
with temporal and spatial coordinates for enhancing medical audit,
decision-making, and support, as will become apparent from the
following summaries and detailed descriptions of aspects, features,
and one or more embodiments of the present invention.
[0014] In an aspect of the present invention, a communications
system utilizes symbology--or icon-based communications--coupled
with single words, or simple phrases, in one or more languages for
tracking and monitoring symptoms. When used on mobile
communications devices, subjective experiences can be recorded in,
or near to, real-time, thereby addressing another communication
issue, that of memory. In features of this aspect, intensity of the
symptom is recorded and the time and geolocation information are
recorded in conjunction with the identification of the symptom
being experienced.
[0015] In an aspect of the invention a method of monitoring one or
more symptoms of a person comprises repeating, over a period of
time, the steps of: (a) selecting, by the person, one or more
symbolic representations corresponding to one or more symptoms from
a predefined set of symbolic representations presented to the
person; and (b) electronically recording data regarding the one or
more symbolic representations selected by the person such that the
data is electronically accessible later for generating a history of
the symptoms of the person over the period of time.
[0016] In a feature of the invention, the one or more symbolic
representations corresponding to one or more symptoms is selected
using an electronic device comprising a component for displaying
the predefined set of symbolic representations that is coupled to a
user input for receiving the selection of the one or more symbolic
representations by the person. The electronic device may be
operable by voice; operable by gestures; operable by recognition of
facial expressions of a person; operable by recognition of eye
movements of a person; operable by touch; operable by brain
activity; operable by brain activity using magnetic sensors;
operable by brain activity using electric sensors; or any
combination of the foregoing.
[0017] In another feature, the electronic device includes a
piezoelectric component for creating heat. The electronic device
creates heat such that virtual Braille functionality is provided.
Preferably, the electronic device generates heat in distinct and
separate locations of the electronic device so as to be operable by
visually impaired persons.
[0018] In another feature, the method further comprises the steps
of electronically communicating the recorded data to a healthcare
provider.
[0019] In another feature, the method further comprises the steps
of electronically communicating the recorded data to cloud-based
data storage.
[0020] In another feature, the one or more symbolic representations
of the predefined set comprise illustrations of complex facial
expressions.
[0021] In another feature, the one or more symbolic representations
of the predefined set comprises illustrations of separate body
regions.
[0022] In another feature, the one or more symbolic representations
of the predefined set comprise separate anatomical structures.
[0023] In another feature, the two or more symbolic representations
of the predefined set comprise different colors.
[0024] In another feature, the one or more symbolic representations
of the predefined set comprise simple language identifiers. Each
simple language identifier may consists of no more than a single
word; may consist of no more than two words; may comprise words of
different languages; and may comprises two phrases, each in a
different language.
[0025] In another feature, one or more of the symbolic
representations of the predefined set comprise intensity ratings or
ranges.
[0026] In another feature, the one or more symbolic representations
of the predefined set comprises two illustrations representing
extremes and a bridge extending there between representative of a
range between the extremes.
[0027] In another feature, the predefined set of symbolic
representations further includes a symbolic representation of a
normal state of the person.
[0028] In another feature, the predefined set of symbolic
representations further includes a symbolic representation of a
happy state of the person.
[0029] In another feature, the predefined set of symbolic
representations further includes a symbolic representation of a
healthy state of the person.
[0030] In another feature, the history of the symptoms of the
person over the period of time comprises a chronological history of
the symptoms of the person during the period of time.
[0031] In another feature, the history of the symptoms of the
person over the period of time comprises a spatial representation
of the locations of the selections of the symptoms by the person
during the period of time.
[0032] In another feature, the history of the symptoms of the
person over the period of time comprises both a chronological
history of the selections of the symptoms by the person during the
period of time, and a spatial representation of the locations of
the selections of the symptoms of the person during the period of
time.
[0033] In another feature, data regarding the one or more symbolic
representations selected by the person includes an identification
of the corresponding one or more selected symptoms.
[0034] In another feature, the data regarding the one or more
symbolic representations selected by the person includes a
timestamp for when the one or more symbolic representations were
selected.
[0035] In another feature, the data regarding the one or more
symbolic representations selected by the person includes an
identification of the location at which the one or more symbolic
representations were selected. The identification of the location
at which the one or more symbolic representations were selected may
include GPS coordinates of the location at which the one or more
symbolic representations were selected.
[0036] In another feature, the data regarding the one or more
symbolic representations that were selected includes an indication
of the intensity of a symptom for which a symbolic representation
was selected.
[0037] In another feature, the data regarding the one or more
symbolic representations that were selected includes a numerical
representation of a range of a symptom for which a symbolic
representation was selected. The numerical representations of
ranges of the symptom may be applied in one of four dimensions for
graphically illustrating the symptoms of the person, with one of
the four dimensions being time.
[0038] In another feature, the predefined set of symbolic
representations are presented to the person by way of a
display.
[0039] In another feature, the predefined set of symbolic
representations are presented to the person by being displayed on a
touch screen.
[0040] In another feature, the step of electronically recording
data regarding the one or more symbolic representations selected by
the person comprises recording data in an electronic device of the
person. The data regarding the one or more symbolic representations
selected by the person may be recorded in an electronic device that
is carried by the person, and the electronic device may communicate
wirelessly with other electronic devices.
[0041] In another feature, the one or more symbolic representations
corresponding to one or more symptoms is selected using a mobile
device.
[0042] In another feature, the one or more symbolic representations
corresponding to one or more symptoms is selected using a smart
phone.
[0043] In another feature, the one or more symbolic representations
corresponding to one or more symptoms is selected using a
laptop.
[0044] In another feature, the one or more symbolic representations
corresponding to one or more symptoms is selected using a tablet
computer.
[0045] In another feature, the one or more symbolic representations
corresponding to one or more symptoms is selected using a public
computer.
[0046] In another feature, the one or more symbolic representations
corresponding to one or more symptoms is selected using a personal
computer.
[0047] In another feature, the one or more symbolic representations
corresponding to one or more symptoms is selected using an Internet
enable television.
[0048] In another feature, the step of electronically recording
data regarding the one or more symbolic representations selected by
the person comprises electronically communicating the data from an
electronic device at which the selection is made to one or more
other electronic devices for safekeeping of the data. The other
electronic device may comprise one or more servers; one or more
other computers; or combination thereof. Additionally,
electronically communicating may occur over a communications
network; over the Internet; wirelessly; over a cellular network;
via TCP/IP communications; or any combination thereof
[0049] In another feature, the step of electronically recording
data regarding the one or more symbolic representations selected by
the person comprises electronically communicating the data from an
electronic device at which a selection is made by the person to
cloud based storage.
[0050] In another feature, the step of electronically recording
data regarding the one or more symbolic representations selected by
the person comprises recording the data in an electronic healthcare
record of the person.
[0051] In another feature, the period of time is the time between
visits by the person to a healthcare provider.
[0052] In another feature, the period of time is the time between
visits by the person to a healthcare clinic.
[0053] In another feature, the period of time is the time between
visits by the person to an automated healthcare station. The
automated healthcare station may comprise a booth at a pharmacy
and, more specifically, may comprise a booth at a pharmacy whereat
a person's blood pressure is automatically taken.
[0054] In another feature, the period of time is the time between
visits by the person to a laboratory.
[0055] In another feature, the period of time is the time between
laboratory testing.
[0056] In another feature, the period of time is the time between
blood tests.
[0057] In another feature, the period of time is the time between
blood glucose tests.
[0058] In another feature, the period of time is the time between
self-administered tests.
[0059] In another feature, the data is electronically accessible by
a healthcare professional for generating a history of one or more
of the symptoms that were selected by the person over the period of
time. The history of the one or more symptoms that were selected
may be used in making a clinical decision regarding the provision
of healthcare to the person. The clinical decision may be made by a
healthcare professional, and the clinical decision may be
automatically made using software.
[0060] In another feature, the data is electronically accessible by
a researcher for generating a history of one or more of the
symptoms that were selected by the person over the period of
time.
[0061] In another feature, the data is electronically accessible by
the person for generating a history of one or more of the symptoms
that were selected by the person over the period of time.
[0062] In another feature, the data is electronically accessible
and is used to facilitate self, professional or automated decision
making, support, audit, or guidance.
[0063] In another feature, the data regarding the one or more
symbolic representations selected by the person comprises a
personal alphanumeric identifier of the person.
[0064] In another feature, an avatar of the person is updated based
on the data regarding the one or more symbolic representations
selected by the person.
[0065] In another feature, an avatar of the person is updated based
on the data regarding the one or more symbolic representations
selected by the person, and wherein the avatar is associated with a
website.
[0066] In another feature, an avatar of the person is updated based
on the data regarding the one or more symbolic representations
selected by the person, and wherein the avatar is associated with a
social networking website.
[0067] In another feature, an avatar of the person is updated based
on the data regarding the one or more symbolic representations
selected by the person, and wherein the avatar is associated with
an instant messaging program.
[0068] In another feature, an avatar of the person is updated based
on the data regarding the one or more symbolic representations
selected by the person, and wherein the avatar is associated with
twitter.
[0069] In another feature, an avatar of the person is updated based
on the data regarding the one or more symbolic representations
selected by the person, and wherein the avatar is associated with
facebook.
[0070] In another feature, an avatar of the person is updated based
on the data regarding the one or more symbolic representations
selected by the person, and wherein the avatar is associated with a
blogs.
[0071] In another feature, the data regarding the one or more
symbolic representations selected by the person does not comprise a
personal identifier of the person.
[0072] In another feature, the method further comprises accessing
the data regarding the one or more symbolic representations
selected by the person and compiling a history based on the
accessed data.
[0073] In another feature, the method further comprises accessing
the data regarding the one or more symbolic representations
selected by the person and compiling a history based on the
accessed data.
[0074] In another feature, the method further comprises accessing
the data regarding the one or more symbolic representations
selected by the person and making a clinical decision based, in
part, on indications of the intensity of the one or more symptoms
selected.
[0075] In another feature, the method further comprises accessing
the data regarding the one or more symbolic representations
selected by the person and making a clinical decision based, in
part, on changes in indications of the intensity of the one or more
symptoms over a temporal sequence.
[0076] In another feature, the method further comprises accessing
the data regarding the one or more symbolic representations
selected by the person and making a clinical decision based, in
part, on changes in indications of the intensity of the one or more
symptoms over a spatial sequence.
[0077] In another feature, the method further comprises accessing
the data regarding the one or more symbolic representations
selected by the person and making a clinical decision based, in
part, on the accessed data in relation to past and/or current
medical history data of the person.
[0078] In another feature, the method further comprises accessing
the data regarding the one or more symbolic representations
selected by the person and making a clinical decision based, in
part, on the accessed data in relation to family medical history
data of the person.
[0079] In another feature, the method further comprises accessing
the data regarding the one or more symbolic representations
selected by the person and making a clinical decision based, in
part, on the accessed data in relation to past food and beverage
intake data of the person.
[0080] In another feature, the method further comprises accessing
the data regarding the one or more symbolic representations
selected by the person and making a clinical decision based, in
part, on the accessed data in relation to past and/or current
social history data of the person.
[0081] In another feature, the method further comprises accessing
the data regarding the one or more symbolic representations
selected by the person and making a clinical decision based, in
part, on the accessed data in relation to past and/or current
retail and consumer history data of the person.
[0082] In another feature, the method further comprises accessing
the data regarding the one or more symbolic representations
selected by the person and making a clinical decision based, in
part, on the accessed data in relation to past and/or current
prescription drug data of the person.
[0083] In another feature, the method further comprises accessing
the data regarding the one or more symbolic representations
selected by the person and making a clinical decision based, in
part, on the accessed data in relation to past and/or current over
the counter medication data of the person.
[0084] In another feature, the method further comprises accessing
the data regarding the one or more symbolic representations
selected by the person and making a clinical decision based, in
part, on the accessed data in relation to past and/or current
recreational drug use data of the person.
[0085] In another feature, the method further comprises accessing
the data regarding the one or more symbolic representations
selected by the person and making a clinical decision based, in
part, on the accessed data in relation to past and/or current
alcohol and tobacco consumption history data of the person.
[0086] In another feature, the method further comprises accessing
the data regarding the one or more symbolic representations
selected by the person and making a clinical decision based, in
part, on the accessed data in relation to past and/or current
travel history data of the person.
[0087] In another feature, the method further comprises accessing
the data regarding the one or more symbolic representations
selected by the person and making a clinical decision based, in
part, on the accessed data in relation to past and/or current
accommodation history data of the person.
[0088] In another feature, the method further comprises accessing
the data regarding the one or more symbolic representations
selected by the person and making a clinical decision based, in
part, on the accessed data in relation to past and/or current
conventional and complementary medicine intervention history data
of the person.
[0089] In another feature, the method further comprises accessing
the data regarding the one or more symbolic representations
selected by the person and making a clinical decision based, in
part, on the accessed data in relation to past and/or current
exercise and activity history of the person.
[0090] In another feature, the method further comprises accessing
the data regarding the one or more symbolic representations
selected by the person and making a clinical decision based, in
part, on the accessed data in relation to past and/or current
exercise and activity history data of the person.
[0091] In another feature, the method further comprises the steps
of accessing the data regarding the one or more symbolic
representations selected by the person and displaying the accessed
data over time in the nature of a movie.
[0092] In another feature, the method further comprises the steps
of accessing the data regarding the one or more symbolic
representations selected by the person and displaying the accessed
data over time in the nature of a graph.
[0093] In another feature, the method further comprises the steps
of accessing the data regarding the one or more symbolic
representations selected by the person and displaying the accessed
data on a map.
[0094] In another feature, the method further comprises the steps
of accessing the data regarding the one or more symbolic
representations selected by the person and comparing the data to
predefined diagnostic datasets for determining likely diagnosis of
the selected symptoms of the person.
[0095] In another aspect of the invention, a method of monitoring
one or more symptoms of a plurality of persons comprises: (a)
repeating, for each person over a respective period of time for
that person, the steps of (i) selecting, by that person, one or
more symbolic representations corresponding to one or more symptoms
from a predefined set of symbolic representations presented to that
person, and (ii) electronically recording data regarding the one or
more symbolic representations selected by that person; and (b)
electronically accessing the data electronically recorded for
generating a history of the symptoms of a subset of the plurality
of persons over a selected period of time overlapping with the
respective periods of time of the persons of the subset.
[0096] In a feature, the plurality of persons comprise a predefined
group of people. The predefined group of people may be of the same
culture; may be of the same socioeconomic status; may have the same
learning difficulties; may be persons with high risks of one or
more particular healthcare issues. Generally, the persons
preferably share one or more common characteristics. Moreover, the
recorded data may include information regarding the person for
which the data is recorded; any may include a unique identifier of
the person for which the data is recorded or, alternatively,
include a non-unique identifier of the person for which the data is
recorded. In a feature, the data recorded includes general profile
information regarding the person for which the data is recorded,
and the subset of the plurality of persons is determined based at
least in part on the general profile information of those
persons.
[0097] In another feature, the history of the symptoms of each
person over the respective period of time for each person comprises
a chronological history of the symptoms of each person during the
respective period of time.
[0098] In another feature, the history of the symptoms of each
person over the respective period of time for each person comprises
a spatial representation of the locations of the selections of the
symptoms by each person during the respective period of time.
[0099] In another feature, the history of the symptoms of each
person over the respective period of time for each person comprises
both a chronological history of the symptoms of each person during
the respective period of time, and a spatial representation of the
locations of the selections of the symptoms by each person during
the respective period of time.
[0100] In another feature, data regarding the one or more symbolic
representations selected by each person includes an identification
of the corresponding one or more selected symptoms.
[0101] In another feature, the data regarding the one or more
symbolic representations selected by each person includes a
timestamp for when the one or more symbolic representations were
selected.
[0102] In another feature, the data regarding the one or more
symbolic representations selected by each person includes an
identification of the location at which the one or more symbolic
representations were selected. The identification of the location
at which the one or more symbolic representations were selected by
each person may include GPS coordinates of the location at which
the one or more symbolic representations were selected.
[0103] In another feature, the data regarding the one or more
symbolic representations that were selected by each person includes
an indication of the intensity of a symptom for which a symbolic
representation was selected.
[0104] In another feature, the information is electronically
accessible by a researcher for generating a history of one or more
of the symptoms that were selected by the plurality of persons.
[0105] In another feature, the information is electronically
accessible by the person for generating a history of one or more of
the symptoms that were selected by the plurality of persons.
[0106] In another feature, the information is electronically
accessible and is used to facilitate self, professional or
automated decision making, support, audit, or guidance.
[0107] In another feature, the method further comprises accessing
the data regarding the one or more symbolic representations
selected by the plurality of persons and compiling a history based
on the accessed data.
[0108] In another feature, the method further comprises the steps
of accessing the data regarding the one or more symbolic
representations selected by the plurality of persons and displaying
the accessed data over time in the nature of a movie.
[0109] In another feature, the method further comprises the steps
of accessing the data regarding the one or more symbolic
representations selected by the plurality of persons and displaying
the accessed data over time in the nature of a graph.
[0110] In another feature, the method further comprises the steps
of accessing the data regarding the one or more symbolic
representations selected by the plurality of persons and displaying
the accessed data on a map.
[0111] In another feature, the method further comprises accessing
the data regarding the one or more symbolic representations
selected by the plurality of persons, identifying past and current
community history of the symptoms selected, and making a clinical
decision based, in part, on the past and current community history
data of the plurality of persons.
[0112] In another aspect, an apparatus used in monitoring one or
more symptoms of a person comprises: (a) a display for presenting
to the person one or more symbolic representations corresponding to
one or more symptoms from a predefined set of symbolic
representations; (b) a user input for receiving a selection by the
person of one or more symbolic representations of the predefined
set; (c) machine readable medium for electronically recording data
regarding one or more symbolic representations selected by the
person over a period of time; (d) a processor; and (e) computer
readable instructions contained in computer readable medium which,
when executed by the processor, perform a method of monitoring one
or more symptoms of a person, the method comprising repeating, over
a period of time, the steps of: (i) presenting on the display the
one or more symbolic representations from the predefined set of
symbolic representations; (ii) receiving a selection by the person
of one or more symbolic representations of the predefined set; and
(iii) electronically recording in the machine readable medium data
regarding one or more symbolic representations selected by the
person over the period of time.
[0113] In a feature, the data is recorded such that the data is
electronically accessible later for generating a history of the
symptoms of the person over the period of time.
[0114] In another feature, the display and the user input are
components of a touch screen.
[0115] In another feature, the apparatus further comprises a
communications component by which the recorded data is communicated
from the apparatus to another device whereat a history is generated
of the symptoms of the person over the period of time.
[0116] In another feature, the apparatus further comprises a
wireless communications component by which the recorded data is
communicated from the apparatus to another device whereat a history
is generated of the symptoms of the person over the period of time.
The wireless communications component may comprise an RF radio
component including a transceiver.
[0117] In another feature, the apparatus is handheld and
portable.
[0118] In another feature, the apparatus further comprises a
consumer electronic device.
[0119] In another feature, the apparatus further comprises a
handheld consumer electronic device.
[0120] In another aspect of the invention, a system for monitoring
one or more symptoms of a plurality of persons comprises: (a) a
plurality of computing devices each used by a respective person
whose symptoms are monitored, each computing device comprising, (i)
a display configured to present to the respective person one or
more symbolic representations corresponding to one or more symptoms
from a predefined set of symbolic representations, (ii) a user
input configured to receive a selection by the respective person of
one or more symbolic representations of the predefined set, (iii) a
communications component configured to communicate data regarding
one or more symbolic representations selected by the respective
person; and (b) one or more computing devices configured to, (i)
receive the communicated data from the plurality of computing
devices of the persons, and (ii) store the received data such that
the data is accessible later for processing of the data.
[0121] In another feature, one of the computing devices of a
respective one of the persons is configured to electronically
access the stored data and process the accessed data for generating
a history of symptoms of the respective person.
[0122] In another feature, the system further comprises a plurality
of computing devices each configured to (i) electronically access
the stored data, and (ii) process the accessed data for generating
a history of symptoms of one or more of the plurality of
persons.
[0123] In another feature, the system further comprises a plurality
of computing devices each configured to (i) electronically access
the stored data, and (ii) process the accessed data for generating
a history of symptoms of the plurality of persons. One of the
computing devices configured to electronically access the stored
data and process the accessed data for generating a history of
symptoms may be used by a healthcare professional.
[0124] In another feature, one or more of the computer devices of
the persons comprise machine readable medium configured to
electronically record for later communication a sequence of data
regarding one or more symbolic representations selected over a
period of time.
[0125] In another feature, the communicated data is received over a
communications network.
[0126] In another feature, the computing devices of the persons are
configured to communicate the data using the TCP/IP protocol.
[0127] In another feature, the computing devices of the persons are
configured to communicate the data over the Internet.
[0128] In another feature, the one or more computer devices
configured to receive and store the data comprise a server.
[0129] In another feature, the one or more computer devices
configured to receive and store the data comprise a plurality of
servers.
[0130] In another aspect, a system for monitoring one or more
symptoms of a plurality of persons comprises: (a) a plurality of
consumer electronic devices, each used by a respective person whose
symptoms are monitored, each consumer electronic device comprising
(i) a display configured to present to the respective person one or
more symbolic representations corresponding to one or more symptoms
from a predefined set of symbolic representations, (ii) a user
input configured to receive a selection by the respective person of
one or more symbolic representations of the predefined set, (iii) a
communications component configured to communicate data regarding
one or more symbolic representations selected by the respective
person; and (b) one or more storage devices configured to, (i)
receive the communicated data from the plurality of computing
devices of the persons, and (ii) store the received data such that
the data is accessible later for processing of the data; and (c) a
plurality of computing devices each configured to, (i)
electronically access the stored data, and (ii) process the
accessed data for generating a history of symptoms of the plurality
of persons.
[0131] In additional aspects and features of the invention, data is
transferred over virtual networks as disclosed in the incorporated
documents; data is stored in dispersed storage area network as
disclosed in the incorporated documents; data is stored and
accessed in dispersed storage area network utilizing virtual
dispersive routing (VDR), as disclosed in the incorporated
documents; decision support is enhanced by classifying data as
being trusted, corrupted, invalid or uncertain; and decision
support is enhanced by classifying datasets as trusted, ambiguous
and inadequate, where ambiguous data may contain corrupted or
invalid data points.
[0132] In addition to the aforementioned aspects and features of
the present invention, it should be noted that the present
invention further encompasses the various possible combinations and
subcombinations of such aspects and features. Thus, for example,
any aspect may be combined with an aforementioned feature in
accordance with the present invention without requiring any other
aspect or feature.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0133] One or more preferred embodiments of the present invention
now will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying
drawings, wherein the same elements are referred to with the same
reference numerals.
[0134] FIG. 1a illustrates a graphical display of a computing
device running an example blood pressure medication tracker
program, commercially known as "BPRx-Tracker", as it might appear
on a medical provider's display screen at the time of
consultation.
[0135] FIG. 1b illustrates an exemplary display of a computer
device of a person showing a predefined set of symbolic
representation of symptoms and a range of intensity of each symptom
for selection by the person.
[0136] FIG. 2a through FIG. 2f illustrate some exemplary symbolic
representations of symptoms, each of which could be included in a
predefined set for presenting to a user for selection.
[0137] FIG. 3a through FIG. 3f illustrate additional exemplary
symbolic representations of symptoms, each of which could be
included in a predefined set for presenting to a user for
selection.
[0138] FIG. 4a through FIG. 4b and FIG. 5a through FIG. 5c each
illustrates additional exemplary symbolic representations of
symptoms, each of which could be included in a predefined set for
presenting to a user for selection, and each of which includes a
range by which a user can select an intensity of the symptom felt
when selecting the symptom.
[0139] FIG. 6a illustrates the receipt of a plurality of data
streams from each of a plurality of devices that portions of data
are stored on.
[0140] FIG. 6b illustrates a high level system architecture
utilizing dispersive data storage servers in a storage area network
(SAN).
[0141] FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary methodology in accordance
with one or more preferred implementations.
[0142] FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary system which can be utilized
with the methodology of FIG. 7.
[0143] FIG. 9 illustrates a exemplary methodology for monitoring
symptoms of users who have entered data via the methodology of FIG.
7.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0144] As a preliminary matter, it will readily be understood by
one having ordinary skill in the relevant art ("Ordinary Artisan")
that the present invention has broad utility and application. As
should be understood, any embodiment may incorporate only one or a
plurality of the above-disclosed aspects of the invention and may
further incorporate only one or a plurality of the above-disclosed
features. Furthermore, any embodiment discussed and identified as
being "preferred" is considered to be part of a best mode
contemplated for carrying out the present invention. Other
embodiments also may be discussed for additional illustrative
purposes in providing a full and enabling disclosure of the present
invention. As should be understood, any embodiment may incorporate
only one or a plurality of the above-disclosed aspects of the
invention and may further incorporate only one or a plurality of
the above-disclosed features. Moreover, many embodiments, such as
adaptations, variations, modifications, and equivalent
arrangements, will be implicitly disclosed by the embodiments
described herein and fall within the scope of the present
invention.
[0145] Accordingly, while the present invention is described herein
in detail in relation to one or more embodiments, it is to be
understood that this disclosure is illustrative and exemplary of
the present invention, and is made merely for the purposes of
providing a full and enabling disclosure of the present invention.
The detailed disclosure herein of one or more embodiments is not
intended, nor is to be construed, to limit the scope of patent
protection afforded the present invention, which scope is to be
defined by the claims and the equivalents thereof. It is not
intended that the scope of patent protection afforded the present
invention be defined by reading into any claim a limitation found
herein that does not explicitly appear in the claim itself.
[0146] Thus, for example, any sequence(s) and/or temporal order of
steps of various processes or methods that are described herein are
illustrative and not restrictive. Accordingly, it should be
understood that, although steps of various processes or methods may
be shown and described as being in a sequence or temporal order,
the steps of any such processes or methods are not limited to being
carried out in any particular sequence or order, absent an
indication otherwise. Indeed, the steps in such processes or
methods generally may be carried out in various different sequences
and orders while still falling within the scope of the present
invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the scope of patent
protection afforded the present invention is to be defined by the
appended claims rather than the description set forth herein.
[0147] Additionally, it is important to note that each term used
herein refers to that which the Ordinary Artisan would understand
such term to mean based on the contextual use of such term herein.
To the extent that the meaning of a term used herein--as understood
by the Ordinary Artisan based on the contextual use of such
term--differs in any way from any particular dictionary definition
of such term, it is intended that the meaning of the term as
understood by the Ordinary Artisan should prevail. Moreover, it
will be appreciated that virtualization is known in some computing
contexts, such as virtualization of memory and processing.
Virtualization enables the abstraction of computer resources and
can make a single physical resource appear, and function, as
multiple logical resources. Traditionally, this capability enables
developers to abstract development of an application so that it
runs homogenously across many hardware platforms. Additionally,
this capability enables multiple virtual machines to be created and
run on a single real computer, wherein each virtual machine
corresponds to a different computer including its own operating
system. More generally, virtualization is geared toward hiding
technical detail through encapsulation. This encapsulation provides
the mechanism to support complex networking and improved security
that is required to enable routing at client devices. More
specifically, and as used in the incorporated references and
herein, a virtual machine (sometimes referred to hereinafter as a
"VM") essentially comprises a software copy of a real machine
interface, and may include additional virtualization of a
computer's resources--including additional interfaces for network
communications, or even virtualization of a computer itself. The
purpose of running a VM is to provide an environment that enables a
computer to isolate and control access to its services. A virtual
machine monitor (VMM) component is used to run a plurality of VMs
on a real machine and to interface directly with that real machine.
In a virtual dispersive routing (VDR) implementation, the VMM
creates a VM for each distinct connection for a client on the
computer, with the VM comprising the communication interface for
making the connection. It is helpful to explain at this juncture
that what comprises a connection can vary, but in general includes
a transfer of data in the form of packets from a first end device
to a second end device along a path (or route). It will be
appreciated that a single application can require multiple
connections. For example, an application may require multiple
connections because of bandwidth application requirements and
performance requirements; in this event each connection preferably
interfaces with its own VM and the connections can utilize
(sometimes referred to as being tied to) the same routing protocol
or different routing protocols, even though the connections are
themselves necessitated by the same application. Similarly,
although two connections may at times travel along an identical
path, the connections themselves are nevertheless distinct, and
each will preferably still continue to interface with its own VM.
The VMM creates and manages the VMs in making these
connections.
[0148] Regarding applicability of 35 U.S.C. .sctn.112, 6, no claim
element is intended to be read in accordance with this statutory
provision unless the explicit phrase "means for" or "step for" is
actually used in such claim element, whereupon this statutory
provision is intended to apply in the interpretation of such claim
element.
[0149] Furthermore, it is important to note that, as used herein,
"a" and "an" each generally denotes "at least one," but does not
exclude a plurality unless the contextual use dictates otherwise.
Thus, reference to "a picnic basket having an apple" describes "a
picnic basket having at least one apple" as well as "a picnic
basket having apples." In contrast, reference to "a picnic basket
having a single apple" describes "a picnic basket having only one
apple."
[0150] When used herein to join a list of items, "or" denotes "at
least one of the items," but does not exclude a plurality of items
of the list. Thus, reference to "a picnic basket having cheese or
crackers" describes "a picnic basket having cheese without
crackers", "a picnic basket having crackers without cheese", and "a
picnic basket having both cheese and crackers." Finally, when used
herein to join a list of items, "and" denotes "all of the items of
the list." Thus, reference to "a picnic basket having cheese and
crackers" describes "a picnic basket having cheese, wherein the
picnic basket further has crackers," as well as describes "a picnic
basket having crackers, wherein the picnic basket further has
cheese."
[0151] Referring now to the drawings, one or more preferred
embodiments of the present invention are next described. The
following description of one or more preferred embodiments is
merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the
invention, its implementations, or uses.
[0152] With reference now to the drawings, FIG. 1a shows a
graphical display 100 of a computing device running an example
blood pressure medication tracker program, commercially known as
"BPRx-Tracker", as it might appear on a medical provider's display
screen at the time of consultation. FIG. 1b illustrates an
exemplary display 110 of a computer device of a person showing a
predefined set of symbolic representation of symptoms and a range
of intensity of each symptom for selection by the person, which
exemplary display could have been used by a person whose history of
symptoms is shown in FIG. 1a.
[0153] The example of FIG. 1a illustrates how a healthcare provider
might follow symptoms that he or she is especially concerned about
after prescribing a beta-blocker (blood pressure medication) at a
patient visit on Mar. 1, 2011. Specifically, in this example
subjective feelings (symptoms) are rated daily, beginning on Mar.
2, 2011, from 0-5 on a sliding scale. While the example uses daily
as the time frame, other time frames, such as hourly or every six
hours while awake, could be used as desired.
[0154] As shown in FIG. 1a, the patient filled the prescription on
March 2 and started tracking his or her symptoms. He or she rapidly
became dizzy to a potentially dangerous level on March 4, and the
clinic was automatically notified via an alert, which may be sent
for example via email or text messaging. The alert enables the
clinic staff the opportunity to contact the patient to determine
how the patent is doing. At a follow-up visit on Mar. 14, 2011, the
patient indicated that he or she was fine; however, the prescribing
physician knew from the previous data entries and resulting history
shown in FIG. 1a that the patient was failing to mention the
problem with his or her libido as well as the severe dizziness and
fatigue experienced soon after prescribing the medication (and
presumably taking the medication by the patient). This information,
which otherwise would be unknown to the healthcare provider, thus
is available and used in clinical decision making to, for example,
alter the prescription, if appropriate; minimize adverse reactions;
and enhance treatment.
[0155] An application on a computing platform such as a mobile
phone, laptop computer, computing tablet (i.e., a Xoom or iPad
tablet) used by the patient to record the symptoms and other
observations, enables real-time gathering of information.
Accessible recording of symptoms and experiences from a patient's
(individual) perspective as recorded by the individual and recorded
in real-time that is practical. Recording devices can be mobile
phones, phones dicta-phones and others. The conversations and data
are time and geospatially stamped so that trends can be analyzed
over time and space.
[0156] It will be appreciated from this disclosure that, to solve
the literacy, general communication skills, and language, cultural,
ethnic, doctor/patient and social economic barriers, a series of
pictorial representations are used to allow the person to quantify
his or her condition. These representations can be recognized by
humans as being representative of specific symptoms, and can be
entered through a variety of recording devices (visual icons,
verbal sound bytes).
[0157] Examples of universal icons used in preferred embodiments
are shown in FIG. 2a through FIG. 2f; and FIG. 3a through FIG. 3f.
Specifically, FIG. 2a represents coughing; FIG. 2b represents
blurred vision; FIG. 2c represents sweating; FIG. 2d represents
fatigue or deep sleep (depending on context); FIG. 2e represents
sleeplessness; and FIG. 2f represents forgetfulness; FIG. 3a
represents generic abdominal problems (such as, for example,
indigestion/heartburn); FIG. 3b represents diarrhea; FIG. 3c
represents hyperactivity; FIG. 3d represents despair or fatigue;
FIG. 3e represents cold sweats; and FIG. 3f represents
confusion.
[0158] Symptom symbology qualities also can be captured when
symptoms are selected by a person. For example, such qualities may
include, in one or more preferred embodiments, anatomical region;
anatomical type; discharge; runny, thick; color; volume; mood,
constitutive; infective; performance; and condition clusters.
[0159] Ranges as indications of intensity of symptoms can further
be used. For example, FIGS. 4a and 4b, and FIGS. 5a and 5b, each
include symbolic representations wherein an intensity of each
symptom can be indicated by the person while experiencing the
symptom. Specifically, FIG. 4a provides for the indication by a
person of the degree of motivation currently felt via a "strip" of
increasing intensity (from left to right) of the touch sensitive
display 410; FIG. 4b provides for the indication by a person of the
degree of wellness currently felt (or degree to which a person
feels unwell) via a "strip" of increasing intensity (from left to
right) of the touch sensitive display 420; FIG. 5a provides for the
indication by a person of the degree of sore throat currently felt
via a "strip" of decreasing intensity (from left to right) of the
touch sensitive display 510; and FIG. 5b provides for the
indication by a person of the degree of abdominal discomfort
currently felt via a "strip" of decreasing intensity (from left to
right) of the touch sensitive display 520. FIG. 5c illustrates
additional symbolic representations wherein an intensity of each
symptom can be indicated by a person while experiencing the symptom
via sliding bars of the display 530. In this example, once the
appropriate indications of intensity or degree have been set by the
person, the update button is selected at the bottom of the display
530.
[0160] In accordance with one or more preferred embodiments of the
invention, a person selects one or more images from a predefined
set of images of symptoms. Preferably the predefined set includes
less than ten. The predefined set further preferably pertains to
specific diseases, disease processes, or groups whereby more
focused feedback and monitoring results from the symptom-tracking
process. This overcomes the problem of having too many symptoms to
choose from and not knowing what symptoms to report. Exemplary
conditions include head injury, influenza, and asthma Exemplary
groups include athletes and those on blood pressure medication or
with heart disease.
[0161] A goal of one or more aspects or features of the present
invention is to enhance communications between patients and their
providers. To minimize barriers, preferred embodiments of the
invention utilize a single or double word (multiple language
insertion capabilities) and single icon identifier of symptoms
(icons are modifiable depending upon user or user group
preference), linked to an intensity scale--this is automatically
time-stamped and preferably associated with geolocation information
as well, provided that the communications hardware includes
geolocating capabilities.
[0162] It is believed that preferred embodiments of the invention
represent powerful and cost-effective tools for data collection for
communication, recording, auditing, and enhanced clinical
decision-making through combined data display or by running
decision support algorithms on the data.
[0163] For example, with reference to FIG. 1a, each symptom entry
is a useful data point that, when combined with other data
(biometrics, location, other symptom entries) inform on population,
sub-population and individual behaviors.
[0164] It is also preferred that, for persons who are blind, the
device include a piezoelectric component, or other heat generating
component, which heat can be substituted for light in order to
simulate virtual Braille functionality.
Medical SAN Preferably Utilizing Virtual Dispersive Routing
[0165] Additionally, in one or more preferred implementations,
storage area network technology and/or virtual dispersive routing
technology, also preferably including VDR servers (as described in
documents incorporated by reference hereinabove), are utilized in
the above medical context to provide secure storage and access to
medical records and data.
[0166] A storage area network (SAN) is a network created to
interconnect one or more data storage devices, e.g. different forms
of data storage devices, with one or more servers. In a
conventional implementation of a SAN, cloud-based storage and
processing are utilized. However, the use of such cloud-based
storage and processing can present significant security and
information fidelity issues. For example, data to be transferred
may not transfer due to an error with a server or a storage device,
or a hacker may attempt to break in through a public access point,
such as a website. Further, breaches may occur when employees are
careless or malicious, thereby allowing data to be copied or stolen
from a database, or, perhaps worse, allowing data to be changed, or
other actions taken that may case additional harm. Further still,
sometimes a storage area network may fail to transfer files because
only one route is available, which can increase risk if
communications are attempted multiple times. Encryption is
sometimes utilized to protect data in a SAN, but, given enough
processing power, such encryption alone may not be enough.
[0167] Thus, storing information in a network, such as in cloud
storage, is subject to theft and hacking, both where information is
stored and as it is being transferred over the network.
[0168] In one or more preferred implementations, virtual dispersive
routing technology (as disclosed in documents which are
incorporated herein by reference above) is utilized in a storage
context to form one or more dispersive SANs.
[0169] In an exemplary preferred implementation of a dispersive
SAN, data is dispersed for secure storage by being distributed to,
and stored at, a plurality of devices, and virtual dispersive
routing is utilized to effect such dispersed distribution of data.
For example, data may be dispersed, via virtual dispersive routing,
from a mobile phone and stored at a laptop, a desktop, another
mobile phone, and a server. Thus, data may be distributed to
multiple, physically separate places. Hacking such data at its
place of storage would thus require hackers to hack multiple
different devices at multiple, different sites to gather all of the
data.
[0170] Similarly, as the data is distributed utilizing virtual
dispersive routing, multiple routes would have to be hacked to
gather all of the data. Further, the security functionality of
virtual dispersive routing described in the incorporated documents
would render hacking of transferred data more difficult.
[0171] With respect to accessing data, a device 650 accessing data
preferably receives a plurality of data streams from each of the
devices 652, 654, 656, 658 on which any portion of the data is
stored using virtual dispersive routing. Such communications could
occur over, for example, a public network, a private network, a
wireless personal area network (WPAN), or a wireless local area
network (WLAN). Preferably, the gaps between packets are controlled
by virtual machine messaging so that timing of packets can be used
as another mechanism to determine hacking, rerouting and other
network attack techniques. Similarly, the sequence of data from
each source and size of data transmitted is controlled by virtual
machines, and by streaming data simultaneously from multiple sites,
hacking can be further frustrated. By placing a signal on either
side of a connection, virtual machines can signal to each other
which route is the fastest and stripe data to be encoded across
multiple sites. Further, direct connection between devices enables
more efficient communications (e.g., with less overhead) and faster
communications, and further obviates the need for authentication
and data transfer via a server, unless an specific software
application running on one of the devices specifies the use of
authentication and data transfer via a server.
[0172] In dividing storage of data across multiple devices, in at
least some implementations some storage overlap may be utilized in
that some, or all, portions of data may be stored at multiple
devices, so that if one device is offline such data may still be
accessible from another device. Preferably, decisions on whether to
send data can be directed by a client based on the presence of
devices available to participate in an information transfer.
Preferably, virtual machine messaging is utilized to keep track of
communications to ensure quality of service and the ability to
abstract networking from an application.
[0173] In at least some preferred implementations, remote storage
devices are utilized for storage in a manner similar to how hard
drives might be utilized in a redundant array of independent disks
(RAID). Such remote storage devices might be utilized in a manner
akin to any standard level of RAID, or even more exotic flavors of
RAID, and even in a manner akin to nested RAID.
[0174] Thus, as described hereinabove, virtual dispersive routing
can be utilized to form dispersive storage area networks (SANs),
and such dispersive SANs can be utilized in a medical context to
provide access to medical records and data stored at disparate
dispersed locations.
[0175] For example, several hospitals (and doctor's offices, etc.)
in a region may each have their own servers with medical records,
and other data, stored thereon. In a preferred implementation,
users would be able to access medical records stored at any
hospital's server via virtual dispersive routing. Further, in at
least some preferred implementations, medical records may be
segmented and dispersed to multiple physical servers, or devices,
for enhanced security or redundancy, as described hereinabove with
reference to dispersive SANs, and in documents incorporated
herein.
[0176] Preferably, such a system allows for the sharing of medical
information while retaining storage of the information at its
current location, e.g., a doctor's office storing patient records
would not have to cede storage of such patient records to a central
server or database just to ensure available access thereto by other
users. Thus, as data can remain stored where it currently is, in
some preferred implementations, no additional server or database
infrastructure is needed to consolidate medical records or
data.
[0177] Moreover, to address internal security issues, a dispersed
SAN is used to enable specific access to certain segments of the
data. By distributing data across multiple servers and only giving
access to specific servers, information can be kept secure (servers
can be physically located in different locations, separate physical
devices or separated by virtual machines) and the ability to copy
the information from the servers becomes impossible from a single
site. To be able to maintain anonymity for researching medical
information, certain fields can be separated from the data (i.e.
name and address). A reference number is used in the record to
identify and to reassemble the complete record. The networking
virtual machines are given information on how to access the data.
The access control determines which set of records a user has
access to.
[0178] For example, with reference to FIG. 6B, a user's mobile
phone 670 is allowed to access specific information that is
"proper" for the user to access. In this example, the user would be
restricted to the servers 680, 682, 684 indicated by the white bar
(that is, the top three servers). Similarly, a Researcher 672 is
blocked from accessing certain information so he or she is only
able to access the servers 684, 686, 686 indicated by the black bar
(that is, the bottom three servers). A doctor would have access to
the servers 682, 684, 686 indicated with a cross-hatched bar (that
is, the middle three servers). In some preferred implementations,
information can be duplicated on multiple servers and/or specific
fields can be removed to improve privacy. The sites, where the
information is stored, are encoded on a user device. To deter
hacking and impersonation attacks (such as man-in-the-middle), a VM
(Virtual Machine) can open separate simultaneous connections to
each storage device (examples of storage devices are servers,
desktop computers, mobile phones and other computing devices
present on the network). To leverage Virtual Dispersive Networking
(VDN), a server can use a VM to control networking. The use of VDN
would enable deflection of routing through other servers and
clients using SWRT (SoftWare RouTer).
[0179] Additionally, the data on the client devices (mobile phone,
Doctor's PC and Researcher) can be backed up using standard backup
methods.
[0180] Finally, it will be appreciated that while the client
devices can also leverage the dispersive SANs techniques, too, and
this example has been described utilizing virtual dispersive
routing, it nevertheless is contemplated that the medical data
could be stored and accessed in a non-dispersive SAN with the data
segregation described above. User of dispersive routing, however,
is preferred for security and privacy.
[0181] Medical Decision Making Algorithms
[0182] In one or more preferred embodiments, the medical data and,
specifically, the data acquired from the aforementioned symptom
tracking apparatus, methods and systems, is used in decision making
Moreover, the medical decision making algorithms preferably are
based on (i.e., take into account) how the data is acquired. For
instance, the data can be acquired based on individual-to-machine
inputs, where the machine is typically a computer but may be any
communication device such as a telephone, a voice recorder, or a
display interface. This method of data input has the potential to
produce cleaner, more valid data, thereby overcoming problems with
the traditional doctor-to-patient-to-computer-records approach that
has potential for data corruption from poor or inaccurate recall
(patient memory), communication barriers, translation, and
transcription. Therefore, the data that the decision-making
algorithms are based on from the aforementioned symptom tracking
apparatus, methods and systems is believed to be more robust and
should lead to improvements in clinical decision support.
[0183] Additionally, it is contemplated within certain aspect and
features of the invention that direct patient input of each data
point may be (and preferably is) assigned different weighting for
consideration in the decision making process. In this respect,
there is a user defined (intrinsic) weight that the user assigns
when entering the data. This weight changes with each input. There
are other algorithm defined (extrinsic) weights. The intrinsic
weight for each data point is fixed whereas the extrinsic weights
are fluid and dependent on the decision-making environment. The
extrinsic weight of a data point is determined by a variety of
factors including, for example: temporal band; geographical band;
related diagnostic group; demographic band; community band, where
community can include relatives, contacts, friends, colleagues and
so on; potential for danger, "red flag" assignment; past history;
family history; intake--food, drink, supplements; pharmaceutical or
drugs--prescribed, over-the-counter, recreational; activity;
diagnoses; and interventions.
[0184] Dataset categories in accordance with one or more preferred
embodiments include minimal (most efficient); confusing (contains
corrupt or invalid data); and inadequate.
[0185] Data quality in accordance with one or more preferred
embodiments also is assigned and, in particular, each data point is
assigned a data quality rank. An example would be a new user for an
input device would have earlier inputs with a lesser ranking
compared to later inputs that would have a higher data point
ranking
[0186] As disclosed hereinabove, each data point also preferably is
time-stamped at the time of the input, which preferably corresponds
with the time of the "real experience". Moreover, if different, the
person could additionally indicate the time of the real experience.
For example, for a meal that was ingested at midday and entered at
1:00 pm, both a 1:00 pm timestamp could be recorded as well as data
indicating that the meal was eaten at noon.
[0187] Preferably each data point is also stamped for where the
data was entered and, potentially, for where the data point was
accrued. For example, someone who developed a rash while walking
through a field of flowers at 1:30 pm may enter the data at 1:50 pm
at a different location. The entry location is preferably always
recorded automatically by the device provided there is a location
function, such as GPS, on the device. Additionally, with less
quality ranking the user could manually enter the geographical
location where he was walking, though this would preferably receive
a lower quality ranking than a machine accrued stamp.
[0188] FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary methodology 700 in
accordance with aspects and features described herein. As
illustrated in FIG. 7, one or more predefined sets of symbolic
representations first are presented 702 to a user via an electronic
device. Thereafter, the user selects 704, via the electronic
device, one or more symbolic representations corresponding to one
or more symptoms from a predefined set of presented symbolic
representations. Subsequently, data regarding the one or more
symbolic representations selected by the user is electronically
recorded 706.
[0189] This methodology can be repeated for repeated electronic
recordation of data regarding selected symbolic representations,
for example by the same user with the same mobile device (or a
different mobile device) over days, weeks, months, or years, as
well as by other users.
[0190] FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary system which can be utilized
with such methodology. In this system, a plurality of users 801,
802, 803 can select symbolic representations using respective
electronic devices 811, 812, 813. Data regarding the one or more
symbolic representations selected by such users can be
electronically recorded at one or more servers 820. Utilizing such
recorded data, symptoms of users who have entered data can be
monitored.
[0191] For example, consider a scenario as illustrated in FIG. 9 in
which first data regarding one or more symbolic representations
selected 902 by John Doe is electronically recorded at time equal
to t.sub.0, second data regarding one or more symbolic
representations selected 904 by Jane Doe is electronically recorded
time equal to t.sub.1, and third data regarding one or more
symbolic representations selected 906 by John Doe is electronically
recorded time equal to t.sub.2. Thereafter, at time equal to
t.sub.3 this recorded data is accessed 908 and a report is
generated of a history of symptoms for this particular user, John
Doe, over a selected period of time including from time t.sub.0 to
t.sub.2, from time t.sub.0 to t.sub.1 , from time t.sub.1 to
t.sub.2, as desired. Expanding upon this example, rather than
selecting a single user, a set of users (representing a subset of
users) may be selected and a history generated for the plurality of
users.
[0192] It is believed that several benefits of one or more
preferred embodiments of the invention include: the enablement of
people to put their symptoms into a computing device regardless of
literacy; the enablement of data to be recorded in real-time or
near real-time regardless of literacy; the spreading out (or
dispersing) of data in order to improve security and provide
anonymity for individuals (i.e. patients); the reduction in the
opportunity for misremembering or forgetting important facts; the
provision of a solution for people regardless of their literacy,
general communication skills, and language, cultural, ethnic,
doctor/patient and social economic barriers, minimizing data
corruption due to translation and transcription errors; the
reduction in the opportunities for data to be stolen at the storage
site; the improvement of security of the access of data; and the
enhanced medical decision making.
[0193] Based on the foregoing description, it will be readily
understood by those persons skilled in the art that the present
invention is susceptible of broad utility and application. Many
embodiments and adaptations of the present invention other than
those specifically described herein, as well as many variations,
modifications, and equivalent arrangements, will be apparent from
or reasonably suggested by the present invention and the foregoing
descriptions thereof, without departing from the substance or scope
of the present invention. Accordingly, while the present invention
has been described herein in detail in relation to one or more
preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that this disclosure
is only illustrative and exemplary of the present invention and is
made merely for the purpose of providing a full and enabling
disclosure of the invention. The foregoing disclosure is not
intended to be construed to limit the present invention or
otherwise exclude any such other embodiments, adaptations,
variations, modifications or equivalent arrangements, the present
invention being limited only by the claims appended hereto and the
equivalents thereof.
* * * * *