DYNAMIC BARCODE FOR DISPLAYING MEDICAL DATA

• US 20080149701A1
• Filed: 12/22/2006
• Published: 06/26/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Welch Allyn Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Welch Allyn Incorporated
• Inventors: Lane, John A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,434,724 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/375
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06028 using bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/65 stored on portable record carriers, e.g. on smartcards, RFID tags or CD
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation

Abstract

Disclosed in this specification is an apparatus and method for producing and displaying a dynamic barcode that permits authorized medical personnel to obtain confidential medical information while preventing unauthorized personnel from viewing the same. Any suitable dynamic medical information may be so displayed including blood pressure, temperature, respiration rate, heart rate, and the like.

Claims

1. A medical device system for displaying medical data concerning a patient comprising:

a medical sensor that obtains dynamic medical data from a patient, wherein the dynamic medical data is displayed in a format that is both computer readable and not human readable;

a data input terminal for connecting to said medical sensor and receiving said dynamic medical data therefrom;

a processor for processing said dynamic medical data into dynamic barcode data; and

a digital display and displayed on said digital display, a dynamic barcode, wherein;

said dynamic barcode comprises said dynamic barcode data, and

said dynamic barcode updates in response to said dynamic medical data received from said medical sensor through said data input terminal, and said dynamic medical data is displayed in a computer readable and non human readable format on said digital display;

a scanner for scanning said dynamic barcode as scanned data;

a data storage device for storing said scanned data, wherein said scanned data can only be accessed by providing a password.

2. The medical device as recited in claim 1, wherein said digital display consists of said dynamic barcode and said dynamic barcode data is not human readable.

3. The medical device as recited in claim 1, wherein a digital picture of the patient is displayed on said digital display.

4. The medical device as recited in claim 1, wherein said processor queries said medical sensor at predetermined intervals and updates said dynamic barcode at said predetermined intervals.

5. The medical device as recited in claim 1, wherein the data storage device stores both static data and said dynamic data.

6. The medical device as recited in claim 5, wherein said static data is displayed on said digital display within a static barcode.

7. The medical device as recited in claim 5, wherein said static data is displayed on said digital display within said dynamic barcode.

8. The medical device as recited in claim 5, wherein said static data includes identifying information about said patient.

9. The medical device as recited in claim 8, wherein said static data includes static medical information about said patient.

10. The medical device as recited in claim 9, wherein said dynamic barcode is encrypted.

11. The medical device as recited in claim 1, wherein said medical sensor is selected from the group consisting of a blood pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, a blood oxygen level sensor, a respiration rate sensor, a heart sensor, and combinations thereof.

21. The medical device system as recited in claim 1, further comprising an alarm operatively connected to said processor such that said alarm is triggered when said dynamic medical data meets a predetermined condition that is programmed into said processor.

12. A process for displaying dynamic patient medical data with a dynamic barcode comprising the steps of:

obtaining dynamic medical data about a patient from a medical sensor wherein said dynamic medical data is not displayed in human readable format;

convening said dynamic medical data to dynamic barcode data;

displaying said dynamic barcode data on a digital display using a dynamic barcode while maintaining the confidentiality of the dynamic medical data by not displaying the data in human-readable format;

querying said medical sensor at a predetermined interval and obtaining updated dynamic medical data from said medical sensor; and

updating said dynamic barcode in response to said updated dynamic medical data;

scanning said dynamic barcode by an individual, wherein said individual is not privy to said dynamic medical data.

13. The process as recited in claim 12, wherein said dynamic barcode is further comprised of static data.

14. The process as recited in claim 12, wherein said dynamic barcode data is not presented in human readable format.

15. The process as recited in claim 13, wherein said static data is comprised of identifying information about said patient.

16. The process as recited in claim 15, wherein said dynamic barcode data is encrypted.

17. A medical device for displaying medical data concerning a patient comprising:

a first medical sensor for sensing a first dynamic medical data signal of a patient, wherein said dynamic medical data is not displayed in human readable format;

a data input terminal for connecting to said first medical sensor and receiving said first dynamic medical data signal;

a processor for processing said first dynamic medical data signal into a first dynamic barcode data; and

a digital display and displayed on said digital display, a dynamic barcode, wherein;

said dynamic barcode comprises said first dynamic barcode data, and

said first dynamic barcode updates in response to said first dynamic medical data signal received from said first medical sensor through said data input terminal, and said dynamic medical data is displayed only in computer readable format.

18. The medical device as recited in claim 17, further comprising an alarm operatively connected to said processor such that said alarm is triggered when said dynamic medical data meets a predetermined condition that is programmed into said processor.

19. The medical device as recited in claim 17, further comprising a second medical sensor for sensing a second dynamic medical data signal of said patient, wherein:

said processor processes said second dynamic medical data signal into dynamic barcode data, and

said dynamic barcode comprises said second dynamic barcode data.

20. The medical device as recited in claim 17, further comprising a second medical sensor for sensing a second dynamic medical data signal of said patient wherein:

said processor processes said second dynamic medical data signal into dynamic barcode data;

said digital display is comprised of a second dynamic barcode; and

said second dynamic barcode comprises said second dynamic barcode data.