Medical Device With Data Acquision and Patient Identification Feature

Abstract

A method and apparatus for collecting patient specific information is presented wherein the collected information further includes a digital image of the patient. The image is used to verify or authenticate the patient.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A patient for collecting patient specific comprising:
 a data acquisition module arranged and constructed to collect patient information during a particular encounter with the patient; and   a camera adapted to obtain an image of the patient's face;   wherein said data acquisition module is adapted to combine the patient information obtained during the patient encounter with said digital image to generate a digital message, said digital message being transmitted to a remote location.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said digital message is sent to a server for storage. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising an MRI device, said data acquisition module receiving information from said MRI. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said data acquisition module is incorporated in an ophthalmic instrument obtaining ophthalmic readings of a patient. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of claim 1  further comprising a surgical instrument arranged and constructed to perform a surgical procedure on a patient, and said data acquisition module being arranged to collect patient information during said surgical procedure. 
     
     
         6 . A method of collecting patient specific information from a patient during a patient encounter, said method comprising the steps of:
 placing the patient and a data acquisition module in proximity to each other;   activating said data acquisition module to obtain patient information from the patient while the patient is in close proximity to the dta acquisition module;   obtaining a digital image of the patient's face;   combining the digital image with the patient information to form a digital message and   transmitting the digital messate to a remote location.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein said the camera obtains said digital image during said encounter just prior to the activation of said data acquisition module. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6  wherein said camera obtains said digital image while said data acquisition module is collecting patient information. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6  wherein said camera obtains said digital image after said data acquisition module collects said patient information. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the patient is introduced in an MIR device and said patient information is collected with said patient being in said MIR device. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 6  wherein said patient is subjected to surgery and data aquisition module collects patient specific information during said surgery. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 6  further comprising using ophthalmic devices for collecting patient information.