IDENTIFICATION DEVICE AND METHOD

Abstract: A piece of photographic film (2), bondable to the tooth (4) of an individual, carries a developed photographic image of indicia for identifying the individual. To manufacture the device, the indicia is initially printed on a sheet, and the sheet of indicia is photographed to provide a photographic film with indicia of a substantially reduced size. A bonding resin (6) is applied to the tooth of the individual, the piece of photographic film (2) is applied to the resin, a coating layer of resin (8) is applied over the film and, after the resin sets, its edges are feathered so its perimeter tapers to zero thickness.

Description: IDENTIFICATION DEVICE AND METHOD Background of the Invention This invention relates to a method and device for providing living individuals with identification means. The invention is applicable to humans, pets, livestock animals, and all other toothed living beings. Others have recognized that there is a need for providing individuals with personal identification which is attached permanently or semipermanently to their bodies. Such identification would greatly simplify the tasks of medical and police authorities responsible for locating and identifying missing persons, identifying amnesiacs and other mentally incapacitated persons, and ascertaining medical information such as allergies to medications, blood types and organ donorships. In accident cases, the matter of victim identification is quite important. It is proposed in the Samis et al U.S. patent 4,168,586 that an etched gold chip may be positioned beneath an amalgam filling in a tooth or adhered in a cavity which is formed in the crown of a tooth. Muhlemann et al U.S. patent 4,209,795 discloses an embossed gold identification plate which is placed in a filling . in the crown of a tooth. These prior techniques are costly and relatively complicated, both with respect to the manufacture of the chip or plate, and with respect to the affixation of these devices to individuals. The present invention is believed to represent a significant improvement over prior identification techniques in that it is quite effective, less complicated, and less expensive to produce and affix to the individual. Expensive specialized manufacturing equipment is unnecessary. The affixation of the identification to individuals may be performed by relatively unskilled persons without any drilling, filling, or other permanent alteration of the tooth structure. If and when identification of the individual becomes necessary, the device may be read by using relatively low power magnification instruments, and it is easily removed without the use of specialized procedures or tools. Summary of the Invention In one respect, the invention involves a method of providing a living individual with identification means. The method includes the steps of preparing an original display which has indicia means for identifying the individual, photographing the original to obtain a photographic film which has a flexible plastic base and a photographic image which is a substantially smaller copy of the original. The photographic film is bonded to the tooth of an individual to whom the indicia is applicable. In connection with the invention summarized in the preceding paragraph, the original display is preferably prepared by typing the indicia on a sheet. This typewritten sheet and the photographic film produced therefrom include indicia for a plurality of individuals, so the method in this instance includes the further step of cutting the film into a plurality of pieces each of which is applicable to one individual. The bonding step is performed by applying a bonding resin to the individual's tooth, and placing the photographic film on the resin, on an unrecessed exterior surface of the tooth. After the photographic film is so placed, a protective coating of resin is applied over the film. When the device has projections extending from its perimeter, the resin extends over these projections and is bonded to the tooth on opposite sides of the projections for a more secure attachment of the device to a tooth. The resin is cured and polished, and its edges are feathered so that its perimeter tapers to zero thickness. In another respect, the invention relates to a device which is attachable to the body of a living individual in order to provide identification applicable to the individual. The device comprises a piece of photographic film measuring thereacross about 1 to 8 mm., preferably 4 mm. The film is bondable to the enamel surface of the individual's tooth and it has a developed photographic image of indicia means for identifying the individual. Protective plastic sheets may be bonded to the opposite surfaces of the photographic film. Resin on one side of the film bonds it to an individual's tooth, and resin on the other side of the film provides a protective coating. The device may have perforations through which the resin extends to provide for a more secure attachment of the device to a tooth. Projecting portions may extend from the perimeter of the device. This will improve the attachment of the device because resin extending over these projecting portions is bonded to the tooth on opposite sides of the projecting portions. The edges of the resin are feathered so that its perimeter tapers to zero thickness. For a more complete understanding of the invention, reference is made to the following drawings and text which describe a single preferred embodiment. Brief Description of the Drawings Fig. 1 is a view of the identification device of the invention, affixed to the tooth. Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the lines 2-2 in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a schematic flow chart showing the steps of producing the identification device and affixing it to an individual. Fig. 4 is a view of a modified identification device constructed according to the invention, having perforated projecting wings. Fig. 5 is a view along the line 5-5 in Fig. 4, showing the device of Fig. 4 attached to a tooth. Fig. 6 is a further identification device made according to the invention, and having projecting teeth at its perimeter. Brief Description of a Preferred Embodiment Referring to Fig. 1, it will be seen that the identification device 2 is a disc applied to the enamel surface of the crown of a tooth 4. The disc 2 is a circular piece of photographic film which carries identifying indicia. The disc is radiotransparent or radiotranslucent under X-rays, in contast to prior devices which have been radiopaque. The photographic film is a conventional material comprising a base or substrate of acetate or other flexible plastic material which carries a photogaphic emulsion. The film has been exposed and developed to produce a photographic image of the indicia. The indicia are quite small and cannot be read by the naked eye, each character having a height which is approximately ten percent of the height of a pica character of a conventional typewriter. On a disc 2 having the preferred diameter of about 4 mm. , as many as eighty such characters can be presented. The inventors have selected the trademarks MC-MID and MICRO-INFORMATIONAL DISC for use in connection with the discs 2. The type of identification indicia on the disc 2 is quite diverse and may include one or more of the following: name, address, social security number, next of kin, emergency telephone number, blood type, medication allergies, organ donor commitments, consent statements, or other information. As can be seen in Fig. 2, the disc 2 is affixed to the exterior surface of the tooth 4 rather than being placed in a recess formed in the tooth. The disc is embedded between two layers 6 and 8 of a transparent composite bonding resin of the type widely used in the practice of modern dentistry. Such resins are glass filled polymers which are manufactured by several companies and are sold, for example, under the trademarks PRISMA, ULTRABOND, and DELTON. Each layer of the resin is about 0.5 mm. thick, which is somewhat greater than the thickness of the film disc 2. The resin body is polished and its edges are feathered as shown in Fig. 2 so that the resin has a perimeter which tapers to zero thickness. The production of the discs 2 is relatively uncomplicated and inexpensive. An original display or master is typewritten, printed or otherwise prepared with indicia means for identifying a number of individuals. Typing on white paper is satisfactory. This master is photographed using a 35 ram. camera with a 50 mm. lens. The image of the characters in the focal plane of the camera have a height which is about ten percent of the original height of the characters on the master. Laser scanning apparatus and techniques may also be used for tansferring an image of the original to a photographic film or other substrate. The exposed film is then developed using conventional photoprocessing techniques, thereby providing the film with a visible photographic image which is a reduced size copy of the original display. Preferably, this image is a negative of the master, with white characters being presented on a black background. When the film contains the indicia for a number of individuals, it is then cut into pieces which each contain the indicia applicable to a particular individual. This cutting step may be performed by a circular punch having a diameter of about 4 mm. Approximately twenty to twenty-five such discs can be cut from a standard frame of 35 mm. film. The individual discs may then be sent from the production facility to dentists or others who affix them to the teeth of individual subjects. The affixation process is straightforward and uncomplicated, and it requires a minimum of experience and skill. A proper stress-free surface of the tooth is selected, cleaned and dried. The buccal surface of the upper right posterior second molar is suitable and recommended. A first layer 6 of the resin is applied directly to the exterior enamel surface of the crown of the tooth, in an area approximating the size of the disc. The disc 2 is placed on this layer, and then a protective coating layer 8 of the resin is applied to the exposed outer surface of the disc 2, thereby completely encasing the disc. A fiber optic light is directed against the resin to cure it. After curing, the resin is polished and its edges are feathered as shown in Fig. 2 so that its perimeter tapers to zero thickness. It is expected that under conditions of stress, a disc applied in this manner will remain bonded to the tooth for about four to six years. If for any reason it becomes necessary to identify an individual to whom such an identification disc has been affixed, it is possible to read the disc with an instrument having forty power magnification. Removal of the disc from the tooth is easily performed with an instrument having a small sharp blade. It is unnecessary to use special solvents, heating, drilling or other complicated or destructive procedures. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 4, the device 10 has a central indicia-carrying portion 11 and four radiating wings 12 which have perforations 14 formed by inserting needles through the device. As can be seen in Fig. 5, this device 10 has protective distortion-free plastic sheets 16 and 18 laminated on both of its faces. These protective sheets are preferably formed of a transparent composition which is resistant to water and the acidic solutions which are present in the mouth. MYLAR polyester film having a thickness of about .25 mm. is suitable, but polycarbonates and other compositions may also be used. The protective sheets 16 and 18 are bonded to the film 20 by heat and pressure so that the surfaces of the respective layers are fused to each other. During such a bonding procedure, the temperature of the photographic film 20 should not be greater than about 150°F, as higher temperatures will damage the photographic film. Without distorting or obscuring the view of the indicia, the sheets 16 and 18 protect the device from scratching during initial handling and, after the device is bonded to the tooth, they tend to shield the photographic film from the deliterious effects of saliva or other substances present in the mouth. The perforations 14 permit air to escape from beneath the wings 12 when the device is applied to the tooth but, more importantly, they permit the resin to extend through the perforations to increase the mechanical retention of the device on the tooth. This can be understood by referring to Fig. 5 which shows the perforation 14 of exaggerated size in this drawing, through which the resin extends. Due to the presence of the perforation 14, the distance between locations where the resin extends from above the device to the tooth is only the distance between points 22 and 24 whereas, if there were no perforations, the distance between locations where the resin extends from above the device to the tooth would be the entire width of the wing, i.e. the distance from point 22 to point 26. Since the resin adheres to itself and to the tooth more strongly than it adheres to the device 10, it will be appreciated that the presence of the perforations provides a stronger mechanical attachment of the device to the tooth. The resin layer 28 tends to adhere the device to the tooth, and the resin layer 29 forms a mechanical bridge-like structure which holds the wings 12 down against the tooth. Since the indicia area of the device is covered by the protective film 16, the resin layer 29 may be applied to the wings but not to the indicia area. This makes it possible to form layer 29 with nontransparent resins, and these resins can be formulated with glass fiber fillers to possess greater mechanical strength than transparent resins. Due to the enhanced strength of such resins, there is less risk of breakage, and the strength and duration of attachment is improved. The device of Fig. 4 is manufactured and applied using the same steps as are shown in Fig. 3, with certain additional measures being taken. The photographic film which has the final size image is placed between two sheets of MYLAR polyester plastic. This sandwich structure is placed between heated platens in a press which applies heat and pressure until the protective polyester sheet is bonded to the opposite surfaces of the photographic film. The devices are then die cut from the main sheet and applied to the tooth. The tooth is prepared in a usual fashion as described previously in this specification, resin is applied to the tooth, and an outer layer of resin is then applied over the wings of the device in a manner so that resin extends through the perforations in the wings and resin extends over the wings and is bonded to the tooth on opposite sides of the wings. Preferably, the resin does not coat the exposed surface of the indicia-carrying portion of the device. This leaves the indicia undistorted, unobscured, and clearly visible through the exposed transparent film sheet 16. Fig. 6 shows another version of the device which has projecting portions at its perimeter. This device 30 is preferred in some respects because its total dimensions are somewhat less than those of the winged device of Fig. 4. In Fig. 6, it will be seen that a number of spaced apart pointed projections 32 extend from the perimeter of the device. The device 30 preferably is a photographic film sandwiched between two transparent polyester protective sheets. All three layers are geometrically identical. When the device is applied to the tooth, it is placed on a layer of resin, and a coating resin is applied over the projections 32 where it bonds to the tooth and on opposite sides of the projections 32. The resin will bond to the subject's tooth much in the same manner as is shown in Fig. 5, thereby assuring sound mechanical • retention of the device on the tooth. The device 30 is manufactured and applied to the tooth essentially the same as the device of Fig. 4 except that the projecting portions 32 are not perforated with needles. Of course, it is possible to perform such needle perforations either in the projections 32 or in the body of the device 30 if greater retention is desired. In both of the devices 10 and 30, the protective sheets are coextensive with and are applied to both sides of the photographic film. If desired, a protective sheet may be applied only to one side of the photographic film. Optionally, if two such sheets are used, they may be larger than the photographic film and may be sealed together at their perimeters to encapsulate the indicia-carrying piece of photographic film. It is believed that the present invention will perform comparably in almost all situations, even those involving burn victims, to the expensive and complicated techniques proposed by the prior art referred to hereinabove. Although the primary use of the invention is in connection with human subjects, it. may also be used in connection with other species. Discs may also be placed within the acrylic basis of dental prostheses. The discs may vary in diameter from about 1 to 8 mm. and, rather than being circular, they may be of polygonal, ellipsoidal or another suitable shape. Persons familiar with the art will recognize that the invention may take many forms other than the preferred embodiments disclosed herein. Therefore, it is emphasized that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments but is embracing of a variety of methods and devices which fall within the spirit of the following claims.

Claims: 12 CLAIMS ; 1. A method of providing a living individual with identification means, comprising the steps of, preparing an original display which has indicia means for identifying the living individual, photographing the original display to obtain a photographic film which has a flexible plastic base and a photographic image which is a reduced size copy of the original display, said photographic film having said indicia reproduced at a size which is substantially smaller than the indicia of the original display, bonding said photographic film to a tooth of the living individual, said indicia means on said photographic film being applicable to said living individual, said bonding step being performed to position the film on an exterior unrecessed portion of the tooth. 2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the step of preparing the original display is performed by typing said indicia means on a sheet. 3. A method according to claim 1 wherein the original display is prepared to include indicia means for a plurality of individuals, and the photographic film also includes indicia means for a plurality of individuals, said method including the step of cutting the photographic film into a plurality of pieces which each contain indicia applicable to one living individual. 4. A method according to claim 1 wherein the step of preparing the original display is performed by typing said indicia means on a sheet, said original display being prepared to include indicia means for a plurality of individuals, said photographic film also including indicia means for a plurality of individuals, said method including the step of cutting the photographic film into a plurality of pieces which each contain indicia applicable to one living individual. 5. A method according to claim 1 wherein the bonding step is performed by applying a bonding resin to said tooth, and placing the photographic film on the bonding resin, said resin being applied so as to extend over at least a portion of the outer surface of the film. 6. A method according to claim 5 including the further step, performed after the photographic film is placed on the bonding resin, of applying a coating of said bonding resin to the surface of said photographic film. 7. A method according to claim 1 wherein the step of preparing the original display is performed by typing said indicia means on a sheet, said original display being prepared to include indicia means for a plurality of individuals, said photographic film also including indicia means for a plurality of individuals, said method including the step of cutting the photographic film into a plurality of pieces which each contain indicia applicable to one living individual, said bonding step being performed by applying a bonding resin to said tooth and placing the photographic film on the bonding resin. 8. A method according to claim 7 including the further step, performed after the photographic film is placed on the bonding resin, of applying a coating of said bonding resin to the surface of said photographic film. 9. A method according to claim 1 wherein the photographic film is formed with a perimeter which has a plurality of projecting portions, said bonding step being performed by applying a resin which is located between the photographic film and the tooth, and applying additional resin on and between said projecting portions so that said projecting portions are securely bonded to the tooth. 10. A method according to claim 9 wherein the projecting portions of the film have perforations formed therein so that resin extends through said perforations. 11. A method according to claim 9 wherein a protective plastic sheet is bonded to said photographic film. 12. A method according to claim 1 wherein a plurality of perforations are formed in said photographic film, said bonding step being performed with a resin which extends into said perforations. 13. A method of providing a living individual with identification means, comprising the steps of imprinting identification information for a plurality of individuals on an original sheet of material, taking a photograph of the imprinted original sheet to obtain a photographic film in which the information is substantially smaller than the information on the original sheet, cutting the photographic film into pieces which each contain the information for a single individual, applying a first layer of bonding resin to a tooth of a living individual, placing a said piece of the photographic film on said first layer of bonding resin, said piece containing identification information which is applicable to said living individual, and applying over said piece of photogaphic film a second layer of bonding resin, allowing said second layer of bonding resin to set, and polishing said bonding resin and feathering its edges. 14. A device which is attachable to the body of a living individual, specifically to an exterior unrecessed surface of a tooth, said device being operable to provide identification applicable to the individual, said device comprising. a piece of photographic film measuring about 1 to 8 mm. thereacross, said film having thereon a developed photographic image containing indicia means for identifying the individual, said piece of film being adhesively bondable to the enamel surface of the individual's tooth, said device having adhesive resin means on one side thereof for bonding the piece of film to an individual's tooth, said device having resin on its other side which extends over at least a portion of the outer surface of the film. 15. A device according to claim 14 wherein the piece of film measures about 4 mm. thereacross. 16. A device according to claim 14 having adhesive resin means on one side thereof for bonding the piece.of film to an individual's tooth, said device having on its other side a protective resin coating. 17. A device according to claim 16 wherein the resin has edges which are feathered so that the resin has a perimeter which tapers to zero thickness. 18. A device according to claim 17 wherein the piece of film measures about 4 mm. thereacross. 19. A device according to claim 14 wherein the photographic film has a plurality of perforations therein so that resin extends though said perforations. 20. A device according to claim 14 having a perimeter provided with a plurality of projecting portions which are spaced apart, said resin which extends over the outer surface of the film extending over said projecting portions and being bonded to the tooth on opposite sides of a said projecting portion. 21. A device according to claim 20 wherein the projecting portions are provided with a plurality of perforations therein so that resin extends through said perforations. 22. A device according to claim 14 wherein a protective plastic sheet is bonded to said piece of film. 23. A device according to claim 22 wherein the protective plastic sheet is fusion bonded throughout its surface to said photographic film. 24. A device according to claim 22 wherein the protective plastic sheet is formed of a polyester resin. 25. A device according to claim 24 wherein the protective plastic sheet is fusion bonded throughout its surface to said photographic film.

Inventors: CONOVER JIMMIE D, MAXWELL JEFFREY B, CONOVER, JIMMIE, D., MAXWELL, JEFFREY, B.
Applicants: MC MID INC, MC-MID, INC.
Application year: 1985
Main classification: A61C3
IPC codes: A61B5, A61B19, A61C5