DEVICE AND METHOD FOR MEDICAL FACILITY BIOMETRIC PATIENT INTAKE AND PHYSIOLOGICAL MEASUREMENTS

• US 20090024415A1
• Filed: 01/10/2008
• Published: 01/22/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Alan I. Alpert, Dawn E. Alpert
• Original Assignee: Alan I. Alpert, Dawn E. Alpert
• Inventors: Alpert, Alan I., Alpert, Dawn E.
• Application Number:
  US11/972,120
• Publication Number:
  US 20090024415A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/3
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/00 Measuring for diagnostic purposes radiation diagnosis A61B6/00; diagnosis by ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves A61B8/00; Identification of persons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/01 Measuring temperature of body parts ; Diagnostic temperature sensing, e.g. for malignant or inflamed tissue clinical contact thermometers G01K13/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02 Detecting, measuring or recording pulse, heart rate, blood pressure or blood flow; Combined pulse/heart-rate/blood pressure determination; Evaluating a cardiovascular condition not otherwise provided for, e.g. using combinations of techniques provided for in this group with electrocardiography or electroauscultation; Heart catheters for measuring blood pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/024 Detecting, measuring or recording pulse rate or heart rate A61B5/0205, A61B5/021 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14542 for measuring blood gases A61B5/14551 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/20 for the management or administration of healthcare resources or facilities, e.g. managing hospital staff or surgery rooms
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation

Abstract

A biometric check-in and physiological measurement method and device provides a more convenient and comfortable check-in and physiological measurement process for the patient. With a scan of a part of the patient'"'"'s body, the patient can be checked-in as well as have his blood pressure, body temperature, and heart rate measured. This method and device also reduces the number of receptionist, nurses, and exam rooms needed in a medical facility, thereby reducing staffing and facility costs.

Claims

1. A method, comprising facilitating a patient'"'"'s arrival at a medical facility through the patient'"'"'s interaction with a biometric check-in and physiological measurement device, wherein the device identifies the patient or authenticates an identity of the patient using biometric information acquired from the patient, measures a physiological characteristic of the patient, and performs at least one of recording an arrival of the patient at the medical facility or verifying the patient has an appointment.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the physiological characteristic is measured from a body part of the patient from which biometric information is acquired for the identification or authentication of the identity of the patient.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the biometric information has been acquired from a hand of the patient.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the biometric information has been acquired from a foot of the patient.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the device identifies the patient or authenticates the identity of the patient using biometric information acquired from skin of the patient.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the device identifies the patient or authenticates the identity of the patient using biometric information acquired from a blood vessel of the patient.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the physiological characteristic is weight.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the physiological characteristic is percent body fat.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the physiological characteristic is blood pressure.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the blood pressure is measured without a cuff.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the physiological characteristic is heart rate.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the physiological characteristic is oxygen level.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the physiological characteristic is body temperature.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the device non-invasively measures a physiological characteristic of the patient.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising the patient paying a fee.

16. The method of claim 1, further comprising informing the patient or a medical personnel of a status of the patient.

17. The method of claim 1, further comprising informing the patient or a medical personnel of a physiological measurement of the patient.

18. The method of claim 1, further comprising storing a physiological measurement in a data store.

19. A biometric check-in and physiological measurement device, comprising means for identifying a patient or authenticating an identity of the patient using biometric information acquired from the patient, means for recording an arrival of the patient at a medical facility or verifying the patient has an appointment, and means for measuring a physiological characteristic of the patient.

20. The device of claim 19, wherein the physiological characteristic is measured from a body part of the patient from which biometric information is acquired for the identification or authentication of the identity of the patient.

21. The device of claim 19, wherein the device is selected from the group consisting of a kiosk, handheld device, scale, door knob, and surface-mounted device.

22. The device of claim 21, wherein the surface-mounted device and door knob each controls a locking mechanism of an exam room door.

23. The device of claim 19, wherein the biometric information has been acquired from a hand of the patient.

24. The device of claim 19, wherein the biometric information has been acquired from a foot of the patient.

25. The device of claim 19, wherein the device identifies the patient or authenticates the identity of the patient using biometric information acquired from skin of the patient.

26. The device of claim 19, wherein the device identifies the patient or authenticates the identity of the patient using biometric information acquired from a blood vessel of the patient.

27. The device of claim 19, wherein the physiological characteristic is weight.

28. The device of claim 19, wherein the physiological characteristic is percent body fat.

29. The device of claim 19, wherein the physiological characteristic is blood pressure.

30. The device of claim 19, wherein the device is a cuffless device.

31. The device of claim 19, wherein the physiological characteristic is heart rate.

32. The device of claim 19, wherein the physiological characteristic is oxygen level.

33. The device of claim 19, wherein the physiological characteristic is body temperature.

34. The device of claim 19, wherein the means for measuring is non-invasive.

35. The device of claim 19, further comprising means to collect a fee.

36. The device of claim 19, further comprising means to inform the patient or a medical personnel a status of the patient.

37. The device of claim 19, further comprising means to inform the patient or a medical personnel a physiological measurement.

38. The device of claim 19, further comprising means to store a physiological measurement.

39. A method, comprising a physiological measurement device measuring a physiological characteristic of a patient without a medical staff member'"'"'s assistance and informing the patient or a medical personnel of a status of the patient.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein the physiological characteristic is selected from the group consisting of weight, percent body fat, blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen level, body temperature, and optical refraction.

41. The method of claim 39, further comprising storing a physiological measurement in a data store.

42. The method of claim 39, further comprising informing the patient or a medical personnel of a physiological measurement of the patient.

43. A physiological measurement device, comprising means for measuring a physiological characteristic of the patient without a medical staff member'"'"'s assistance and means for informing the patient or a medical personnel of a status of the patient.

44. The device of claim 43, wherein the physiological characteristic is selected from the group consisting of weight, percent body fat, blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen level, body temperature, and optical refraction.

45. The device of claim 43, further comprising means to store a physiological measurement.

46. The device of claim 43, further comprising means to inform the patient or a medical personnel a physiological measurement.