US 20150254416A1 (19) United States (12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2015/0254416 A1 Shih (43) Pub. Date: Sep. 10, 2015

(54) METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING (52) U.S. Cl. MEDICAL ADVICE CPC ...... G06F 19/3425 (2013.01); G06F 19/322 (2013.01) (71) Applicant: ClickMedix, Gaithersburg, MD (US) (72) Inventor: Ting-Chih Shih, Rockville, MD (US) (57) ABSTRACT (73) Assignee: CLICKMEDIX, Gaithersburg, MD A method and system for providing medical services wherein (US) a server establishes a wireless connection with a mobile device or computer of a user. The mobile device or computer (21) Appl. No.: 14/199,559 has already been provided with an application for the entry of (22) Filed: Mar. 6, 2014 user information. The server receives encrypted user infor mation from the mobile device or computer, decrypts the user Publication Classification information, and forwards the user information to experts selected on the basis of the user information. The server (51) Int. Cl. collects responses from the experts, and provides expert G06F 9/00 (2006.01) advice to the user of the mobile device or computer.

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METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING tially important data from providers across diverse geo MEDICAL ADVICE graphic regions that treat demographically diverse individu als. BACKGROUND 0008. Within the United States, the Health Insurance Port 0001 1. Technical Field ability and Accountability Act of 1996 (“HIPAA) provides 0002 The present invention relates to a method and sys patients with Stringent privacy and safety protections. One tem for facilitating the provision of expert advice, in particu common criticism of modern telemedicine is that it has the lar medical expert advice, using a server in connection with at potential to expose patient information in violation of HIPAA least one mobile device or computer. if the data is intercepted by a third party. Such interception can 0003 2. Background Art occur at any phase: the device that records the patient health 0004 At present, an ill patient who wishes to seek a medi information can be lost, stolen, or otherwise compromised; cal referral from her doctor, health care provider (includes the information sent to the central telemedicine service pro nurses, pharmacists, health workers), friends, family, or car vider, often received at or by a server, can be intercepted in egiver is limited to the immediate Social or professional net transit; or the provider's server can be compromised. With so work of the referrer. At most, this network is likely limited to many possible points of failure, telemedicine raises signifi a small number of different doctors or specialists, from whom cant cause for concern despite its many possible benefits. the referrer likely chooses one to be the referred doctor. Even if the doctor lacks direct experience with the patient’s precise SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION condition, it is likely that they are familiar enough to provide 0009. A main object of the present invention is to allow adequate care or otherwise refer the patient to a third-degree individuals having access to a device, such as a mobile device specialist with the requisite experience. or computer, to obtain expert advice tailored to the individu 0005. This process can take weeks or longer, and the als needs from a variety of experts who all preferably need to patient may visit multiple, different referred doctors, but still contribute to developing an effective treatment plan, while be unable to distinguish among the referred doctors other than allowing the individuals information and communications to on the basis of their education or stated expertise. The patient be secure and reliable. is not privy to information Such as other experts’ opinions of 0010. Another object of the present invention is to expand the specialists; the quality and general reception of the spe the expert network accessible to individuals through referred cialists’ peer-reviewed medical journal articles, if any; or how experts internal network of other esteemed experts who can often or how many times the specialists have had direct prac contribute to determining an effective treatment plan. tical experience with the patient's specific condition. 0011 Yet another object of the present invention is to 0006 Although recent uses of the Internet have changed provide enhanced information about each expert to individu the health care provider search process to some degree, the als; in particular information about whether the expert has had prospect of identifying the right expert remains difficult. direct experience with the individuals issue. Patients have access to a far higher number of doctors by 0012 Still yet another object of the present invention is to searching online, but they are similarly unable to distinguish provide expert advice in this manner and preferably to permit between the doctors other than the limited information avail those who wish to conduct clinical trials, research programs able on health care provider directories, which again often or focus groups to access the comprehensive database so that excludes information concerning the actual experience the they are not limited to the information made available by doctors have with particular health conditions or ways to individual service providers. schedule an appointment with them in a timely fashion. 0013. A further object of the present invention is to pro 0007 Such problems identifying experts are exacerbated vide a secure method of storing and transmitting sensitive in remote areas of the world, where the number of experts in user information, or in particular patient health information in a given field or experienced with a particular disease or con medical applications, to protect end users such as patients, dition may be few or located far away from the patient. and to comply with the pertinent privacy laws and other Telemedicine, or the practice of providing health care OS. remotely, asynchronously (store-and-forward method) or 0014. These and other objects and advantages are synchronously (real-time video), may be used to mitigate the achieved by the system and method according to the present problems associated with health care in Such remote loca invention. A providerestablishes a wireless connection with a tions. However telemedicine service providers often do not mobile device or computer of a user, wherein the user has share health care treatment information, which prevents them been provided with an application on the mobile device or from developing a centralized knowledge base of experts in a computer that allows the user to enter information about particular condition or disease. Some current telemedicine which to seek advice. The provider then receives the infor systems are limited to particular disease categories and mation from the mobile device or computer at the provider's require large up-front infrastructure, technology develop server and decrypts the information, if necessary. After ana ment, and personnel investments. In addition, such siloed lyzing the information and determining what type of expertis health care systems frustrate or limit the development of needed, unless the type of expert was identified by the user in clinical trials or research programs, which often require Such the received information, the provider forwards the received amounts of patient data on a particular condition or disease information to one or more experts of the selected type. Once massive a that a single siloed health care provider's data the selected experts have evaluated the forwarded informa would be insufficient by itself. And because no centralized tion and provided their recommendation in the form of a database that aggregates ongoing diagnosis and treatment response, the provider receives the response or responses and information across providers exists, these clinical trials or aggregates contribution from various experts and assembles research programs tend not to consider treatment information them into an effective treatment plan, then relays them to the from more than one provider, thereby failing to capture poten user of the mobile device or computer. In the health care US 2015/0254416 A1 Sep. 10, 2015

context, the user may be apatient, healthcare provider Such as by any other real-time electronic communication. They pref a doctor, nurse, health care worker, or a local person tasked erably also consult with each other in non-real time by with health care, or even friends or family members of the exchanging messages via web-based applications or mobile patient. applications, recorded audio or video messages, 0015. In a preferred embodiment, a user is asked to enter electronic mail, regular mail, or any other electronic commu his or her credentials when establishing a wireless connection nication in a fashion compliant with privacy and security in the form of a username and password combination, facili rules. In the health care context, this operates as an electronic tating data security and personalization. These credentials are grand round whereby the medical experts consult each oth then combined with a unique identification code assigned to er's experience and knowledge to determine the proper diag the mobile device or computer to create a digital signature to nosis or course of treatment. be sent to the provider. 0020. After the experts provide a course of conduct or 0016 Once the user's credentials have been accepted and treatment regimen based on the information provided to a connection established, the user enters responses to one or them, the provider preferably receives additional information more queries into the application on the mobile device or from the mobile device or computer of the user about the computer. In a preferred embodiment, the mobile device or course of conduct or treatment that was actually taken. Based computer is connected wirelessly or by wire to a sensor, on Such additional information, a follow-up consultation can which can directly acquire additional information from the preferably be initiated either by the expert or by the user to end user. Such a wireless connection can be implemented provide expert follow-up advice. using standard wireless protocols such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, 0021. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the Near-Field Communications or "NFC.” or other radio com present invention, the provider can assemble all of its users munication. Examples of Such sensors are cameras or other demographic information and the users’ responses to queries light sensors, motion sensors, microphones, and scales. In the and store them in a database, to be made available for analysis health care context, the sensor or medical device can measure in research programs to improve care delivery or treatments. patient health information Such as, but not limited to, heart By the use of this method, information limitations that might rate, blood pressure, blood Sugar levels, or Sounds external or be otherwise imposed on entities or individuals seeking to even internal to the patient. implement large-scale studies do not apply. For example, in 0017. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the the health care context, large health care providers often do present invention, these responses and gathered data are not share patient data or treatment data with other providers. encrypted on the mobile device or computer to secure them This limitation often precludes clinicians from conducting from being lost, stolen, or otherwise compromised, for studies with as many data samples as they might need to example by “malware.” software put on the mobile device or effectuate a more reliable or statistically significant conclu computer designed to intercept private data or usurp control sion or result. of the device. This has additional utility in the health care 0022. Additionally, in the health care context, because context because patient health information is often sensitive patient privacy is so highly valued, the patient health infor and private, and local encryption protects the data. mation to be stored in Such a database can be anonymized by 0018. Also, in accordance with another preferred embodi removing, modifying, or replacing some or all personally ment of the present invention, the provider receives the user's identifiable information. This database of patient health infor response information and any pertinent demographic infor mation can be used to match patients with given medical mation about the user. In a preferred embodiment, the trans histories, illnesses or conditions, or genetic or personal char mitted response information is also encrypted to prevent acteristics to relevant clinical trials or research programs. The interception. The provider decrypts the user response infor anonymized patient health information is useful for practitio mation, if it was encrypted, and then forwards some or all of ners who wish to conduct clinical trials or research programs, the response information to some or all experts listed in a and can leverage the large amount of data and number of database of experts according to the expert type. For example, patients by using a database associated with the present in the health care context, an expert type can be a specialty, invention. By doing so, those practitioners can eliminate the Such as, but not limited to, dermatology, urology, endocrinol problems commonly associated with large health care pro ogy, oncology, internal medicine, pulmonology, or ophthal viders' unwillingness to share patient or treatment informa mology; in the financial context, an expert type can be finan tion. cial advisor, retirement advisor, or tax advisor, in the legal 0023. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the method context, an expert type can be individuals well-versed in according to the present invention is implemented by a sys social security benefits for health care needs. The type of tem in accordance with the present invention comprising at expert can be chosen by the user and sent as part of its least one secure mobile device or computer, a medical-expert response information, or alternatively by the provider after matching software module hosted by a web-based application receiving the response information. server, a remote patient-management and consultation Soft 0019. Once the expert type has been selected and the pro ware module providing access to patient health data, a search vider has the user information, the provider preferably for able multiple-media database composed of patient health data wards the user information to one or more experts of the and diagnosis treatment plans. The secure is selected type. The experts can themselves forward the user wirelessly connected to the server. The remote patient-man information to additional experts if they desire to confer with agement and -consultation Software module and the medical other experts before rendering advice on the user's issue. The expert-matching software module can be implemented by experts can then preferably collaborate in real-time or non software or firmware, and alternatively by hardware alone or real-time to form a consensus opinion on the issue presented. in combination with software or firmware. These experts preferably consult each other in real time via 0024. The secure mobile device or computer according to telephone conference, VoIP, video conference, in person, or this preferred embodiment comprises device-level security US 2015/0254416 A1 Sep. 10, 2015

methods to provide secure web-based communications of 0035 FIG. 7 is a screen shot of a software application patient health information to the health care provider from the implementing one embodiment of the method according to mobile device or computer. These security methods can the present invention; include: on-device encryption of patient health information 0036 FIG. 8 is another screen shot of a software applica using Software, hardware or firmware, or some combination tion implementing one embodiment of the method according of the three, which provides security against unauthorized use to the present invention; and of the mobile device or computer; destruction of patient 0037 FIG. 9 is yet another screen shot of a software appli health information after transmission of the patient health cation implementing one embodiment of the method accord information to the provider; and user authentication over the ing to the present invention. Internet to ensure that access to the provider is authorized. 0038 FIG. 10 is yet another further screen shot of a soft 0025. The medical-expert-matching software module ware application implementing one embodiment of the according to this preferred embodiment enables exchange of method according to the present invention. patient health information to a medical expert and facilitates a dialogue among additional health care providers to develop DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION a diagnosis and treatment plan for the patient. This module 0039 Referring now to FIG. 1, a system for carrying out can optionally comprise a peer-inviting software module that the method of the present invention is shown. In that system, enables a medical expert to invite peers to collaborate on a the server 40 is electronically connected to the cloud 30, treatment plan for the patient. It may also optionally comprise where the cloud 30 can be a single computer, a network of a mobile, Internet-based grand-rounds session Software mod computers, the Internet generally, oran entity that hosts appli ule providing an Internet-based platform for live or non-real cation services on a networked system of computers such as time interactive sessions between health care professionals, Amazon Web Services, VMWare's cloud hosting services, or which the health care professions use to discuss patient symp Apple's iCloud service. Examples of server 40 include one or toms and contemplated courses of treatment or treatment more computers or computer systems running Windows protocols. Server 2012, Apple's OSXServer, or a version of , such 0026. The remote patient-management and -consultation as AIX or HP-UX, or another server such as software module according to this preferred embodiment VMS. The cloud 30 is connected to an Internet service pro enables coordinated care between health care professionals vider (“ISP) 25, which can be any one of the following types from the same or separate locations. of entities providing Internet connectivity services: a cable 0027. The searchable multiple-media database according operator, such as Comcast, Time Warner, or Cox Communi to this preferred embodiment can contain any or all of the cations; a telecommunications carrier, Such as Verizon, following: patient health information; diagnoses correspond AT&T, or CenturyLink; a wireless telecommunications car ing to Such patient health information; treatment plans corre rier, such as Verizon, AT&T, Sprint/Nextel, T-Mobile, Clear sponding to such patient health information; non-health wire, or FreedomPop; or a dial-up ISP such as NetZero or metadata about patients such as location and demographic America Online. information; and at least one table in the database linking 0040. The ISP 25 is then wirelessly connected to at least patients with other patients based on such patient health infor one mobile device or computer 10.1-10.3. The number of mation. The searchable multiple-media database can also be mobile devices or computers 10.1-10.3 connected to the ISP used to manage chronic or widespread diseases, or to train 25 may range from one to many, and are not limited to three. health care professionals in optimal treatment plans based on Examples of mobile devices 10.1-10.2 include information contained in the database. such as the iPhone 4, 4s. 5, 5s or 5c running a version of 0028. These and other feature and advantages of the Apple's iOS operating system; the series, present invention will become apparent from the following Galaxy series, series, Xperia detailed description of the invention with reference to the series, or the various iterations running Google's Android attached drawings, wherein: operating system; the LG Optimus or Quantum Smartphones, the Lumia series of Smartphones, the BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS or Omnia series of Smartphones, or the various iterations manufactured running 's 7 or 8 0029 FIG. 1 is a block diagram of one embodiment of a operating system; and the BlackBerry Z30, Q10, Q5, Z10, system for carrying out the method according to the present Bold, Torch, Curve, or Pearl series of smartphones running invention; BlackBerry's BlackBerry 10 mobile operating system. Other 0030 FIG. 2 is a block diagram of one embodiment of a examples of mobile devices 10.1-10.2 are tablet computers, mobile device or computer for use with the method and sys such as Apple's iPad or iPad mini, Google's Nexus 7 or 10, tem of the present invention; Motorola's Xoom, or Samsung's Galaxy Tab. Mobile devices 0031 FIG.3 is a block diagram of another embodiment of 10.1-10.2 may also be wearable devices such as Google a system for carrying out the method according to the present Glass, Pebble watches, or a wearable device made by FitEit such as the FitEit Force, Flex or Zip. Examples of computers invention; 10.3 include desktop, or computers running 0032 FIG. 4 is a flow chart of one embodiment of the operating systems such as Microsoft Windows 98, 2000, ME, method according to the present invention; XP, 7, or 8, or Enterprise varieties thereof; BSD- or GNU 0033 FIG. 5 is a flow chart of a further embodiment of the based Linux distributions such as Red Hat, SUSE Linux, method according to the present invention illustrated in FIG. Debian, Google Chrome OS, Fedora, or Ubuntu; and Apple 4. Inc.'s OSX or OSX Server operating systems. The wireless 0034 FIG. 6 is a flow chart of another embodiment of the connection between the mobile device or computers 10.1- method according to the present invention; 10.3 and the ISP 25 can be implemented using, for example, US 2015/0254416 A1 Sep. 10, 2015

a cellular network such as LTE, CDMA or GSM; Wi-Fi such server 40 or can be standalone applications. The system or as the 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, or 802.11ac stan multiple systems are electronically connected to the cloud 30 dards; Bluetooth; NFC: RFID; or infrared. by a network such as the Internet. Experts 45.1-45.n and a 0041 FIG. 2 illustrates a preferred configuration of a database 44 are electronically connected to the application mobile device or computer 10 for use with the present inven server 40 and expert application 41 through the cloud 30 by tion. The main processor 11 can be any mobile central pro way of a network Such as the Internet. The encryption engine cessing unit, such as ’s Snapdragon family of pro 42 can alternatively be implemented by hardware or software. cessor Systems, ’s family of processors, Apple's 0047 FIG. 4 shows a flow chart in accordance with one AX chipset line, 's , OMAP embodiment of the method of the present invention in the chipset series, Samsung’s processors, ST-Ericsson’s health care context. In step 100, the user enters his or her NovaThor chipsets, or the i.MX processors by Freescale username and password on a mobile device or computer 10, Semiconductor, the RK3XXX processor family by , which is combined with a device-identification code unique the A31 by AllWinner, the MTXXXX line by MediaTek, or to the mobile device or computer 10 into a digital signature. Broadcom's BCM2XXXX family of microprocessors; or any The user may be a patient or health care provider. The com CPU based on the or Power architectures. The main bined digital signature is then electronically transmitted to the processor 11 is electronically connected to any or all of the application server 40 in step 101. The application server following: a display 12, a camera 13, volatile or non-volatile Verifies the digital signature of the user in the authentication memory 14, an encryption engine 15, a microphone 20, a step 102. All communications in accordance with the present cellular radio 19 such as LTE, a Wi-Fi radio 18 using the invention may be optionally encrypted at the Source and 802.11n or 802.11ac wireless standards, a Bluetooth radio 17, decrypted at the destination in order to enhance security. at least one form of wired input/output connection (“I/O”) 21, 0048 If the digital signature of the user is authenticated by and a Near-Field Communications (“NFC) radio 16. the server, in step 103 the user is prompted on the mobile 0042. The display 12 can be a touchscreen display, for device or computer 10 to enter the patient health information, example a resistive touchscreen, a capacitive touchscreen, a which can consist of at least the patient's personal informa touchscreen using Surface acoustic wave technology, using an tion Such as name, address, age, weight, and height; the infrared grid, or acoustic pulse recognition. But the display 12 patient’s demographic information Such as race and gender; need not also be a means of obtaining user input; the mobile the patient’s health information Such as known allergies, past device or computer 10 can acquire user input by analog means and present health conditions, past Surgeries and other medi such as a keyboard, keypad, trackpad, mouse, by non-key cal information. A preferred embodiment of the user interface board tactile input Such as tapping, or by an optical device for the entry of patient health information is depicted by the observing user gestures such as Microsoft's Kinect technol screen shots in FIGS. 7, 8 and 10. ogy or ’s blink recognition. 0049 FIG. 7 shows a preferred embodiment of a form for 0043. The camera 13 can be any optical device capable of the entry of patient health information, wherein the informa capturing images and storing them on the mobile device or tion provided by a user includes the user's organizational computer. Such images may be still photographs or videos, affiliation. FIG.8 shows a preferred embodiment of a form for with sound for said videos being recorded by the microphone the entry of patient health information, wherein the informa 20. tion provided by a user includes a response to a query about 0044) The encryption engine 15 can be alternatively the patient’s health condition and wherein the form is capable implemented by hardware or software. In a hardware embodi of expanding to allow the user to enter a free-form response. ment, encryption is performed by a dedicated piece of hard FIG. 10 shows a preferred embodiment of a form for the entry ware such as a secure cryptoprocessor or other cryptographic of queries to be asked of a patient and predetermined processor. In a software embodiment, encryption is carried responses to those queries, multiple-media information to be out by a Software program running on the mobile device or appended to patient health information, and any other rel computer 10 that uses an encryption algorithm Such as the evant information. Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), RC6, Serpent, 0050. The patient health information can also contain MARS, or Twofish. information about the patient directly obtained by any medi 0045. The wired input/output connection (“I/O”) 21 can cal devices connected to the mobile device or computer 10 be any wired connection that allows data throughput. that transmits information to the mobile device or computer Examples are USB, micro USB, miniUSB, HDMI, Mobile 10 by one of the interfaces shown in FIG. 2 such as the High-definition Link (“MHL), S-Video, VGA, DVI, Apple's microphone 20, cellular radio 19, Wi-Fi radio 18, Bluetooth proprietary Lightning, Thunderbolt, or 30-pin connectors, an radio 17, NFC radio 16, or wired I/O connection 21. Such SD card, microSD card, or pico-SD card. medical devices can meet, but are not limited to, the definition 0046 FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of a system in maintained by the United States Food and Drug Administra accordance with the present invention. An application server tion, including medical machines, contrivances, implants, in 40 hosts an expert application 41 Such as a medical-expert vitro reagents, or other such devices for the use of treating or matching software module optionally comprising a peer-in diagnosing conditions in humans or animals. The user also viting software module and also optionally comprising a enters any other relevant patient health information, option mobile, Internet-based grand-rounds session Software mod ally including the type of medical expert needed to evaluate ule; an encryption engine application 42; and a collaboration the patient’s illness, ailment or condition, into the application application 43. Such as a remote patient-management and running on the mobile device or computer 10. Examples of -consultation Software module, are used on either one system the type of medical expert include any medical specialty, for or on multiple systems at the same location. The expert appli example allergy and immunology, anesthesiology, cardiol cation 41, encryption engine application 42, and collabora ogy, dermatology, dietetics, emergency medicine, endocri tion application 43 can also be subroutines of the application nology, family medicine, gastroenterology, geriatrics, gyne US 2015/0254416 A1 Sep. 10, 2015 cology, hepatology, infectious disease, intensive care, 0055. The flow chart according to the present invention nephrology, neurology, neuroSurgery, obstetrics and gynecol shown in FIG. 4 can optionally be followed by the flow chart ogy, oncology, ophthalmology, oral Surgery, otorhinolaryn shown in FIG. 5 at step 112. Based on the treatment advice gology, palliative care, pathology, pediatrics, physiatry, plas provided in step 110 and the actual treatment provided and tic Surgery, podiatry, proctology, psychiatry, pulmonology, reported in step 111, according to the flow chart in FIG.5 the radiology, rheumatology, stomatology, urology, or any patient returns for a follow-up examination 113 so that the related Surgical specialty. health care provider and one or more medical experts may 0051. Next, in step 104 the mobile device or computer 10 evaluate the effectiveness of the provided treatment. At the uses the encryption engine 15 to locally encrypt the patient follow-up examination, in step 114 the user again enters her health information provided by the user. The encrypted username and password on a mobile device or computer 10, patient health information is then securely transmitted via the which is combined with a device-identification code unique Internet service provider 25 shown in FIG. 1 and through the to the mobile device or computer 10 into a digital signature. cloud 30 to the application server 40 in step 105. The user can again be a patient or health care provider. The 0052 Once the application server 40 has received and combined digital signature is again electronically transmitted decrypted the patient health information using the application to the application server 40 in step 115. The application server server's decryption engine 42, in step 106 the application Verifies the digital signature of the user in the authentication server 40 transmits the patient health information to the step 116. expert application 41, which selects the type of medical 0056. If the digital signature of the user is authenticated by expert either on the basis of the type requested by the user in the server, in step 117 the user is prompted on the mobile step 105 or on the basis of the patient health information device or computer 10 to enter any new patient health infor received by the application server 40. The expert application mation that was not already transmitted in the flow chart 41 then sends the patient health information to the selected shown in FIG. 4 in steps 105 or 111. Such information experts in step 107, by way of a hosted remote patient-man includes, for example, the patient's health or change in con agement and -consultation Software module that allows at dition after the treatment advice provided in step 110 or new least one medical expert 45.1-45.4 to view and comment on medical information obtained from a medical device con patient health information by connecting to the application nected to the mobile device or computer 10. server 40, expert application 41, or collaboration application 0057 Next, in step 118 the mobile device or computer 10 43 by way of the cloud 30. The number of medical experts again uses the encryption engine 15 to encrypt the patient 45.1-45.4 may range from one to many, and are not limited to health information provided by the user locally. The four. The screen shot in FIG. 9 depicts a preferred embodi encrypted patient health information is then securely trans ment of a user interface of the hosted remote patient-manage mitted via the Internet service provider 25 shown in FIG. 1 ment and -consultation software module that provides for the and through the cloud 30 to the application server 40 in step forwarding of patient health information to medical experts. 119. 0053. After examining the patient health information, the 0058. Once the application server 40 has received and at least one medical expert 45.1-45.4 may optionally host an decrypted the patient health information using the application interactive collaboration of medical experts in accordance server's encryption engine 42, in step 120 the expert applica with step 108 by using the collaboration application 43, tion 41 then sends the patient health information to the same whereby at least one other expert examines and analyzes the medical experts selected in step 106, or alternatively new patient health information and communicates her opinion experts selected on the basis of the patient health information, regarding diagnostic or treatment information to at least the by way of the hosted remote patient-management and -con medical experts 45.1-45.4. This communication may be real Sultation software module. time, for example in the form of a video- or audio-conference 0059. After examining the patient health information, in via the Internet, Voice over Internet Protocol (“VoIP) or optional step 121 the medical experts 45.1-45.n can again traditional telephone; or it may be non-real time, for example host an interactive collaboration of medical by using the in the form of an electronic textual message, a Voice message, collaboration application 43, whereby at least one other an electronic textual message or Voice message accompanied expert examines and analyzes the patient health information by multimedia data Such as one or more pictures or videos. and in real-time or non-real-time communicates her opinion 0054. After the at least one medical expert 45.1-45.4 and regarding diagnostic or treatment information to at least the any other experts collaborated with in step 108 have rendered medical experts 45.1-45.n. an opinion regarding for example a course of treatment or 0060. After the at least one medical expert 45.1-45.4 and diagnosis, the expert application 41 receives the opinion from any other experts collaborated within step 121 have rendered the experts in step 109. In step 110, the application server 40 an opinion, the expert application 41 receives said opinion then provides to the user the diagnostic or treatment informa from the experts in step 122. If no further treatment is deemed tion acquired from the at least one medical expert 45.1-45.4 in necessary by a consensus of the at least one medical expert step 109 and optionally step 108. Finally, in step 111, the 45.1-45.4 and any other experts collaborated with in step 121, application server 40 receives from the user the course of the method according to the present invention can end. But treatment actually provided to the patient based on the rec alternatively, if further treatment is deemed necessary, in ommendation of the at least one medical expert 45.1-45.4. In optional step 123, the application server 40 provides to the a particularly preferred embodiment, the medical expert rec user the diagnostic or treatment information acquired from ommendations, the treatment information, the patient health the at least one medical expert 45.1-45.4 in step 122 and information, and information about which medical experts optionally step 121. In step 124, the application server 40 can provided which recommendations will be securely stored in a optionally receive from the user the course of treatment actu database 44 connected to the application server 40 by way of ally provided to the patient based on the recommendation of the cloud 30 and available for future use. the one or more medical experts 45.1-45.n if another follow US 2015/0254416 A1 Sep. 10, 2015

up evaluation is needed, in which case the method according e. collecting responses at the server from said one or more to the present invention can continue beginning again at Step medical experts; and 112. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present f. providing treatment advice to the user of the mobile invention, the medical expert recommendations, the treat device or computer. ment information, the patient health information, and infor 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of mation about which medical experts provided which recom establishing a wireless connection comprises receiving a mendations will again be securely stored in a database 44 digital signature from the mobile device or computer at the connected to the cloud 30 and available for future use by the server corresponding to a user name and password entered on application server 40. the mobile device or computer and a device-identification 0061. The flowchart shown in FIG. 6 illustrates a preferred code for the mobile device or computer. embodiment of the process of securely storing and transfer 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of ring user information from the mobile device or computer 10 forwarding the patient health information from the server to to the application server 40 in accordance with the method of one or more medical experts comprises the user first selecting the present invention and performed in at least steps 103,104, the medical expertise of said one or more medical experts on and 105. In step 200, the application server 40 uses the the basis of the patient health information. encryption engine 42 to generate public and private keys for 4. The method according to claim3, comprising said one or use in encrypting data in accordance with known examples of more medical experts forwarding the patient health informa public-key cryptography such as RSA or DSA. The public and private keys are encrypted a second time in step 201 by tion to at least one additional medical expert selected by said the encryption engine 42 using a different method of public one or more medical experts. key cryptography such as AES. The mobile device or com 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of puter 10 then synchronizes the user's login credentials and forwarding the patient health information from the server to the user's private key with the application server 40 in step one or more medical experts comprises an application at the 202, which may occur as a part of step 102 of the flowchart server first selecting on the basis of the patient health infor shown in FIG. 4. The user then inputs case data in the form of mation at least one medical specialty of said one or more user information or patient health information203, and enters medical experts. its password 204 to encrypt the information, both of which 6. The method according to claim 5, comprising said one or may occur as a part of step 103 of the flowchart shown in FIG. more medical experts forwarding the patient health informa 4 tion to at least one additional medical expert selected by said 0062. The mobile device or computer 10 next uses its one or more medical experts. encryption engine 15 in step 205 to decrypt the private key 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the patient created in step 200 by the application server 40, so that the health information is encrypted while stored in the mobile mobile device or computer 10 can in step 206 encrypt the case device or computer. data obtained in step 203 and any appended messages using 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of the private key and the user's password obtained in step 204. collecting responses comprises an interactive collaboration The mobile device or computer 10 then in step 207 sends the of the medical experts using an application stored at the encrypted data created in step 206 to the application server 40, SeVe. which then uses its encryption engine 42 to decrypt the case 9. The method according to claim8, wherein the interactive data and appended message 208. Step 207 may occur as a part collaboration of the medical experts occurs in real time. of step 105 in FIG. 4. An appropriate modification of the 10. The method according to claim 8, wherein the interac flowchart shown in FIG. 6 may also be applied to any other tive collaboration of the medical experts does not occur in real communication between or among the experts 45.1-45.n, the time. application server 40, and the user. 11. The method according to claim 1, further comprising 0063. It is understood that the embodiments described receiving from the mobile device or computer actual treat above are merely illustrative and are not intended to limit the ment information following the provision of treatment Scope of the invention. It is realized that various changes, advice. alterations, rearrangements and modifications can be made 12. The method according to claim 11, further comprising by those skilled in the art without substantially departing providing a follow-up consultation. from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the follow What is claimed is: up consultation is initiated by the user. 1. A method for providing expert medical services com 14. The method according to claim 12, wherein the follow prising the steps of: up consultation is initiated by at least one of the medical a. establishing a wireless connection with one of a mobile experts. device and computer of a user, wherein the mobile 15. The method according to claim 1, further comprising device or computer has been provided with an applica adding anonymized patient health information to an tion for the entry of patient health information; encrypted database, wherein said database comprises anony b. receiving encrypted patient health information from the mized patient health information of at least one patient. mobile device or computer at a server; 16. The method according to claim 1, wherein the user is a c. decrypting the patient health information at the server; patient. d. forwarding the patient health information from the 17. The method according to claim 1, wherein the user is a server to one or more medical experts corresponding to health care provider. the patient health information, said forwarded patient 18. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of health information optionally being encrypted; providing an application for the entry of patient health infor US 2015/0254416 A1 Sep. 10, 2015

mation comprises information having been transmitted from 32. The method according to claim 29, wherein the step of a sensor interacting with a patient to the mobile device or forwarding the user information from the server to experts computer. comprises forwarding encrypted said user information to said 19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the step of medical experts. providing an application for the entry of patient health infor 33. The method according to claim 29, wherein the step of mation further comprises selecting medical experts based on forwarding the user information comprises at least one of the the information transmitted from the sensor. experts forwarding the user information to at least one addi 20. The method according to claim 18, wherein the sensor tional expert selected by said at least one of the experts. has transmitted patient information to the mobile device or 34. The method according to claim 29, wherein the step of computer by Bluetooth. collecting responses comprises an interactive collaboration 21. The method according to claim 18, wherein the sensor of the experts. has transmitted patient information to the mobile device or computer by Wi-Fi. 35. The method according to claim 29, further comprising 22. The method according to claim 18, wherein the sensor using the mobile device or computer to transmit the results of has transmitted patient information to the mobile device or the advice following the providing of said advice. computer by NFC. 36. The method according to claim 29, further comprising 23. The method according to claim 18, wherein the sensor providing a follow-up consultation. measured heart rate. 37. The method according to claim 36, wherein the follow 24. The method according to claim 18, wherein the sensor up consultation is initiated by the user. measured blood pressure. 38. The method according to claim 36, wherein the follow 25. The method according to claim 18, wherein the sensor up consultation is initiated by at least one of the experts. measured blood Sugar levels. 39. The method according to claim 29, wherein the step of 26. The method according to claim 18, wherein the sensor entering user information comprises transmitting informa measured Sound waves. tion from a sensor on a user to the mobile device or computer. 27. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of 40. The method according to claim 29, wherein the step of receiving encrypted patient health information at the server entering user information comprises using the mobile device comprises the mobile device or computer having been used to or computer to photograph the user. photograph a medical condition of a patient. 41. The method according to claim 29, further comprising 28. The method according to claim 1, further comprising using the user information on the server to match users to using the patient health information on the server to match related other users. patients to related clinical trials or research programs. 29. A method for providing expert services comprising the 42. The method according to claim 29, wherein the step of steps of: providing an application on the mobile device or computer for a. establishing a wireless connection with one of a mobile the entry of user information is performed before the step of device and computer of a user; establishing a wireless connection with a mobile device or b. providing an application on the mobile device or com computer of a user. puter for the entry of user information; 43. A system for providing expert medical services, the c. receiving encrypted user information from the mobile system comprising: device or computer at the server; a. at least one server, said at least one server comprising: d. decrypting the user information at the server, expert application Software for forwarding patient e. forwarding the user information from the server to health information to at least one medical expert; experts selected on the basis of the user information; encryption engine Software for encrypting and decrypt f. collecting responses from the experts; ing patient health information received from one of a g. providing advice to the user of the mobile device or mobile device and computer, and computer. collaboration application Software for facilitating an 30. The method according to claim 29, wherein the step of interactive collaboration of medical experts: establishing a wireless connection comprises a user entering b. at least one database capable of securely storing patient a user name and password on the mobile device or computer and transmitting a digital signature from the mobile device or health information; and computer to the server comprising the user name, password c. wherein the at least one server receives encrypted patient and a device identification code for the mobile device or health information from a mobile device or computer computer. and forwards encrypted patient health information to at 31. The method according to claim 29, wherein the user least one medical expert to provide course-of-treatment information is encrypted while stored in the mobile device or information to the mobile device or computer. computer. k k k k k