Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
Healthcare access is a growing problem for 60 million rural Americans. In the next 5-10 years, it is anticipated that 25% of rural physicians will retire and 30% of rural hospitals will close, further deteriorating healthcare access. Traditional approach of funding rural hospitals and community clinics is financially unsustainable in villages and areas with smaller populations. Even with government funding, these clinics often struggle to hire doctors, particularly specialists. Telemedicine presents a viable solution and can augment existing clinic operations by adding specialists, extend the reach of providers to schools and other mobile settings, and enable new "microclinics" inside community pharmacies and public health departments. However, telemedicine carts can be unaffordable and bulky, often costing upwards of $20,000, and offering subpar image quality from medical examination cameras. We propose the development of a new portable wireless medical examination kit for telemedicine in rural areas to expand rural healthcare access. The proposed telemedicine device will combine fast autofocus, a high quality image sensor, and a powerful image processor to get true-to-life video during remote medical examinations. The proposed imaging system is flexible and the lens arrangement can be modified for other use cases such as eye examination. The telemedicine device is portable and allows remote medical examination wirelessly without need to be plugged into a computer. We expect this medical examination kit to significantly enhance the quality and reach of healthcare in rural areas.
Animal Health Component
50%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
0%
Applied
50%
Developmental
50%
Goals / Objectives
Thegoal of the project is the development of a new portable wireless medical examination kit for telemedicine for use in rural areas. The proposed telemedicine device will combine fast autofocus, a high quality image sensor, and a powerful image processor to get true-to-life video during remote medical examinations. The telemedicine device is portable and allows remote medical examination wirelessly without need to be plugged into a computer.Key Objectives:1. Design a portable wireless medical examination kitfor telemedicine in rural areas2. Improve the quality of general examination camera to support a better quality of care3. Reduce the total installed cost of a telemedicine system4. Enable rural pharmacies, health centers, and other community organizations to costeffectively provide medical care using telemedicine technology
Project Methods
In Phase 1, our approach will focus on the foundational design elements of the portable telemedicine kit, structured as follows:1.3D Design and Modeling: Utilize CAD tools to create precise 3D models of the kit, focusing on ergonomic design, component layout, and overall aesthetics suitable for medical use in remote settings.2.Prototype Assembly: Construct an initial prototype integrating key components such as an image sensor, autofocus lens, and image processor. 3.Image Quality Testing: Testing the prototype to evaluate color accuracy and image fidelity. Standardized color charts and controlled lighting will be used to benchmark the prototype against reference cameras.4.Miniaturization Strategy: Develop a detailed plan for reducing the device's size without compromising its functionality. This includes selecting smaller, efficient components and analyzing the design for optimal space utilization.