Patient identification system

• US 20040145480A1
• Filed: 01/29/2003
• Published: 07/29/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: George J. Despotis
• Original Assignee: George J. Despotis
• Inventors: Despotis, George J.
• Granted Patent: US 6,922,148 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/572.9
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2434 Tag housing and attachment details
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/02 Alarms for ensuring the safety of persons

Abstract

A patient identification system is disclosed that solves several problems associated with current ID bands such as easy removal, loss and inefficient patient identification. The patient identification system comprises an identification bracelet that is difficult to remove and has a lock and an identification mechanism. Further, the identification bracelet may require a separate unlocking device to unlock the lock. The unlocking device may also have a means to track how long the bracelet has been unlocked, an alarm system, and a display screen.

Claims

1. A patient identification bracelet comprising, in combination,

a re-useable lock;

and

an identification mechanism.

2. A patient identification bracelet as in claim 1, further comprising an alert system connected to said lock to indicate whether said identification bracelet is disengaged.

3. A patient identification bracelet as in claim 1, further comprising a device for tracking disengagement duration of said identification bracelet.

4. A patient identification bracelet as in claim 1, where said identification bracelet comprises a resistive material.

5. A patient identification bracelet as in claim 1, further comprising an unlocking device, separate from said identification bracelet, for selectively unlocking said lock.

6. A patient identification bracelet as in claim 5, where said unlocking device further comprises a device for tracking the duration of disengagement of said identification bracelet and an alert system to indicate duration of disengagement, premature removal of said identification bracelet or location of said identification bracelet.

7. A patient identification bracelet as in claim 6, where said unlocking device further comprises a display device to show duration of disengagement or patient information.

8. An identification bracelet comprising, in combination,

a re-useable lock;

an identification mechanism; and

where said identification bracelet is difficult to remove without unlocking said lock.

9. An identification bracelet as in claim 8, further comprising an unlocking device, separate from said identification bracelet, for selectively unlocking said lock.

10. An identification bracelet as in claim 9, where said unlocking device further comprises a device for tracking the duration of disengagement of said identification bracelet and an alert system to indicate duration of disengagement or location of said identification bracelet.

11. An identification bracelet as in claim 10, where said unlocking device further comprises a display device to show duration of disengagement or patient information.

12. A patient identification system comprising, in combination, an identification bracelet with a lock and an identification mechanism;

an unlocking device separate from said identification bracelet to selectively unlock said lock;

a device for tracking duration of disengagement of said identification bracelet; and

a display device.

13. A patient identification system as in claim 12, further comprising an alarm system connected to said device for tracking duration of disengagement.

14. A patient identification system as in claim 13, further comprising proximity or physiological sensors.