Method for implementing telehealth booths and derivative product

The integration of 14 modules with machine learning and AI enables telehealth booths to adapt and optimize operations to dynamic healthcare scenarios, addressing the lack of adaptability in existing systems.

WO2025199593A1PCT designated stage Publication Date: 2025-10-02REIS ISELI
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Patent Information

Application Number
PCT/BR2024/050112
Authority / Receiving Office
WO · WO
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-03-24
Publication Date
2025-10-02

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing telehealth booths lack an endogenous system for updating to meet demand and technology conditions, limiting their adaptability and effectiveness in dynamic healthcare scenarios.

Method used

A system of 14 integrated modules, including design, structural, electrical, usability, health sensors, communication, learning and improvement, installation and security, economic, marketing, cabin hygiene, gamification, and data processing modules, utilizing machine learning and artificial intelligence to optimize and adapt telehealth booths to varying demands and technological advancements.

Benefits of technology

Enables telehealth booths to continuously adapt and optimize their operations to meet changing health conditions and market demands, enhancing usability, efficiency, and effectiveness.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

The present invention relates to a telehealth consultation booth characterised by an endogenous method for permanently adapting to variations in demand, market and technology, even anticipating these variations to the extent of the predictive capacity of its information bases and artificial intelligence thereof. Thus, an essential feature of this invention is that it is both a product and a method for optimizing telehealth services. From a purely technical point of view, the invention comprises 14 modules that work together to ensure that the telehealth booth is constantly updated to meet demand, market conditions and advances in healthcare and technology. This "living" booth not only allows passive care of users (patients) by various healthcare professionals, but above all, it also serves as a health monitoring device through its mobile application and methods for gamification of health events.
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Description

IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS OF TELEHEALTH BOOTH AND DERIVED PRODUCT DESCRIPTIVE REPORT FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a process for implementing a telehealth booth and a booth, as a derived product, for telehealth consultations. The booth is characterized by an endogenous process of permanent adaptation to variations in demand, market, and technology, including anticipating these variations based on the predictive capacity of its information bases and artificial intelligence. Therefore, an essential characteristic of this invention is that it is both a product and a process for optimizing telehealth care. From a purely technical standpoint, the invention is characterized by 14 modules that complement each other to ensure the permanent updating of the telehealth booth to meet demand, market, health knowledge, and technological conditions. This process of permanent adaptation is essential to address the succession of health challenges facing the growing human population on Earth. PREVIOUS EVENTS

[0002] While certain healthcare services have always sought to connect with their users, it was only after the advent of the internet that a major step forward could be taken in this direction. The idea of ​​telemedicine, or, in a broader sense, telehealth, although it has long existed, for example, in the form of informal telephone consultations, can gain full force with the internet, even transcending borders and leading to a rethinking of the relationship between healthcare professionals and patients. The physical conditions for telehealth practice were a challenge for a long time. This led to this type of service initially being available from fixed locations. But since the second decade of this millennium, technological advances have allowed for a rethinking of the telehealth consultation environment. It is in this context that telehealth booths emerged, characterized by mobility or, at the very least, ease of installation and operation.Although the most technology- and knowledge-intensive services tend to require facilities in hospital-type centers, telehealth booths allow for the dissemination of triage and even solutions for small healthcare services. From a technical standpoint, several solutions have been invented to date, as we present below. It's normal for these solutions to initially be designed in a fixed manner, lacking much intelligence and adaptability. However, the healthcare scenarios we face demand adaptability and evolution, and technology can meet this need.

[0003] The invention filed under number US 2019 / 0348177, published on November 14, 2019, entitled "SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REMOTE TELE-HEALTH SERVICES" discloses a telehealth services booth that includes a plurality of vital sign monitoring devices, a booth management unit, and videoconferencing hardware through which a remote physician in a remote call center can videoconference with a patient in the booth to diagnose that patient's symptoms. This invention, however, does not have an internal system for updating to meet demand and technology conditions.

[0004] The invention entitled "Health Cabin" filed under number CN101801260A on September 11, 2007, relates to a health cabin comprising a housing, at least one seat, and at least one measuring device for measuring data relating to the health of a user and means for storing the result of such associated measurement in a data structure. This invention, however, does not have an endogenous system. updating to demand and technology conditions.

[0005] The invention entitled "CABIN FOR MEDICAL EXAMINATION AND CONTROL OF CERTAIN MEDICAL INDICATORS" filed under number RU204622U1 on August 3, 2020 in the form of a utility model, discloses a cabin for carrying out medical examinations and monitoring certain medical parameters, characterized in that it consists of a computer with a connected touchscreen, a power supply, two USB hubs with a power supply, a device for measuring blood pressure and pulse rate with a power supply, an ethanol vapor analyzer in exhaled air, a non-contact infrared thermometer, a printer with a power supply, a top USB camera, a front USB camera, two modems (4G) with a SIM card installed, at least one fan, a router with a power supply, a patch cable for connecting the router to the monoblock, a step-by-step software interface and all components.This invention, however, does not have an endogenous system of updating to demand and technology conditions.

[0006] Patent number US10366205, published on September 30, 2019, titled "System and method for remote telehealth services," describes a telehealth services booth that includes a plurality of vital sign monitoring devices, a booth management unit, and videoconferencing hardware through which a remote physician at a remote medical call center conducts videoconferences with a patient in the booth to diagnose the patient's symptoms. The booth management unit includes a processor that controls the booth, a data input to which patient data is provided from the vital sign monitoring devices, and a transmitter connectable to a communication link for two-way communication between the booth management unit and the medical call center, where the transmitter transmits patient data to the medical call center.The telehealth services booth may include a patient chair with a motorized backrest and at least one sensor encapsulated in the backrest. The telehealth services booth may include a hands-free medical device station. The telehealth services booth may include an automatic cleaning system. This invention, however, although very complete in terms of devices, is passive with regard to its own evolution, being merely a device for connecting the doctor and patient that contains a certain number of tools for collecting patient data and the necessary infrastructure. It does not incorporate endogenous systems for updating itself to meet service demand and technological developments. GENERAL DESCRIPTION

[0007] As seen, the state of the art includes variations of booths and combinations of different health measurement devices. However, it does not include products and processes that can automatically optimize telehealth booths and the services they provide to demand, technology, and various market variations. As shown here, current technological developments already allow for this type of adaptation process or even demand anticipation. And given the increasing use of telehealth due to both population growth and various pandemics and endemic diseases, it is necessary to develop a new technique that can adapt the products and processes that determine telehealth booths to existing market techniques that can contribute to this adjustment. This new product and process technique is revealed below.

[0008] The present invention discloses a technique that determines a product (Figure 1) and a process for Telehealth booths are characterized by 14 modules (Figure 2). The modules are integrated as an invention implemented by a computer program, and their operation determines the product's design and operation. Thus, some of the modules described here have their design version and their operational version. The design version resides in the cloud, while the operational version is installed in each booth and remains in constant communication with the design version so that it can receive updates and also update the design version with information. The operational version may also contain a portion implemented in a mobile application (Figure 3) containing reduced versions of one or more modules. This application can assist with booth use, procedure reminders, and other features.

[0009] Module 1. Design: The Design module is the module for designing shapes, colors, and other variables that will facilitate the cabin's adaptation to its intended use and environment. It consists of a design input system and a database of existing designs. Each existing design is assigned keywords that will aid in its classification and reuse in future projects. The classification system can catalog designs in whole or in part to facilitate the creation of new designs from existing ones.

[0010] Module 2. Structural Material: This module catalogs the main materials that can make up the structure of each cabin and includes a database listing each material and its essential characteristics, including the pros and cons of its use. Each material is classified into categories including: Strength, Acoustics, Thermal, and Economics.

[0011] Module 3. Electrical and Electronics: This module is responsible for different electrical circuit designs depending on the demands of the electronic devices to be connected. A database stores the different designs already used so they can be reused in the future.

[0012] Module 4. Usability: This module is responsible for adding usability-related parameters to the model, including user positioning (chair, footrest, other supports for people with special needs, videoconferencing screen, and gamification strategies). Each usability strategy is classified and stored in the module's own database.

[0013] Module 5. Health Sensors: The Health Sensors module has the dual role of:

[0014] a) Respond with sensor options and health data capture devices to existing demands from the point of view of cabin use;

[0015] b) Outline a strategy for using sensors so that the cabin can optimize its response to future demands from the point of view of health sensing technology.

[0016] Module 6. Communication: The communication module has two submodules that are installed in each cabin and remain in communication with:

[0017] Data Transmission and Reception Submodule: Here, the different communication protocols, encryption and other data processing necessary for the optimal transmission and reception of data exchanged between the cabin and the servers to which healthcare professionals and / or chat bots to be used by cabin users are connected are handled.

[0018] Communication Strategy Submodule: This module constantly scans the communication system, ensuring its functionality and comparing its performance with the expected performance of different communication technologies stored in its cloud database. Based on the comparison of the performance of different booths over time, the system can propose new strategies both in hardware and software. as well as software capable of optimizing cabin communications.

[0019] Module 7. Learning and Improvement System: This module consists of a set of sensors and meters that collect cabin usage data and transmit this data to a processing center, which determines whether any action should be taken or whether any technological or process improvements should be made to meet demand. This tool makes extensive use of well-known machine learning algorithms and, with the permission of data owners and in accordance with the law, can access time series and longitudinal data on the use of each cabin, its usage environment, and application technology data for each situation. Furthermore, this tool employs well-known artificial intelligence models to find the best combinations of processes and technologies applicable to each new cabin usage scenario.

[0020] Module 8. Installation and Security: This module develops installation alternatives and security processes for a wide range of cabin aspects. It has its own cloud-based database that communicates with each cabin project being installed, guiding the installation, grouping sets of cabins whenever possible when a combined installation can produce better results than the sum of individual installations. It also maintains a permanent "scan" of the various security aspects related to each cabin. As with the other modules, it has a cloud-based version and an operational version for each cabin.

[0021] Module 9. Economic. This module is also divided into two parts: a cloud-based version and an operational version, which is installed in the cabin. The operational version is fed by the cloud-based version. The cloud-based version is fed with cost optimization models, market prices, and purchasing options. Complying with legal requirements, the economic module receives usage data for each cabin and is automatically or manually fed with data deemed relevant by technical maintenance and research teams, enabling it to constantly forecast cabin usage demand and adapt technology to market demands. Optimization processes can occur at the micro level, for a cabin or group of cabins, defining inputs and other factors, as well as at the macro level, through forecasts and guidance for the entire installed cabin network.

[0022] Module 10. Marketing: The booths, and especially the exterior of the booths, can be used as a marketing element through the display of information on their external walls, which are made up of digital monitors or LED panels. These displays can be used to generate revenue from the booth's presence in a given location. Marketing can be controlled locally or globally through the Cloud Marketing module. The booth's sensors can detect various parameters, such as temperature, which can be used to tailor the optimal information (which will yield the highest return) to a given booth at a given time.

[0023] Module 11. Cabin Hygiene System: The cabin hygiene system module is responsible for monitoring and maintaining cabin health conditions. For example, when activated, it is responsible for cabin pressurization, disinfection, and contaminant control. To achieve this, it utilizes several technologies that may be installed in the cabin individually or together, such as ultraviolet, ozone, and wave-based technologies. While activating cleaning after each use and / or time interval, this module also monitors the presence of contaminants and health safety failures. The data from this monitoring is passed on to the software version. cloud.

[0024] Module 1. Gamification and Software: This module is responsible for executing routines that transform consultation processes into games. Phases can be created based on the procedures defined for each patient, and a score is assigned for the execution of each phase. This module produces applications that can be installed by the user on their mobile communication device and serves as a way to remind the user of health procedures while also serving as a way for the healthcare professional to measure the user's application to the defined procedure.

[0025] Module 13. Processing: This module is responsible for processing data for the entire platform. This module also has a cloud version and a version installed in each cabin. The cloud module can distribute processing among the various modules as needed to optimize overall processing using well-known distributed processing techniques.

[0026] Module 14. Data Entry Interface: This module inputs data from specific models and schedules to be followed by each of the aforementioned modules into the platform, as well as data on events and various information requested by the platform to optimize its operation. This module is also responsible for manually inputting patient data. It also has two versions: a cloud-based design version and an in-cabin operating version. The cloud-based version also collects data on the time and number of errors occurring in each manual data entry, which is then forwarded to the Learning and Improvement module for further input interface optimization.

[0027] The modules defined above, working together, determine both an optimization process and a product in the form of a system of cabins capable of maintaining a permanent process of optimization and adapting their operation to the varying health conditions of the locations where the cabins are installed. Table 1: Description of Figures PREFERRED MODALITIES

[0028] A first preferred embodiment is the invention implemented with all the modules (Figure 2) described in the general description (this invention does not necessarily need to be implemented with all modules active). Each module utilizes existing prior art technologies, and the novelty lies in the combination of these modules in the operation of a telehealth booth. The software manages everything from the process of defining the booth model to be installed, its installation, operation, ongoing data collection, and the optimization of the booth's operation and adaptation to varying demand, technology, and other market conditions. The cloud-based software automatically and manually feeds data to the booth's processes.

[0029] In a second preferred embodiment, the Design Module is implemented containing a submodule that allows Enables the future owner or lessor of one or more telehealth booths to participate in the initial design of the operating booths. This submodule can be implemented as an application and can even reside on the client's cell phone, communicating with the booth software via the internet. For each design stored in the design database, fixed and variable components are defined. For example, while the height of a booth can be defined as fixed, its width or depth can be defined as variable and will be defined by the future owner or lessor (client) of the booth according to their choice. Once the variable components are defined, the remaining modules adapt to this new parameter. For example, if an air conditioner is defined in the structural module, the power of this air conditioner will be adapted to the volume of the resulting booth.

[0030] In a third preferred embodiment, the design module determines a fitting system for each exterior design piece, such as a "Lego"-type fitting, so that the same cabin structure can work with different exterior design pieces. In this embodiment, the cabin owner (client) can interchange the exterior pieces of a cabin according to their preferences. The pieces that make up the same exterior layer of the cabin can vary according to colors, digital panels such as monitors, solar panels, specific physical shape (for example, on a special commemorative day, the cabin can take on shapes and colors relevant to the commemorative day), etc. The fitting system can be equipped with a locking system so that it can only be removed when the client wishes. The aforementioned fitting and locking technologies are known and are state of the art; the innovation lies in the telehealth cabin equipped with these techniques.

[0031] A fourth preferred modality, Module 2, Structural Material, not only catalogs the component materials of each cabin assembly into the Strength, Acoustic, Thermal, and Economic categories, but also utilizes the Environmental Impact and / or Social Impact categories. The acquisition and classification of the different materials that can make up the various cabin components are performed manually in the cloud-based software. This data is passed to the Economic Module, which is responsible for determining the best material options based on the customer's cabin model or set of cabins.

[0032] In a fifth preferred embodiment, the usability module, or module 4, incorporates a submodule with a database where certain options are saved per user. This way, each user can have personalized usage in the event of a repeat visit. Data such as background music, scents, etc. can be part of the customization options and will be suggested or asked to the visiting user. This way, a single booth can offer personalized conditions for a user.

[0033] A sixth preferred embodiment involves a usability module, module 4, being implemented by including a data sharing system through the cloud-based portion that allows cabin usage choices made by a user in one cabin to be implemented in any other cabins they use within a subset of cabins. In this way, a group of cabins can offer personalized conditions to one or more users.

[0034] A seventh preferred embodiment has the invention implemented with structural, electrical and electronic material modules including, according to the relevance of the item, but not limited to the materials listed below and thereby determining cabins composed of these materials as a product.

[0035] PIR panel

[0036] Marine plywood

[0037] Recessed light fixture

[0038] Hidden linear drain

[0039] 2p+t 10a socket module

[0040] 4x2 mirror 1 module

[0041] 4x2 mirror 2 modules

[0042] 4x2 fixing support 3 modules

[0043] Plug steck 2p+t 32a

[0044] Steck 2p+t 32a built-in socket

[0045] PP cable 3x2.5mm 2

[0046] 2P+T 20A Male Plug

[0047] RJ45 socket module

[0048] Catão network cable

[0049] Simple switch

[0050] 13cm caster with swivel brake

[0051] 13 rotating caster

[0052] Straight hinge

[0053] 75x50 corner piece

[0054] Metalon tube 50x50

[0055] Metalon tube 40x20

[0056] Warm white LED strip 3500k

[0057] 4x2 blind mirror

[0058] Cable gland

[0059] RJ45 male connector

[0060] Spray glue

[0061] 15mm MDF 2

[0062] Waterproof fabric

[0063] In addition to scale assembly plans adaptable to the available space and services that must be provided by the cabin.

[0064] In an eighth preferred embodiment, the learning and improvement system module makes use of machine learning algorithms, for example "federated learning", to learn from the various cabins implemented, optimizing the flow of information from these cabins and the results in terms of proposals for new uses, equipment and models that work for one or more cabins.

[0065] In a ninth preferred embodiment, the learning and improvement system module uses artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms for optimization (e.g., inductive logic programming for learning, satplan for planning, among other existing techniques, fuzzy logic, Bayesian inference algorithms, and others). The innovation lies not in the techniques used per se, but in the systems that utilize these techniques within the model proposed here to keep them constantly updated and adapted.

[0066] In a tenth preferred modality, the economic module manually receives input data from its cloud-based component, such as price, minimum and maximum quantities, special contracting conditions, returns, and more, so that it can process conditions such as: if + conditions then option. This way, the economic module can recommend certain types of material to one or more booths. energy supply (purchased for a set of cabins or just one cabin), provision of communication services, among other inputs for the use of the cabins.

[0067] Cabin input usage data can be loaded into the economic module to allow for updating costs and returns for each input option in its practical use by the cabins.

[0068] An eleventh preferred modality concerns the marketing module. This module primarily manages the use of the exteriors of the booths as a means of conveying messages and advertisements. Occasionally, advertisements can be displayed inside the booths with the user's permission, which can even reduce the price of consultations. Marketing management can be done from the perspective of either an individual booth or a group of booths, with this group of one or more booths being determined through cloud-based software. This software, through the marketing module, determines registered users who can purchase advertising time in one or more booths. A special category of advertising time is reserved for flash ads, which are purchased by registered users for immediate use.For example, if a user is near a booth and would like the booth to display an advertisement for their company or a message to a person at that moment, they can purchase this service through a specific mobile application from the marketing module.

[0069] A twelfth preferred modality concerns the gamification module. This module can employ algorithms such that any series of procedures a user must perform is transformed into a game. For example: once a diagnosis has been established or a sequence of events that the user must go through has been established, the sequence of events is signaled to the design software or cloud-based software. Manually or automatically, the sequence of events is transformed into a game, for example, with points awarded for each phase effectively completed. The game model is stored in a gamification database for future use and downloaded to the user's mobile app so that they can be notified of deadlines, scores, prizes, and other game data.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Telehealth Cabin Implementation Process characterized by being composed of 14 modules implemented through a computer program: (1) Design Module, (2) Structural Material Module, (3) Electrical and Electronic Module, (4) Usability Module, (5) Health Sensors Module, (6) Communication Module, (7) Learning and Improvement System Module, (8) Installation and Safety Module, (9) Economic Module, (10) Marketing Module, (11) Cabin Hygiene System Module, (12) Gamification and Software Module, (13) Processing Module, (14) Data Entry Interface Module, which together determine a telehealth cabin and a process of permanent updating of these cabins according to demand conditions and variations in the state of the art.

2. Product Derived from the Telehealth Cabin Implementation Process as per claim 1, characterized by being permanently updated in relation to demand and the relevant subset of the state of the art being updated through cloud-resident software that is part of its implementation process.

3. Product derived from the process according to claim 1, characterized by having its external parts fit together and replaceable in order to enable new designs that can be exchanged, giving rise to a new design for the same cabin structure.

4. Telehealth Cabin Implementation Process according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the design module determines fixed parts and variable parts where the variable parts can be totally or partially defined at the time of their conception.

5. Process for implementing telehealth booths according to claim 1, characterized in that its structural material module classifies the constituent materials according to an environmental impact score and another social impact score.

6. Process for implementing telehealth booths according to claim 1, characterized in that its usability module stores data on user preferences and uses so that they can have repetitive access to one or more telehealth booths from a subset of personalized or customized telehealth booths.

7. Process for implementing telehealth booths according to claim 1, characterized in that the learning and improvement system module makes use of machine learning and artificial intelligence algorithms to optimize returns, plan and understand user demands on a set of telehealth booths.

8. Process for implementing telehealth booths according to claim 1, characterized in that the marketing module allows the definition of messages and advertisements that can be broadcast for a predefined time interval both outside and inside the booth, and these messages and advertisements can be defined either through cloud software or through a mobile application.

9. Process for implementing telehealth booths according to claim 1, characterized in that the gamification module relates serial events of the same user and transforms these events into games with the attribution of points and rewards.

Citation Information

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