Patient identification system

• US 9,607,195 B2
• Filed: 03/14/2014
• Issued: 03/28/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Realeve LLC
• Original Assignee: Autonomic Technologies, Inc. (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Pless, Benjamin
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Hung T
• Application Number:
  US14/211,622
• Publication Number:
  US 20140197931A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,110 Days
• Field of Search: 340/10.1, 340/10.3, 340/10.4, 340/10.41, 340/539.1, 340/539.12, 340/539.23, 340/572.1, 340/573.1, 128/903, 128/904, 600/300, 600/301, 607/32, 607/60, 702/127, 702/188
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1113 Local tracking of patients, e.g. in a hospital or private home
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/332 Portable devices specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/90 Identification means for patients or instruments, e.g. tags
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/98 using electromagnetic means, e.g. transponders
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/35 communicating wirelessly
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/6254 by anonymising data, e.g. decorrelating personal data from the owner's identification
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2101 Auditing as a secondary aspect
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2111 Location-sensitive, e.g. geographical location, GPS
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/01 Details
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10396 the interrogation device being wearable, e.g. as a glove, bracelet, or ring wearable aerials in general H01Q1/27
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/28 the pass enabling tracking or indicating presence

Abstract

The patient identification system of the preferred embodiments includes a transponder that is affixed to a patient and functions to communicate information that identifies the patient to a device or series of devices. The series of devices includes at least a first device that collects data from the patient and communicates with the transponder. The patient identification system is preferably designed to identify a patient, and more specifically to identify a patient to be associated with the data collected by the device. The patient identification system, however, may be alternatively used in any suitable environment and for any suitable reason.

Claims

1. A patient identification system, comprising:

a transponder configured to be affixed to a patient, the transponder including a transmitter configured to transmit an identification signal that identifies the patient;

a first device configured to be affixed to the patient, the first device including an input element configured to collect data from a patient and a receiver configured to receive the identification signal from the transponder, the first device further including a processor configured to associate the data collected from the patient with the identification signal for a first period of time;

a second device configured to be affixed to the patient, the second device including an input element configured to collect data from a patient and a receiver configured to receive the identification signal from the transponder, the second device further including a processor configured to associate the data collected from the patient with the identification signal for a second period of time when the second device is within communication range of the transponder; and

the first device and the second device are preferably disposable.

2. The patient identification system of claim 1 wherein the transponder is configured to be implanted in the patient.

3. The patient identification system of claim 1 wherein the transponder comprises radio frequency identification ink.

4. The patient identification system of claim 1 wherein the transponder is configured to encrypt the identification signal.

5. The patient identification system of claim 1 wherein the first device is configured to collect data directly from the patient.

6. The patient identification system of claim 1 wherein the first device is separate from the transponder.