System and method to better assure correct use of pre-programmed medical devices

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for performing a medical procedure with respect to a subject. A data storage location of the system is pre-programmed with a plurality of subject data entries, each having subject-specific information associated with it. A user interface receives an identity input from a subject, which corresponds to the identity of the subject. A controller is associated with the database and the user interface, and is programmed to compare the identity input to the subject data entries. If the identity input corresponds to the subject-specific information of a subject data entry, the controller commands a treatment device to perform a medical procedure with respect to the subject. Otherwise, if the identity input does not correspond to the subject-specific information of any of the subject data entries, the controller generates an error signal which prevents the performance of the medical procedure with respect to the subject.

1 . A system for performing a medical procedure with respect to a subject, comprising:
 a data storage location pre-programmed with one or more subject data entries, each subject data entry having subject-specific information associated with it;   a user interface adapted to receive an identity input from a subject;   a treatment device; and   a controller associated with the user interface and the treatment device and configured to
 compare the identity input to the subject-specific information of the one or more subject data entries, and 
 command the treatment device to perform a medical procedure with respect to the subject if the identity input corresponds to the subject-specific information of one of the subject data entries or, if the identity input does not correspond to the subject-specific information of any of the subject data entries, generate an error signal that prevents the performance of the medical procedure with respect to the subject. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to command the treatment device to perform a medical procedure based at least in part on the subject-specific information corresponding to the identity input if the identity input corresponds to the subject-specific information of one of the subject data entries. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the user interface comprises a biometric scanner. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the user interface comprises a fingerprint reader. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the user interface comprises a retina scanner. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the user interface includes face recognition software. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the user interface comprises a heart rhythm monitor. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the user interface includes voice recognition software. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the user interface includes DNA recognition software. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the user interface is configured to communicate with a subject identification card. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the user interface comprises an RFID reader. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the user interface comprises a barcode reader. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the user interface is configured to communicate with authentication software of an electronic device. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the user interface is configured to receive a personal identification number from the subject. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the data storage location comprises a database integrated into the system. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the data storage location comprises a removable storage device. 
     
     
         17 . A method of performing a medical procedure with respect to a subject, comprising:
 storing one or more subject data entries, each having subject-specific information associated with it;   receiving an identity input from a subject;   comparing the identity input to the subject-specific information of the one or more subject data entries; and   performing a medical procedure with respect to the subject if the identity input corresponds to the subject-specific information of one of the subject data entries or, if the identity input does not correspond to the subject-specific information of any of the subject data entries, generating an error signal that prevents the performance of the medical procedure with respect to the subject.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said performing a medical procedure with respect to the subject includes performing a medical procedure based at least in part on the subject-specific information corresponding to the identity input if the identity input corresponds to the subject-specific information of one of the subject data entries. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said receiving the identity input from the subject includes receiving biometric data from the subject. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said receiving the identity input from the subject includes reading a fingerprint of the subject. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said receiving the identity input from the subject includes scanning a retina of the subject. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said receiving the identity input from the subject includes analyzing the face of the subject. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said receiving the identity input from the subject includes monitoring a heart rhythm of the subject. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said receiving the identity input from the subject includes analyzing the voice of the subject. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said receiving the identity input from the subject includes analyzing the DNA of the subject. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said receiving the identity input from the subject includes communicating with a subject identification card. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein said receiving the identity input from the subject includes reading an RFID signal. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein said receiving the identity input from the subject includes reading a barcode. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said receiving the identity input from the subject includes communicating with authentication software of an electronic device. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said receiving the identity input from the subject includes receiving a personal identification number from the subject.