Telemedicine Ear Canal Cleaning Authorization Workflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining hearing loss are hindered by excessive ear wax, requiring patients to undergo multiple visits for wax removal and hearing tests, inconvenient and potentially delaying accurate assessments.
Innovation Solution
A telemedicine system and method that allows authorized users to request and perform ear canal cleanings, including manual, suction, or irrigation methods, after obtaining permission from a licensed medical professional, streamlining the process and reducing the need for additional medical visits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a patient with excessive cerumen build-up is referred to a licensed medical professional for ear canal cleaning, then the hearing test can be performed accurately, but the patient must undergo multiple visits (initial visit to HAD, second visit to ENT, and return visit to HAD)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a telemedicine system as an intermediary between the hearing aid dispenser and the licensed medical professional. The system allows the HIS to capture images of the ear canal, transmit them to an ENT doctor for remote assessment and authorization, and then perform the cleaning procedure. This intermediary digital communication channel eliminates the need for the patient to physically visit the ENT doctor, reducing the number of visits from three to two while maintaining the requirement for professional medical authorization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical system of in-person medical consultation with a digital imaging and telemedicine system. Instead of the patient physically traveling to an ENT doctor's office for ear canal assessment, the HIS captures images using a digital device and transmits them electronically. The ENT doctor reviews the images remotely and provides authorization digitally, substituting the physical consultation with a digital workflow that reduces patient travel and visit time.
2Ease of operation
If the HIS/AuD performs the ear canal cleaning procedure, then the patient convenience is improved and the number of visits is reduced, but the HIS/AuD is unlicensed to perform this procedure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a preliminary authorization step where the HIS captures images of the patient's ear canal, transmits them to the ENT doctor through the telemedicine system, and receives digital authorization before performing the cleaning procedure. This preliminary remote assessment ensures that the HIS only performs cleaning when medically appropriate and authorized, maintaining compliance with licensing regulations while enabling the HIS to perform the procedure in the same visit rather than requiring a separate ENT appointment.
3Reliability
If multiple visits are required for ear canal cleaning and hearing testing, then proper medical authorization can be obtained, but the process becomes inconvenient and delays diagnosis
Solution Approach 1:
The telemedicine system serves as an intermediary that enables medical authorization to be obtained remotely through digital image transmission and review. The ENT doctor can assess the ear canal images, determine if cleaning is appropriate, and provide digital authorization without the patient needing to physically visit. This maintains the reliability of medical authorization while dramatically improving process efficiency by eliminating the need for separate in-person ENT visits.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables efficient ear canal cleaning and hearing tests to be conducted in fewer visits, improving patient convenience and reducing delays in diagnosing hearing loss.
Implementation Method 1
the liquid reservoir comprising a heater for heating the fluid
Implementation Method 2
a control unit operatively arranged to control a pump arranged between the liquid reservoir and the portable applicator such that the control unit can dynamically vary a flow rate of the fluid from the portable applicator
Implementation Method 3
cleaning the patient's ear canal using suction
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and a computer program product are provided which establish application-based telemedicine methods and protocols for providing authorization to an unlicensed or licensed user to perform a cleaning operation on a patient's ear canal. Specifically, once the user determines that a cleaning operation is necessary, an application is provided which allows the user to consolidate relevant information regarding the patient, send the relevant patient information along with a permission request to a licensed medical professional, receive an approved permission request, and perform a cleaning operation on the patient.