WO2001052014A2

WO2001052014A2 - Medical internet screening system

Info

Publication number: WO2001052014A2
Application number: PCT/US2000/031546
Authority: WO
Inventors: Lee A. Kearse, Jr.; Gerald D. Horn; Reid M. Rubsamen
Original assignee: Health Performance, Inc.
Priority date: 2000-01-11
Filing date: 2000-11-17
Publication date: 2001-07-19
Also published as: WO2001052014A3; AU2001229051A1

Abstract

The invention involves a computer system which implements an array of symbols on a screen which is accessible to a community of users such as the users of the World Wide Web (WWW). The web site generated provides each user with a screen which shows a plurality of possible medical tests (represented by the symbols) which the user may self administer. The medical tests may require answers to questions, responses to sound and/or determining the users response to symbols presented on the screen and/or perceived or actual changes in those symbols. The medical tests can be completely unrelated, related in part, or completed interrelated as a series dependent on each other. The results of the tests are analyzed by the system and provided to the user and/or others. The medical tests can provide information on the users physical and/or mental condition and results can be provided with recommendations to seek medical treatment.

Description

MEDICAL INTERNET SCREENING SYSTEM

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to an Internet system and specifically to an Internet system which presents the user with a plurality of medical screening assays or tests which the end user can self administer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The popularity of the Internet and the World Wide Web is increasing rapidly. One of the more popular uses is to buy merchandise on popular cites such as www.amazon.com. Another use of the Internet is to sell merchandise on popular sites such as www.ebay.com. Still others use the Internet to carry out research via popular search engine sites such as www.yahoo.com.

There are known hardware and software components which make is possible to use the above mentioned web sites via a personal computer and dedicated devices designed specifically for Internet use. Web sites are relatively easy to create and such has resulted in a rapidly growing number of web sites. The growing number of web sites has resulted in intense competition between web site companies for business and among all web sites to attack traffic to the site. To some degree the value of a web site is measured by traffic or the number of "hits" the cite experiences per unit of time. The number of hits per unit of time has importance for at least two reasons. First, as more end users come to the web site the greater the likelihood that they will purchase goods. Second, the web site may generate all or a significant portion of its income from allowing others to advertise on the web site. The value of advertising in any media is related to the number of potential customers being reached. The internet has recently been increasing the efficiency of many industries. At the same time there have been efforts made to decrease the cost of providing medical services. This all is taking place at a time when people seem to have an increased interest in playing a role in and thereby improving the quality of their medical care. The present invention endeavors to improve the efficiency of providing medical services while allowing user patients to play a role in their own care via self-administered tests provided over the internet. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A computer generated web site is disclosed which allows end users to carry out medical screening assays or tests on themselves. The web site includes a plurality of symbols, icons or distinct areas which are each associated with a medical screening assay or test. When the user "clicks" on the icon (e.g., an image of an eye, ear, heart, etc.) or area of interest, the program initiates a screening assay or test corresponding to the symbol, icon or area on which the user "clicked. " More specifically, by clicking on an image of an eye the user is presented with one or more tests relating to the eye. The screening assays or tests are generally in one of three groups (1) users watch one or more symbols on a screen for some manner of change, e.g. speed of movement, color, shape, relative position, size, direction of movement and the like, the user responds to the change and is subsequently provided with information on the user, e.g. glucose level, peripheral vision, etc.; (2) users answer questions and the results are tabulated to provide the user with information on a specific characteristic of the user, e.g. adverse eating habits, probability of having or developing prostrate cancer, etc.; and (3) users react to a stimulus and/or question and the reaction and/or answer is measured against a standard to provide information to the user on criteria, e.g., cognitive ability, or degree of intoxication.

An aspect of the invention is a computer generated web site which allows users to access a plurality of medical screening assays or tests which can be self administered. An object of the invention is to provide a web site which will attract users.

An advantage of the web site of the invention is that it provides users with a number of different medical screening assays and tests accessible at a single site.

A feature of the web site is that its assays and tests can provide the user with useful medical information allowing the user to compare personal test results to known standards or to previous results.

Another aspect of the invention is that it provides medical information to the user on subjects of specific interest to the user which information is relevant to test results provided to the user.

Another feature of the invention is that it provides the user with an opportunity to purchase drugs, nutriceuticals, medical devices and medical books specific to the user's interest. These and other aspects, objects, features and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading this disclosure in combination with the figures provided.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Before the present web site, system and method are described, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular tests, symbols and steps described, as such may, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting, since the scope of the present invention will be limited only by the appended claims. It must be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms "a",

"and," and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to "a test" includes a plurality of tests and reference to "the symbol " includes reference to a number of symbols, and equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art, and so forth. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, the preferred methods and materials are now described. All publications mentioned herein are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety, and specifically to disclose and describe the methods and/or materials in connection with which the publications are cited.

The publications discussed herein are provided solely for their disclosure prior to the filing date of the present application. Nothing herein is to be construed as an admission that the present invention is not entitled to antedate such publication by virtue of prior invention. Further, the dates of publication provided may be different from the actual publication dates which may need to be independently confirmed.

DEFINITIONS The terms "symbol," "icon" and the like are used here to describe a figure, picture, word, or representative object thereof which can be generated on a screen and viewed by a user. Specific symbols contemplated include but are not limited to images of human body parts and corresponding words. The terms "screening assay," "screen," "test" and the like are used interchangeably herein to describe any examination or evaluation of any type which might be carried out in the present invention. Tests may be as simple as a series of questions to a user, the results of which can be evaluated and compared to a standard and/or compared to an expected or prior result for the particular user. The term test also encompasses interactive tests that are based on user interaction and response.

INVENTION IN GENERAL Various software-based tools exist for characterizing various aspects of an individual's health status. These medical tests range from screening for color blindness to determining the level of alcohol intoxication to estimating serum glucose levels. Such medical tests can be carried out using only a computer with basic input-output devices such as a mouse, screen and audio speaker. An alcohol or intoxication test, for instance, measures the user's reaction time to a visual stimulus. A glucose monitor test relies on measuring the user's perceptions of moving images on the screen which relates to the user's glucose level.

Although these tests can provide users with useful medical information, many of them have never been commercialized. This is in large part because the manufacturing and distribution of even a stand-alone software program can be cumbersome and expensive. The Internet provides an important tool for consolidating and presenting these "software only" diagnostic tests which require nothing more than a computer at the point-of-use. The present invention encompasses such and also covers medical tests which are facilitated by the Internet but require additional devices, e.g. ear phones or blood pressure gauge.

It is by no means necessary for these tests to fully characterize a disease state or physiologic condition to the exclusion of other, more traditional tests, such as those employed by physicians in the doctor's office. Rather, a suite of these tests would provide a library of screening tools allowing people interested in screening themselves for a disease or condition in the privacy of their own home to do so initially in front of their computer connected to the Internet.

By consolidating a plurality of medical screening tests on one web site, a single individual can navigate through the site without following pointers across the Internet to

Uniform Resource Locators (URLs) representing other sites. This reduces delay associated with accessing the screening test modules. In addition, this consolidation simplifies the process of tracking an individual's interest in specific tests as well as the appeal of a given test to multiple users. By tracking test utilization by users, it is possible to market specific products and services to persons most likely to buy those products and services. For example, eye glasses to individuals exploring the site for vision-based testing or diabetes products to persons running the glucose-screening module.

These screening modules are by no means limited to executable code producing an animated graphics and sound. A screening module could represent a list of questions presented to the user. After the questions are answered, an interpretation in presented. For example, a list of questions designed to determine if the user is depressed, an alcoholic or suffering from benign prostatic hypertrophy. In a preferred embodiment the site includes tests which are approved by the appropriate governmental agency (e.g. the FDA in the U.S.) and in a particularly preferred embodiment all of the tests are governmentally (e.g. FDA) approved tests.

Upon reading the present disclosure, those skilled in the art will recognize that these screening procedures could be implemented in a variety of ways including, running code remote to the server as well as, for example, Java applets which would be transparently downloaded by the user and run local to the user's computer.

The web site used in the invention can be designed in any desired manner. In a preferred embodiment the user is first presented with a screen briefly describing the web site, the types of tests provided and appropriate disclaimers. The initial screen may request user identification information and ask the user if the disclaimers have been read and understood. After agreeing that the disclaimers have been read and understood the user is provided access to a subsequent page. This page preferably obtains some basic information from the user such as age, sex, race, weight, height, current or prior medical condition including drugs currently used in treatment. The questions are preferably designed in a manner similar to that which would be completed by a patient on first visiting a caregiver, e.g. doctor, dentist, hospital, etc. The information obtained is stored in a server and used as needed for that particular user, e.g. to compare the users test results with other users with similar relevant characteristics. When data has been provided one time the user may be provided with an identification number. Such would allow the user to use a single test multiple times and/or use other tests without resending data. Systems of the type taught in U.S. Patent 5,960,411 issued September 28, 1999 are exemplary of this particular web site construction. After the background information is provided, the user is preferably provided access to a screen which shows a plurality of possible tests which the user may access and self administer. The different tests may be represented on the screen by any word, group of words, figure, or combination thereof. For example, a test for color blindness may be represented by the phrase "color blindness test" alone or with colored lines, with or without an image of an eye.

The symbols representing the tests may be randomly presented or presented in any desired order e.g. alphabetically, by class (e.g. medical or cognitive) or by the type of testing system used (e.g. question and answer or stimulus response). The tests available to users can be designed to provide very general information about the user or provide specific information about the condition of the user or a specific organ or system of the user.

An important advantage of the invention is that there are large numbers of tests available for use which could provide valuable information to users if made readily accessible. However, it is generally too expensive to extensively commercialize any individual test. Thus, many potentially valuable tests remain both unknown and unused. By concentrating large numbers of tests together on a single web site, the expense of advertising can be diluted many times. Further, users of the tests provide further traffic to the web site by giving others the web site address when they are pleased with the results obtained or believe it might be of interest and/or value to others. The web site of the invention can be designed to include condensed versions of tests which are more fully available elsewhere. These condensed version can provide an introductory sample of what is available elsewhere in more complete form, and as such provide an incentive for the user to seek out a more complete form or different version of the test. Tests provided on the web site of the invention are preferably designed such that no equipment or device beyond the user's screen and speakers are required. More preferably, the test can be carried out with only the user's screen, i.e. no need for speakers. However, it is understood that tests provided on the web site of the invention may be used with other devices or equipment. Simple examples of devices which may assist in carrying out other tests include all types of measuring devices e.g. a watch, an attachable probe, a thermometer, a scale, a flexible length measuring device, etc. Other devices such as earphones and eyeglasses could also be used to facilitate some vision and hearing tests of the invention. Another important advantage of the invention is that the web site will encourage subjects to screen multiple physical and/or physiological characteristics beyond those which may have originally attracted them to the site. For example, users coming to the site to test their vision might be surprised to find that a visual display can be used to determine glucose level in an individual. Users coming to the site to take a cognitive test might later return to the site to test their response time which could be related to the users blood alcohol level and as such the ability of the user to safely operate a motor vehicle.

Medical tests included for use as part of the web site of the invention may be administered by the user, on the user, to provide information about the user - and is preferred thereby making the web site and its tests self contained, i.e. not requiring other people or devices. However, the tests on the web site of the invention might be carried out by one person on another, by one person on several others or by one person on one or more objects. Accordingly, the medical tests could greatly facilitate at home health care which could be carried out by the patient thereby reducing health care costs. For example, a user/patient could self-administer a test, and the results could be sent and/or accessed electronically to a health professional. Tests could also be administered by teachers in schools to one or more students. Such tests would, for example, make it possible for teachers to quickly determine if a student had a learning disability.

Medical tests could also be carried out by the user on an object, e.g. a body fluid. For example, the user could be provided with a means to extract blood and an assay device to contact with the blood after which results created by the contact are provided back to a central location, an analysis carried out and results provided to a user.

The main objective of the web site of the invention is not, necessarily, to sell goods. However, goods and advertising could be added. For example, any medical test on the web site could be used to reference the user to a more complete version of the medical test which might be sold over the Internet. In another example users found to have the characteristics of a certain disease could be referenced to a particular hospital, doctor or other healthcare organization or medical professional. Drugs, vitamins or nutriceuticals that could be used to treat or ameliorate a condition could be advertised to the user while meeting appropriate regulatory requirements.

The tests on the web site of the invention could be readily used in a medical setting. The test may provide nothing more than a probability index as to whether the user had a particular disease or medical problem. However, tests with FDA approval could also be included thereby giving users a means of accurately screening themselves for various problems. By making such tests available over the Internet, medical costs could be dramatically reduced and the accessibility of medical care significantly expanded. The present invention may feature any number of sites that offer screening for physical and/or physiological visual acuity. Such sites may include, but are not limited to, screens for the following: visual acuity, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,998,820 and 5,436,681; ability to distinguish colors, e.g., U.S. Pat No. 5,440,360; simultaneous visual acuity and color vision, e.g., 5,801,809; visual capacity, U.S. Pat. No. 5,953,102; visual alignment, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,094,521; impaired night vision, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,067,806; visual disease, e.g.,U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,946,075 and 5,061,059 directed to the detection of glaucoma, U.S. Pat. No. 5,920,374 directed to detection of anterior visual system disease, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,609,159, directed to detection of cataracts; visual reaction time, e.g., 5,079,726, and particularly as it may be directed to chemically-induced impairment, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,919,046 and 5,888,074; hearing acuity, U.S. Pat Nos.: 5,916,174, 5,792,073, 5,119,826 and 4,884,447; mental performance and cognitive speed, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,911,581, 5,813,862, 5,230,629 and 5,017,142; glucose levels, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,713,353; dyslexia, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,706,686 and 5,420,653; hearing U.S. Pat Nos. 5, 119, 826; edema, e.g., U.S. Pat Nos. 5,957,867 and 5,915,386; pulmonary function, e.g., U.S. Pat No. 4,296,756 and 4,796,639. Specific exemplary medical screening tests are briefly described below.

Screening for Visual Acuity

A number of different tests can be used in the present invention to determine visual acuity, e.g., myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), presbyopia (age related inability to focus at near task), astigmatism and the like. Exemplary methods for computer- based screening of visual acuity include tests that screen for a single deviation (e.g., a screen only for myopia) and tests that screen for multiple tests simultaneously (e.g., hyperopia and myopia).

U.S. Pat. No. 5,436,681 describes a method for simultaneously screening myopia and hyperopia. This patent provides a vision screening apparatus and screening method that includes a myopic screening test image and a hyperopic screening test image. Each screening test image includes a test letter member superimposed on a colored background member that, in combination, forms the myopic screening test image portion and the hyperopic screening test image portion. The myopic test image is formed by a test image member, such as a letter, superimposed on a red colored background. The hyperopic screening test image is formed by a test image, such as a letter, superimposed on a green colored background. The method includes determining the patient's visual acuity of the displayed myopic and hyperopic test images, and then determining which, if any, of the conditions exists. Good visual acuity of the myopic test image indicates myopia in an individual, while good visual acuity of the hyperopic test image indicates hyperopia. Good visual acuity of both test images indicates no condition. Use of the apparatus at less than one meter distance results in a method of screening for an inability to focus on a near task (presbyopia).

U.S. Pat. No. 4,998,820 provides an optical instrument for use in conducting optometric examinations which generates an alphanumeric type display simulating the optical features of displays provided by video display terminals. The computer screen generates characters which are comprised of pixel-like light elements. The computer screen can degrade the image quality of the characters by transforming the light elements into Gaussian type spatial profiles typical of the pixels generated by VDTs, thus further testing the ability of an individual to distinguish the form of letters and/or numbers.

Color Vision Screening The present invention can also can include methods for screening color blind individuals. These tests may optionally screen for visual acuity simultaneously. For example, U.S. Pat No. 5,801,809 provides a method for testing color perception at the same time that visual acuity is measured. The computer generated eye chart with color vision screening includes a chart which displays objects of progressively smaller sizes with the larger sized objects being displayed in color to measure color perception. The smaller objects are displayed black on the white background to provide a measurement of visual acuity.

Screening for Impaired Night Vision

Scotopic sensitivity syndrome (commonly referred to as being "night blind") can be initially screened using computer generated visuals. U.S. Pat. No. 5,067,806 describes a method for determining using a visual pattern and the presence or absence of a colored filter. The filters are chosen to reflect the spectral sensitivity of the cones and their combinations. Two different filtered images with the same test patterns are shown to the subject, and the subject determines which is clearer. The image chosen is kept and compared to a next figure with a different filter, and so forth. The last figure always given is the one without a filter. The patient is then asked if the filtered image is clearer than the unfiltered. The patient who sees a filtered image better than the unfiltered is referred for further testing by an optometrist familiar with this syndrome. If the unfiltered image is clearer the patient does not have scotopic sensitivity syndrome.

Determination of Glucose Levels

Computer-based visual screening can be used to determine an individual's glucose levels at a given time. U.S. Pat. No. 5,713,353 provides a visual method for determining blood glucose levels by providing a changing light pattern which changes in regard to one or several parameters defining its luminance, color, rate of flicker, spatial contrast, detail content, speed or otherwise provided that the change gradually stimulates one retinal system more than another retinal system. A person observes the changing light pattern until a subjective visual effect occurs, which is preferably an observer perceived dramatic change in the appearance of the light pattern, for example a change in the perceived direction of rotation. The subjective visual effect indicates a specific ratio of stimulation of the two retinal systems, for example the point of balanced stimulation of the two systems. Upon noting the subjective visual effect the patient actuates a mechanism which takes note of the current light pattern parameter values, allowing the device to relate such parameter values with a corresponding blood glucose level using predetermined calibration data.

Screening for Glaucoma

U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,946,075 and 5,061,059 provide a method for detecting the presence of glaucoma and diabetes-associated eye disease in a human eye. A test subject is presented with a fixation target positioned on a computer screen The test subject focuses a test eye on the fixation target and positions the test eye a sufficient separation distance from the fixation target and aligns the test eye relative to said fixation target so that the test subject's central and peripheral visual health can be tested. Additional marks are presented on the computer screen for detection by the test subject using the peripheral vision of the test eye. The additional marks are primarily the same level of black-white contrast as the computer screen but different in hue to create color contrast symbols, and are presented within the field of vision of an eye not afflicted with the disease for which testing is being conducted. The potential presence of eye disease is detected if the additional marks are not visible to the test subject.

Screening for Cataracts U.S. Pat. No. 5,609,159 provides a method for determining the presence of a cataract or the degree of cataractogenesis in an eye of a patient. The subject is provided two lights juxtaposed, wherein each light comprises a mixture of two different wavelength lights (e.g., different colored lights). One of the lights is a fixed reference mixture, while the mixture of the other light is varied until the patient observes a match between the two lights in terms of hue, brightness and saturation. The luminance levels of the test light wavelength components for providing the match and the proportionate levels of the standard and test light components are then determined. The shorter wavelength light of the test light mixture is substituted with a new wavelength light and the new mixture varied again until the patient observes a match as before. The luminance levels of the light components of the new test light are then determined and another proportion obtained representative of the proportionate levels thereof. The first and second proportions are then compared to respective proportions of a standardized group. Deviations between the proportions of the patient and the standardized group indicate the existence of a cataract and/or the degree of a cataract precursor formation.

Reaction Time Screening

Reaction time can be determined based on eye-hand response reaction to visual cues. U.S. Pat. No. 5,079,726 provides determination of response speed and accuracy measurement by providing a multidigit code generator for generating a multidigit code of numeric or alphabetic characters or other symbols. An operator controlled start switch causes a code to be generated and displayed for a limited fixed time duration. The operator then attempts to enter the last displayed code as quickly as possible using the data entry keys of a keyboard. A timer measures the operators response time. The entered code is compared against the displayed code for detecting a match. An output is generated in the event of a match to indicate the operator's response time. U.S. Pat. No. 5,919,046 provides a hazard perception test system comprising a CRT screen for displaying a sequence of images of a scene to be viewed by a test subject and in which at least one hazard appears, the images establishing a state of relative movement between at least one hazard and the test subject, a computer for generating a select signal in response to an action by the subject, the select signal representing an image in the sequence selected by the subject as a point in the sequence at which to change the state, and for determining the ability of the subject to satisfactorily perceive hazards on the basis of the select signal. U.S. Pat. No. 5,888,074 provides a system for testing and evaluating driver situational awareness using a display of road and traffic images. Road and traffic image data for simulating operation of a vehicle are generated on a display device, and instruction data provided. Response time is measured by measuring user input in response to road and traffic image data generated on the display means. The control device incorporates a vision test component for conducting a vision test of the subject and a driving reaction test component for conducting a driving reaction test of the subject. The test pattern image data is structured to test static visual acuity, static visual contrast sensitivity, dynamic visual acuity, dynamic visual contrast sensitivity and angular motion sensitivity. The situation test image data is structured to test divided attention capacity, selective attention capacity, attention switching, working memory functions, brake reaction time, and complex reaction time and decision making.

Screening for Cognitive Dysfunction

Psychological disorders that are manifested visually and/or measurable using visual cues, such as dyslexia, can be screened in the present invention. U.S. 4,706,686 provides a method for identifying individuals that are possibly suffering from dysmetric dyslexia by providing a visual display consisting of a plurality of discrete objects moving in a continuous line between a pair of spaced stationary objects. The subject reads the display from a distance at which normal subjects being screened are capable of seeing not only the moving objects but both stationary objects within their field of vision. Those failing to see the entire display are identified as possibly being dyslexic.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,420,653 provides a quantitative visual test to measure the rate at which an individual is able to complete a defined visual task. The task involves comparing a plurality of similar appearing numbers to determine if they are an exact match within predetermined levels of time. Inability to complete the test within the predetermined level of time indicates the likelihood that the individual will exhibit visual stress and dyslexia. Hearing Loss

Hearing loss may be tested using a system with the ability to produce sound, e.g. through the use of a sound card and speaker system associated with a computer. U.S. Pat Nos. 5,119,826 provides a method for screening hearing by providing a series of natural sound stimuli, which are controlled in intensity and spectrum, in various frequency bands and recording. The user responds to these stimuli and the response is recorded within a time interval after each stimulus. The intensity and spectrum of the subsequent sound stimuli in the same or in another frequency band are determined on the basis of the result of each response test. The sound stimuli mentioned are based on processed sound signals derived from the environment.

Cognitive Speed and Temporal Processing

A number of different screens that measure cognitive speed and mental function can also be included in the present invention. U.S. Pat. No. 5,230,629 describes a cognitive speedometer for the assessment of cognitive processing speed that includes a display screen, a keyboard, and a processor for generating original data and displaying on the screen the original data for copying by a user on the keyboard. Original data is displayed to a user, and if the user copies the displayed original data correctly, the processor generates and displays on the screen different data on which the user is to perform a unit cognitive operation and then enter the resultant data on the keyboard. The processor then determines the time required for the user to perform the unit cognitive operation.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,017,142 provides an interactive method for testing the working memory of a test subject. The method includes displaying several encoded symbols randomly positioned on a video display for a predetermined period of time, with the position of each encoded symbol corresponding to specific coordinates on a video display. Each symbol has a predetermined priority that must be determined by a test subject based on recognized variables associated with each symbol. The symbols are deleted from the video display after expiration of the predetermined period. Then, a second set of symbols are displayed on the video display in the same pattern as were the first symbols so that there is a cardinal relationship between the coordinates of the second symbols and those of the first symbols. Each first and second symbol having identical coordinates forms a symbol pair. The test subject's task is to assign a priority to the second symbols based on the test subject's recollection of the priority of each first symbol. The program implementing the test compares the assigned priorities of the second symbols to the actual priority of the first symbols and provides an output which is the sum of the number of correct priority assignments.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,91 1,581 describes an interactive system for measuring and training of mental ability. The computer-based method automatically presents a variety of visual and auditory stimuli. The system then measures reaction to the stimuli, adjusts certain stimulus parameters, and provides scores in response to an individual's reactions. The scores are tabulated and displayed for analysis. The screen monitors physical reaction time, perceptual awareness thresholds, attention level, speed, efficiency and capacity of information processing by the brain and elementary cognitive processes, including memory, memory access and decision-making speed. The invention measures, identifies and quantifies noise in the subject's brain and elementary cognitive processing system, and the information exchange rate between the subject's left and right brain hemispheres. The complexity of the tests can be adjusted based on the scores to optimally challenge cognitive capacities, thereby providing more accurate evaluations of cognitive capacity, and optimizing learning of desired improvements in perceptual, physical and mental response speeds and efficiencies.

Improvement of Verbal Skills

Verbal skills and reading can also be evaluated using computer-based methods. U.S. Pat. No. 5,813,862 provides a screen that enables individuals with speech, language and reading based communication disabilities, due to a temporal processing problem, to monitor and improve their temporal processing abilities. The methods includes method means to modify fluent speech to make the modified speech better recognizable by communicatively impaired individuals. The screen provides mechanisms for detecting improvements in temporal processing abilities, specifically speed and precision of temporal integration, sequencing and serial memory. U.S. Pat. No. 5,302,132 provides a method for evaluating literacy of an individual and reducing illiteracy of individuals accompanied by improvements in functionality utilizing computer technology to integrate multi-sensory stimuli for synthesis of individualized instruction, evaluation, and prescription for advancement of communications skills.

Method and device for detecting and recording physical states

Medical conditions can be monitored and recorded using a screening method that employs a device associated with a computer system, e.g., a probe that is simultaneously attached to a subject and to a computer system and which transduces information from the subject to the computer system. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,957,867 and 5,915,386 provide methods and devices for detecting the presence of edema in a subject. The methods utilize a probe extending from the computer system and contacted with the surface of the extremity to be tested. The probe is contacted to form a depression in the skin surface of the extremity, and held in constant position for a period of time during which a plurality of force measurements and a force profile is generated. The force profile is then related to the presence of edema in the patient. These screens can monitor for diseases characterized by the presence of edema as a physical manifestation, particularly congestive heart failure.

While the present invention has been described with reference to the specific embodiments thereof, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation, material, composition of matter, process, process step or steps, to the objective, spirit and scope of the present invention. All such modifications are intended to be within the scope of the claims appended hereto.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. In a computer system which implements an array of symbols on a screen which is accessible to a community of users, a method of allowing users to self administer a plurality of medical tests, the method comprising the computer implemented steps of: providing user access to a community of users via a web site; generating a screen for a user accessing the web site wherein the screen projects a plurality of symbols and each symbol represents a medical test accessible to the user viewing the screen; receiving a user request to access a medical test represented by a symbol and generating the medical test for the user; wherein the computer system is accessible to a community of users.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: obtaining data from a user administering the medical test; and calculating a result for the user based on the data obtained.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the screen projects at least five different symbols and each symbol represents a different medical test accessible to the user.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the screen projects are least 10 different symbols and each symbol represents a different medical test accessible to the user.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein any medical test accessible to the user can be administered by the user with only information provided to the user's screen and speakers.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein any medical test accessible to the user can be administered by the user with only information provided to the user's screen.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the symbols are selected from the group consisting of a word, a group of words, a figure, an abbreviation of a word, a combination of a figure with a word, groups of words or abbreviations.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the symbols comprises images of human body parts.

9. The method of claim 2, wherein the results calculated comprise a characteristic selected from the group consisting of peripheral vision, heart rate, respiratory rate, glucose level, propensity for a disease, visual acuity, ability to distinguish colors, visual capacity, visual alignment, impaired night vision, visual disease, visual reaction time, hearing acuity, mental performance and cognitive speed, glucose levels, dyslexia, edema, pulmonary function.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein visual disease is one of a group consisting of glaucoma, cataract formation and anterior visual system disease.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the medical tests comprises answering a series of questions about the user.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the medical tests comprises viewing changing symbols on a screen and obtaining responses from the user based on perceived changes in the symbols.

13. The system for providing a plurality of self-administered computer generated medical tests to a subject, said system comprising: a display component for displaying a plurality of medical tests to a user; an interface component to allow the user to select a single medical test and to transmit responses to the medical test to the system; a processing component for analyzing responses to the medical tests.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the system further comprises a means for transmitting physical data from the user to the system.

15. A method of providing self-administered medical testing via a computer system, said method comprising the steps of: generating a plurality of symbols on a screen, each symbol representative of a self- administered medical test and accessible to a user viewing said screen; providing access to said screen to a community of users via a computer network; receiving a user request to access a medical test represented by a symbol; administering the medical test to the user by computer generated means; and analyzing the results of the medical test for the user.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the results are analyzed by comparison of a users results to a standard.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the results are analyzed by comparison of a users results to the same user's previous results.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the screen projects at least five different symbols and each symbol represents a different medical test accessible to the user.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the screen projects are least 10 different symbols and each symbol represents a different medical test accessible to the user.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein any medical test accessible to the user can be administered by the user with only information provided to the user's screen and speakers.

21. The method of claim 15, wherein any medical test accessible to the user can be administered by the user with only information provided to the user's screen and further wherein the symbols comprise images of human body parts.

22. A system for providing a computer generated plurality of self-administered medical tests, said system comprising: a display component for displaying a plurality of medical tests to a user; an interface component to allow a user to select a single medical test and to transmit responses to the medical test to the system; a processing component for analyzing responses to the medical tests.

23. The system of claim 22, further comprising a means for transmitting physical data from a user to the system.

24. The system of claim 22, further comprising a storage component for storing and retrieving a user's medical test results

25. The system of claim 24, further comprising a means for transmitting a user's medical test results to a remote site.