Inspection Device, Terminal, and Remote Medical Diagnosis System

Abstract

To provide an inspection device, a terminal, and a remote medical examination system that prevent deterioration in reliability of remote inspections performed on patient sides in remote medical examination.SOLUTION: An inspection device 10 includes: a specimen dripping area 11; a dripping sensor 12; a first display unit 13; a second display unit 14; two optical sensors 15 and 16; a clock 17; a temperature and humidity sensor 18; a storage circuit 19 for storing information used when a determination of effectiveness of an inspection device or an inspection kit including the inspection device in inspection of a patient is made; a control circuit 20; a communication circuit 21; and an output terminal 22.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The embodiments disclosed in this specification and the drawings relate to an inspection device, a terminal, and a remote medical treatment system.

Background Art

[0002] There is an inspection device (inspection device) that can inspect or monitor a patient's body temperature, heart rate, blood pressure, electrocardiogram waveform, blood glucose level, etc. at the patient's home. Some of such inspection devices have a function of transmitting the inspection results and monitoring results to a terminal used by a doctor via the Internet. Therefore, a doctor can perform remote medical treatment (online medical treatment) by online checking the inspection results and monitoring results transmitted to the terminal used by the doctor. In addition, the inspection device transmits device information such as the type of the inspection device to the terminal used by the doctor. Therefore, the doctor can grasp the quality of the inspection and monitoring by the patient based on the device information.

[0003] However, in telemedicine, when a patient conducts an examination using a test kit (analog test kit) that measures based on the principle of immunochromatography and is used for infectious disease and allergy tests, etc., the patient may procure the test kit instead of the doctor providing it to the patient. In this case, in telemedicine, in order for the doctor to determine whether the test kit procured by the patient is a highly reliable test kit, the doctor asks the patient for various types of information regarding the test kit procured by the patient. For this reason, in telemedicine, the confirmation work takes time. Also, when the patient conveys various types of information about the test kit to the doctor, there may be cases where incorrect information is conveyed. In this case, the doctor cannot grasp the accurate information of the test kit. For this reason, the doctor cannot determine the validity of the test kit procured by the patient. The determination of the validity of the test kit here refers to, for example, the determination of whether the test kit used to examine the patient is valid or not. For the same reason, there may be cases where the doctor cannot determine the validity of the test device included in the test kit procured by the patient. Therefore, there may be cases where the doctor conducts medical treatment using test results obtained from an invalid test kit or test device. In this case, since the reliability of the examination decreases, the reliability of the medical treatment itself also decreases.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] One of the problems to be solved by the embodiments disclosed in this specification and the drawings is to suppress a decrease in the reliability of remote examinations performed on the patient side in remote medical care. However, the problems to be solved by the embodiments disclosed in this specification and the drawings are not limited to the above problems. It is also possible to position, as other problems, the problems corresponding to the respective effects of the respective configurations shown in the embodiments described later.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The inspection device according to the embodiment is an inspection device for inspecting a patient's condition, and includes a storage unit and a transmission unit. The storage unit stores information used when determining the validity of the inspection device or an inspection kit including the inspection device in the inspection of the patient. The transmission unit transmits the inspection result by the inspection device and the information used when determining the validity of the inspection device or the inspection kit stored in the storage unit.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, each embodiment and modification example of the inspection device, terminal, and remote medical system will be described in detail. Also, the inspection device, terminal, and remote medical system according to the present application are not limited to the following embodiments and modification examples. In addition, each embodiment can be combined with the prior art, other embodiments, and modification examples as long as there is no contradiction in the content. Also, the modification examples can be combined with the prior art and each embodiment as long as there is no contradiction in the content. In the following description, the same components may be given common reference numerals, and redundant descriptions may be omitted.

[0009] (First Embodiment) First, an example of the configuration of the inspection device 10 according to the first embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, as the inspection device 10, an inspection device included in an inspection kit that performs measurement based on the principle of the immunochromatography method will be described as an example. The inspection kit includes, for example, the inspection device 10, a specimen processing solution, a tube with a nozzle, and a nasal swab, and is packed in a box or the like. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an example of the configuration of the inspection device 10 according to the first embodiment. The inspection device 10 is, for example, for inspecting the state of a patient and is used for performing infectious disease and allergen inspections, etc. For example, the inspection device 10 is included in an inspection kit procured and stored (preserved) by the patient. The inspection device 10 transmits the inspection result of the patient to a terminal (doctor-side terminal) 50 used by a doctor of the remote medical system 1 described later. The inspection result of the patient here is, for example, the result of a remote inspection performed on the patient side in remote medical treatment. The inspection kit is an example of the sales form of the inspection device 10.

[0010] As shown in FIG. 1, the inspection device 10 includes a specimen dropping area 11, a dropping sensor 12, a first display unit 13, a second display unit 14, two optical sensors 15, 16, a clock 17, a temperature / humidity sensor 18, a memory circuit 19, a control circuit 20, a communication circuit 21, and an output terminal 22.

[0011] A patient's specimen is dropped onto the specimen dropping area 11. The dropping sensor 12 detects the specimen dropped onto the specimen dropping area 11 and transmits a signal indicating the detection result to the control circuit 20. For example, the dropping sensor 12 changes the state (level) of the signal transmitted to the control circuit 20 depending on whether or not a specimen has been dropped onto the specimen dropping area 11. More specifically, for example, when no specimen has been dropped onto the specimen dropping area 11, the dropping sensor 12 sets the level of the signal transmitted to the control circuit 20 to low. Also, when a specimen has been dropped onto the specimen dropping area 11, the dropping sensor 12 sets the level of the signal transmitted to the control circuit 20 to high.

[0012] On the first display unit 13, a red line (test line) appears when the test result is positive. Also, no line appears on the first display unit 13 when the test result is negative.

[0013] On the second display unit 14, a blue line (control line) appears when the test is valid. Also, no line appears on the second display unit 14 when the test is invalid.

[0014] The optical sensor 15 detects the red line that has appeared on the first display unit 13 and transmits a signal indicating the detection result to the control circuit 20. For example, the optical sensor 15 changes the state of the signal transmitted to the control circuit 20 depending on whether or not the red line has appeared. More specifically, for example, when the red line has not appeared, the optical sensor 15 sets the level of the signal transmitted to the control circuit 20 to low. Also, when the red line has appeared, the optical sensor 15 sets the level of the signal transmitted to the control circuit 20 to high.

[0015] The optical sensor 16 detects the blue line that appears on the second display unit 14 and transmits a signal indicating the detection result to the control circuit 20. For example, the optical sensor 16 changes the state of the signal transmitted to the control circuit 20 depending on whether the blue line is present or not. More specifically, for example, when the blue line is not present, the optical sensor 16 sets the level of the signal transmitted to the control circuit 20 to low. Also, when the blue line is present, the optical sensor 16 sets the level of the signal transmitted to the control circuit 20 to high.

[0016] The clock 17 transmits date and time information indicating the date and time to the control circuit 20. The temperature and humidity sensor 18 detects the temperature and humidity around the inspection device 10 and transmits temperature information indicating the detected temperature and humidity information indicating the humidity to the control circuit 20. In this way, the temperature and humidity sensor 18 detects the environmental state of the inspection device 10. Note that when the inspection device 10 is stored together with other products other than the inspection device 10 included in the inspection kit, the temperature and humidity detected by the temperature and humidity sensor 18 can be said to be not only the environmental state of the inspection device 10 but also the environmental state of the inspection kit including the inspection device 10. The temperature and humidity sensor 18 is an example of a detection unit.

[0017] The memory circuit 19 is a memory that stores various types of information. For example, the memory circuit 19 is realized by a semiconductor memory element such as a flash memory. For example, the memory circuit 19 stores the type of inspection (inspection type) performed by the inspection device 10. For example, examples of the type of inspection include an influenza inspection. This type of inspection is used when determining whether the type of inspection performed by the inspection device 10 matches the type of inspection performed on the patient at the doctor-side terminal 50 described later. Note that the type of inspection performed by the inspection device 10 is also the type of inspection performed by the inspection kit including the inspection device 10. The type of inspection is an example of the first information.

[0018] In addition, the memory circuit 19 stores the manufacturer that produced the test kit including the test device 10, the name of the test kit including the test device 10, and the drug machine approval number of the test kit including the test device 10. The manufacturer that produced the test kit, the name of the test kit, and the drug machine approval number of the test kit are used when the doctor-side terminal 50 determines whether the test kit is an approved test kit by the authorities. The manufacturer that produced the test kit, the name of the test kit, and the drug machine approval number of the test kit are an example of the second information.

[0019] In addition, the memory circuit 19 stores the expiration date of use of the test kit including the test device 10. The expiration date of use of the test kit is used when the doctor-side terminal 50 determines whether the test kit is a test kit used within the expiration date of use. The expiration date of use of the test kit is an example of the third information.

[0020] In addition, the memory circuit 19 stores the storage conditions of the test kit including the test device 10. For example, the storage conditions are conditions related to the environment (temperature and humidity) around the test kit. More specifically, the storage conditions are, for example, a temperature range of 5 degrees or more and 30 degrees or less, and a humidity range of 0% or more and 20% or less. The storage conditions of the test kit are conditions related to the environment of the test kit.

[0021] In addition, the memory circuit 19 stores the manufacturing date of the test kit including the test device 10.

[0022] In addition, the memory circuit 19 stores the test results digitized by the test result digitization function 20a described later. The memory circuit 19 also stores environmental information, which is time-series information of temperature and humidity generated by the environmental information generation function 20b described later. The memory circuit 19 also stores the determination result determined by the deviation situation determination function 20c described later. The memory circuit 19 is an example of a storage unit. These pieces of information stored in the memory circuit 19 will be described later.

[0023] The control circuit 20 is a processing circuit that controls the operation of the entire inspection device 10. The control circuit 20 is realized by, for example, a processor. As shown in FIG. 1, the control circuit 20 includes an inspection result digitization function 20a, an environmental information generation function 20b, a deviation situation determination function 20c, and a transmission control function 20d.

[0024] Here, for example, each processing function of the inspection result digitization function 20a, the environmental information generation function 20b, the deviation situation determination function 20c, and the transmission control function 20d, which are components of the control circuit 20 shown in FIG. 1, is stored in the storage circuit 19 in the form of a program executable by a computer. The control circuit 20 reads each program from the storage circuit 19 and executes each read program to realize the function corresponding to each program. In other words, the control circuit 20 in the state of having read each program has each function shown in the control circuit 20 of FIG. 1.

[0025] The inspection result digitization function 20a digitizes the inspection result based on the signals output from the dropping sensor 12, the optical sensor 15, and the optical sensor 16, and stores the digitized inspection result in the storage circuit 19. That is, the inspection result digitization function 20a generates a digital data inspection result and stores the generated digital data inspection result in the storage circuit 19. Here, the inspection result digitization function 20a obtains the date and time when the inspection result was generated based on the date and time information output from the clock 17, and adds the obtained date and time to the inspection result. Then, the inspection result digitization function 20a stores the inspection result with the added date and time in the storage circuit 19.

[0026] A specific example will be given to explain the process executed by the inspection result digitization function 20a. For example, there is a time lag from when the sample is dropped onto the sample dropping area 11 until lines are displayed on each of the first display unit 13 and the second display unit 14. Therefore, let the time from when the sample is dropped onto the sample dropping area 11 until lines are displayed on each of the first display unit 13 and the second display unit 14 be time T. For example, time T is a time obtained through experiments or simulations.

[0027] Then, the inspection result digitization function 20a detects the signal level from the optical sensor 15 and the signal level from the optical sensor 16 at the timing when time T has elapsed since the timing when the signal level from the dropping sensor 12 changes from low to high. And the inspection result digitization function 20a generates inspection results in digital data according to the signal level from the optical sensor 15 and the signal level from the optical sensor 16. The inspection results obtained by the inspection result digitization function 20a are the results of the inspection obtained by the inspection device 10 and also the results of the inspection obtained by the inspection kit including the inspection device 10.

[0028] For example, when both the signal level from the optical sensor 15 and the signal level from the optical sensor 16 are high, the inspection result digitization function 20a generates inspection results indicating that the inspection is valid and positive.

[0029] Also, for example, when the signal level from the optical sensor 15 is high and the signal level from the optical sensor 16 is low, the inspection result digitization function 20a generates inspection results indicating that although it is positive, the inspection is invalid.

[0030] Also, for example, when the signal level from the optical sensor 15 is low and the signal level from the optical sensor 16 is high, the inspection result digitization function 20a generates inspection results indicating that the inspection is valid and negative.

[0031] Also, for example, when the levels of the signals from both the optical sensor 15 and the optical sensor 16 are low, the inspection result digitization function 20a generates an inspection result indicating that the inspection is invalid and negative.

[0032] The environmental information generation function 20b generates environmental information that is time-series information of temperature and humidity, and stores the generated environmental information in the memory circuit 19. For example, the environmental information generation function 20b identifies the temperature and humidity around the inspection device 10 based on the temperature information and humidity information output from the temperature / humidity sensor 18 at a first time interval (for example, a time interval of 1 hour). Note that the environmental information generation function 20b may treat the temperature and humidity around the inspection device 10 as the temperature and humidity of the environment in which the inspection kit including the inspection device 10 is stored. Then, the environmental information generation function 20b acquires the date and time when the temperature and humidity are identified based on the date and time information output from the clock 17. Then, the environmental information generation function 20b associates the acquired date and time with the identified temperature and humidity. Then, the environmental information generation function 20b adds the temperature and humidity associated with the date and time to the environmental information stored in the memory circuit 19. The environmental information generated in this way is used by the deviation situation determination function 20c.

[0033] When the output terminal 22 is connected to a terminal (patient-side terminal) 30 used by a patient described later, the deviation status determination function 20c determines whether the environmental information from the date and time indicated by the manufacturing date to the current time deviates from the storage conditions stored in the memory circuit 19. Here, for example, when the communication circuit 21 detects that the output terminal 22 is connected to the patient-side terminal 30, the communication circuit 21 transmits a detection result indicating that the output terminal 22 is connected to the patient-side terminal 30 to the control circuit 20. When receiving such a detection result, the deviation status determination function 20c determines whether at least one of the temperature or humidity indicated by the environmental information from the date and time indicated by the manufacturing date to the time when the detection result is received is within the temperature range or humidity range defined as the storage conditions. When at least one of the temperature or humidity indicated by the environmental information is not within the temperature range or humidity range defined as the storage conditions, the deviation status determination function 20c stores in the memory circuit 19 a determination result indicating that the environmental information deviates from the storage conditions. For example, the deviation status determination function 20c stores "1" in the memory circuit 19 as a determination result indicating that the environmental information deviates from the storage conditions.

[0034] On the other hand, when the temperature and humidity indicated by the environmental information from the date and time indicated by the manufacturing date to the current time are within the temperature range and humidity range defined as the storage conditions, the deviation status determination function 20c stores in the memory circuit 19 a determination result indicating that the environmental information does not deviate from the storage conditions. For example, the deviation status determination function 20c stores "0" in the memory circuit 19 as a determination result indicating that the environmental information does not deviate from the storage conditions.

[0035] In this way, the deviation status determination function 20c determines whether the environmental information satisfies the storage conditions and stores the determination result in the memory circuit 19. Such a determination result is information used when determining the validity of the test kit including the test device 10 at the doctor-side terminal 50. The determination result is information used when determining whether the test kit is a test kit stored so as to satisfy the storage conditions. The determination result is an example of the fourth information. Further, the deviation status determination function 20c is an example of the first determination unit.

[0036] When the output terminal 22 is connected to the patient terminal 30, the transmission control function 20d controls the communication circuit 21 to transmit various types of information to the patient terminal 30. For example, when the transmission control function 20d receives the detection result described above from the communication circuit 21, it controls the communication circuit 21 to transmit various types of information to the patient terminal 30. The various types of information transmitted to the patient terminal 30 will be described later.

[0037] The communication circuit 21 is connected to the control circuit 20 and is a communication interface that controls the communication between the inspection device 10 and the patient terminal 30. For example, the communication circuit 21 receives control by the transmission control function 20d and transmits various types of information to the patient terminal 30 via the output terminal 22. For example, the communication circuit 21 is realized by a network card, a network adapter, or a NIC (Network Interface Controller), etc.

[0038] The output terminal 22 is detachable from the patient terminal 30 and is connected to the patient terminal 30 by the patient when remote medical treatment is performed. The output terminal 22 is realized by, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) connector, etc.

[0039] Next, with reference to FIG. 2, an example of various types of information transmitted by the communication circuit 21 to the patient terminal 30 will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of various types of information transmitted by the communication circuit 21 of the inspection device 10 according to the first embodiment.

[0040] When the transmission control function 20d receives the above-described detection result from the communication circuit 21, it acquires various types of information shown in FIG. 2 from the memory circuit 19. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the transmission control function 20d acquires "type of inspection", "manufacturer that manufactured the test kit", "name of the test kit", "pharmaceutical machine approval number of the test kit", "manufacture date of the test kit", "expiration date of use of the test kit", "storage conditions of the test kit", "judgment result of the deviation situation judgment function 20c", and "test result". Among these pieces of information, "type of inspection", "manufacturer that manufactured the test kit", "name of the test kit", "pharmaceutical machine approval number of the test kit", "expiration date of use of the test kit", and "judgment result of the deviation situation judgment function 20c" are the information used when the doctor-side terminal 50 determines the validity of the test kit in the patient's test.

[0041] Then, the transmission control function 20d controls the communication circuit 21 to transmit the acquired "type of inspection", "manufacturer that manufactured the test kit", "name of the test kit", "pharmaceutical machine approval number of the test kit", "manufacture date of the test kit", "expiration date of use of the test kit", "storage conditions of the test kit", "judgment result of the deviation situation judgment function 20c", and "test result" to the patient-side terminal 30. Thereby, the communication circuit 21 transmits the "type of inspection", "manufacturer that manufactured the test kit", "name of the test kit", "pharmaceutical machine approval number of the test kit", "manufacture date of the test kit", "expiration date of use of the test kit", "storage conditions of the test kit", "judgment result of the deviation situation judgment function 20c", and "test result" to the patient-side terminal 30 via the output terminal 22. The communication circuit 21 is an example of a transmission unit.

[0042] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing executed by the inspection device 10 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the transmission control function 20d determines whether the output terminal 22 is connected to the patient terminal 30 (step S101). For example, when the transmission control function 20d receives from the communication circuit 21 a detection result indicating that the output terminal 22 is connected to the patient terminal 30, it determines that the output terminal 22 is connected to the patient terminal 30. Also, when the transmission control function 20d has not received such a detection result from the communication circuit 21, it determines that the output terminal 22 is not connected to the patient terminal 30.

[0043] And when the transmission control function 20d determines that the output terminal 22 is not connected to the patient terminal 30 (step S101: No), it performs the determination process of step S101 again.

[0044] On the other hand, when the transmission control function 20d determines that the output terminal 22 is connected to the patient terminal 30 (step S101: Yes), for example, it acquires various types of information shown in FIG. 2 from the storage circuit 19 (step S102).

[0045] Then, the transmission control function 20d controls the communication circuit 21 to transmit the acquired various types of information to the patient terminal 30 (step S103), and ends the processing shown in FIG. 3.

[0046] Next, an example of the remote medical system according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the remote medical system 1 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the remote medical system 1 includes an inspection device 10, a patient terminal 30 used by a patient, and a doctor terminal 50 used by a doctor. In the remote medical system 1, the doctor performs remote medical treatment on the patient by the patient and the doctor conversing on the phone using the patient terminal 30 and the doctor terminal 50, or by performing wireless or wired communication between the patient terminal 30 and the doctor terminal 50. Also, in the remote medical system 1, the doctor performs remote medical treatment based on the results of remote inspections performed on the patient side.

[0047] In remote medical diagnosis, as shown in FIG. 4, the output terminal 22 of the inspection device 10 is connected to the patient terminal 30. The patient terminal 30 is a terminal such as a smartphone, a mobile phone, or a personal computer. In the example of FIG. 4, the case where the patient terminal 30 is a smartphone is shown.

[0048] The patient terminal 30 includes a touch screen 31 and a camera 32. The touch screen 31 includes a display and a touch panel. The display displays various images. Also, the touch panel receives the operation of the patient when touched by the patient.

[0049] For example, as shown in FIG. 4, buttons 33 and 34 are displayed on the touch screen 31. Button 33 is a button labeled "Symptom / Examination Information". When button 33 is touched by the patient, the touch screen 31 displays a plurality of symptom candidates that can be selected by the patient. When a symptom is selected by the patient from among the plurality of symptom candidates, the patient terminal 30 transmits various information transmitted from the inspection device 10 together with the selected symptom to the doctor terminal 50.

[0050] For example, the patient terminal 30 transmits, together with the selected symptom, "Type of Examination", "Manufacturer of the Test Kit", "Name of the Test Kit", "Drug Machine Approval Number of the Test Kit", "Manufacture Date of the Test Kit", "Use Expiration Date of the Test Kit", "Storage Conditions of the Test Kit", "Judgment Result of the Deviation Situation Judgment Function 20c", and "Examination Result" to the doctor terminal 50. Therefore, it can be said that the inspection device 10 transmits various information to the doctor terminal 50 via the patient terminal 30.

[0051] Also, button 34 is a button labeled "Doctor's Instructions / Prescription". When button 34 is touched by the patient, the touch screen 31 displays the doctor's instructions transmitted from the doctor terminal 50 and the content of the prescription prescribed by the doctor.

[0052] In addition, the patient terminal 30 receives doctor moving image data, which is moving image data obtained by photographing the doctor's face with a camera and in which the doctor's face is depicted, and which is transmitted from the doctor terminal 50. Then, the touch screen 31 displays a moving image based on the doctor moving image data.

[0053] In addition, the camera 32 generates patient moving image data, which is moving image data in which the patient's face is depicted by photographing the patient. Then, the patient terminal 30 transmits the patient moving image data to the doctor terminal 50.

[0054] In addition, the patient terminal 30 periodically transmits digital data indicating the patient's blood pressure, heart rate, etc. at a predetermined time to the doctor terminal 50. To explain with a specific example, the blood pressure and heart rate are measured by a blood pressure measuring device, a heart rate measuring device, etc. The patient terminal 30 can communicate with a blood pressure measuring device, a heart rate measuring device, etc. by wire or wirelessly. The patient terminal 30 receives digital data indicating the blood pressure, heart rate, etc. transmitted from a blood pressure measuring device, a heart rate measuring device, etc. Then, the patient terminal 30 transmits the received digital data indicating the blood pressure, heart rate, etc. to the doctor terminal 50.

[0055] The doctor terminal 50 is a terminal used when a doctor conducts remote medical treatment on a patient. For example, the doctor terminal 50 is a terminal such as a smartphone, a mobile phone, or a personal computer. In the example of FIG. 4, the case where the doctor terminal 50 is a personal computer is shown.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 4, the doctor terminal 50 includes a communication circuit 51, an input device 52, a storage device 53, a display 54, and a control circuit 55.

[0057] The communication circuit 51 is connected to the control circuit 55 and is a communication interface that controls the communication between the doctor-side terminal 50 and the patient-side terminal 30. For example, under the control of the control circuit 55, the communication circuit 51 transmits various types of information to the patient-side terminal 30, receives various types of information transmitted from the patient-side terminal 30, and transmits the received information to the control circuit 55. For example, the communication circuit 51 is realized by a network card, a network adapter, a NIC, or the like.

[0058] For example, the communication circuit 51 receives "symptoms selected by the patient", "type of examination", "manufacturer that produced the test kit", "name of the test kit", "drug machine approval number of the test kit", "manufacture date of the test kit", "expiration date of use of the test kit", "storage conditions of the test kit", "judgment result of the deviation situation determination function 20c", and "test result" transmitted from the patient-side terminal 30. Then, the communication circuit 51 transmits these received information to the control circuit 55. The communication circuit 51 is an example of a receiving unit.

[0059] In addition, the communication circuit 51 receives patient moving image data transmitted from the patient-side terminal 30 and transmits the received patient moving image data to the control circuit 55. Also, the communication circuit 51 receives digital data indicating the patient's blood pressure, heart rate, etc. transmitted from the patient-side terminal 30 and transmits the received digital data to the control circuit 55.

[0060] In addition, the communication circuit 51 transmits doctor moving image data to the patient-side terminal 30. Also, the communication circuit 51 transmits the doctor's instructions to the patient and the content of the prescription prescribed to the patient to the patient-side terminal 30.

[0061] The input device 52 is an input interface that receives various operations, instructions, requests, etc. from a doctor and transmits the received operations, instructions, requests, etc. to the control circuit 55. The input device 52 is realized by a trackball, a switch, a dial, a foot switch, a joystick, etc. For example, the input device 52 receives instructions for a patient and the content of a prescription prescribed for the patient from the doctor, and transmits the received instructions and the content of the prescription to the control circuit 55.

[0062] The storage device 53 stores various information. For example, the storage device 53 is realized by a semiconductor memory element such as a flash memory, a hard disk, or an optical disk.

[0063] For example, the storage device 53 receives control by the control circuit 55 and stores "symptoms selected by the patient", "type of examination", "manufacturer that manufactured the test kit", "name of the test kit", "pharmaceutical machinery approval number of the test kit", "manufacture date of the test kit", "expiration date of use of the test kit", "storage conditions of the test kit", "judgment result of the deviation situation determination function 20c", and "test result" transmitted from the communication circuit 51.

[0064] In addition, the storage device 53 stores various information in advance. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in the storage device 53 of the doctor-side terminal 50 according to the first embodiment. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the storage device 53 stores in advance the types of examinations to be performed on patients. In addition, the storage device 53 stores in advance a plurality of manufacturers that manufacture test kits approved by the authorities. In addition, the storage device 53 stores in advance the names of a plurality of test kits approved by the authorities. In addition, the storage device 53 stores in advance the pharmaceutical machinery approval numbers of a plurality of test kits.

[0065] Returning to the description of FIG. 4, the display 54 receives control by the display control function 55b of the control circuit 55 and displays various types of information and various images necessary when a doctor conducts remote medical treatment. For example, the display 54 has display areas 54a to 54d. The display 54 is an example of a display unit. The content displayed in the display areas 54a to 54d will be described later.

[0066] The control circuit 55 is a processing circuit that controls the operation of the entire doctor-side terminal 50. The control circuit 55 is realized by, for example, a processor. For example, the control circuit 55 controls the communication circuit 51 to transmit the doctor moving image data obtained by the camera of the doctor-side terminal 50 to the patient-side terminal 30. Also, the control circuit 55 controls the communication circuit 51 to transmit the instructions for the patient received by the input device 52 and the content of the prescription prescribed for the patient to the patient-side terminal 30.

[0067] Further, the control circuit 55 causes the storage device 53 to store "symptoms selected by the patient", "type of examination", "manufacturer that manufactured the test kit", "name of the test kit", "drug machine approval number of the test kit", "manufacture date of the test kit", "use expiration date of the test kit", "storage conditions of the test kit", "judgment result of the deviation situation determination function 20c", and "test result" transmitted from the patient-side terminal 30.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 4, the control circuit 55 includes a determination function 55a and a display control function 55b. Here, for example, each processing function of the determination function 55a and the display control function 55b, which are components of the control circuit 55 shown in FIG. 4, is stored in the storage device 53 in the form of a program executable by a computer. The control circuit 55 reads each program from the storage device 53 and executes each read program to realize the function corresponding to each program. In other words, the control circuit 55 in the state of having read each program has each function shown in the control circuit 55 of FIG. 4.

[0069] The determination function 55a determines the validity of the test kit in the patient's examination using some of the plurality of pieces of information transmitted from the patient terminal 30. The determination of the validity of the test kit in the patient's examination as referred to here is, for example, a determination as to whether the test kit used for examining the patient is valid. Such a test kit includes the test device 10 as described above. The determination function 55a is an example of the second determination unit.

[0070] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of information used when the determination function 55a of the doctor terminal 50 according to the first embodiment determines the validity of the test kit. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, among the plurality of pieces of information transmitted from the patient terminal 30, the information associated with the symbol “○” is used when the determination function 55a determines the validity of the test kit.

[0071] For example, as shown in FIG. 6, “type of examination”, “manufacturer that manufactured the test kit”, “name of the test kit”, “drug machine approval number of the test kit”, “expiration date of use of the test kit”, and “determination result of the deviation situation determination function 20c” are used when the determination function 55a determines the validity of the test kit. The content of the specific determination process by the determination function 55a will be described later.

[0072] Returning to the description of FIG. 4, the display control function 55b causes the display 54 to display various pieces of information and various images. For example, the display control function 55b controls the display 54 to display a moving image based on the patient moving image data in the display area 54a. Further, the display control function 55b controls the display 54 to display the history of the patient's blood pressure, heart rate, etc. indicated by the digital data periodically transmitted from the patient terminal 30 in the display area 54b.

[0073] In addition, the display control function 55b controls the display 54 to display various contents of the current medical treatment in the display area 54c. For example, the display control function 55b controls the display 54 to display the "symptoms selected by the patient" transmitted from the patient-side terminal 30 as the chief complaint in the display area 54c. Further, the display control function 55b controls the display 54 to display the instructions for the patient and the contents of the prescription prescribed for the patient received by the input device 52 in the display area 54c.

[0074] In addition, in the determination process described later, the display control function 55b controls the display 54 to display the "examination results" or various warning messages transmitted from the patient-side terminal 30 in the display area 54c. The display control function 55b is an example of the display control unit.

[0075] In addition, the display control function 55b controls the display 54 to display various contents of the medical treatment prior to the current medical treatment as a history in the display area 54d.

[0076] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the determination process executed by the doctor-side terminal 50 according to the first embodiment. In the determination process shown in FIG. 7, for example, in each of steps S201, S203 to S205, S207, and S209, various determination processes are executed as processes for determining whether the test kit is valid. And finally, when it is determined that the test kit is valid, the test results are displayed on the display 54 in step S211. On the other hand, when it is determined that the test kit is not valid, various warning messages are displayed on the display 54.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 7, the determination function 55a determines whether the type of test performed by the test kit including the test device 10 matches the type of test performed on the patient (step S201). In step S201, the determination function 55a acquires from the storage device 53 the types of the two tests, namely, the type of test performed by the test kit and the type of test performed on the patient. Then, the determination function 55a determines whether the two test types match.

[0078] If the type of test performed by the test kit does not match the type of test performed on the patient (step S201: No), the test kit is not valid. For example, if the type of test performed by the test kit is "test for infectious disease A" and the type of test performed on the patient is "test for infectious disease B", since the two tests are different, the test kit is not valid.

[0079] Therefore, in this case (step S201: No), the display control function 55b controls the display 54 to display the warning message "The type of test performed by the test kit does not match the type of test performed on the patient" in the display area 54c (step S202). Then, the display control function 55b ends the determination process.

[0080] On the other hand, if the type of test performed by the test kit matches the type of test performed on the patient (step S201: Yes), the determination function 55a determines whether there is a manufacturer among the multiple manufacturers that produce the test kit approved by the authorities and that manufactures the test kit including the test device 10 (step S203). In step S203, the determination function 55a acquires from the storage device 53 the multiple manufacturers that produce the test kit approved by the authorities and the manufacturer that manufactures the test kit including the test device 10. Then, the determination function 55a determines whether there is a manufacturer among the multiple manufacturers that produce the approved test kit and that manufactures the test kit including the test device 10.

[0081] If there is no manufacturer among the multiple manufacturers that produce the approved test kits who manufactures the test kit including the test device 10 (Step S203: No), the test kit including the test device 10 is an unapproved test kit. Therefore, the test kit including the test device 10 is not valid. Thus, in this case (Step S203: No), the display control function 55b controls the display 54 to display the warning message "The test kit used by the patient is an unapproved test kit" in the display area 54c (Step S206). Then, the display control function 55b ends the determination process.

[0082] On the other hand, if there is a manufacturer among the multiple manufacturers that produce the approved test kits who manufactures the test kit including the test device 10 (Step S203: Yes), the determination function 55a determines whether the name of the test kit including the test device 10 exists among the names of the multiple test kits approved by the authorities (Step S204). In Step S204, the determination function 55a acquires from the storage device 53 the names of the multiple test kits approved by the authorities and the name of the test kit including the test device 10. Then, the determination function 55a determines whether the name of the test kit including the test device 10 exists among the names of the multiple approved test kits.

[0083] If the name of the test kit including the test device 10 does not exist among the names of the multiple approved test kits (Step S204: No), the test kit including the test device 10 is an unapproved test kit. Therefore, the test kit including the test device 10 is not valid. Thus, in this case (Step S204: No), the display control function 55b proceeds to Step S206 described above and executes the process of Step S206.

[0084] On the one hand, if among the names of the plurality of approved test kits there is a name of a test kit that includes the test device 10 (step S204: Yes), the determination function 55a determines whether among the drug machine approval numbers of the plurality of test kits there is a drug machine approval number of the test kit that includes the test device 10 (step S205). In step S205, the determination function 55a acquires from the storage device 53 the drug machine approval numbers of the plurality of test kits and the drug machine approval number of the test kit that includes the test device 10. Then, the determination function 55a determines whether among the drug machine approval numbers of the plurality of test kits there is a drug machine approval number of the test kit that includes the test device 10.

[0085] If among the drug machine approval numbers of the plurality of test kits there is no drug machine approval number of the test kit that includes the test device 10 (step S205: No), the test kit that includes the test device 10 is an unapproved test kit. For this reason, the test kit that includes the test device 10 is not valid. Therefore, in this case (step S205: No), the display control function 55b proceeds to step S206 described above and executes the process of step S206.

[0086] On the one hand, if among the drug machine approval numbers of a plurality of test kits there is a drug machine approval number of a test kit including the test device 10 (step S205: Yes), the determination function 55a determines whether the test kit including the test device 10 has been used within the expiration date of use (step S207). In step S207, the determination function 55a acquires, as the date and time when the test kit including the test device 10 was used, the date and time added to the test result stored in the storage device 53. Also, the determination function 55a acquires the expiration date of use from the storage device 53. Then, the determination function 55a determines whether the acquired date and time is within the expiration date of use, thereby determining whether the test kit including the test device 10 has been used within the expiration date of use. Specifically, when the determination function 55a determines that the acquired date and time is within the expiration date of use, it determines that the test kit including the test device 10 has been used within the expiration date of use. Also, when the determination function 55a determines that the acquired date and time is not within the expiration date of use, it determines that the test kit including the test device 10 has not been used within the expiration date of use.

[0087] If the test kit including the test device 10 has not been used within the expiration date of use (step S207: No), the test kit including the test device 10 is not valid. Therefore, in this case (step S207: No), the display control function 55b controls the display 54 to display the warning message "The test kit has not been used within the expiration date of use" in the display area 54c (step S208). Then, the display control function 55b ends the determination process.

[0088] On the other hand, when the test kit including the test device 10 is used within the expiration date (step S207: Yes), the determination function 55a determines whether the test kit including the test device 10 is stored so as to satisfy the storage conditions (step S209). In step S209, the determination function 55a acquires the determination result of the deviation situation determination function 20c from the storage device 53. Then, when the determination result of the deviation situation determination function 20c indicates that the environmental information does not deviate from the storage conditions, the determination function 55a determines that the test kit including the test device 10 is stored so as to satisfy the storage conditions. Further, when the determination result of the deviation situation determination function 20c indicates that the environmental information deviates from the storage conditions, the determination function 55a determines that the test kit including the test device 10 is not stored so as to satisfy the storage conditions.

[0089] When the test kit including the test device 10 is not stored so as to satisfy the storage conditions (step S209: No), the test kit including the test device 10 is not valid. Therefore, in this case (step S209: No), the display control function 55b controls the display 54 to display the warning message "The test kit is not stored so as to satisfy the storage conditions" in the display area 54c (step S210). Then, the display control function 55b ends the determination process.

[0090] On the other hand, when the test kit including the test device 10 is stored so as to satisfy the storage conditions (step S209: Yes), the test kit including the test device 10 is valid. Therefore, in this case (step S209: Yes), the display control function 55b acquires the test result from the storage device 53 and controls the display 54 to display the content indicated by the acquired test result in the display area 54c (step S211). Then, the display control function 55b ends the determination process.

[0091] The inspection device 10, the doctor-side terminal 50, and the remote medical system 1 according to the first embodiment have been described above. In the first embodiment, even if the inspection kit including the inspection device 10 is an inspection kit procured and stored by the patient, the doctor who has confirmed various warning messages can accurately grasp that the used inspection kit is not valid. In this case, for example, the doctor tells the patient to use a valid inspection kit. As a result, the patient performs the inspection again using a valid inspection kit. Therefore, the doctor does not have to use the results of an inspection with an invalid inspection kit during the medical treatment. Therefore, according to the doctor-side terminal 50 and the remote medical system 1 according to the first embodiment, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the reliability of the remote inspection performed on the patient side in remote medical treatment, and thus it is also possible to suppress a decrease in the reliability of the medical treatment itself.

[0092] In addition, the inspection device 10 according to the first embodiment transmits information used when determining the validity of the inspection kit including the inspection device 10 to the doctor-side terminal 50 via the patient-side terminal 30. That is, the inspection device 10 transmits information that can suppress a decrease in the reliability of the remote inspection performed on the patient side in remote medical treatment, and thus can also suppress a decrease in the reliability of the medical treatment itself. Therefore, the inspection device 10 can also suppress a decrease in the reliability of the remote inspection performed on the patient side in remote medical treatment, and thus can also suppress a decrease in the reliability of the medical treatment itself.

[0093] In addition, according to the first embodiment, the doctor can obtain the inspection results obtained by a valid inspection kit, which are used as evidence for obtaining medical treatment fees.

[0094] In addition, according to the first embodiment, in remote medical treatment, the doctor can grasp whether the inspection kit is valid without asking the patient for various information about the inspection kit procured by the patient. Therefore, according to the first embodiment, in remote medical treatment, the time for the confirmation work is shortened. Therefore, the medical treatment itself is also streamlined and the reliability of the medical treatment is improved.

[0095] Also, according to the first embodiment, when a patient conveys various information of the test kit to a doctor, it is also possible to suppress the occurrence of a situation where incorrect information is conveyed.

[0096] Also, the technology of the first embodiment described above can also be applied to a management system for large-scale infectious disease testing. When a patient conducts a test by himself / herself outside a medical facility, the medical facility can collect the test results without interfering with the operations of the medical facility.

[0097] (Modification of the First Embodiment) In the first embodiment described above, the case where the transmission control function 20d controls the communication circuit 21 to transmit the determination result of the deviation situation determination function 20c to the doctor-side terminal 50 via the patient-side terminal 30 has been described. However, the transmission control function 20d may control the communication circuit 21 to transmit other information instead of the determination result of the deviation situation determination function 20c. Therefore, such a modification will be described as a modification of the first embodiment.

[0098] In the description of the modification of the first embodiment, mainly the points different from the first embodiment will be described, and the description of the same configuration as the first embodiment may be omitted.

[0099] For example, in the modification, the transmission control function 20d acquires the environmental information stored in the memory circuit 19. Then, instead of the determination result of the deviation situation determination function 20c, the transmission control function 20d controls the communication circuit 21 to transmit the acquired environmental information. Thereby, the communication circuit 21 transmits the environmental information to the doctor-side terminal 50 via the patient-side terminal 30. In this case, the environmental information is an example of the fourth information.

[0100] In the modification example, the determination function 55a of the control circuit 55 executes the same process as the process executed by the deviation situation determination function 20c using the storage conditions and the environmental information. For example, in the modification example, in step S209, the determination function 55a executes the same process as the process executed by the deviation situation determination function 20c using the storage conditions and the environmental information, thereby obtaining a determination result indicating whether the environmental information deviates from the storage conditions. Then, in the modification example, in step S209, the determination function 55a executes the same process as the process of step S209 according to the first embodiment using the determination result.

[0101] (Second Embodiment) In the first embodiment and the modification example, the case where the inspection device 10 transmits the information used when determining the validity of the inspection kit and the doctor-side terminal 50 determines the validity of the inspection kit based on the information used when determining the validity of the inspection kit has been described. However, the inspection device 10 may transmit the information used when determining the validity of the inspection device 10, and the doctor-side terminal 50 may determine the validity of the inspection device 10 based on the information used when determining the validity of the inspection device 10. Therefore, such an embodiment will be described below as the second embodiment.

[0102] In the description of the second embodiment, mainly, the differences from the first embodiment will be described, and the description of the configuration similar to that of the first embodiment may be omitted.

[0103] For example, in the second embodiment, the memory circuit 19 stores the following information instead of the manufacturer that manufactured the test kit, the name of the test kit, and the drug machine approval number of the test kit, which is different from the first embodiment. For example, in the second embodiment, the memory circuit 19 stores the manufacturer that manufactured the test device 10, the name of the test device 10, and the drug machine approval number of the test device 10. The manufacturer that manufactured the test device 10, the name of the test device 10, and the drug machine approval number of the test device 10 are used when the doctor-side terminal 50 determines whether the test device 10 is an approved test device by the authorities. The manufacturer that manufactured the test device 10, the name of the test device 10, and the drug machine approval number of the test device 10 are an example of the second information.

[0104] Also, in the second embodiment, the memory circuit 19 stores the expiration date of use of the test device 10 instead of the expiration date of use of the test kit, which is different from the first embodiment. The expiration date of use of the test device 10 is used when the doctor-side terminal 50 determines whether the test device 10 is a test device used within the expiration date of use. The expiration date of use of the test device 10 is an example of the third information.

[0105] Also, in the second embodiment, the memory circuit 19 stores the storage conditions of the test device 10 instead of the storage conditions of the test kit, which is different from the first embodiment. For example, in the second embodiment, the storage conditions are conditions related to the environment (temperature and humidity) around the test device 10. More specifically, the storage conditions are, for example, a temperature range of 10 degrees or more and 25 degrees or less, and a humidity range of 5% or more and 15% or less. The storage conditions of the test device 10 are conditions related to the environment of the test device 10.

[0106] Also, in the second embodiment, the memory circuit 19 stores the manufacturing date of the test device 10 instead of the manufacturing date of the test kit, which is different from the first embodiment.

[0107] Also, similar to the deviation situation determination function 20c according to the first embodiment, the deviation situation determination function 20c according to the second embodiment determines whether the environmental information satisfies the storage conditions and stores the determination result in the memory circuit 19. However, in the second embodiment, the determination result is information used when determining the validity of the inspection device 10 at the doctor-side terminal 50. Specifically, the determination result is information used when determining whether the inspection kit stored such that the inspection device 10 satisfies the storage conditions. The determination result is an example of the fourth information.

[0108] Also, in the second embodiment, when the transmission control function 20d receives the above-described detection result from the communication circuit 21, it acquires various types of information from the memory circuit 19. Specifically, the transmission control function 20d acquires "type of inspection", "manufacturer that manufactured the inspection device 10", "name of the inspection device 10", "pharmaceutical machine approval number of the inspection device 10", "manufacture date of the inspection device 10", "use expiration date of the inspection device 10", "storage conditions of the inspection device 10", "determination result of the deviation situation determination function 20c", and "inspection result". Among these pieces of information, "type of inspection", "manufacturer that manufactured the inspection device 10", "name of the inspection device 10", "pharmaceutical machine approval number of the inspection device 10", "use expiration date of the inspection device 10", and "determination result of the deviation situation determination function 20c" are information used when determining the validity of the inspection device 10 in the patient's inspection at the doctor-side terminal 50.

[0109] Then, the transmission control function 20d controls the communication circuit 21 to transmit the acquired information to the patient-side terminal 30. As a result, the communication circuit 21 transmits "type of inspection", "manufacturer that manufactured the inspection device 10", "name of the inspection device 10", "pharmaceutical machine approval number of the inspection device 10", "manufacture date of the inspection device 10", "use expiration date of the inspection device 10", "storage conditions of the inspection device 10", "determination result of the deviation situation determination function 20c", and "inspection result" to the patient-side terminal 30 via the output terminal 22.

[0110] Further, the patient terminal 30 according to the second embodiment transmits various information transmitted from the inspection device 10 to the doctor terminal 50 together with the symptoms selected by the patient, similar to the patient terminal 30 according to the first embodiment.

[0111] For example, the patient terminal 30 transmits, together with the selected symptoms, "type of inspection", "manufacturer that manufactured the inspection device 10", "name of the inspection device 10", "pharmaceutical machine approval number of the inspection device 10", "manufacture date of the inspection device 10", "expiration date of use of the inspection device 10", "storage conditions of the inspection device 10", "determination result of the deviation situation determination function 20c", and "inspection result" to the doctor terminal 50.

[0112] Then, the communication circuit 51 of the doctor terminal 50 according to the second embodiment receives "symptoms selected by the patient", "type of inspection", "manufacturer that manufactured the inspection device 10", "name of the inspection device 10", "pharmaceutical machine approval number of the inspection device 10", "manufacture date of the inspection device 10", "expiration date of use of the inspection device 10", "storage conditions of the inspection device 10", "determination result of the deviation situation determination function 20c", and "inspection result" transmitted from the patient terminal 30. And the communication circuit 51 transmits these received information to the control circuit 55.

[0113] Then, the control circuit 55 according to the second embodiment causes the storage device 53 to store these information transmitted from the communication circuit 51.

[0114] In this way, the storage device 53 according to the second embodiment stores, under the control of the control circuit 55, "symptoms selected by the patient", "type of inspection", "manufacturer that manufactured the inspection device 10", "name of the inspection device 10", "pharmaceutical machine approval number of the inspection device 10", "manufacture date of the inspection device 10", "expiration date of use of the inspection device 10", "storage conditions of the inspection device 10", "determination result of the deviation situation determination function 20c", and "inspection result".

[0115] In addition, the storage device 53 stores various types of information in advance. For example, similar to the first embodiment, the storage device 53 stores in advance the types of examinations performed on the patient. Further, the storage device 53 stores in advance a plurality of manufacturers that produce examination devices approved by the authorities. Also, the storage device 53 stores in advance the names of a plurality of examination devices approved by the authorities. Moreover, the storage device 53 stores in advance the pharmaceutical machine approval numbers of the plurality of examination devices.

[0116] The determination function 55a according to the second embodiment determines the validity of the examination device 10 in the patient's examination by using some of the plurality of pieces of information transmitted from the patient-side terminal 30. The determination of the validity of the examination device 10 in the patient's examination as referred to here is, for example, a determination as to whether or not the examination device 10 used for examining the patient is valid.

[0117] For example, the "type of examination", the "manufacturer that produced the examination device 10", the "name of the examination device 10", the "pharmaceutical machine approval number of the examination device 10", the "expiration date of use of the examination device 10", and the "determination result of the deviation situation determination function 20c" are used when the determination function 55a determines the validity of the examination device 10.

[0118] The display control function 55b according to the second embodiment causes the display 54 to display various types of information and various images. For example, in the determination process described later, the display control function 55b controls the display 54 to display the "examination result" or various warning messages transmitted from the patient-side terminal 30 in the display area 54c.

[0119] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of determination processing executed by the doctor-side terminal 50 according to the second embodiment. In the determination processing shown in FIG. 8, for example, in each of steps S301, S303 to S305, S307, and S309, various determination processes are executed as processes for determining whether or not the inspection device 10 is valid. And finally, when it is determined that the inspection device 10 is valid, the inspection result is displayed on the display 54 in step S311. On the other hand, when it is determined that the inspection device 10 is not valid, various warning messages are displayed on the display 54.

[0120] As shown in FIG. 8, the determination function 55a determines whether or not the type of inspection performed by the inspection device 10 matches the type of inspection performed on the patient (step S301). In step S301, the determination function 55a acquires from the storage device 53 the types of the two inspections, that is, the type of inspection performed by the inspection device 10 and the type of inspection performed on the patient. Then, the determination function 55a determines whether or not the two inspection types match.

[0121] When the type of inspection performed by the inspection device 10 does not match the type of inspection performed on the patient (step S301: No), the inspection device 10 is not valid. Therefore, in this case (step S301: No), the display control function 55b controls the display 54 to display the warning message "The type of inspection performed by the inspection device does not match the type of inspection performed on the patient" in the display area 54c (step S302). Then, the display control function 55b ends the determination process.

[0122] On the one hand, when the type of inspection performed by the inspection device 10 matches the type of inspection performed on the patient (step S301: Yes), the determination function 55a determines whether the manufacturer that manufactures the inspection device 10 exists among the multiple manufacturers that manufacture inspection devices approved by the authorities (step S303). In step S303, the determination function 55a acquires from the storage device 53 the multiple manufacturers that manufacture inspection devices approved by the authorities and the manufacturer that manufactures the inspection device 10. Then, the determination function 55a determines whether the manufacturer that manufactures the inspection device 10 exists among the multiple manufacturers that manufacture the approved inspection devices.

[0123] If the manufacturer that manufactures the inspection device 10 does not exist among the multiple manufacturers that manufacture the approved inspection devices (step S303: No), the inspection device 10 is an unapproved inspection device. Therefore, the inspection device 10 is not valid. Thus, in this case (step S303: No), the display control function 55b controls the display 54 to display the warning message "The inspection device used by the patient is an unapproved inspection device" in the display area 54c (step S306). Then, the display control function 55b ends the determination process.

[0124] On the other hand, if the manufacturer that manufactures the inspection device 10 exists among the multiple manufacturers that manufacture the approved inspection devices (step S303: Yes), the determination function 55a determines whether the name of the inspection device 10 exists among the names of the multiple inspection devices approved by the authorities (step S304). In step S304, the determination function 55a acquires from the storage device 53 the names of the multiple inspection devices approved by the authorities and the name of the inspection device 10. Then, the determination function 55a determines whether the name of the inspection device 10 exists among the names of the multiple approved inspection devices.

[0125] If the name of inspection device 10 is not among the names of the plurality of approved inspection devices (step S304: No), inspection device 10 is an unapproved inspection kit. Therefore, inspection device 10 is not valid. Thus, in this case (step S304: No), the display control function 55b proceeds to step S306 described above and executes the process of step S306.

[0126] On the other hand, if the name of inspection device 10 is among the names of the plurality of approved inspection devices (step S304: Yes), the determination function 55a determines whether the drug machine approval number of inspection device 10 is among the drug machine approval numbers of the plurality of inspection devices (step S305). In step S305, the determination function 55a acquires from the storage device 53 the drug machine approval numbers of the plurality of inspection devices and the drug machine approval number of inspection device 10. Then, the determination function 55a determines whether the drug machine approval number of inspection device 10 is among the drug machine approval numbers of the plurality of inspection devices.

[0127] If the drug machine approval number of inspection device 10 is not among the drug machine approval numbers of the plurality of inspection devices (step S305: No), inspection device 10 is an unapproved inspection device. Therefore, inspection device 10 is not valid. Thus, in this case (step S305: No), the display control function 55b proceeds to step S306 described above and executes the process of step S306.

[0128] On the one hand, if the drug machine approval number of inspection device 10 exists among the drug machine approval numbers of a plurality of inspection devices (step S305: Yes), the determination function 55a determines whether inspection device 10 has been used within the expiration date of use (step S307). In step S307, the determination function 55a acquires the date and time added to the inspection result stored in the storage device 53 as the date and time when inspection device 10 was used. Also, the determination function 55a acquires the expiration date of use from the storage device 53. Then, the determination function 55a determines whether inspection device 10 has been used within the expiration date of use by determining whether the acquired date and time is within the expiration date of use. Specifically, when the determination function 55a determines that the acquired date and time is within the expiration date of use, it determines that inspection device 10 has been used within the expiration date of use. Also, when the determination function 55a determines that the acquired date and time is not within the expiration date of use, it determines that inspection device 10 has not been used within the expiration date of use.

[0129] If inspection device 10 has not been used within the expiration date of use (step S307: No), inspection device 10 is not valid. Therefore, in this case (step S307: No), the display control function 55b controls the display 54 to display the warning message "The inspection device has not been used within the expiration date of use" in the display area 54c (step S308). Then, the display control function 55b ends the determination process.

[0130] On the other hand, when the inspection device 10 is used within the expiration date of use (step S307: Yes), the determination function 55a determines whether the inspection device 10 is stored so as to satisfy the storage conditions (step S309). In step S309, the determination function 55a acquires the determination result of the deviation situation determination function 20c from the storage device 53. Then, when the determination result of the deviation situation determination function 20c indicates that the environmental information does not deviate from the storage conditions, the determination function 55a determines that the inspection device 10 is stored so as to satisfy the storage conditions. Also, when the determination result of the deviation situation determination function 20c indicates that the environmental information deviates from the storage conditions, the determination function 55a determines that the inspection device 10 is not stored so as to satisfy the storage conditions.

[0131] When the inspection device 10 is not stored so as to satisfy the storage conditions (step S309: No), the inspection device 10 is not valid. Therefore, in this case (step S309: No), the display control function 55b controls the display 54 to display the warning message "The inspection device is not stored so as to satisfy the storage conditions" in the display area 54c (step S310). Then, the display control function 55b ends the determination process.

[0132] On the other hand, when the inspection device 10 is stored so as to satisfy the storage conditions (step S309: Yes), the inspection device 10 is valid. Therefore, in this case (step S309: Yes), the display control function 55b acquires the inspection result from the storage device 53 and controls the display 54 to display the content indicated by the acquired inspection result in the display area 54c (step S311). Then, the display control function 55b ends the determination process.

[0133] The inspection device 10, the doctor-side terminal 50, and the remote medical system 1 according to the second embodiment have been described above. In the second embodiment, even if the inspection device 10 is an inspection device procured and stored by the patient, the doctor who has confirmed various warning messages can accurately grasp that the used inspection device is not valid. In this case, for example, the doctor tells the patient to use a valid inspection device. As a result, the patient performs the inspection again using a valid inspection device. Therefore, the doctor does not have to use the results of an inspection by an invalid inspection device during the medical treatment. Therefore, according to the doctor-side terminal 50 and the remote medical system 1 according to the second embodiment, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the reliability of remote inspections performed on the patient side in remote medical treatment, and thus also suppress a decrease in the reliability of the medical treatment itself.

[0134] In addition, the inspection device 10 according to the second embodiment transmits information used when determining the validity of the inspection device 10 to the doctor-side terminal 50 via the patient-side terminal 30. That is, the inspection device 10 transmits information that can suppress a decrease in the reliability of remote inspections performed on the patient side in remote medical treatment, and thus also suppress a decrease in the reliability of the medical treatment itself. Therefore, the inspection device 10 can also suppress a decrease in the reliability of remote inspections performed on the patient side in remote medical treatment, and thus also suppress a decrease in the reliability of the medical treatment itself.

[0135] In addition, according to the second embodiment, the doctor can obtain inspection results obtained by a valid inspection device, which are used as evidence for obtaining medical treatment fees.

[0136] In addition, according to the second embodiment, in remote medical treatment, the doctor can grasp whether the inspection device is valid without asking the patient for various information about the inspection device procured by the patient. Therefore, according to the second embodiment, in remote medical treatment, the time required for the confirmation work is shortened. Therefore, the medical treatment itself is also streamlined and the reliability of the medical treatment is improved.

[0137] Also, according to the second embodiment, when a patient conveys various information of the inspection device to a doctor, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a situation where incorrect information is conveyed.

[0138] Also, the technology of the second embodiment described above can also be applied to a management system for large-scale infectious disease inspections.

[0139] The term "processor" used in the above description means, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or a programmable logic device (for example, a simple programmable logic device (SPLD), a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), or a field programmable gate array (FPGA)). The processor realizes its functions by reading and executing the programs stored in the storage circuit 19 and the storage device 53. Instead of storing the programs in the storage circuit 19 and the storage device 53, the programs may be directly incorporated into the circuit of the processor. In this case, the processor realizes its functions by reading and executing the programs incorporated into the circuit. Note that the processor is not limited to being configured as a single circuit, and may be configured as one processor by combining a plurality of independent circuits and realizing its functions.

[0140] According to at least one of the embodiments or modifications described above, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the reliability of remote inspections performed on the patient side in telemedicine.

[0141] Although several embodiments have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, changes, and combinations of embodiments can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, as well as in the invention described in the claims and its equivalent scope.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0142] 10 Inspection device 19 Memory circuit 21 Communication circuit

Claims

1. An inspection device for inspecting a patient's condition, comprising: a storage unit that stores, as information regarding the inspection device or an inspection kit including the inspection device in the inspection of the patient, the type of inspection performed by the inspection device or the inspection kit; a transmission unit that transmits the inspection result obtained by the inspection device and the type of inspection stored in the storage unit; wherein the information is first information used for determining whether the type of inspection performed by the inspection device or the inspection kit matches the type of inspection to be performed on the patient; the storage unit stores, as the first information, the type of inspection performed by the inspection device or the inspection kit; the transmission unit transmits the first information; an inspection device.

2. An inspection device for inspecting a patient's condition, comprising: a storage unit that stores, as information regarding the inspection device or an inspection kit including the inspection device in the inspection of the patient, the manufacturer that manufactured the inspection device, the name of the inspection device, and the drug machine approval number of the inspection device, or the manufacturer that manufactured the inspection kit, the name of the inspection kit, and the drug machine approval number of the inspection kit; a transmission unit that transmits the inspection result obtained by the inspection device and the manufacturer that manufactured the inspection device, the name of the inspection device, and the drug machine approval number of the inspection device, or the manufacturer that manufactured the inspection kit, the name of the inspection kit, and the drug machine approval number of the inspection kit stored in the storage unit; wherein the information is second information used for determining whether the inspection device is an approved inspection device or for determining whether the inspection kit is an approved inspection kit; the storage unit stores, as the second information, the manufacturer that manufactured the inspection device, the name of the inspection device, and the drug machine approval number of the inspection device, or the manufacturer that manufactured the inspection kit, the name of the inspection kit, and the drug machine approval number of the inspection kit; the transmission unit transmits the second information; an inspection device.

3. An inspection device for inspecting a patient's condition, comprising: a storage unit that stores, as information regarding the inspection device or an inspection kit including the inspection device in the inspection of the patient, the expiration date of use of the inspection device or the expiration date of use of the inspection kit; A transmitting unit that transmits the inspection result by the inspection device and the expiration date of use of the inspection device stored in the storage unit or the expiration date of use of the inspection kit. comprising The information is third information used when determining whether the inspection device is an inspection device used within the expiration date of use or when determining whether the inspection kit is an inspection kit used within the expiration date of use. The transmitting unit transmits the third information. Inspection device.

4. An inspection device for inspecting a patient's condition, a storage unit that stores information regarding the inspection device or an inspection kit including the inspection device in the inspection of the patient; a detection unit that detects the state of the environment of the inspection device or the inspection kit; a first determination unit that determines whether the state of the environment detected by the detection unit satisfies a storage condition that is a condition regarding the environment of the inspection device or the inspection kit, and stores the determination result in the storage unit as the information; a transmitting unit that transmits the inspection result by the inspection device and the determination result stored in the storage unit; comprising The information is fourth information used when determining whether the inspection device is an inspection device stored so as to satisfy a storage condition that is a condition regarding the environment of the inspection device or when determining whether the inspection kit is an inspection kit stored so as to satisfy a storage condition that is a condition regarding the environment of the inspection kit. The transmitting unit transmits the fourth information. Inspection device.

5. An inspection device for inspecting a patient's condition, a storage unit that stores information regarding the inspection device or an inspection kit including the inspection device in the inspection of the patient; a detection unit that detects the state of the environment of the inspection device or the inspection kit and stores the detected state of the environment in the storage unit as the information; a transmitting unit that transmits the inspection result by the inspection device and the state of the environment stored in the storage unit; comprising The information is used when determining whether the inspection device is an inspection device stored so as to satisfy storage conditions that are conditions regarding the environment of the inspection device, or is fourth information used when determining whether the inspection kit is an inspection kit stored so as to satisfy storage conditions that are conditions regarding the environment of the inspection kit. The transmission unit transmits the fourth information. Inspection device.

6. A receiving unit that receives the inspection result and the information transmitted from the inspection device according to any one of Claims 1 to 5; A second determination unit that determines the validity of the inspection device or the inspection kit based on the information received by the receiving unit; A display control unit that causes a message based on the determination result by the second determination unit to be displayed on a display unit; A terminal comprising:

7. A remote medical system comprising the inspection device according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, a patient-side terminal used by a patient, and a doctor-side terminal used by a doctor, The doctor-side terminal: A receiving unit that receives the inspection result and the information transmitted from the inspection device via the patient-side terminal; A second determination unit that determines the validity of the inspection device or the inspection kit based on the information received by the receiving unit; A display control unit that causes a message based on the determination result by the second determination unit to be displayed on a display unit; A remote medical system comprising:

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