SYSTEM, METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PERFORMING REAL-TIME VIRTUAL MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS

1 . A method for permitting a real-time virtual medical examination using a patient device and at least one diagnostic device, comprising:

receiving, at the patient device, a signal transmitted from the at least one diagnostic device;

generating diagnostic information based on the received signal;

encrypting the diagnostic information;

establishing communication over a network between the patient device and a first remote server;

establishing a video conferencing session via a second remote server; and

transmitting the encrypted diagnostic information to the first remote server.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein transmitting the encrypted diagnostic information further comprises:

concurrently conducting the video conferencing session while transmitting the encrypted diagnostic information to the first remote server.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the signal from the at least one diagnostic device is transmitted to the patient device via one of a wireless connection and a wired connection.

4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the wireless connection is Bluetooth.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one diagnostic device is a spirometer, a stethoscope, a sphygmomanometer, a blood pressure monitor, a blood chemistry analyzer, a pulse oximeter, an electrocardiograph, an ultrasound probe or a scale.

6 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

receiving a graphical user interface program from a third remote server.

7 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

transmitting encrypted voice and video signals to the second remote server; and

receiving and decrypting encrypted voice and video signals from the second remote server.

8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the first and second remote servers are integrated in one server.

9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the patient device is at least one a personal computer, a tablet computer, a personal data assistant or a cellular telephone.

10 . An apparatus for receiving a real-time virtual medical examination using at least one diagnostic device, comprising:

a memory;

at least one processor configured to execute instructions stored in the memory to:

receive a signal transmitted from the at least one diagnostic device;

generate diagnostic information based on the received signal;

encrypt the diagnostic information;

establish communication over a network between the patient device and a first remote server;

establish a video conferencing session via a second remote server; and

transmit the encrypted diagnostic information to the first remote server.

11 . The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to execute instructions stored in the memory to:

concurrently conduct the video conferencing session while the at least one processor is further configured to execute instructions to transmit the encrypted diagnostic information to the first remote server.

12 . The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the signal from the at least one diagnostic device is transmitted to the patient device via one of a wireless connection and a wired connection.

13 . The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the wireless connection is Bluetooth.

14 . The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein at least one diagnostic device is a spirometer, a stethoscope, a sphygmomanometer, a blood pressure monitor, a blood chemistry analyzer, a pulse oximeter, an electrocardiograph, an ultrasound probe or a scale.

15 . The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to execute instructions stored in the memory to:

receive a graphical user interface program from a third remote server.

16 . The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to execute instructions stored in the memory to:

transmit encrypted voice and video signals to the second remote server; and

receive and decrypting encrypted voice and video signals from the second remote server.

17 . The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the first and second remote servers are integrated in one server.

18 . A method for permitting a real-time virtual medical examination by a health care provider using health care provider device on a patient using a patient device, comprising:

establishing communication over a network with the health care provider device and the patient device;

receiving, from the patient device, encrypted diagnostic information related to the patient, the encrypted diagnostic information generated from at least one diagnostic device; and

transmitting the encrypted diagnostic information to the health care provider device.

19 . A system for performing a real-time virtual medical examination, comprising:

a network permitting communication between a patient device and a physician device, the patient device configured to generate encrypted diagnostic information based on a signal transmitted from at least one diagnostic device received signal;

a first server in communication with the network and configured to receive the encrypted diagnostic information from the patient device and transmit the encrypted diagnostic information to the physician device; and

a second server configured to permit a video conferencing session between the patient device and the physician device.

20 . A method for advertising medical information on a patient device, comprising:

generating at least one advertisement related to a health-related product or service;

enabling a user to purchase the health-related product or service via a patient device, the patient device operable to permit a real-time virtual medical examination.

21 . A method for permitting a real-time virtual medical examination on a patient by a health care provider using a health care provider device, comprising:

establishing communication over a network with a first remote server;

receiving, at the physician device, encrypted diagnostic information relating to the health of the patient;

decrypting the received diagnostic information;

establishing a video conferencing session via a second remote server;

receiving input indicative of health instruction information;

encrypting the health instruction information; and

transmitting the encrypted health instruction information.

22 . The method of claim 21 , wherein the physician device is a handheld device having at least a camera, a microphone and a display.

23 . The method of claim 21 , wherein the health instruction information is voice data, wherein transmitting the health instruction information further comprises:

transmitting the encrypted health instruction information to the first remote server.

24 . The method of claim 21 , wherein the health instruction information is at least one of text or image data, wherein transmitting the health instruction information further comprises:

transmitting the encrypted health instruction information to the second remote server.

25 . The method of claim 21 , wherein the health instruction information includes information indicating that at least one diagnostic test be performed on the patient.

26 . The method of claim 21 , further comprising:

concurrently conducting the video conferencing session while transmitting the health instruction information.