Rental system for medical device

Abstract

A medical device rental system is disclosed. The medical device rental system comprises: a storage unit for storing information related to a medical device; a customer terminal configured to check information about the medical device and apply for the rental of the medical device; a server that provides information related to the medical device through the customer terminal; and, when a rental application for a first medical device desired by a customer is received through the customer terminal, a) information on the rental service provider of the first medical device, b) the number of the first medical device held by the rental service provider, c) the rental period of the first medical device, d) the rental cost of the first medical device, e) the rental status of the first medical device, f) information on the rental cost subsidy for the first medical device, and g) a selection unit that selects a second medical device most suitable for rental to the customer by comprehensively considering information on the delivery time and delivery cost of the first medical device based on the customer's address.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a medical device rental system, and more specifically, to a medical device rental system capable of selecting a medical device available for rental to a customer under optimal conditions in relation to the medical device that the customer wishes to rent. Background Technology

[0003] Purchasing medical devices incurs significant initial investment costs for hospitals, medical institutions, or individuals. The cost of purchasing medical devices can be particularly burdensome for newly opened or small clinics, and especially for individuals. Furthermore, even after purchasing medical devices, due to the rapid changes and advancements in the field, there is no choice but to upgrade existing devices or purchase new ones whenever new technology is released in order to adopt it.

[0004] Medical institutions or individuals have a need to save on medical device purchase costs to minimize initial expenses and effectively manage their budgets, and this can be a solution for medical devices.

[0005] Therefore, there is a need for measures to enable immediate use of necessary medical devices through medical device rental. Specifically, if the procedures for renting medical devices are complex or costly, the benefits of renting medical devices may be minimal.

[0006] Therefore, technology is needed to select the optimal rental solution for medical devices and to select the best medical device suitable for the customer. Prior art literature

[0008] Republic of Korea Published Patent No. 10-2005-0121710 (Date of publication: Dec. 27, 2005) The problem to be solved

[0009] The technical problem that the present invention aims to solve is to provide a medical device rental system that can select a medical device available for rental to a customer under optimal conditions in relation to the medical device that the customer wishes to rent. means of solving the problem

[0011] To solve the above technical problem, a medical device rental system according to an embodiment of the present invention may include: a storage unit for storing information related to a medical device; a customer terminal configured to check information about the medical device and apply for the rental of the medical device; a server that provides information related to the medical device through the customer terminal; and, when a rental application for a first medical device desired by a customer is received through the customer terminal, a) information on the rental service provider of the first medical device, b) the number of the first medical device held by the rental service provider, c) the rental period of the first medical device, d) the rental cost of the first medical device, e) the rental status of the first medical device, f) information on the rental cost subsidy of the first medical device, and g) a selection unit that selects a second medical device most suitable for rental to the customer by comprehensively considering information on the delivery time and delivery cost of the first medical device based on the customer's address.

[0012] For example, the second medical device may refer to a medical device selected as the most suitable for rental to the customer among the companies that rent out the medical device among the medical devices that the customer has applied to rent.

[0013] In one embodiment, the selection unit may be characterized by first extracting medical devices available for rental to a customer based on e) the rental status of the first medical device and g) the customer's address and information regarding the delivery time and delivery cost of the first medical device, d) extracting medical devices available for rental to a customer based on the rental cost information of the first medical device among the first extracted medical devices, c) extracting medical devices available for rental to a customer based on the rental period information of the first medical device among the second extracted medical devices, and 4th extracting medical devices available for rental to a customer based on b) information on the number of first medical devices held by the rental service provider and a) information on the rental service provider of the first medical device among the third extracted medical devices, thereby finally selecting the second medical device most suitable for rental to a customer.

[0014] In one embodiment, the server further includes a state prediction unit that predicts the external state of the second medical device, and the state prediction unit can predict the external state of the second medical device by applying image information related to the external state of the second medical device obtained from the customer terminal to an image analysis algorithm. Effects of the invention

[0016] The present invention, as described above, allows a customer to select a medical device that can be rented under optimal conditions in relation to the medical device the customer wishes to rent.

[0017] The present invention can drastically reduce the time spent searching and analyzing for medical device rental, as customers only need to select the selected medical device, and can resolve the inconvenience of selecting a medical device.

[0018] Since the disclosed content is naturally exerted by the composition of the described content regardless of whether the inventor is aware of it, the aforementioned effects are merely a few effects based on the described content and should not be recognized as having described all effects that the inventor has grasped or that actually exist.

[0019] In addition, the effects of the disclosed invention should be further understood from the overall description in the specification, and even if not explicitly stated, if a person skilled in the art to which the described content belongs can recognize that such effects exist through this specification, they should be considered as effects described in this specification. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0021] FIG. 1 is a drawing for explaining a medical device rental system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0022] The present invention is susceptible to various modifications and may take various forms, and embodiments are to be described in detail in the text. However, this is not intended to limit the invention to the specific disclosed forms, and it should be understood that the invention includes all modifications, equivalents, and substitutions that fall within the spirit and scope of the invention. Similar reference numerals have been used for similar components in the description of each figure. Terms such as "first," "second," etc., may be used to describe various components, but said components should not be limited by said terms.

[0023] The above terms are used solely for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another. The terms used in this application are used merely to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the invention. The singular expression includes the plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0024] In this application, terms such as "comprising" or "consisting of" are intended to specify the existence of the features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, and should be understood as not precluding the existence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0025] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as generally understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. Terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant technology, and should not be interpreted in an ideal or overly formal sense unless explicitly defined in this application.

[0026] Terms such as "first" or "second" may be used to describe various components, but said components should not be limited by said terms. For the sole purpose of distinguishing one component from another, for example, without departing from the scope of rights according to the concept of the present invention, the first component may be named the second component, and similarly, the second component may be named the first component.

[0027] When it is stated that one component is "connected" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that while it may be directly connected or connected to that other component, there may also be other components in between. Conversely, when it is stated that one component is "directly connected" or "directly connected" to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components in between. Other expressions describing the relationship between components, such as "between" and "exactly between," or "adjacent to" and "directly adjacent to," should be interpreted in the same way.

[0028] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

[0030] FIG. 1 is a drawing for explaining a medical device rental system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Referring to FIG. 1, a medical device rental system (1000) according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a storage unit (100), a customer terminal (200), a server (300), and a selection unit (400).

[0032] The storage unit (100) can store information related to a medical device. For example, the medical device may include an oxygen generator, etc.

[0033] For example, information related to a medical device may include a) information on the rental service provider of the first medical device, b) the number of the first medical device held by the rental service provider, c) the rental period of the first medical device, d) the rental cost of the first medical device, e) the rental status of the first medical device, and f) information on the rental cost subsidy for the first medical device.

[0034] For example, the first medical device may refer to a medical device that a customer wants to rent among the medical devices stored in the storage unit (100).

[0035] The customer can check the information of the medical device stored in the storage unit (100) through the customer terminal (200), and the customer terminal (200) can be configured so that the customer can apply for the rental of the medical device.

[0036] The server (300) can provide information related to a medical device to the customer terminal (200) so that the customer can check information related to the medical device through the customer terminal (200).

[0037] When the selection unit (400) receives a rental application for a first medical device desired by a customer through a customer terminal (200), it can select a second medical device most suitable for rental to the customer by comprehensively considering a) information on the rental service provider of the first medical device, b) the number of first medical devices held by the rental service provider, c) the rental period of the first medical device, d) the rental cost of the first medical device, e) the rental status of the first medical device, f) information on the rental cost subsidy of the first medical device, and g) information on the delivery time and delivery cost of the first medical device based on the customer's address.

[0038] For example, the rental service provider information for the first medical device may be information regarding a company that rents out the medical device, and the rental service provider information may include information such as the rental service provider's address, representative name, contact information, rental service supply history, rental service provider's opening date, rental service provider's company profile, and rental service provider's financial information. Customers can verify such information to increase their trust in the rental service provider.

[0039] For example, the number of first medical devices owned by a rental service provider is the number of first medical devices owned by the rental service provider, and by checking the number of first medical devices owned by the rental service provider, the customer can infer the size of the rental service provider and whether it is a specialized rental company for first medical devices.

[0040] For example, the rental period of the first medical device may mean the period during which it must be finally returned after the rental has started.

[0041] For example, the rental cost of the first medical device may refer to the cost incurred during the rental period.

[0042] For example, the rental status of the first medical device may refer to information regarding the number of first medical devices currently available for rental compared to the number of first medical devices held by the rental service provider. Additionally, if all first medical devices held by the rental service provider have been rented, it may also include information regarding when they will be retrieved and available for rental again.

[0043] For example, information regarding subsidies for the rental costs of medical devices is particularly related to the rental support program for home medical devices. For instance, in the case of lung cancer patients, oxygen therapy is recommended by hospitals, and since it is difficult to visit the hospital every time, information regarding whether such rental costs can be supported when renting a home oxygen generator at a low cost through the application of National Health Insurance so that oxygen therapy can be performed at home, and if so, how much support can be received.

[0044] For example, information regarding the delivery time and delivery cost of the first medical device based on the customer's address may include information on when delivery can be received and whether separate delivery costs are incurred during delivery, taking into account the address information of the rental service provider and the customer's address information.

[0045] The selection unit (400) can select the second medical device most suitable for rental to a customer by comprehensively considering the information regarding a) to g) above, and specifically, can select the second medical device through the following method.

[0046] Examples

[0047] The selection unit (400) first extracts a medical device available for rental to a customer using e) the rental status of the first medical device and g) the information on the delivery time and delivery cost of the first medical device based on the customer's address, among a) information on a rental service provider of the first medical device, b) the number of first medical devices owned by the rental service provider, c) the rental period of the first medical device, d) the rental cost of the first medical device, e) the rental status of the first medical device, f) information on the rental cost subsidy of the first medical device, and g) information on the delivery time and delivery cost of the first medical device based on the customer's address.

[0048] For example, the rental status information of the first medical device is reviewed to determine if it is currently available for rental, and the medical device that can be delivered to the customer within the shortest possible time is initially extracted by considering the customer's address and the address of the medical device rental service provider. Although information on shipping costs can be considered, it generally carries little weight, and since free shipping is common, the medical device is selected to be eligible for free shipping.

[0049] Next, among the medical devices extracted in the first step, d) medical devices available for rental to customers are extracted in the second step using the rental cost information of the first medical device.

[0050] For example, since rental costs are a sensitive issue for customers, medical devices with low rental costs are secondarily selected.

[0051] Next, among the medical devices extracted in the second step, c) medical devices available for rental to customers are extracted in the third step using the rental availability period information of the first medical device.

[0052] For example, since a long rental period is convenient for the customer to use, medical devices with a long possible rental period are extracted as a third step.

[0053] Finally, among the medical devices extracted in the third stage, the medical devices available for rental to the customer can be extracted in the fourth stage by using b) information on the number of first medical devices owned by the rental service provider and a) information on the rental service provider of the first medical device, thereby finally selecting the second medical device that is most suitable for rental to the customer.

[0054] For example, a rental service provider with a large number of first medical devices is a professional rental company regarding said medical devices, so this aspect is taken into consideration, and additionally, information on the rental service provider of the medical device is taken into account, and the stability or reputation of said company is taken into account to select the second medical device that is most suitable for final rental to the customer.

[0055] As another example, the server (300) may further include a state prediction unit (320) that predicts the external state of the second medical device.

[0056] The state prediction unit (320) can predict the external state of the second medical device by applying image information related to the external state of the second medical device obtained from the customer terminal (200) to an image analysis algorithm.

[0057] For example, the state prediction unit (320) can predict the external state of the second medical device rented to a customer by applying image information related to the external state of the second medical device obtained from the customer terminal (200) to an image analysis algorithm. At this time, any type of image analysis algorithm that has been previously developed or will be developed in the future can be applied to the image analysis algorithm.

[0058] Predicting the external condition involves comparing and analyzing image information regarding the external condition of the second medical device before rental and the external condition of the second medical device during rental to predict the extent of damage. Through such prediction of the external condition, disputes between the rental service provider and the customer can be objectively prevented in advance, and objective data regarding the presence of damage can be secured.

[0059] The image information (data) in this invention may be photographic data or video data, but is not limited thereto. That is, the image information (data) in this invention may be understood as a concept encompassing all data that can be visually represented. Additionally, the information (data) may include EXIF ​​(Exchangeable Image File Format) data.

[0060] Here, EXIF ​​may be a module that checks the type of mobile phone that took the photo, GPS information, etc., when taking a photo with a camera. For example, the state prediction unit (320) may receive image format data from the customer terminal (200). The image format may include jpeg, jpg, png, gif, psd, pdf, tiff, tif, raw, ai, eps, mkv, avi, mp4, wmv, etc.

[0061] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a notification unit (not shown) may provide notification information to a server (100) when the external condition of the second medical device predicted by the state prediction unit (320) is greater than or equal to a preset risk level.

[0062] Additionally, the server (100) may be implemented as at least one of a workstation, a data center, an internet data center (IDC), a direct attached storage (DAS) system, a storage area network (SAN) system, a network attached storage (NAS) system, and a redundant array of inexpensive disks, or a redundant array of independent disks (RAID) system, but the present embodiment is not limited thereto.

[0063] Additionally, the server (300) can transmit data through a network using a customer terminal (200). The network may include a network based on wired internet technology, wireless internet technology, and local area communication technology. Wired internet technology may include, for example, at least one of a local area network (LAN) and a wide area network (WAN).

[0064] Wireless internet technology may include, for example, at least one of Wireless LAN (WLAN), DMNA (Digital Living Network Alliance), WiBro (Wireless Broadband), WiMAX (World Interoperability for Microwave Access), HSDPA (High Speed ​​Downlink Packet Access), HSUPA (High Speed ​​Uplink Packet Access), IEEE 802.16, Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-A (Long Term Evolution-Advanced), Wireless Mobile Broadband Service (WMBS), and 5G NR (New Radio) technology. However, the present embodiment is not limited thereto.

[0065] Short-range communication technology may include, for example, at least one of Bluetooth, RFID (Radio Frequency Identification), Infrared Communication (Infrared Data Association: IrDA), UWB (Ultra-Wideband), ZigBee, Near Field Communication (NFC), Ultra Sound Communication (USC), Visible Light Communication (VLC), Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, and 5G NR (New Radio). However, the present embodiment is not limited thereto.

[0066] A server (100) communicating through a network may comply with technical standards and standard communication methods for mobile communication. For example, a standard communication method may include at least one of GSM (Global System for Mobile communication), CDMA (Code Division Multi Access), CDMA2000 (Code Division Multi Access 2000), EV-DO (Enhanced Voice-Data Optimized or Enhanced Voice-Data Only), WCDMA (Wideband CDMA), HSDPA (High Speed ​​Downlink Packet Access), HSUPA (High Speed ​​Uplink Packet Access), LTE (Long Term Evolution), LTEA (Long Term Evolution-Advanced), and 5G NR (New Radio). However, the present embodiment is not limited thereto.

[0067] The above description is merely an illustrative explanation of the technical concept of the present embodiment, and a person skilled in the art to which the present embodiment belongs would be able to make various modifications and variations within the scope of the essential characteristics of the present embodiment. Accordingly, the present embodiments are intended to explain, not limit, the technical concept of the present embodiment, and the scope of the technical concept of the present embodiment is not limited by these embodiments. The scope of protection of the present embodiment shall be interpreted by the claims below, and all technical concepts within an equivalent scope shall be interpreted as being included within the scope of rights of the present embodiment. Explanation of the symbols

[0069] 1000: Medical Device Rental System 100: Storage unit 200: Customer terminal 300: Server 400: Selection Department

Claims

Claim 1 A medical device rental system comprising: a storage unit for storing information related to a medical device; a customer terminal configured to check information about the medical device and apply for the rental of the medical device; a server providing information related to the medical device through the customer terminal; and, when a rental application for a first medical device desired by a customer is received through the customer terminal, a) information on the rental service provider of the first medical device, b) the number of the first medical device held by the rental service provider, c) the rental period of the first medical device, d) the rental cost of the first medical device, e) the rental status of the first medical device, f) information on the rental cost subsidy for the first medical device, and g) information on the delivery time and delivery cost of the first medical device based on the customer's address, and a selection unit for selecting a second medical device most suitable for rental to the customer. Claim 2 A medical device rental system according to claim 1, wherein the selection unit first extracts medical devices available for rental to a customer using information on the delivery time and delivery cost of the first medical device based on e) the rental status of the first medical device and g) the address of the customer; among the medical devices extracted in the first stage, d) extracts medical devices available for rental to a customer using information on the rental cost of the first medical device; among the medical devices extracted in the second stage, c) extracts medical devices available for rental to a customer using information on the rental period of the first medical device; among the medical devices extracted in the third stage, b) extracts medical devices available for rental to a customer using information on the number of first medical devices held by the rental service provider and a) information on the rental service provider of the first medical device, and finally selects the second medical device most suitable for rental to a customer. Claim 3 A medical device rental system according to paragraph 2, wherein the server further includes a state prediction unit that predicts the external state of the second medical device, and the state prediction unit predicts the external state of the second medical device by applying image information related to the external state of the second medical device obtained from the customer terminal to an image analysis algorithm.

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