WO1999047036A2

WO1999047036A2 - Method, system and apparatus for patient identity verification through biometric identification of medical studies and reports

Info

Publication number: WO1999047036A2
Application number: PCT/US1999/005825
Authority: WO
Inventors: James E. Beecham; David K. Haas
Original assignee: Beecham James E; Haas David K
Priority date: 1998-03-19
Filing date: 1999-03-18
Publication date: 1999-09-23
Also published as: CA2322849A1; AU3188899A; WO1999047036A3

Abstract

A method of linking medical information with the identity of a patient supplying the medical information comprising the steps of collecting biometric data indicative of the identity of the patient, collecting medical information from the patient, and linking the biometric data with the medical information to form a report expressing the medical information and the biometric data.

Description

METHOD, SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR PATIENT IDENTITY

VERIFICATION THROUGH BIOMETRIC IDENTIFICATION OF MEDICAL

STUDIES AND REPORTS

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to biometrics and, more particularly, to systems and methods for biometrically linking patient identity with patient medical records.

BACKGROUND ART

Medical imaging studies are useful for evaluating the medical condition of a human subject. Consistent with good medical practice, it is necessary to conclusively link medical imaging studies with the identity of the human subject. Examples of systems for accomplishing this include US Patent No. 4,993,068 entitled Unforgeable Personal Identification System filed 12 February 1991; US Patent No. 5,071,168 entitled Patient Identification System filed 10 December 1991; US Patent No. 5,363,453 entitled Non-Minutiae Automatic Fingerprint Identification System and Methods filed 8 November 1994; US Patent No. 5,381,487 entitled Patient Identification System filed 10 January 1995; US Patent No. 5,291,560 entitled Biometric Personal Identification System Based on Iris Analysis filed 1 March 1994; US Patent No. 4,641,349 entitled Iris Recognition System filed 2 March 1987; US Patent No. 5,592,374 entitled Patient Identification and X-ray Examination Data Collection Bar Code System filed 2 July 1993; US Patent No. 4,977,601 entitled Method of Recognizing a Fingerprint filed 26 March 1987; US Patent No. 5,563,345 entitled Device for Ultrasonic Identification of Fingerprints filed 18 April 1994; US Patent No.

5,637,851 entitled Laser Scanner for Reading Two

Dimensional Bar Codes filed 14 February 1995; US Patent

No. 4,488,678 entitled Method and Apparatus for Reading a Bar Code filed 3 June 1982; US Patent No. 5,509,083 entitled Method and Apparatus for Confirming the

Identity of an Individual Presenting an Identification

Card filed 15 June 1994; US Patent No. 5,876,926 entitled Method, Apparatus and System for Verification of Human Medical Data filed 6 August 1997; US Patent No. 5,677,521 entitled Personal Identification and Credit Information System and Method of Performing Transaction filed 29 June 1995; US Patent No. 4,737,912 entitled Medical Image Apparatus filed 3 September 1985; and US Patent No. 5,457,747 entitled Anti-Fraud Verification System Using a Data Card filed 14 January 1994, each of which is incorporated by reference herein.

Medical imaging studies may comprise x-ray imaging studies such as chest films, computed tomography films, ultrasound films or digital images, mammography films, nuclear medicine scans, etc. Known methods for identifying and linking a patient's name, medical records, social security number and other patient information with the patient's study images and reports include linked computer file databases and physically associating patient data to the printed, numbered report and on the study images. However, associating study images and reports with the wrong patient is still common in the medical imaging practice. The liability for the patient and the practitioner as a result of associating study data with the wrong patient can be considerable. Liability can include misdiagnosing a significant medical condition, unnecessary surgery, repeated studies, psychological distress on the part of the patient and legal recourse against the medical practitioner. This can lead to insurance fraud or abuse in the event insurance payments and disability payments are made in reference to a medical imaging study purported to show a medical disability in the wrong individual. Given these and other shortcomings in the art, the need for certain new and useful improvements is evident.

Accordingly, it would be highly desirable to provide improved methods, systems and apparatus for linking patient identity with his or her health care provider, medical imaging studies and associated data gathered from the studies, and for linking patient identity to patient data as it is generated from medical imaging studies.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The above problems and others are at least partially solved and the above purposes and others are realized in improved methods, systems and apparatus for linking patient identity with his or her health care provider, medical imaging studies and associated data gathered from the studies, and for substantially contemporaneously linking patient identity to patient data as it is generated from medical imaging studies. In a particular embodiment the invention provides a method of linking medical information with the identity of a patient supplying the medical information, comprising the steps of collecting biometric data indicative of the identity of the patient, collecting medical information from the patient, and linking the biometric data with the medical information to form a report expressing the medical information and the biometric data. The steps of collecting biometric data and collecting medical information may occur substantially contemporaneously if desired. The step of collecting medical information may, however, occur subsequent to the step of collecting biometric data. The method may further include the step of storing the record to a data base of a computer in the form of a data file. To ensure the record concerns a specific patient, the method may further include the steps of recollecting biometric data indicative of the identity of the patient and comparing the re-collected biometric data with the biometric data of the report. A means of comparing the biometric data are described in a preferred embodiment of computerized means using low density encoding methods such as smart cards or specifically a two-dimensional bar code. An optional means of comparing the biometric data is described using visual means through line drawings.

The invention may also provide a system for linking medical information with the identity of a patient supplying the medical information comprising first apparatus for collecting biometric data indicative of the identity of the patient, second apparatus for collecting information from the patient, and third apparatus for linking the biometric data with the medical information and for forming and storing a report expressing the medical information and the biometric data. The first apparatus normally comprises a biometric scanner, and the third apparatus normally comprises a computer coupled or linked with the first and second apparatus in data communication.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and further and more specific objects and advantages of the instant invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description thereof taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:

Fig. 1A illustrates a flowchart of method steps for collecting patient biometric data and for linking the biometric data with patient medical records;

Fig. IB is a block diagram illustrating the steps involved for performing a medical imaging study on a patient wherein verification of patient identity in reference to the study is carried out in reference to various aspects of the study;

Fig. 2 illustrates a system for collecting biometric data from a patient;

Fig. 2A illustrates a demographic card bearing patient biometric data, the demographic card shown as it would appear received in a slot of a standard x-ray imaging device;

Fig. 3 illustrates a patient undergoing an imaging study while providing biometric data;

Fig. 4 illustrates a health-care professional comparing a line drawing of biometric data on a first image film to a line drawing of biometric data on a second image film;

Fig. 5 illustrates the illumination of two medical imaging films each having patient biometric data; and Fig. 6 illustrates a health-care professional comparing biometric data provided by a patient over a telephone link with biometric data on a film and on a report.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Ensuing embodiments of the invention comprise new and improved methods, systems and apparatus for linking human subject biometric data with his or her medical imaging studies, reports and other medical studies and reports containing information regarding medical examinations and procedures, studies and diagnostic findings concerning the human subject. Medical imaging studies, reports and other medical studies and reports containing information concerning medical conditions or observations of a human subject, whether stored in a computer data base or in hard copy form, may be classified under the ambit of medical reports.

Furthermore, linking the biometric data of a human subject with his or her medical reports in accordance with the invention prevents mismatching medical reports with the wrong patient or human subject.

One embodiment of the invention concerns a patient or human subject that requires an x-ray imaging study and a computerized tomography (CT) study. The equipment required to carry out the x-ray consists of standard radiological equipment that has been modified to accommodate the invention. To receive an x-ray examination, the patient may either proceed directly to the radiology department of the hospital or outpatient radiology center or register at the check-in desk prior to proceeding to the radiology department. The patient may initially register at the check-in counter by providing a biometric reading via a biometric scanner. The standard x-ray equipment can be modified by the addition of a biometric scanner and a computer and preferably a bar code scanner as will be later described. The biometric scanner or scanners may comprise one of a variety of conventional systems such as that available from the Ultra-Scan Corporation of Amherst, New York or SAC an system of SAC Technologies of Edina Minnesota, which comprises a biometric scanner linked by computer to a data gathering system of a chest x-ray apparatus. The biometric scanner can be one of a variety available on the market such as from Nippondenso of Japan or Symbol Technologies of Holtsville, New York.

In this instance, when a patient arrives at this chest x-ray apparatus, the radiology technician may instruct the patient, for instance, to place her forefinger onto the biometric scanner during the x-ray examination. The scanner takes or collects a biometric scan of the patient's fingerprint which is digitized and sent to a computer which is linked to a computerized data system.

This permits the radiology technician to link the fingerprint biometric scan to the x-ray study of the patient with the computer. Alternatively, the patient may register and provide a fingerprint biometric scan by the scanner located at the check-in desk. The patient may be provided with a demographic card bearing her fingerprint biometric scan or smart card data or data preferably in the form of a two-dimensional bar code. Such a demographic card is standard in the medical field and is utilized in standard plain film radiology for x- ray imprinting onto the x-ray film at the time of the x- ray study or examination. This imprinting occurs by placing the card into a slot of a film cassette corresponding to the portion of the film used to bear the patient's name as will be discussed in combination with Fig. 2A. As the x-ray exposure is made, the demographic card data is imprinted onto the x-ray film which, in accordance with the present invention, includes the patient's biometric data that, in this specific example, is provided in the form of a line drawing of the patient's fingerprint or preferably linked to a two-dimensional bar code as printed onto the card by a two-dimensional bar code printer. Such bar code equipment is manufactured by Nippondenso of Japan or Symbol Technologies of Holtsville, New York. In a specific example of the present invention, verification of a patient's identity occurs as radiological personnel compare, visually and/or with the computer system, the patient's biometric data on her demographic card with the biometric data at the time of the medical procedure or study or as linked to her medical or x-ray reports. This comparison may be carried out, for example, by the technician who compares the biometric data carried by the patient's demographic card and the biometric data taken by the scanner at the x-ray machine. Preferably the comparison can also be carried out electronically wherein the computer compares a bar code scan of the two-dimensional bar code on the card to the fingerprint data from the biometric scanner to verify the patient's identity. The card is scanned by the technician who may use a hand held bar code scanner, or preferably the card is automatically scanned by the apparatus linked bar code scanner when the card is placed into the film holder.

The biometric data can be linked in the computer to a data file of the imaging study and stored in a data base. The computer and its software and printer can be easily configured to print a hard copy of the imaging study having a biometric drawing or illustration or two- dimensional bar code of the biometric data of the patient that the imaging study concerns. Certainly the patient's name, address, social security number and other information may also be linked to, and printed on, the hard copy of the patient's imaging study and the computer data file of the imaging study.

After the x-ray or imaging examination, the patient may subsequently be directed to a CT suite for a CT study utilizing a standard medical imaging CT instrument. A biometric reading may be collected from the patient during or prior to the CT examination. In the present invention, the CT equipment is modified by the addition of a biometric scanner and a computer. The biometric scanner can be of several known types for collecting biometric data, for example, in the form of a fingerprint scan of the patient. To this end, the radiology CT technician, in accordance with a specific example of the invention, instructs the patient to rest on the CT scanner bed. During the initial phase of the

CT study, the technician instructs the patient to place the same finger as in the previous x-ray imaging study onto a biometric scanner that is linked to the CT equipment. The biometric scan taken from the patient is digitized, sent to a computer that is linked to the CT data gathering system and stored in a data base in the form of a data file. This data file is linked to receive the CT imaging study. As the study is done, the data of the imaging enters the data file and, as the study is completed, the patient's name, address, social security number and other standard information are linked to the data file as well.

In standard practice of the invention, when an imaging study of the patient is complete, the radiologist interprets the results by viewing the films. The films can be accessed from the computer and viewed on a computer screen, or printed from the computer and mounted or placed on a back lighted view box. The radiologist then typically dictates a report of medical findings. In accordance with the invention, the report is typed and linked to the imaging study either by a paper printout listing the study date and the patient's name, electronically to the data file, or both. It is envisioned that in each case cited above, i.e., for the x-ray film and for the CT film, a representation of the fingerprint biometric data, such as a line drawing of the whorls and lines of the fingerprint, will appear on the respective film via a computerized image. During his review of the films, the radiologist can inspect the line drawing visually for the purpose of patient identity verification. In this regard, when viewing several medical reports or studies believed to be from a single patient, the radiologist will be able to compare the line drawing fingerprint of the various films to ensure the films indeed concern the same patient. For instance, by superimposing the line drawing of one film over the line drawing of another film and than passing light through both films for viewing, the radiologist can compare the two line drawings to ensure they match.

An additional embodiment of the invention contemplates a method, system and apparatus for allowing a patient to re-enter her biometric data at a later date after, for instance, her radiological studies are complete. This may be accomplished by scanning a two- dimensional bar code representing biometric data collected from one study and then scanning the two- dimensional bar code from a second study, wherein a computer receives both bar code data and compares them to the database to confirm each study represents data regarding the same patient. Line drawings may also be used. This process will typically occur when the patient is to receive the results of her radiological study during, for instance, a telephone call to the referring physician or during a visit to the referring physician. By the present invention, the referring physician scans the two-dimensional bar code appearing on the report and the computer receives this data and compares to the database and to the input of biometric data from the patient to confirm that the report is from a study of the patient calling or visiting. Alternatively, where line drawings are used, a physician is enabled to confirm that the biometric line drawing on a paper report from the radiologist, or on the films, or on the computer screen displaying the study data image or report, match re-entered biometric data of the patient calling or visiting. This process can be accomplished by utilizing a biometric scanner linked to a computer which is linked to the data system containing the medical imaging reports. The patient calling or visiting, in this regard, places her finger onto the scanner which enables the physician to view a biometric line drawing from the scan of the patient at the time of the call or visit. The physician compares a printout or image of this line drawing or preferably a two- dimensional bar code scan with the biometric line drawing images associated with the medical imaging studies or reports. This comparison provides the health care provider with an exemplary means of verifying that the identity of the patient calling matches the identity of the patient evinced from the biometric line drawings on the medical imaging studies or reports.

The invention further envisions that the re-entered biometric data can be entered or collected from a telephone-linked station remote from a physician. A biometric scanner can be attached to a standard telephone line, a computer and a modem link established with the computer of the physician. By placing her finger on the biometric scanner, the patient's fingerprint biometric data may be entered and stored into her computer and transferred to the physician's computer over the modem link in an automated fashion using a computer system having software for comparing incoming biometric data to the biometric data linked to the data file in the computer. Such electronic comparison software is available, for example, in several manufacturers' systems such as the fingerprint scanner of Ultra-Scan Corporation of Amherst, New York, and the SACman system of SAC Technologies of Edina, Minnesota. In yet another embodiment, the biometric scan system utilized throughout the invention for imaging studies and associated later re-entry of patient biometric data may comprise the human eye iris scan system of IriScan Company of Marlton, New Jersey.

Because the iris can be scanned by this IriScan system from a distance, collecting biometric data from unconscious patients or from patients having a limited range of physical movement proves particularly easy. A rendering of the digitized iris data such as a two- dimensional bar code can be placed on the films, reports and in computer linked files for electronic comparison and printing.

The accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters indicate corresponding elements throughout the several views, illustrate the foregoing embodiments of the invention. Turning to Fig. 1A, shown is a block diagram illustrating the steps involved for performing medical imaging studies on the same patient at two different times as indicated by imaging Study A and subsequent imaging Study B. In each case, the subject patient first provides a biometric reading or data at 10 in Study A and at 11 in Study B via a biometric scanner. In Study A, the biometric data is downloaded or linked 12 to a data base in the form of a computer file. The patient then undergoes an imaging examination at 13, which images are then downloaded or linked 14 to a data base in the form of a computer file. The images and the patient's biometric data are then linked together at 15 in the form of a report which is either printed as a hard copy or stored on the computer in a data base in the form of a data or computer file at 16. After the patient provides biometric data at subsequent Study B, this biometric data is downloaded or linked 17 in the form of a digitized line drawing to a data base in the form of a computer file. The patient then undergoes an imaging examination at 18, and the images obtained are then downloaded or linked 19 to a computer file in a data base. The images and the patient's biometric data are then linked together at 20 in the form of a report and then either printed as a hard copy or stored on the computer to a computer file in a data base at 21. The medical practitioner is then able to compare 22 the biometric data associated with the images of Study A and the biometric data associated with the images of Study B to ensure the images concern the same patient.

Turning now to Fig. IB, shown is a block diagram illustrating the steps involved for performing a medical imaging study on a patient wherein verification of patient identity in reference to the study is carried out in reference to various aspects of the study. The subject patient X first provides a biometric reading at 211 and the reading is registered in the database linked to the patient name and demographics. The database computer causes a card to be printed at 215 which is given to patient X. Patient X then proceeds at 217 to the location of radiological equipment and personnel who will perform the study ordered by patient X' s referring physician Y for patient X. At this location, patient X provides at 219 the card to the technician. Patient X then provides at 221 another biometric reading using the same anatomic portion of patient X such as a fingerprint. The computer of the database compares the scan of the two-dimensional bar code of the card to the biometric reading. Where these are found to match the computer signals the technician at 223 that the study can proceed. The technician begins and completes the technical aspect of the study. The computer attached to the instrument compiles the study data at 225 and sends the data to the database for linking to patient X central file. The central computer then at 227 prints cards for the study including typically a unique study number often including for example a year designation such as 1999 and a sequential assigned numerical. The card is given to the radiologist assigned to interpret the study and at 229 the radiologist scans the two- dimensional bar code on the card. The central database receives the input from this scan and confirms the patient name and retrieves the study data and at 231 displays it on the radiologist's computer monitor for review. The radiologist dictates a report typically using a tape recording device and delivers the tape and one card for the study to the transcriptionist at 233. The transcriptionist scans the two-dimensional bar code on the card at 235 and the computer retrieves the datafile associated with the unique study number for the study. The computer displays the number on the monitor of the transcriptionist at 237 and the transcriptionist is then enabled to type into the file the dictation from the radiologist for the study interpretation. Subsequently, the radiologist scans the card another time at 239 and the computer in response displays the transcribed report on the radiologist's computer monitor at 241 for review, editing and signature. The computer receives and verifies the radiologist signature and then prints/electronically dispatches the report which is delivered at 243 to the referring physician Y. When the patient X visits the referring physician Y at 245 then the referring physician Y scans the two-dimensional bar code appearing on the report. This scan data is received by the central computer which prompts for the patient X to re-enter a biometric reading using the same anatomic area as previously such as for example a fingerprint. At 247 the patient X re-enters the biometric reading which reading is received by the central computer. The central computer compares the biometric reading from the report two-dimensional bar code to the biometric reading received from re-scan of the patient and where these match the computer signals the referring physician Y at 249 who then informs the patient of the results of the study.

Turning to Figs. 2 and 2A, shown is a patient 91 registering for an imaging examination by providing a biometric reading onto a fingerprint scanner 93 at a registration desk. By furnishing his drivers license 67 bearing a photograph, the patient registrar 110, who may wear a ring 111 having a memory storage device correlating with the registrar 110 biometric data, may document the patient's identity. Input device 109 suitable to receive data from the ring is linked to computer 95. The scanner 93 is linked by computer 95 to the information system of the radiology department and to a printer 96. The scan data is rendered onto a registration card 97 of the patient as a line drawing or smart card or preferably a two-dimensional bar code representation of his fingerprint. The biometric reading is electronically linked to that patient's registration data file in the computer and, for instance, to the set of orders for imaging studies from the patient's referring physician. The card may be subsequently placed into a slot 98 of the imaging film cassette 99 of, for instance, an x-ray machine. As the film for the x-ray image is exposed, the data on the card is imprinted onto the film, such as in rectangle 100 of the film. The card is used during exposure of the film during the imaging study and the image of the biometric line drawing or preferably a two-dimensional bar code representation of the patient is available to be viewed or, in the case of the two-dimensional bar code, scanned for comparison at the time of the imaging study .

In Fig. 3, shown is a patient 31 situated into an imaging apparatus linked to a biometric scan apparatus.

The imaging apparatus in Fig. 3 is a chest x-ray apparatus, although it may comprise another form of imaging apparatus. In accordance with the invention, the technician instructs the patient 31 to stand in front of the x-ray tube 33 of the imaging apparatus and to simultaneously place the same finger used for initial registration discussed in Fig. 2 onto the fingerprint scanner 35. A data file contained by computer 37 is linked to the data file of the study in computer 39 providing a single file. The film printer 36 prints both the film image and the fingerprint line drawing or preferably a two-dimensional bar code representation onto the film of the study 38 simultaneously.

During his examination, the patient may rest his finger on the scanner to provide a continuous biometric reading during the examination. This secondary or re- entered biometric reading may be converted by the computer into a line drawing 32 that the technician may print or view on the computer monitor 34 and compare with the line drawing or preferably a two-dimensional bar code representation from the card 97 during the patient's examination. This permits the technician to confirm that he is examining the right patient. In this embodiment, the invention contemplates that the patient provides a biometric reading during or immediately before the imaging examination. The scanner supplies the biometric reading to the computerized system that affixes the line drawing or preferably a two-dimensional bar code representation to the imaging film via a developer or printer. The computerized system may be programmed to prevent actuation of the imaging apparatus until after a biometric reading from the patient has been collected and compared with the biometric reading of the patient's card 97.

Turning now to Fig. 4, shown is a radiologist comparing the biometric data of two independent studies. The view box 40 shows a chest radiograph 41 and a biometric fingerprint line drawing 43 illuminated alongside a CT film study 44 bearing a biometric line drawing 45 for visual comparison. Optionally where the studies have two-dimensional bar codes, in that case with two-dimensional bar code scanners 47, the radiologist scans the two studies printed two- dimensional bar codes and the computer 95 compares these to confirm the studies are from the same patient and namely the patient identified by the name on the films. Alternatively, with a magnifying lens 47, the radiologist compares the shape and relationship of the fingerprint line drawing or preferably a two-dimensional bar code representation of the two films is scanned by the radiologist and the computer serves to verify that they represent biometric readings of the same patient. The radiologist may use a conventional voice recording apparatus 48 to record an interpretation indicating his verification procedure and medical conclusions regarding the imaging study. The transcriptionist of this recorded interpretation may type these findings into a file that the computer may be instructed or programmed to link with the patient's biometric data that may be rendered into a line drawing or preferably a two- dimensional bar code representation and printed onto the printout or hard copy of the transcribed report.

Regarding Fig. 5, shown is a health care provider 57 scanning first the two-dimensional bar code of study A and then the two-dimensional bar code study of study B to provide the computer an opportunity to match the two respective biometric codes to confirm the identity of the patient. Alternatively, the health care provider 57 may illuminate a film 58 of a CT study and a film 59 of a chest x-ray study. The area of film 58 bearing the biometric line drawing 61 of the patient studied is shown as it would appear overlying the biometric line drawing of film 59. With the films illuminated using a strong light, the provider may make a comparison of the line drawings to ensure and conclude that the two films concern the same patient. In this regard, a radiologist can scan two-dimensional bar code on material bearing representation of study A and scan then the two- dimensional bar code on material bearing representation of study B. The computer can then compare the data to confirm these studies are of the same person. Figure 6 illustrates a patient 81 telephoning a referring physician 84 for the purpose of receiving the results of a medical imaging study. The patient 81 is also shown with her finger on a scanner 83 linked to a computer and to a telephone 85. Telephone 85 is linked with the physician's telephone 89 via a modem link 87 which is in turn linked to the physician's computer 80. With her finger on the scanner 83, the patient 81 provides a biometric reading that is received by the physician's computer 80 over the modem link 87. When the biometric reading is received and stored into computer 80, the physician may, using the two- dimensional bar code scanner 47, scan the bar code on the report and on the film. The computer 80 compares the biometric reading from the patient over the modem to the biometric from the bar codes. Where the computer confirms a match, the physician delivers a verbal report of the medical findings to the patient. Alternatively, in the case of line drawings the physician may print a hard copy or printout of a line drawing 71 of the patient's current biometric reading of her fingerprint which the physician may compare to the biometric line drawing 76 of a film 73 located on a viewbox 78 and to the biometric line drawing 82 on a medical report 79 to ensure they each match and therefore concern patient 81. After the physician has verified that all the line drawings match or preferably after scanning the two- dimensional bar code of the report and having the computer match that data to the input of biometric data from the telephone, he may then deliver a verbal report of his medical findings to patient 81. Therefore, during the telephone conference with patient 81, the physician may compare the current biometric data from the patient 81 with images and medical reports to ensure the images and medical reports concern medical data of the patient 81. Consistent with this discussion, health care provider 84 could be a radiology records custodian. In this regard, comparison of the caller' s current biometric data may be used to enable the custodian to accept authorization to release the caller's records, for instance, for dispatch to an outside facility.

The foregoing embodiments and applications of the invention may be applicable to various types of imaging and medical studies such as ultrasound imaging, magnetic resonance imaging and other types of plain film imaging, nuclear medicine imaging, mammography, etc. The invention also contemplates that in a partially or completely digitized system, biometric images may be viewed and interpreted from a computer screen. Digitized medical images stored in a computer may be linked and compared with medical reports and other imaging reports. Consistent with the teachings of the invention, a computer system may be programmed to automatically compare stored biometric data of patient medical reports. The teachings of the invention may also be used with fluoroscopy, stereotactic biopsy procedures including breast biopsy procedures, angiography, mammotome breast biopsies, solid organ image directed biopsies, medico-legal evidence where a medical imaging study is offered as evidence of patient injury or of provider participation in an imaging study, etc. Each medical study procedure may be divided into several steps including at least registration, technical, professional, clerical, legal, recording, release, review, billing steps. The invention herein disclosed provides the medical personnel a means to verify the identity of a patient in reference to each aspect or step of the study prior to or after that step occurs. For example, when a radiologist wishes to correlate results over time on one patient, the present invention is useful. Such a radiologist will review the transcribed report of a patient as it appears, for example, in a printed page. With the invention, that radiologist may scan the two-dimensional bar code representing the fingerprint biometric data of that patient on a printed page. That radiologist then may scan a second report two-dimensional bar code wherein the second report is purported to be a follow-up study. The computer linked to the bar code scanner analyzes the two reports' bar code data and confirms a match thereby confirming that the second report and the first refer to the same patient. The confirmation may optionally be displayed on the computer screen with demographic data and study data such as date of study, radiology technical personnel involved, radiology professional personnel involved, equipment utilized, and other pertinent information or comments. In particular, with regard to the medical personnel involved in a medical study within the scope of this invention, it is also envisioned to provide these personnel a means to readily identify themselves during their respective involvement with the study. This can be accomplished by having the medical personnel provide a biometric scan in the manner similar to the manner the patient provides a biometric scan. The computer database including a biometric scan as identification of each personnel authorized to participate in a study searches the database when receiving an input of a personnel biometric scan and where a match is found records that personnel identity linked to time, date and study data file. Patient biometric data may also be computer-searched for allowing easy access and accurate compilation of specific patient medical files.

In order to provide these medical personnel a more expeditious means to associate in the computer with a medical task, each personnel are envisioned to wear a ring on the finger wherein the ring has a memory storage device and the memory storage device contains the code of the personnel wearing the ring and the ring has a means of data transfer. Examples of such rings include the Java ring produced by SunLabs of Palo Alto, California, and the I-button from Dallas Semiconductors. Typically, this ring when the personnel A places the ring in proximity to a scanner location then receives from the ring the personnel A' s data. The scanner is connected to a computer of the system herein disclosed. The computer may identify the personnel directly from ring stored data alone or preferably compares biometric data identifying Personnel A received from the ring to the biometric data input contemporaneously by personnel A via a biometric scanner also connected to a computer of the system. The computer compares code input from the ring to the code input from the biometric scanner. This comparison is a one to one comparison rather than a search of all personnel biometric data in the database. Where the ring input data and the biometric scanner input data match then medical personnel A is identified and the system computer links personnel A to the task at hand in this case a medical imaging study. This also ensures personnel A is the individual wearing Personnel A' s ring. Where the personnel is not authorized to perform the study or operate the imaging instrument, the computer optionally prevents the study by deactivating the instrument. Optionally, the patient may be given a ring of similar nature wherein the patient biometric data is encoded into the ring memory storage. In this circumstance, the patient ring input and patient biometric scanner reading are compared one on one by the computer to verify identity of patient for the purposes herein disclosed.

The present invention has been described above with reference to preferred embodiments. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that changes and modifications may be made in the described embodiments without departing from the nature and scope of the present invention. Various changes and modifications to the embodiment herein chosen for purposes of illustration will readily occur to those skilled in the art. For example, the invention herein disclosed is envisioned to be applicable to containers of biopsy specimens from patients with the biometric two- dimensional bar code label on the container and then placed as labels on the associated requisitions and subsequent microscopic slides prepared from that biopsy and on the report. Also envisioned using the invention is the sorting of medical reports that include graphical representation such as electrocardiograms, respiratory studies, tread mill studies, intra-operative reports, comparisons of variations in medical parameters over time and the like. To the extent that such modifications and variations do not depart from the spirit of the invention, they are intended to be included within the scope thereof which is assessed only by a fair interpretation of the following claims.

Having fully described the invention in such clear and concise terms as to enable those skilled in the art to understand and practice the same, the invention claimed is:

Claims

1. A method of linking medical information with the identity of a patient comprising the steps of: collecting biometric data indicative of the identity of an individual; collecting medical study data indicative of the medical conditions of a patient; and linking said study data and said biometric data to a data file in a computerized database.

2. A system comprising a computer database of biometric readings suitable for comparison to a patient biometric reading.

3. An apparatus comprising a medical imaging instrument linked with a biometric device and a computer database of biometric readings.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said apparatus serves to facilitate a link between a patent name, a biometric reading a medical imaging study.

5. An electronic system for sorting medical data wherein a first set of study data describing the medical condition of a first patient is biometrically associated with a second set of study data further describing the medical condition of said patient.

6. An apparatus comprising a medical device linked to a computer wherein said computer is enabled to receive data from a ring worn on the finger.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said medical device performs medical studies

8. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said medical device is operated by personnel who are identified at least in part from data stored in the memory storage of the ring.

9. A method of linking medical information with the identity of a patient supplying the medical information, comprising the steps of: collecting biometric data indicative of the identity of the patient; collecting medical information from the patient; and linking the biometric data with the medical information to form a report expressing the medical information and the biometric data.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the steps of collecting biometric data and collecting medical information occur substantially contemporaneously.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of collecting medical information occurs subsequent to the step of collecting biometric data.

12. The method of claim 9, further including the step of storing the record.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of storing the record further includes the step of storing the record to a data base.

14. The method of claim 9, further including the step of ensuring the record concerns the patient.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of ensuring further includes the steps of: re-collecting biometric data indicative of the identity of the patient; and comparing the re-collected biometric data with the biometric data of the report.

16. A method of generating a report of a patient and of ensuring the report concerns the patient, comprising the steps of: collecting biometric data from the patient; collecting medical information from the patient; linking the biometric data with the medical information to form a report expressing the medical information and the biometric data; re-collecting biometric data from the patient; and comparing the re-collected biometric data with the biometric data of the report.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the steps of collecting biometric data and collecting medical information occur substantially contemporaneously.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the step of collecting medical information occurs subsequent to the step of collecting biometric data.

19. The method of claim 16, further including the step of storing the record.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the step of storing the record further includes the step of storing the record to a data base.

21. The method of claim 16, wherein the steps of recollecting biometric data and comparing occur subsequent to the step of linking the biometric data with the medical information to form a report.

22. A system for linking medical information with the identity of a patient supplying the medical information, comprising: first apparatus for collecting biometric data indicative of the identity of the patient; second apparatus for collecting information from the patient; and third apparatus for linking the biometric data with the medical information and for forming and storing a report expressing the medical information and the biometric data.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the first apparatus comprises a biometric scanner.

24. The system of claim 22, wherein the third apparatus comprises a computer coupled with the first and second apparatus .

25. A method of authorizing release of medical information which includes a step of collecting biometric data from a patient.