초록 ▼

A mobile medical image scanner and teleradiology system are incorporated into an ambulance or other vehicle to permit a patient to be diagnosed while en route to a treatment facility such as a trauma center. The system obtains medical image data while the patient is being transported in the vehicle

A mobile medical image scanner and teleradiology system are incorporated into an ambulance or other vehicle to permit a patient to be diagnosed while en route to a treatment facility such as a trauma center. The system obtains medical image data while the patient is being transported in the vehicle and transmits the medical image data to a receiver at a location which is remote from the vehicle. At the remote location, the transmitted medical image data is displayed in a humanly discernable manner and interpreted by a qualified physician, who then communicates diagnostic information to the technicians in the vehicle and/or to the treating physicians at the treatment facility. By providing diagnostic information back to the treating physicians prior to the patient's arrival at the treatment facility, the patient can be routed directly to the operating room, or the intensive care unit as necessary, thereby saving valuable time. The patient can even receive some care in the vehicle based on the diagnoses before he or she reaches the treatment facility. Patient survival rates are substantially improved due to the reduction in the diagnostic time required after the patient arrives at the trauma center.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method for rapidly evaluating patient treatment options, comprising:(A) deploying a medical image scanner in an emergency vehicle; (B) obtaining medical image data from a patient while the vehicle is en route to a treatment facility; (C) transmitting the medical image data to a receiver at a lo

1. A method for rapidly evaluating patient treatment options, comprising:(A) deploying a medical image scanner in an emergency vehicle; (B) obtaining medical image data from a patient while the vehicle is en route to a treatment facility; (C) transmitting the medical image data to a receiver at a location which is remote from the vehicle; (D) receiving the medical image data at the receiver; and (E) evaluating the received medical image data to evaluate patient treatment options in advance of the patient reaching the treatment facility.