Patent Publication Number: US-2013245724-A1

Title: System and method for facilitating phototherapeutic treatment

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/610,052, filed on Mar. 13, 2012, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Phototherapy relates to the treatment of disease, such as skin conditions including psoriasis, acne, eczema, vitiligo, and mycosis fungoides, by exposure to light, especially by various concentrated light rays such as long-wave or short-wave ultraviolet light. The treatment may be alone or in combination with a sensitizer which sensitizes the skin to light. 
     In particular, ultraviolet light (“UV light,” radiation in the region of the electromagnetic spectrum including wavelengths from 280 to 400 nanometers) has been used for over 30 years in a clinical setting for treating severe skin diseases, such as psoriasis and vitiligo. This treatment regimen is called UV phototherapy. The UV light spectrum is either UVA or UVB and the treatment course is typically three times a week for three months. Treatments can take place in a clinical location or in a home setting. Administration of existing phototherapy systems, however, is not centralized. Thus, the treatments may not be optimally administered. 
     SUMMARY 
     A phototherapeutic device comprises a system for facilitating phototherapeutic treatment. The system comprises an input device configured to receive input from a user. The system further comprises a display device configured to communicate information to the user. The system further comprises a controller. The controller is configured to receive user identification data from the input device. The controller is further configured to retrieve treatment history based on the user identification data. The controller is further configured to retrieve a treatment protocol based on the user identification data. The controller is further configured to generate a suggested treatment based on the retrieved treatment history and the retrieved treatment protocol. The controller is further configured to communicate the suggested treatment to the display device. 
     A system for facilitating medical treatment comprises at least one processor, at least one computer-readable tangible storage device, and program instructions stored on the at least one storage device for execution by the at least one processor. The program instructions comprise first program instructions configured to receive identification data representative of a patient. The program instructions further comprise second program instructions configured to retrieve treatment history based on the identification data. The program instructions further comprise third program instructions configured to retrieve a treatment protocol based on the identification data. The program instructions further comprise fourth program instructions configured to generate a suggested treatment based on the retrieved treatment history and the retrieved treatment protocol. The program instructions further comprise fifth program instructions configured to communicate the suggested treatment to the patient. 
     A method for facilitating phototherapeutic treatment comprises the step of a computer receiving identification data representative of a patient. The method further comprises the step of a computer retrieving treatment history based on the identification data. The method further comprises the step of a computer retrieving a treatment protocol based on the identification data. The method further comprises the step of a computer generating a suggested treatment based on the retrieved treatment history and the retrieved treatment protocol. The method further comprises the step of a computer communicating the suggested treatment. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, structures are illustrated that, together with the detailed description provided below, describe exemplary embodiments of the claimed invention. Like elements are identified with the same reference numerals. It should be understood that elements shown as a single component may be replaced with multiple components, and elements shown as multiple components may be replaced with a single component. The drawings are not to scale and the proportion of certain elements may be exaggerated for the purpose of illustration. 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a phototherapeutic system comprising a plurality of networked phototherapeutic devices in accordance with one non-limiting embodiment. 
         FIGS. 2A-2D  illustrate phototherapeutic devices in accordance with non-limiting embodiments. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a block diagram of an example phototherapeutic controller in accordance with non-limiting embodiments. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a phototherapeutic system comprising a plurality of networked ancillary phototherapeutic devices in accordance with one non-limiting embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a phototherapeutic system comprising a plurality of networked ancillary phototherapeutic devices and a full-body phototherapeutic device in accordance with one non-limiting embodiment. 
         FIGS. 6A-6B  are diagrams of example user interfaces of a display device in accordance with one non-limiting embodiment. 
         FIG. 7  is a flow chart illustrating the steps of an example method for phototherapeutic treatment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Various non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described to provide an overall understanding of the principles of the structure, function, and use of the phototherapeutic systems and processes disclosed herein. One or more examples of these non-limiting embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that systems and methods specifically described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings are non-limiting embodiments. The features illustrated or described in connection with one non-limiting embodiment may be combined with the features of other non-limiting embodiments. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a phototherapeutic system  100  comprising a plurality of networked phototherapeutic devices  102  in accordance with one non-limiting embodiment. Phototherapeutic devices  102  may be in communication with a communications network  104 . Communications network  104  may include a number of computer and/or data networks, including the Internet, LANs, WANs, GPRS networks, etc., and may comprise wired and/or wireless communication links. Furthermore, phototherapeutic devices  102  may each be in communication with communications network  104  via any suitable type of suitable network connection, including wireless connections, wired connections, and hybrid wired-wireless networks. For example, phototherapeutic devices  102  may be in communication with the communications network via WiFi, ZigBee, Bluetooth, Ethernet, telephone line, and the like. 
     It should be understood that, although the example systems and methods described herein make reference to phototherapeutic devices and phototherapeutic treatments, the example systems and methods may also be used with other suitable medical devices for other suitable medical treatments. 
     A phototherapeutic controller  106  may be in communication with communications network  104 . An input device  108  may be used for interacting with phototherapeutic controller  106 . Input device  108  may be, for example, a keyboard, a stylus, a touch-sensitive screen, keys (e.g., input keys, preset and programmable hot keys), buttons (e.g., action buttons, a multidirectional navigation button, preset and programmable shortcut buttons), and so forth. A display device  110  may also be in communication with phototherapeutic controller  106 . 
     Phototherapeutic controller  106  may be configured to interact with and control phototherapeutic devices  102 . Accordingly, display device  110  may visually present information to an operator of phototherapeutic device  102  or to a patient receiving phototherapeutic treatment from phototherapeutic device  102 . Display device may also provide an interface to enable an operator to initiate and terminate a treatment process, via phototherapeutic device  102 , either locally or from a remote location. In some embodiments, information such as patient information and equipment status information may be presented in a real time graphical format. 
     Phototherapeutic system  100  may further comprise various data structures for storing information related to the phototherapeutic system  100 . In one embodiment, as illustrated, a patient database  112  is used to store information related to patients and an equipment database  114  is used to store information related to phototherapeutic devices  102 . Patient database  112  may be administered internally to Phototherapeutic system  100  by the administrator of phototherapeutic controller  106  or patient database  112  may be an external third party administered database. For example, patient database  112  may be an electronic medical records (EMR) database. Data retrieved from and EMR database may include patient ID, physician information, insurance company information, and past medical history. Similarly, treatment data such as date, time, UV light exposure level, diagnosis, and procedure may be stored on the EMR database as well. 
     Phototherapeutic system  100  may further comprise additional databases, such as a medical professionals database  113  and a treatment protocol database  115 . The medical professionals database  113  may store data related interaction with phototherapeutic devices  102  by medical professionals. For example, the database may store information related to times/dates of when a nurse logged into a particular phototherapeutic device  102  and/or logged into phototherapeutic controller  106 . Treatment protocol database  115  may store data relating to phototherapeutic treatments according to various protocols. For example, information related to treatment settings, parameters, and so forth may be stored in this database. Additional suitable data may be stored in the databases associated with phototherapeutic system  100 , such as patient exposure history, patient biometric data, equipment historical use data, and so forth. 
     In accordance with various embodiments, phototherapeutic devices  102  may have a variety of additional features, controls, and so forth. For example, a call device  116  may be coupled to phototherapeutic device  102 . The call device  116  may be any suitable device, such as a call button, push button, pull chain, touch-sensitive plate, push bar, and so forth. During treatment by phototherapeutic device  102 , a patient may request to call the nurse, or other assistant. Accordingly, activation of call device  116  may trigger a notice on display device  110 . In some embodiments, phototherapeutic controller  106  may be configured to electronically transmit a notice in response to activation of call device  116 . Phototherapeutic controller  106  may coordinate the dispatch of a cell phone text message, an email message, a phone call, an instant message, or other type of electronic notification to a nurse, an operator, or other suitable recipient. 
     Phototherapeutic devices  102  may also include an input device  120 . Input device  120  may be used by a patient to input information, such as patient identification information. Input device  120  may be a biometric input device (e.g., for fingerprint scanning, retina scanning, etc.), a keypad (i.e., for entering a unique patient identification number), a touchscreen, or other suitable input device. Based on the patient identification information supplied, phototherapeutic controller  106  may query patient database  112  to retrieve treatment records, patient data, and so forth. Phototherapeutic controller  106  may use the retrieved data as a guideline for recommending current treatment at phototherapeutic devices  102 . In one example, input device  120  may be used to adjust the suggested treatment. For example, a patient may wish to increase or decrease the suggested exposure. In one example, phototherapeutic controller  106  may prevent a patient from adjusting the suggested treatment without proper permission. For example, phototherapeutic controller  106  may require an administrator with appropriate access credentials to adjust the suggested treatment. 
     In one example, phototherapeutic controller  106  may also retrieve a protocol for administering treatment, from treatment protocol database  115 , based on the retrieved data. For example, treatment protocol database  115  may include predefined rules that specify initial treatment protocols depending on skin type and shade. Accordingly, phototherapeutic controller  106  may be configured to recommend a first treatment protocol for an identified patient having a first skin type and be configured to recommend a second treatment protocol for an identified patient having a second skin type. In addition, treatment protocol database  115  may define rules that specify what percentage to increase exposure between treatments, or what percentage to decrease exposure if a treatment was missed. In some embodiments, phototherapeutic controller  106  may be configured to cause phototherapeutic device  102  to perform a treatment and to monitor progress of the treatment. 
     In some embodiments, phototherapeutic devices  102  may have an annunciator  122  for announcing the name of the patient. Annunciator  122  may be, for example, a speaker to provide an audio announcement of the patient&#39;s name or a display to provide a visual announcement of the patient&#39;s name (or other patient identifier). Phototherapeutic devices  102  may also include a display device  123  for conveying various types of information to a nurse, a patient, or a technician, for example. In one embodiment, once a patient provides their identity (via biometrics or otherwise), the patient&#39;s name and treatment protocol may be displayed on display device  123 . Display device  123  may also display a digital photograph of the patient to aid in the proper identification of the patient prior to treatment. A calendar may be displayed on display device  123  that indicates past treatments for that patient. For example, the calendar may indicate on which days the patient has received the treatment. Given the repetitive nature of phototherapy treatment regiment, exposure history typically provides a guideline for recommending the parameters of the current treatment&#39;s exposure. Displaying past treatments in a calendar may assist in visualizing exposure trends. In addition to displaying past treatments in a calendar form, display device  123  may also display a suggested treatment schedule for future treatments in a calendar form. 
     Display device  123  may also be configured to display progress of a current treatment being administered. For example, display device  123  may display a progress or status bar to provide a real-time visual display of the current treatment status. 
     Although  FIG. 1  depicts a limited number of elements for purposes of illustration, it can be appreciated that phototherapeutic system  100  may include more or less elements as well as other types of elements in accordance with the described embodiments. Elements of phototherapeutic system  100  may include physical or logical entities for communicating information implemented as hardware components (e.g., computing devices, processors, logic devices), executable computer program instructions (e.g., firmware, software) to be executed by various hardware components, or combination thereof, as desired for a given set of design parameters or performance constraints. Furthermore, phototherapeutic devices  102  may be located in the same environment (i.e., a clinical setting), or may be located remote from each other, as indicated by remote location  124 . Moreover, phototherapeutic controller  106  may be in a location remote from one or more associated phototherapeutic devices  102 . For example, a plurality of clinical locations can each be networked to a central phototherapeutic controller  106  through communications network  104 . Furthermore, display device  123  may located at phototherapeutic device  102 , at phototherapeutic controller  106 , or at a third location, remote from both phototherapeutic device  102  and phototherapeutic controller  106 . Thus, in one example, phototherapeutic controller  106  may include a transceiver for communicating with multiple phototherapeutic devices  102  over a wired or wireless network. 
     Phototherapeutic devices  102  depicted in  FIG. 1  are illustrated as 6-foot tall panels. However, the system and method described herein are not so limited. For example, a phototherapeutic device  102  could be in the form of a tanning bed or a booth that surrounds the patient. The device could also be, for example, a 2-foot panel, a handheld wand, or a desk-type device for the treatment of hands and/or feet. An exemplary folding booth  202  is shown in  FIG. 2A , an exemplary handheld wand  204  is shown in  FIG. 2B , an exemplary desk-type device  206  is shown in  FIG. 2C  for both hands and feet, and an exemplary non-folding booth  208  is shown in  FIG. 2D , each of which may be used in accordance with the presently disclosed system and method. Each of these devices may be networked to phototherapeutic controller  106  via communications network  104  via a network connection and have one or more of the features illustrated in  FIG. 1 , such as call device  116 , input device  120 , annunciator  122 , and display device  123 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a block diagram of an example phototherapeutic controller  300  in accordance with non-limiting embodiments. Phototherapeutic controller  300  may be provided using any suitable processor-based device or system, such as a personal computer, laptop, server, mainframe, or a collection (e.g., network) of multiple computers, for example. Phototherapeutic controller  300  may include one or more processors  302  and one or more computer memory units  304 . For convenience, only one processor  302  and only one memory unit  304  are shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     Memory unit  304  includes logic or program instructions configured to perform specific tasks. Particularly, memory unit  304  includes identification logic  306  configured to receive identification data representative of a patient. Memory unit  304  further includes treatment history logic  308  configured to retrieve treatment history based on the identification data. Memory unit  304  further includes treatment protocol logic  310  configured to retrieve a treatment protocol based on the identification data. Memory unit  304  further includes treatment suggestion logic  312  configured to generate a suggested treatment based on the retrieved treatment history and the retrieved treatment protocol. Memory unit  304  further includes interface logic  312  configured to communicate the suggested treatment to the patient. In one example, interface logic is further configured to initiate a phototherapeutic device to perform the suggested treatment, responsive to receiving confirmation from a user to begin treatment. 
     Processor  302  may execute software instructions  306 - 312  stored on memory unit  304 . Processor  302  may be implemented as an integrated circuit (IC) having one or multiple cores. Memory unit  304  may include volatile and/or non-volatile memory units. Volatile memory units may include random access memory (RAM), for example. Non-volatile memory units may include read only memory (ROM), for example, as well as mechanical non-volatile memory systems, such as, for example, a hard disk drive, an optical disk drive, etc. The RAM and/or ROM memory units may be implemented as discrete memory ICs, for example. Data used by phototherapeutic controller  300  may be from various sources, such as patient database  112  or equipment database  114  of  FIG. 1 , which may be an electronic computer database, for example. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a phototherapeutic system  400  comprising a plurality of networked ancillary phototherapeutic devices  402  in accordance with one non-limiting embodiment. In the illustrated embodiment, phototherapeutic devices  402  are handheld devices which may be used in a clinical setting or a home-setting. As such, one or more phototherapeutic devices  402  may be in a location remote from phototherapeutic controller  106 , as indicated by remote location  406 . Furthermore, it is to be understood that while four phototherapeutic devices  402  are illustrated in  FIG. 4 , any number of phototherapeutic devices  402  may be in communication with the communications network  104 . One or more phototherapeutic devices  402  may have features similar to call device  116 , input device  120 , annunciator  122 , and display device  123 , as described above with reference to  FIG. 1 . 
     A variety of phototherapeutic device types may be in communication with a phototherapeutic controller  106 .  FIG. 5  illustrates a phototherapeutic system  500  comprising a plurality of networked ancillary phototherapeutic devices and a full-body phototherapeutic device in accordance with one non-limiting embodiment. In the illustrated embodiment, the phototherapeutic device types associated with the system include a desk-type phototherapeutic device  502 , a 2-foot panel phototherapeutic device  504 , a handheld phototherapeutic device  506 , a handheld phototherapeutic device  508 , and a booth-type phototherapeutic device  510 . Each of the devices may have one or more control features similar to call device  116 , input device  120 , annunciator  122 , and display device  123 , as described above with reference to  FIG. 1 . For example, desk-type phototherapeutic device  502  has a call device  514  while booth-type phototherapeutic device  510  has a call device  516 , an input device  518 , an annunciator  520 , and a display  521 . 
       FIG. 6A  shows an example embodiment of a user interface  600  for interfacing with phototherapeutic controller  106  of  FIG. 1 . User interface  600  may convey a wide variety of information to the user and may enable a user to communicate and interact with phototherapeutic controller  106 . User interface  600  may be displayed on display device  110  of  FIG. 1 . It is to be appreciated, that the present disclosure is not limited to the arrangement and content of user interface  600  illustrated in  FIG. 6A . User interface  600  may comprise a status window  602 . In the illustrated embodiments, status window  602  may comprise phototherapeutic device status windows  604 . Phototherapeutic device status windows  604  may be associated with phototherapeutic devices  102  coupled to the phototherapeutic system  100 . 
     Phototherapeutic device status windows  604  may visually present data or information that is stored in patient database  112 , equipment database  114 , medical professionals database  113 , and treatment protocol database  115 . The information may be presented in real time graphical format. In one embodiment, the phototherapeutic device status windows  604  comprise a patient status window  606 , an equipment status window  608 , and an exposure history calendar  610 . Exposure history calendar  610  may present, for example, a rolling four week calendar graphically displaying the exposure history and exposure trends of the patient using the associated phototherapeutic device  102 . Interface  600  may also comprise a call indicator display  612 . Call indicator display  612  in a phototherapeutic device status windows  604  changes color or appearance when a patient activates a call button in an associated phototherapeutic device  102 . 
     As is to be appreciated, user interface  600  may display a variety of useful information to a user. Such information may include, without limitations, patient name, current exposure duration, and so forth. 
       FIG. 6B  shows another example embodiment of a user interface  650  which provides a dashboard to convey a wide variety of information to the user. User interface  650  may be displayed on display device  110  of  FIG. 1 . It is to be appreciated, that the present disclosure is not limited to the arrangement and content of user interface  650  illustrated in  FIG. 6B . User interface  650  may comprise a menu field  652 . Menu field  652  may contain one or more action buttons  654 . Activation of an action button  654  by an operator may trigger phototherapeutic controller  106  to perform a particular function or activity, such as accessing treatment protocols, billing information, patient databases, and so forth. 
     User interface  650  may also pictorially show the associated phototherapeutic devices  102 , illustrated as device image  656 ,  658 , and  660 . Status information may be displayed in device status windows  662 ,  664 ,  666 , positioned proximate each device image  656 ,  658 , and  660 , respectively. The device status windows  662 ,  664 ,  666  may indicate, for example, a nurse name, a patient name, a device status, and a time (duration) of treatment. In some embodiments, user interface  650  may be displayed on a touch sensitive screen (such as a desktop computer, tablet, smartphone, or laptop, for example). A nurse, or other user, can touch the screen proximate the device image  656 ,  658 ,  660  to display a screen with additional information. As is to be appreciated, user interface  650  may display a variety of useful information to a user. Such information may include, without limitations, patient name, current exposure duration, and so forth. 
     It should be appreciated that user interfaces  600  and  650  may be configured to display information intended for a patient, such as treatment information, as well as information intended for an administrator, such as systems status information. Accordingly, information displayed and functionality made available by user interfaces  600  and  650  may change depending on the user identified. 
       FIG. 7  is a flow chart illustrating the steps of an example method  700  for facilitating phototherapeutic treatment. At step  702 , phototherapeutic controller  106  receives identification data from a patient. At step  704 , phototherapeutic controller  106  retrieves treatment history based on the identification data. At step  706 , phototherapeutic controller  106  retrieves a treatment protocol based on the identification data. At step  708 , phototherapeutic controller  106  generates a suggested treatment based on the retrieved treatment history and the retrieved treatment protocol. At step  710 , phototherapeutic controller  106  communicates the suggested treatment to the patient. 
     In general, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that at least some of the embodiments described herein may be implemented in many different embodiments of software, firmware, and/or hardware. The software and firmware code may be executed by a processor or any other similar computing device. The software code or specialized control hardware that may be used to implement embodiments is not limiting. For example, embodiments described herein may be implemented in computer software using any suitable computer software language type, using, for example, conventional or object-oriented techniques. Such software may be stored on any type of suitable computer-readable medium or media, such as, for example, a magnetic or optical storage medium. The operation and behavior of the embodiments may be described without specific reference to specific software code or specialized hardware components. The absence of such specific references is feasible, because it is clearly understood that artisans of ordinary skill would be able to design software and control hardware to implement the embodiments based on the present description with no more than reasonable effort and without undue experimentation. 
     Moreover, the processes associated with the present embodiments may be executed by programmable equipment, such as computers or computer systems and/or processors. Software that may cause programmable equipment to execute processes may be stored in any storage device, such as, for example, a computer system (nonvolatile) memory, an optical disk, magnetic tape, or magnetic disk. Furthermore, at least some of the processes may be programmed when the computer system is manufactured or stored on various types of computer-readable media. 
     It can also be appreciated that certain process aspects described herein may be performed using instructions stored on a computer-readable medium or media that direct a computer system to perform the process steps. A computer-readable medium may include, for example, memory devices such as diskettes, compact discs (CDs), digital versatile discs (DVDs), optical disk drives, or hard disk drives. A computer-readable medium may also include memory storage that is physical, virtual, permanent, temporary, semipermanent, and/or semitemporary. 
     A “computer,” “computer system,” “host,” “server,” or “processor” may be, for example and without limitation, a processor, microcomputer, minicomputer, server, mainframe, laptop, personal data assistant (PDA), wireless e-mail device, cellular phone, pager, processor, fax machine, scanner, or any other programmable device configured to transmit and/or receive data over a network. Computer systems and computer-based devices disclosed herein may include memory for storing certain software modules used in obtaining, processing, and communicating information. It can be appreciated that such memory may be internal or external with respect to operation of the disclosed embodiments. The memory may also include any means for storing software, including a hard disk, an optical disk, floppy disk, ROM (read only memory), RAM (random access memory), PROM (programmable ROM), EEPROM (electrically erasable PROM) and/or other computer-readable media. 
     In various embodiments disclosed herein, a single component may be replaced by multiple components and multiple components may be replaced by a single component to perform a given function or functions. Except where such substitution would not be operative, such substitution is within the intended scope of the embodiments. Any servers described herein, for example, may be replaced by a “server farm” or other grouping of networked servers (such as server blades) that are located and configured for cooperative functions. It can be appreciated that a server farm may serve to distribute workload between/among individual components of the farm and may expedite computing processes by harnessing the collective and cooperative power of multiple servers. Such server farms may employ load-balancing software that accomplishes tasks such as, for example, tracking demand for processing power from different machines, prioritizing and scheduling tasks based on network demand and/or providing backup contingency in the event of component failure or reduction in operability. 
     The computer systems may comprise one or more processors in communication with memory (e.g., RAM or ROM) via one or more data buses. The data buses may carry electrical signals between the processor(s) and the memory. The processor and the memory may comprise electrical circuits that conduct electrical current. Charge states of various components of the circuits, such as solid state transistors of the processor(s) and/or memory circuit(s), may change during operation of the circuits. 
     While various embodiments have been described herein, it should be apparent that various modifications, alterations, and adaptations to those embodiments may occur to persons skilled in the art with attainment of at least some of the advantages. The disclosed embodiments are therefore intended to include all such modifications, alterations, and adaptations without departing from the scope of the embodiments as set forth herein.