U.S. patent number 3,921,318 [Application Number 05/325,943] was granted by the patent office on 1975-11-25 for body-carried medical history card.
Invention is credited to Anthony Calavetta.
United States Patent |
3,921,318 |
Calavetta |
November 25, 1975 |
Body-carried medical history card
Abstract
A body-carried medical history card has a visible indicia
bearing portion with identification data and critical medical data
and has a medical record microfilm bearing portion with one or more
strips of laterally connected microfilm frames of a self-proofed
medical history. Visible indicia and microfilm frames are
integrally formed as images in a thick piece of film which is
carried on the person of the subject of the medical data. The card
is made by reducing identified and certified medical history pages
and producing a strip of microfilm frames of those pages. A jacket
having an opaque area is printed with visible indicia such as the
identification of the person and critical medical data taken from
the medical history pages. The microfilm is fitted in a sleeve
within the jacket and a heavy diazo film is exposed through the
jacket using ultraviolet light. The heavy film is then developed
with visible indicia and microfilm images produced within the film
spaced from edges and surfaces. A backing is added, and the visible
indicia are read against the backing. A magnetic tape is added for
storing machine readable information. In a dog tag size card, the
microfilm frames are arranged in a substantially square area in the
tag-card, and a hole for receiving a body member encircling chain
penetrates the visible indicia bearing portion.
Inventors: |
Calavetta; Anthony (Honolulu,
HI) |
Family
ID: |
23270105 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/325,943 |
Filed: |
January 22, 1973 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
40/626; 40/628;
235/493; 283/75; 283/76; 283/82; 283/85; 283/900 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B42D
25/45 (20141001); B42D 25/00 (20141001); B42D
25/318 (20141001); B42D 25/351 (20141001); G06K
19/06046 (20130101); B42D 25/309 (20141001); B42D
25/28 (20141001); B42D 25/42 (20141001); B42D
2035/08 (20130101); B42D 25/47 (20141001); B42D
2033/16 (20130101); B42D 2035/44 (20130101); B42D
25/485 (20141001); Y10S 283/90 (20130101); B42D
2033/22 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B42D
15/10 (20060101); G06K 19/06 (20060101); G09F
003/02 () |
Field of
Search: |
;40/2.2,158,158B,135
;283/7 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Rein; Melvin D.
Assistant Examiner: Contreras; Wenceslao J.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Wray; James C.
Claims
I claim:
1. A medical history identification card comprising a body-carried
generally rectangular unitary integrally formed card having a human
visually readable visible indicia bearing first portion, visible
indicia photographically disposed in the first portion, and having
a medical record microfilm bearing integrally formed second
integral portion and medical microfilm records photographically
disposed in the second portion, wherein the medical record
microfilm bearing portion is recessed from outer surfaces of the
visible indicia bearing portion, whereby visible indicia on the
card are immediately accessible for information to its bearer,
medical personnel and others, and wherein medical records are
immediately available to medical personnel having microfilm readers
and printers, and whereby bearer indicia and microfilm records are
concurrently affixed for avoiding erroneously entered data.
2. The medical history card of claim 1 wherein the visible indicia
bearing portion occupies a relatively large section of the unitary
integrally formed film card and wherein the medical microfilm
record bearing portion occupies a relatively small section of the
card.
3. The medical history card of claim 1 wherein the visible indicia
bearing portion occupies an upper two-thirds of a wallet-size
unitary integrally formed film card and wherein the medical history
microfilm portion occupies a lower third of the wallet-size
card.
4. The medical history card of claim 1 wherein the card is a
photographic flat film with visibly legible indicia disposed as
photographic images within the film and wherein medical microfilm
records are integrally formed as photographic images within the
film.
5. The medical history card of claim 4 wherein the photographic
images are spaced inward from outer walls of the film.
6. The medical history card of claim 4 further comprising a backing
coating overlying a back side of the visible indicia bearing
portion, whereby photographic image indicia may be read against the
background of the coating.
7. The medical history card of claim 1 further comprising a
magnetic tape strip on a rear surface thereof parallel to one
elongated edge of the card in an area on a back of the first
portion.
8. The medical history card of claim 1 wherein the medical
microfilm bearing portion comprises a plurality of microfilm frames
integrally formed and photo graphically imposed in the card in
side-by-side arrangement positioned in a strip parallel to a
longitudinal edge of the unitary card.
9. The medical history card of claim 1 further comprising a hole in
the visible indicia bearing portion for affixing a neck-encircling
chain and a clamping slot in an edge near the hole, and wherein the
medical record microfilm bearing portion comprises a generally
square portion, whereby the device is configured and is carried as
a dog tag.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
One experiences many occasions for the immediate need of detailed
medical records. In emergency situations, there is no summary for
detailed medical histories which can readily supply critical data
concerning histories, allergies, specific diseases and other
information which medical personnel need to know. The availability
of such data often means the difference between life and serious
injury or death. When someone is critically injured, unconscious,
or in a coma, detailed medical background is essential. Without
such background, dangerous treatments may be avoided or may be
undertaken on a balance of risk basis. Rare blood types,
potentially dangerous allergies or unseen medical problems are
extremely important when emergency treatment is required. It is
important that one treating a patient know of general medical
problems, medicines or drugs taken regularly, drug allergy and
reaction and other non-critical but essential information. Wearing
of dentures, contact lenses, immunizations and dates are extremely
important.
When one visits a new doctor, or seeks treatment in clinics or
hospitals, it may take from about 15 minutes to an hour or more to
fill out forms and questionnaires, to check sources and facts and
to check the accuracy and completeness of details. Often it is
necessary to check with doctors and other clinics to insure
completeness.
Heretofore no body-carried card has been provided with the complete
medical history and records of persons and with alerts to possible
dangerous problems and conditions of the persons.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a product to eliminate the existing
problems of general inavailability of medical records at critical
times and at times requiring use. Medical history record cards of
the present invention are provided in the form of wallet-sized
cards with a large area which contains visually accessible
information and with another area which contains microfilm records
which are usable on conventional microfilm readers and
printers.
In another form of the invention, the microfilm medical history
records are mounted in dog tags which carry visible indicia, such
as the name and serial number of the bearer.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the microfilm frames
are mounted side by side in one or more rows. The microfilm images
are deeply embedded in the cards to prevent their destruction or
reduction in legibility.
In one embodiment of the invention, microfilm images and images of
visible indicia are produced deep within the body of a heavy-duty
film which comprises the chief substance of the card. In another
embodiment of the invention, heavy-duty microfilm images are
mounted within recessed areas of a card and are completely
outwardly surrounded by thicknesses of the card which carry visible
indicia.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, multiple side-by-side
arranged frames of microfilm are oriented parallel to an elongated
edge of the card. The frames occupy one strip along the card, and
the remainder of the card is devoted to visually accessible
indicia. The latter contains information on the identification of
the card bearer and unique and important medical features such as
diseases, allergies and conditions. When the card is configured for
carrying as a dog tag, a hole is provided in the indicia bearing
portion for inserting a neck-surrounding chain. Usually, the
microfilm frames are arranged in two rows of three frames in a
generally square recessed area within the tag. Either the entire
visual indicia bearing portion is enlarged and reinforced, or the
part immediately surrounding the neck chain opening is
strengthened.
In a preferred form of constructing the unique card, a card bearer
personally fills out information on presupplied medical history
forms and inserts his identification or his identification number,
such as his social security number on each side of each page of the
form and signs each side after carefully proofing the information
contained thereon. The forms are then mailed to a central location,
where the forms are photographed and reduced, producing a
continuous strip of microfilm having several side-by-side frames.
At the same time, identification from the medical records and
critical medical information which is taken from a particular part
of the history form are typed on an opaque or frosted area of a
film strip receiving jacket. The film strip is carefully matched
with the jacket, when inserting the stip in a sleeve along a bottom
edge of the jacket. The entire assembly is placed against a heavy
duty, relatively thick diazo film, and the film is exposed to
ultraviolet light. Upon developing the film, a card is formed. A
coating material, such as a lacquer or spray, brush or roller
applied paint, may be applied to a rear side of the film card to
provide a background for the visually accessible images. A
reinforcing overlay may be provided, and signature strips and
magnetic information coding strips may be added to the rear of the
card.
The coating material which is applied to the card may be applied in
the form of a printed sheet, which is laminated, such as by bonding
to the film card back on the portion which bears the visual
indicia.
The card or dog tag is provided with attention drawing colors and
words to aid in its recognition. When a wallet size card is in use,
items of body or clothing adornment may call attention to its
presence.
One object of the present ivention is the provision of a
body-carried microfilm medical record card.
Another object of this invention is the provision of a body-carried
medical record microfilm card having microfilm frames arranged in a
side-by-side strip parallel to one edge of the card and having
visible bearer identification indicia and critical medical
information on a contiguous portion of the card.
Another object of the invention is the provision of a body-carried
medical record card having microfilm frames developed as images
within a film and having visible indicia developed as images within
the same film.
Another object of the invention is the provision of a body-carried
medical record card having microfilm medical records embodied in a
card and having visible medical records embodied in a card and
having visible indicia embodied in another portion of the card,
with a backing coating behind the visible indicia and with a
magnetic tape strip on the card for receiving and holding magnetic
coded data.
Another object of the invention is the provision of a dog tag which
a reinforced visible indicia bearing portion having a hole for
receiving a neck chain and having a recessed microfilm bearing
portion for carrying medical records on a body.
Another object of the invention is the provision of a method for
making a body-carried medical record card comprising photographing
and reducing proofed and signed records on pre-determined forms,
printing identification and medical problem data on a jacket,
inserting microfilm bearing the medical record in a pocket on the
jacket, placing the jacket adjacent a diazo film having substantial
thickness, exposing the film through the jacket and developing the
film as a body-carried card.
These and other objects and features of the invention are apparent
in the disclosure, which includes the drawings and the foregoing
and ongoing specification with its claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an elevation of a body-carried microfilm medical record
card.
FIG. 2 is a detail of microfilm and visual indicia images within
the card which is shown in side elevation.
FIG. 3 is a detail of a card constructed according to FIG. 1 and
having a rear coating over the visual indicia bearing portion of
the card and having a magnetic tape strip on the card.
FIG. 4 is an elevation of a second embodiment of a card having more
than one row of side-by-side microfilm frames.
FIG. 5 is an elevational representation of a dog tag modification
of the card.
FIG. 6 is a schematic representative of the steps in producing the
body-carried microfilm medical record card shown in FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
With reference to FIG. 1, a body-carried microfilm medical record
card is generally indicated by the numeral 1. The card has a visual
indicia bearing portion 2 on which printed identification 4, such
as name, address, telephone number and social security number is
indicated, and critical medical information 6, which are readily
accessible to an observer of the card. A microfilm medical record
bearing portion 8 of the card contains frames of microfilm medical
records 10 arranged in side-by-side position parallel to one
longitudinal edge 12 of the card. For redundant checking, each
frame 10 contains the full name of the person as well as his
signature.
As shown in FIG. 2, the card 1 is constructed as an integral piece
of film with visual indicia images 14 and microfilm images 16 in
the interior of the transparent film card, extended inward from the
front surface 18 and spaced inward from rear face 20.
As shown in FIG. 3, the rear face 20 is coated at the upper visual
indicia bearing portion 2 with a coating 22 which highlights the
visual indicia and promotes their legibility through the front face
of card 1. Coating 22 may be a sprayed, brushed or rolled-on
settable liquid coating or may be an etched on otherwise frosted
surface or may be a treated sheet which is self adhered or
otherwise laminated to rear face 20 of card 1. Printing may be
carried on the coating 22 to indicate general or particular
information concerning the card or its bearer.
As shown in the drawing, coating 22 has an adhesive back 24 which
sticks to card 1 in a permanent manner. Coating 22 may have a
frosted signature area 28 which carries a signature, indicating
that the information supplied on the card is correct and
authorizing its use in any situation.
A magnetic tape strip 26 is adhered to card 1 or its coating 22 to
hold magnetically coded data concerning the patient, such as
identifying the location of his records.
In the modification shown in FIG. 4, two parallel lines 30 of
microfilm frames 10 are incorporated in a single card 32. The upper
indicia bearing portion 34 of the card may be smaller than the
lower microfilm medical record bearing portion 36.
A dog tag modification of the invention is shown in FIG. 5. Dog tag
40 has a strong, relatively thick visual indicia bearing portion 42
which encircles the periphery of the card. A generally square
microfilm medical record bearing portion 44 has two rows 46, each
having three side-by-side frames 10 of medical records. The visual
indicia bearing portion 42 has a hole 48 for receiving a neck
encircling chain. Dog tag 40 is completed by a conventional
clamping slot 49.
With reference to FIG. 6, a process for producing the body-carried
microfilm medical record card is described. A bearer personally
completes a group of supplied medical history forms 50, printing
his name on line 52 and signing the form on line 54 on each page.
The history forms are mailed to a central processing area where
they are reduced to a continuous strip 56 of side-by-side microfilm
frames 10. A jacket 58 is printed with identification 62 taken from
the form and critical medical information 64 taken from a
predetermined area of the form. Microfilm strip 56 is slid into
pocket 66 of jacket 58, and the jacket is placed against a thick
rectangular card 68 of diazo film. The film 68 is exposed through
jacket 58 in an exposing device 70. Exposed film 72 is passed into
developer 74, and microfilm medical record card 1 emerges. The
visual indicia receiving portion 2 carries identification
information 4 and critical medical information 6. The microfilm
bearing portion 8 carries the adjacent frames 10 of the medical
histories.
While this invention has been described with specific reference to
example, it will be obvious to one skilled in the art that
modifications and variations may be contstructed without departing
from the spirit and scope of the invention. The scope of the
invention is defined in the following claims.
* * * * *