More particularly, the invention relates to a compact disk having medical information stored thereon wherein this compact disk is shaped similar to a credit card.

According to experts, between 44, 000 and 98, 000 patients in U. S. hospitals die from mistakes made by medical professionals. These mistakes, or hospital errors, make this category the eighth leading cause of death ahead of traffic accidents, breast cancer and AIDS.

2. Description of the Prior Art Thus, there would be a great benefit to a user to have a medical information card to present to a medical care provider in a hospital to out down on hospital mistakes.

Medical information cards are known in the art. For example, U. S. Patent No.

6, 021, 393 to Honda et al. discloses a medical information management system using a portable memory card. The portable memory card stores the patient's medical data allowing his medical history to be readily available to treating physicians. The use of an optical card provides for storage of a large amount of information on a card that can fit into the patient's wallet.

U. S. Patent Nos. 5,481,519 and 5, 461, 719 to Hosoya disclose a method for recording, reproducing and managing file data on a recording medium and a method for recording and reproducing infbmiation on a recording medium in accordance with parameters stored in memory to allow sectors of different data capacities to collectively exist.

U. S. Patent No. 5,651,067 to Ahrens et al. discloses a storage and selective

information transmission system for personal data.

U. S. Patent No. 4,868,373 to Opheij et al. discloses a memory card comprising an optical memory disc and microelectronic memory component, and apparatus for transferring information to and from such card.

U. S. Patent No. 4,996,681 to Cocco et al. discloses an integral card for protectively enclosing an optical disk and a visual information hearing area.

U. S. Patent No. 5,923,018 to Kameda et al. discloses a medical care schedule and record aiding system, a medical care schedule and record aiding method, and a program storage device readable by the system. This patent discloses a database type program for managing medical records and information.

While the prior art has shown a medical information card having electronic medical information stored thereon, the prior artX. not shown a medical information card that contains the picture of the individual along with the card. In addition, the prior art has not shown the use of a miniature compact disc shaped similar to a credit card for storing this medical information. Finally, the prior art has not shown using this miniature compact disk in combination with a plastic sheath and a personal information sheet having personal and medical information of the user printed thereon.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a medical information Compact Disc (CD) that contains medical information about the user. Disposed on a front face of this medical information CD is a label that contains personal information and may optionally contain the user's photograph, or the user's social security number. This medical information CD is essentially a miniature compact disk that has similar dimensions to a credit card. In

addition, this medical information CD can be inserted into a plastic sheath along with a medical information sheet containing information about the user.

There is also a system and a process for creating this medical CD. The system comprises a computer network that contains a server connected to a general computer network such as the Internet or an intranet. Connected to this general computer network is a series of remote computers wherein the user logs into these remote computers and enters information into these remote computers and sends this information to the server. The server can then electronically transfer this information to a fulfillment house. The fulfillment house can also be used to create the medical CD wherein the fulfillment house downloads information onto the medical CD from the compact disk and then verifies this information. Finally, this medical CD is placed inside the plastic sheath along with a medical information sheet and this package is shipped to the user.

In a second embodiment of the process according to the invention, users can also complete a paper-based application and then mail this application to a receiving facility which either enters this information into the server or sends this information onto the fulfillment house where this information is organized and entered into a computer where it is then ultimately transferred to a miniature compact disk.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings which disclose several embodiments of the present invention. It should be understood, however, that the drawings are designed for the purpose of illustration only and not as a definition of the limits of the invention.

In the drawings wherein similar reference characters denote similar elements

throughout the several views: FIG. 1A shows a front view of the medical information CD; FIG. 1B shows a back view of the medical information CD; FIG. 2A shows a second embodiment of the medical information CD; FIG. 2B shows a third embodiment of the medical information CD; FIG. 2C shows a fourth embodiment of the medical information CD ; FIG. 3 shows a computer network that can be used for carrying out a process for putting electronic medical information on the CD; FIG. 4 shows a simplified process for creating the medical information CD over a computer network; FIG. 5 shows a more complex process for creating the medical information CD over a computer network; FIG. 6 shows a first web page for receiving personal information relating to a user; FIG. 7 shows a second web page for receiving medical information from a user; FIG. 8 shows a third web page for receiving medical information from a user; FIG. 9 shows a first application page for the second embodiment of the process;

FIG. 10 shows a second application page for the second embodiment of the process; FIG. 11 shows a third application page for the second embodiment of the process; and FIG. 12 shows fourth application page for the second embodiment of the process.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring in detail to the drawings, FIG. 1A shows a front side view of medical information Compact Disc (CD) 10, which is shaped similar to a credit card. Medical information CD 10 is essentially miniaturized compact disk that contains medical information.

CD 10 has a smaller diameter 12 than a standard compact disk and flattened sides 14 to keep this disk in a substantially rectangular shape. Disposed on front face 20, of card 10, is a label 22 which contains personal identification information. This label is affixed to card 10 so that the information disposed on card 10 is not attributed to another user. This personal identification information can include the name, address and telephone number of the user, and optionally his or her social security number and a digitized photograph of the user. With this personal identification information, if a user is unconscious in a hospital, a medical professional can either match the photograph of the user on CD 10 with the unconscious user, or match CD 10 with the user by asking friends or associates of the user the user's name, address and telephone number.

FIG. 2A shows a medical CD package 25 comprising a medical CD 10, having a label 22 fixed to a front face of CD 10, and a medical information sheet 30 being inserted into a plastic sheath 40. Plastic sheath 40 contains a first flap 42 and a second flap 44 wherein card 10 and medical information sheet 30 are inserted between both flaps for protection. Once this medical CD package 25 has been created, it is shipped to a user.

FIG. 2B shows a third embodiment of the invention wherein with this embodiment, there is a holder 70 that is designed to receive card 10 in a slot 72. Holder 70 contains a first slot 72 and a second slot 74. First slot 72 can be used to receive CD 10 while second slot 74 can be used to receive medical information such as a user's health insurance card, or any other style card.

FIG. 2C is a further embodiment of the invention wherein with this design, there is a smart card 80 which has a first slit 82, for receiving card 10. In addition, smart card 80 may include a smart chip 86. Smart chip 86 can include additional information such as the user's health insurance information, biometric information, DNA scans, or any other type of information. Essentially, smart chip 86 could be used as a backup for disk 10 if disk 10 becomes damaged.

A computer network can be used to allow a user to enter information onto a server which is then used to create both medical information CD 10 and medical information sheet 30.

FIG. 3 shows a computer network 100 for performing the process for creating medical identification CD 10. In this computer network 100 is a server 110 that comprises a processor 112, a mass storage 114 and a memory 116. Processor 112 could be formed from a processor manufactured by the Intel Corporation or Advanced Micro Devices Corporation (AMD) or any other type processor manufacturer. This processor 112 runs a program 101 that sets forth a series of steps shown in Figs. 4 and 5.

Program 101 comprises a series of steps and provides instructions to processor 112 to perform a series of sequential or non sequential steps. Information generated or associated with program 101 can then be stored on mass storage 114, and then loaded into a resident memory 116. Both processor 112, the mass storage 114 and memory 116 are all interconnected so that all three components run together on server 110.

Program 101 can either be stored in mass storage 114, or imported to server 110 from another computer network 100. Server 110 is connected to a general computer network such

as the Internet 120 which also connects to a series of remote computers 130. Computer network 100 could be associated with either the Internet 120 or the intranet system which includes either additional servers of additional remote computers. In this case, server 110 differs from remote computer 130 in that server 110 acts as a central store for communication between remote computers. Computer 130 is connected to computer network 100 on a client server basis wherein remote computer 130 is a client of server 110.

In this case, program 101 could be stored in mass storage 114 or imported into server 110 wherein it would load into memory 116. From memory 116, program 101 would then communicate with processor 112, so that processor 112 would perform a series of steps shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. In addition, there is also a series of web pages shown in FIGS. 6-8 wherein these web pages can either be stored in mass storage 114 or imported from another computer on computer network 100. These web pages contain a set of questions for gathering information or data that is either generated by program 101 or web pages that work along with program 101 to perform either a series of functions, or provide a series of solutions. The data associated with these web pages are loaded into memory 116 and then manipulated or altered by processor 112 to either create new sets of data tables or change the values of the data in an original set of tables, or simply remain the same data in those tables. Once program 101 is uploaded into processor 112, program 101 performs a series of steps as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

FIG. 4 shows a simplified process for creating the medical information CD while FIG.

5 shows a more complex process for creating the medical information CD. In this process, there is a series of steps starting with step 201 wherein a user receives an application for medical history over the computer network on a screen on remote computer 130. The user completes this application by inserting data into a series of fields shown in FIGS. 6, 7, and 8. More particularly, as shown in FIG. 5, step 202 comprises a series of sub steps wherein step 202A comprises entering personal identification information, step 202B comprises entering emergency contact information, step 202C comprises entering personal medical history information, step 202D comprises entering family medical history, step 202E comprises entering the user's physician's name and contact information, step 202F comprises entering the name and

identification information of the user's insurance carrier and step 202G comprises entering in a digital photograph of the user, a digitized photo of the user's DNA profile and biometric information relating to the user's thermoprint or fingerprint.

For example, in step 202A the user must enter his or her name, address, and telephone number, but the user also has the option of entering his or her email address, and his or her social security number. As shownin FIG. 5, in step 202B the user would then enter the name, address and telephone number of an emergency contact person who should be reached if the user has been gravely injured. At this step, the user can also enter information relating to the user's living will, health care proxy, as well as the user's interest in organ donation.

In step 202C the user enters the name and telephone number of his or her primary care physician and can then optionally leave additional contact information for a backup primary care physician to call if the primary care physician listed cannot be reached. The user can also enter information for medical specialists and the user's desire for alternative medicines.

In step 202D the user enters his or her medical insurance carrier information such as the name of the insurance carrier, the policy number and the group number. With this information there can be included direct dial telephone numbers stored in the database on this disk wherein the phone numbers for medical professionals, insurance claim phone numbers so that any medical professional handling a case involving the user could directly dial any other primary care physician or medical specialist for further consultation. In addition, to process the physician's and the user's claims faster, the direct dialing phone numbers can be used to contact the referenced insurance companies to submit the appropriate claims. This information may also include insurance claim forms with an electronic link to the user's health insurance company.

In step 202E the user has the option to enter his or her family medical history such as whether the user's family has a history of heart attacks, cancer, diabetes, or any other type of heredity based disease.

In step 202F the user has the option to enter in his or her habits, blood type, allergies, diagnostic testing history such as X-rays, CT Scans, MRIs, an electrocardiogram (EKG), a EMG/NCV and blood tests, or history of medical treatments such as bronchitis, ulcer or sciatica as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.

In step 202G the user can upload into the system or mail in a digital picture of the user so that this picture can be associated with this medical information. This picture could then be used to associate this background medical information with a particular patient and cut down on any mistakes associated with medical information or history applied to the wrong patient. In addition, a photograph of the user's DNA profile can be entered into the system. This photograph can be scanned and then attached to each user's profile. This system would provide a list of tabs that would allow users the ability to scan this information in and then provide a DNA analysis and then scan this DNA profile into the system. At this step biometric information related to the user such as a photograph of him/herself, thumbprint or fingerprint or a biometric rendering in digital code of the thumbprint or fingerprint.

Finally, in step 202H the user can save a voice narration of the user's medical history wherein this information can be available in multiple languages. There can also be a text copy of this information using voice recognition software which provides a text print out of the user's recorded voice.

Once all of this information has been entered into remote computer 130 and transmitted to server 110, in step 203, this information is stored on server 110 and then, in step 204 sent to a fulfillment house. A fulfillment house is essentially a data input company that either inputs data or transforms data into a preset format. For example in step 205, this information is either transformed into a readable data file or keyed into a database wherein the information is stored as a data file that can be easily read by a personal computer. Next, in step 206, this information is validated so that an operator at the fulfillment house checks the information that was originally entered by the user in step 202 with the final data product created in step 205.

Next, if the fulfillment house cannot transcribe this information onto a miniature compact disk, in step 208, the fulfillment house transfers this information to a standard compact disk. Next, in step 210 the fulfillment house sends this information on a standard compact disk to a compact disk manufacturer. In step 214, the compact disk manufacturer then transposes this information onto a miniature compact disk and then in step 216 the compact disk manufacturer validates the information stored on the miniature compact disk with the information stored on the original compact disk.

Next, in step 218, the compact disk manufacturer mails this disk back to the fulfillment house. In step 220, the fulfillment house verifies this data and then the fulfillment house may in step 222, apply a special label to the miniature compact disk wherein this label includes personal identification information relating to that user. Next, in step 224, this compact disk is packaged with a medical information sheet and placed in a plastic sheath for mailing. In step 226, the medical information card including the compact disk, the medical information sheet and the plastic sheath are mailed with a letter thanking the user for purchasing the medical information card. Finally, in step 228 the information is retained on the server whereby this information can be updated by the user to produce an updated medical information CD at a later date.

Now the user has a medical information CD in the form of a mini compact disk that can be read by most personal computers. Because this information is stored on a miniaturized compact disk, shaped similar to a credit card, this information can be easily carried by users. In addition, since this information can be easily carried by users, and easily readable in a personal computer, it can also be readily available to medical professionals when a user is hurt or gravely injured and needs treatment. Thus, the user would benefit from this medical information CD because this additional information would assist these medical professionals in treating the user which would most likely reduce the mortality rate in hospitals due to mistakes made in hospitals.

FIGS. 9,10,11 and 12 relate to the second embodiment of the process for creating medical CD 10. FIGS. 9,10,11 and 12 show the first, second, third and fourth sheets of a paper-based application wherein a user can receive by mail, or any other means. Once the user

answers the questions contained in the application thereby completing this application, the user then mails this application into a receiving facility which runs server 110. This receiving facility then has the option to enter this information into server 110 in step 203 and mail this information onto the fulfillment house in step 204, or simply skip step 203 and then mail this information to the fulfillment house where it is then keyed into a server at the fulfillment house.

With this second embodiment of the invention, users can obtain a medical CD without using a computer. While this information is eventually stored on a computer and a miniature compact disk, this second embodiment allows users who are not computer literate to participate in this program.

Once the user has this disk in hand, if the user is seen by a medical professional for an examination or a medical emergency, this wallet sized compact disk could be used to provide the medical professional with all of the necessary information for providing health services for the user. In addition, because this information is editable, the additional services performed on the user could be automatically updated on the user's page on the server or smart card chip.

For example, if a user was admitted after a car accident and because of head trauma, wherein the user was unable to speak with any medical professionals, the disk enclosed on the user could be used to instantly elicit all of the user's pertinent medical information. A medical professional would thus have access to the user's blood type, medical history including surgeries, a list of the user's current medications including dosages, a picture of the user, a listing of the user's physicians, as well as medical insurance information. All of this information would thus be available to medical professionals instantly via this disk and allow these medical professionals to provide the proper treatment to the user. In addition, because the user's medical insurance information is disclosed on the disk, it would allow the medical professionals to easily submit claims to the user's medical insurance carriers after providing medical care to the user.

Accordingly, while several embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it is to be understood that many changes and modifications may be made thereunto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.