CA-3034914-C - REMOTE COMPREHENSIVE EYE EXAMINATION SYSTEM

Abstract

The disclosed technology includes an internal support structure for providing structural stability to an inflated airbed. The internal support structure may include an internal support wall connected to side panels by one or more side support beams. The internal support structure may further include corner support walls and a plurality of internal support beams to provide additional support.

Inventors

• Howard S. Fried
• Burton T. Fried
• Kurt Schaeffer
• William K. Van Cleave

Assignees

• DigitalOptometrics LLC

Dates

Publication Date

20260505

Application Date

20170908

Priority Date

20160914

Claims (20)

1. 60 1. A system comprising: a diagnostic center including (i) ophthalmic equipment configured for use in an eye examination of a patient located at the diagnostic center, and (ii) an equipment controller configured to receive instructions for controlling operation of the ophthalmic equipment from multiple locations during the eye examination; and a server system configured to perform operations comprising: transmitting, over a network and to a computing device of a remote technician, data indicating permission being granted to the remote technician to administer the eye examination from a first remote location by controlling the equipment controller to operate the ophthalmic equipment during a first portion of the eye examination; generating, over the network and based on input data received from the computing device of the remote technician, examination data representing a test administered by the remote technician during the first portion of the eye examination; transmitting, based on receiving the examination data, over the network, and to a computing device of a remote eyecare doctor at a second remote location that is remote from the first remote location, data indicating permission being granted to the remote eyecare doctor to: evaluate the test administered by the remote technician during the first portion of the eye examination, further administer the eye examination from the second remote location by controlling the equipment controller to operate the ophthalmic equipment during a second portion of the eye examination, and submit a prescription associated with the patient examination; determining that user input data associated with the remote eyecare doctor indicates that the remote eyecare doctor has not evaluated the test administered by the remote technician during the first portion of the eye examination; and enabling restriction of issuance of the prescription by the remote eyecare doctor based on a determination that the user input data indicates that the remote eyecare 61 doctor has not evaluated the test administered by the remote technician during the first portion of the eye examination.
2. 2. The system as in claim 1, wherein the diagnostic center is further configured to allow oversight access to the network by a computing device of a network administrator.
3. 3. The system as in claim 2, wherein the oversight access includes an ability to assign access rights within the network to computing devices of additional network administrators.
4. 4. The system as in claim 2, wherein the oversight access includes an ability to manage groups within the network.
5. 5. The system as in claim 2, wherein the oversight access includes an ability to manage computing devices of patients connected over the network.
6. 6. The system as in claim 2, wherein the oversight access includes an ability to manage insurance within the network.
7. 7. The system as in claim 2, wherein the oversight access includes an ability to manage computing devices of local eyecare technicians connected over the network.
8. 8. The system as in claim 2, wherein the oversight access includes an ability to manage computing devices of additional remote eyecare technicians connected over the network.
9. 9. The system as in claim 2, wherein the oversight access includes an ability to manage computing devices of additional remote eyecare doctors connected over the network.
10. 10. The system as in claim 2, wherein the oversight access includes an ability to manage pricing within the network. 62
11. 11. The system as in claim 2, wherein the oversight access includes an ability to manage a patient portal within the network, wherein the patient portal provides access to education and entertainment for the patient.
12. 12. The system as in claim 2, wherein the oversight access includes an ability to manage reports within the network, wherein the reports comprise information related to an entity selected from a group consisting of patients, local eyecare technicians, remote eyecare technicians, and remote eyecare doctors.
13. 13. The system as in claim 2, wherein the oversight access includes an ability to provide training information for local eyecare technicians and alter the training information remotely.
14. 14. The system as in claim 2, wherein the oversight access includes an ability to provide training information for remote eyecare technicians and alter the training information remotely.
15. 15. The system as in claim 2, wherein the oversight access includes an ability to provide training information for remote eyecare doctors and alter the training information remotely.
16. 16. The system of claim 1, wherein the server system is configured to perform operations comprising: determining that user input data associated with the remote eyecare doctor indicates that the remote eyecare doctor has evaluated the test administered by the remote technician during the first portion of the eye examination; and enabling the prescription to be issued by the remote eyecare doctor based on the determination that the user input data indicates that the remote eyecare doctor has evaluated the test administered by the remote technician during the first portion of the eye examination. 63
17. 17. The system of claim 1, wherein enabling restriction of the issuance of the prescription by the remote eyecare doctor comprises providing, to the computing device of the remote eyecare doctor, an instruction to display a user interface that prevents the remote eyecare doctor from issuing the prescription until the computing device receives a user input indicating that the remote eyecare doctor has evaluated the test.
18. 18. The system of claim 1, wherein enabling restriction of the issuance of the prescription by the remote eyecare doctor comprises providing, to the computing device of the remote eyecare doctor, a webpage that prevents the remote eyecare doctor from issuing the prescription until the computing device receives a user input indicating that the remote eyecare doctor has evaluated the test.
19. 19. The system of claim 1, wherein determining that user input data associated with the remote eyecare doctor indicates that the remote eyecare doctor has not evaluated the test administered by the remote technician during the first portion of the eye examination comprises: obtaining, from the computing device of the remote eyecare doctor, data indicating one or more user interface elements that indicate that the remote eyecare doctor has not accessed a user interface associated with the test administered by the remote technician during the first portion of the eye examination; and determining that the user input data indicates that the remote eyecare doctor has not evaluated the test administered by the remote technician during the first portion of the eye examination based on the obtained data indicating the one or more user interface elements.
20. 20. The system of claim 19, wherein enabling restriction of the issuance of the prescription by the remote eyecare doctor comprises: providing, to the computing device of the remote eyecare doctor, an instruction to display a user interface that prevents the remote eyecare doctor from issuing the prescription until the one or more user interface elements indicate that the remote eyecare doctor has accessed the user interface associated with the test administered by the remote technician during the first portion of the eye examination. 64

Description

WO 2018/052812 PCT/0S2017/050761 REMOTE COMPREHENSIVE EYE EX,'-\ivlINATION SYSTEM RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62/394,369 filed on September 14, 2016. FIELD OF 'TI-JE DtSCLOSURE [0002] The present disclosure relates generally to an apparatus, method, and system for remote comprehensive eye examinations. This apparatus, method, and system may also be usefully configured to vvork in various other arts beyond remote comprehensive eye examinations. BACKGROUND [0003] Comprehensive eye examinations need to become more accessible in the US., since over 75% of adults use some fonn of vision correction. But many areas have a limited supply of optometrists and ophthalmologists --- the gatekeepers for eye examinations -- or such supply may be reduced during certain days and hours of the week. Access to comprehensive eye examinations is critical in detem1ining not only corrective prescriptions for eyeglasses and contact lenses, but also in identifying potential diseases of the eye and body, such glaucoma, macular degenerations, and hypertension. [0004] The internet is being increasingly utilized for optical products such as eyeglasses and contact lenses. Further, there are new technologies that offer the consumer refractions via smartphones, portable devices, as well as through the internet on a computer in order to detem1ine the patient's prescription. Companies and devices that currently offer this technology via refraction devices include: Optemative, Smart Vision Labs, Eyenetra, Peek, Pediavision, and 2win. [0005] But these refraction-based systems do no provide the patient/consumer with a comprehensive eye examination. ·while these systems update their prescription for eyeglasses and/or contact lenses with a device, they are not able to discover other potential ocular health issues. Indeed, the reduction of vision in the eye and therefore the necessity for eyeglasses and/or contact lenses is the stimulus that motivates a patient/consumer to see an WO 2018/052812 PCT/0S2017/050761 eyecare professional. Thus, patients that use present-day internet-based tools for glasses or contacts will not be evaluated for other ocular-related medical issues and will not normally schedule such visits -vvith an optometrist or ophthalmologist. Without such visits, impmtant ocular issues could be missed and go undiagnosed. Although extremely convenient, the use of these new technologies without proper medical guidance may results in adverse effects for patients, and ultimately cause more harm than good. [0006] Accordingly, it is theret\'.)re desirable to combine the convenience of internet or remote based eye testing with the availability of skilled optometrists or ophthalmologists into an apparatus, method, and system for remote comprehensive eye examinations. SurvITvlAR y OF THE INVENTION [0007] Embodiments of the present disclosure call for a remote station -vvhere an optometrist or ophthalmologist need not be required to be on-site to pe1fom1 a comprehensive eye examination. Instead, an ophthalmic technician is present with the patient in the exam room to operate eye examination equipment and transmit patient infom1ation to remote location. At that remote location, a skilled technician is present to provide the necessary optical and /or medical care, and may operate the phoropter from the remote location if he/she desires. Using video and/or teleconforencing equipment and a phoropter located in the patient examination room along with management software, the system works to determine the final optical prescription for the patient. That information, coupled with findings from other devices which are integrated with the management software, and that the patient uses locally, are reviewed by a remote based optometrist or ophthalmologist. [0008] \Vhile the patient is being evaluated for eyeglasses or contacts, the optometrist or ophthalmologist may also operate the phoropter located in the patient examination room from the remote location if he/she desires and evaluate the patient for other ocular-related medical issues. Once the findings are finalized by the optometrist or ophthalmologist remotely, the final prescription for eyeglasses and/or contact lenses, along with any additional comments or findings, will print locally at the examination location and be delivered to the patient. [0009] The advantages of this remote station-based approach are widespread. [001 O] Patients benefit from the remote station because it provides them with a method to obtain needed eye care at a time and location that is convenient to them. Patients also benefit from the peace of mind that a skilled optometrist or ophthalmologist will be evaluating them and checking for ocular issues beyond the need for eyeglasses or contacts. 2 3 [0011] The optometrist or ophthalmologist benefits by being able to provide his or her services at times and places of his or her choosing (no