mDOC

mDOC is a telemedicine platform for real-time treatment by remote doctors.

The mDOC tablet hardware and software has been specifically designed to utilize the mobile phone network to transmit accurate biometric parameters of the patient – Blood Pressure, Pulse Rate, Oxygen Saturation, Body Temperature, Heart and Lung Sounds, Electrocardiogram - in real-time. The device is truly mobile and fits in a case the size of a regular laptop computer, making it quite easy for the providers, to serve patients at home, in the remotest of areas.

The mDOC platform consists of 3 components:

1. A hardware system consisting of electronic sensors that measure Blood Pressure, Pulse Rate, Oxygen Saturation, Body Temperature, Heart and Lung Sounds, Electrocardiogram

2. A software system that connects the patient with the remote doctor while transmitting the electronic readings from the sensors

3. A Central Medical Facility (CMF) – A group of doctors that do consultations for patients while being physically remotely

The hardware consists of a multi-parameter diagnostic kit that can be operated by an Android tablet or phone. The Android tablet or phone connects to a ‘Hub’ either through the USB port or the Bluetooth interface. Each sensor then connects with the ‘Hub’ via a mini B USB. Signals are digitally processed to reduce noise and enhance quality required for diagnostics.

CARDIO: Simultaneous 12-channel ECG with a rate of 500 samples per second per channel. It applies an in-built filter with a bandwidth of 0.05Hz to 40Hz, in addition to the anti-aliasing and DC blocking filter in the hardware unit. It has an inbuilt & fully tested defibrillation protection.

THERMOMETER: It is a single lead NTC type resistive Temperature Sensor that provides clinical range from 90 degrees F to 110 degrees F with an accuracy of +/-0.2 degrees F.

STETHOSCOPE: Records the heart and respiratory sound of frequencies between 20 Hz and 1500 Hz. The pre-processed analog signal is digitized at the rate of 4,000 samples per second

PULSE OXIMETER: Pulse Oximeter is used to measure the Oxygen Saturation in the blood and the pulse rate. The measurement range provided is 0-100% with accuracy of +/-2% for 70-100% saturation, and +/-3% for 50-69% saturation. Dual Wavelength optical emitters and sensor are used for measuring the oxygen saturation.

BLOOD PRESSURE: A fully-automatic version of Non-Invasive Blood Pressure measurement is supported with a range from 50mmHg to 300 mmHg. The inflation and deflation of the NiBP Cuff is automatic.

The software consists of two components – an Android app and a server-side communication software.

ANDROID APP: The Android app (this app), resident on the tablet or phone physically present with the provider, accesses the sensor readings and prompts the provider to enter patient background information. It then connects to the server-side communication software with all these details and requests an appointment with a CMF doctor either by name or by specialization or for a general physician.

SERVER-SIDE COMMUNICATION SOFTWARE: The server-side communication software, co-located at the CMF along with the doctors, receives the information from the android app and enters the appointment request into an electronic queue. A CMF doctor who has indicated availability is then assigned to the appointment request. It then facilitates a voice call between the rural practitioner and the urban doctor. At the end of the consultation the CMF doctor issues a prescription that is entered into the server-side communication software and transmitted to the Android app where rural practitioner prints it out via a blue tooth connected printer and gives it to the patient along with detailed instructions.