Patent Description:
In the past, patients' information, such as patients' records, were usually printed on papers and not physically attached to the patients. This increased a likelihood of obtaining an incorrect patient's record. For example, when a patient moved from one location to another location, a likelihood of obtaining an incorrect patient's record increased. For instance, in some medical procedures, the patient moves from one medical facility (e.g., a doctor's office) to another medical facility (e.g., a surgical facility).

Moreover, as a number of process elements of a medical procedure increases and/or as increased lengths of time are interposed between two or more of the process elements of the medical procedure, the likelihood of an error can also increase. For example, each of the process elements of the medical procedure introduces its own chance of error, and as the number of the process elements of the medical procedure increases, so does the overall chance of error of the medical procedure.

In addition, a process of patient identification can introduce a possibility of error. For example, one or more portions of a patient may be concealed from sight during a medical procedure. For instance, one or more portions of the patient's face may be shrouded during a surgical procedure. This may also introduce a possibility of error via an incorrect orientation (e.g., a positioning) of one or more portions of the patient's body.

Document <CIT> describes a system for verifying a planned surgery site, wherein a handheld device in the form of an infrared pen wirelessly communicates coordinates and location data to an infrared receiver, wherein the location data from the handheld device is relative to the receiver. After pointing to reference points, the user is asked to place the handheld device on a planned surgery site and to click a switch on the handheld device, whereafter coordinates and location data of the planned surgery site are transmitted to the receiver so that the receiver and an operating room server are capable of determining whether the planned surgery site is located on the left or right side of the patient based on the data received from the handheld device.

<CIT> discloses a computer-implemented method for providing patient information during surgery is presented. The method includes activating a camera configured to be worn on a user's head in response to input from the user and receiving from the camera a first image of a visual identifier associated with a patient. The method also includes processing, at a processor configured to be worn on the user's head, the image to determine a unique patient identifier encoded in the visual identifier and retrieving medical information associated with the unique patient identifier from a centralized information source that includes a patient record containing the medical information. The medical information associated with the unique patient identifier is presented on a display configured to be worn on the user's head and confirmation of the medical information is received from the user.

<CIT> recites compliance with pre-operative policies and procedures is ensured to prevent wrong site surgeries. Data related to a scheduled procedure is stored on a device. The data includes at least (<NUM>) indicia of personal identification for a patient and one or more participants in the scheduled procedure, and (<NUM>) information about the scheduled procedure. An input is received on the device that associates the patient with the data stored on the device. The patient and each of the one or more participants are then prompted to verify the indicia of personal identification and information about the scheduled procedure on the device. When the patient and one or more participants have all verified their respective indicia of personal identification and the information about the scheduled procedure, the device is operable to enable operating room functionality.

The invention concerns a processing system according to claim <NUM> and a method of verifying a medical procedure according to claim <NUM>. The embodiments are defined in the dependent claims. The examples, aspects and embodiments not falling within the scope of the claims are for reference only.

In particular, the present disclosure provides a system including a processor able to receive images via a camera and a memory, coupled to the processor, able to store instructions to be executed by the processor. The system may be able to, as the processor executes the instructions, acquire machine-readable information received from at least one of the images received via the camera, process the machine-readable information to determine patient data from the machine-readable information, determine a medical procedure based on the patient data, permit use of at least a first portion of medical equipment coupled to the system, receive user input that indicates at least one planned procedure step, determine if the medical procedure includes the at least one planned procedure step.

The present disclosure may further include a non-transient computer-readable memory device with instructions that, when implemented by a system, cause the system to perform the above steps.

The present disclosure further includes a system or a non-transient computer-readable memory device as described above with one or more of the following additional features, which may be used in combination with one another unless clearly mutually exclusive: i) as the processor executes the instructions, the system may be further able to provide at least a portion of the images to a display if the medical procedure does incorporate the at least one planned procedure step; ii) as the processor executes the instructions, the system may be further able to provide error information to the display if the medical procedure does not incorporate the at least one planned procedure step, iii) the machine-readable information may be disposed upon a garment worn by a patient during the medical procedure; iv) as the processor executes the instructions, the system may be further able to prevent operation of at least a second portion of the medical equipment coupled to the system if the medical procedure does not incorporate the at least one planned procedure step; v) the second portion of the medical equipment may be the same as the first portion of the medical equipment; vi) the system may further include a microscope including the camera; vii) the machine-readable information may include a bar code; vii) as the processor executes the instructions, the system may be further able to authenticate at least a portion of the machine-readable information; viii) as the processor executes the instructions, the system may be further able to determine if an orientation of the machine-readable information is in accordance with one or more rules, permit operation of the at least the first portion of the medical equipment if the orientation of the machine-readable information is in accordance with the one or more rules, and prevent operation of the at least the first portion of the medical equipment if the orientation of the machine-readable information is not in accordance with the one or more rules; ix) when the system determines the patient data based on the machine-readable information, the system may retrieve at least a portion of the patient data from a storage device; x) the storage device may be coupled to a network, and when the system retrieves the at least the portion of the patient data from the storage device, the system may retrieve the at least the portion of the patient data from the storage device via the network.

The present disclosure further includes a method of verifying a medical procedure, the method including acquiring images via a camera, processing at least one image of the images to determine patient data based on machine-readable information of the at least one image, determining a medical procedure based on the patient data, permitting use of at least a first portion of medical equipment, receiving user input that indicates at least one planned procedure step, determining if the medical procedure incorporates the at least one planned procedure step.

The present disclosure further includes a method as described above with one or more of the following additional features, which may be used in combination with one another unless clearly mutually exclusive: i) the method may further include providing at least a portion of the images to a display if the medical procedure does incorporates the at least one planned procedure step; ii) the method may further include providing error information to the display if the medical procedure does not incorporate the at least one planned procedure step; iii) the machine-readable information may be disposed upon a garment worn by a patient of the medical procedure; iv) the method may further include preventing operation of at least a second portion of the medical equipment if the medical procedure does not incorporate the at least one planned procedure step; v) the second portion of the medical equipment may be the same as the first portion of the medical equipment; vi) a microscope may include the camera; vii) the machine-readable information may include a bar code; viii) the method may further include authenticating at least a portion of the machine-readable information; ix) the method may further include determining if an orientation of the machine-readable information is in accordance with one or more rules, permitting operation of the at least the first portion of the medical equipment if the orientation of the machine-readable information is in accordance with the one or more rules, and preventing operation of the at least the first portion of the medical equipment if the orientation of the machine-readable information is not in accordance with the one or more rules; x) the method may further include retrieving at least a portion of the patient data from a storage device to determine the patient data; xi) the storage device may be coupled to a network and retrieving the at least the portion of the patient data from the storage device to determine the patient data may include retrieving, via the network, the at least the portion of the patient data from the storage device.

Any of the above systems may be able to perform any of the above methods and any of the above non-transient computer-readable memory devices may be able to cause a system to perform any of the above methods. Any of the above methods may be implemented on any of the above systems or using any of the above non-transient computer-readable memory devices.

For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure and its features and advantages, reference is now made to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are not drawn to scale, and in which:.

In the following description, details are set forth by way of example to facilitate discussion of the disclosed subject matter. It should be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the field, however, that this description is exemplary and not exhaustive of all possibilities.

As used herein, a reference numeral followed by a letter refers to a specific instance of an element and the numeral only form of the reference numeral refers to the collective element. Thus, for example, device ` 12a' refers to an instance of a device class, which may be referred to collectively as devices '<NUM>' and any one of which may be referred to generically as a device '<NUM>'.

Machine-readable information may be printed and/or placed on garments used in medical procedures. For example, the machine-readable information may include machine-readable markings that may be printed and/or placed on garments worn by patients and/or medical personnel. The machine-readable information may include patient and/or treatment information that may be printed and/or placed on garments worn by patients before, during, and/or after medical treatment to provide identification of the patient and/or to provide patient treatment information.

Using one or more data processing systems that process the machine-readable information may mitigate or eliminate some mistakes and/or errors before, during, and/or after medical treatment. For example, the machine-readable information may include one or more optical codes printed and/or placed on a garment worn by a patient for a medical procedure, and a device used by medical personnel can read the one or more optical codes. The one or more optical codes may indicate a medical treatment and prescribe and/or set an orientation of one or more of the patient, an implant, and a medical instrument, among others. The one or more optical codes may provide authentication information and/or be used in an authentication process that may mitigate and/or eliminate fraud.

The garments worn by the patients may be disposable, and the machine-readable information may be printed and/or placed on the disposable garments. For example, the machine-readable information may include one or more optical codes that may be printed and/or placed on the disposable garments. The garments worn by the patients may be reusable, and the machine-readable information may printed and/or placed on a medium and then adhered to the reusable garment. For example, one or more optical codes may be printed and/or placed on a paper, cloth, or plastic medium and fastened to the reusable garment with a fastener. The fastener may include an adhesive. The fastener may include one or more of a clip and a safety pin, among others.

Machine-readable information may aid and/or assist in treatment selection and/or application. In one example, one or more optical codes may indicate the medical procedure, and patient information may be retrieved and provided to one or more medical devices used in the medical procedure. In another example, The medical procedure may include an ocular medical procedure, and one or more of an image of a patient's eye, radii, a corneal curvature of steep and flat axes, a limbal position and diameter, a pupil position and diameter, and a corneal reflex position, among others, may be retrieved and/or provided to a surgical microscope to display reference and microscope images, which may allow a surgeon to account for lateral and rotational eye movements.

Turning now to the figures, <FIG> illustrates a medical system <NUM> that may be used in medical procedures, according to one or more embodiments. Although <FIG> includes particular medical equipment, medical system <NUM> may include less equipment or may include addition equipment. For example, medical system <NUM> may be configured for one or more particular medical procedures that may not use equipment illustrated and/or that may involve other equipment that is not specifically illustrated.

As shown, a patient <NUM> may be supported via a table <NUM>. Although table <NUM> is illustrated as a mobile table, table <NUM> may be fixed to a floor or may be substantially fixed to the floor (e.g., not readily moved). Patient <NUM> may be about to undergo a medical procedure. In one example, the medical procedure may include a cataract surgery. In a second example, the medical procedure may include a laser eye surgery. In another example, the medical procedure may include a corneal transplant. Although the disclosed examples of surgeries are not exhaustive, other types of surgeries may use the methods and systems disclosed herein.

As illustrated, medical system may include a microscope <NUM>. Microscope <NUM> may be or include a microscope integrated display (MID). In one example, microscope <NUM> may augment one or more images of a patient with medical information that may be used during the medical procedure. In another, microscope <NUM> may display information to a surgeon or other medical personnel that may allow the surgeon or the other medical personnel to visualize patient medical data without disrupting a surgery.

Microscope <NUM> may include a camera. In one example, the camera may acquire one or more images of patient <NUM>. In another example, the camera may acquire one or more images of a garment <NUM> worn by patient <NUM> and/or affixed to patient <NUM>. As illustrated, garment <NUM> may be or include a headband worn by patient <NUM> and/or affixed to patient <NUM>. Although garment <NUM> may be or include a headband, as shown, garment <NUM> may be or include other items and/or garments worn by patient <NUM> and/or affixed to patient. For example, garment <NUM> may be or include scrub pants, a bandage, a scrub shirt, one or more socks, one or more slippers, a patient gown, an exam cape, exam shorts, or a robe, among others.

Garment <NUM> may include machine-readable information <NUM> that is associated with patient <NUM>. In one example, machine-readable information <NUM> may be or include machine-readable markings such as a barcode. The bar code may be a single dimensional barcode. The bar code may be a multi-dimensional barcode. In another example, machine-readable information <NUM> may be or include symbols. The symbols may be or include letters of a written language (e.g., English, German, French, Chinese, Russian, etc.) that may be processed via an optical character recognition (OCR) process and/or system.

Machine-readable information <NUM> may be used to store information associated with patient <NUM>. In one example, the information associated with patient <NUM> may include identification information associated with patient <NUM>. The identification information may include one or more of a name, a date of birth, and a government identification, among others. In a second example, the information associated with patient <NUM> may include medical information associated with patient <NUM>. The medical information associated with patient <NUM> may include one or more of a medical procedure, a medication list, a portion of patient <NUM> that is a subject of a medical procedure, one or more drug allergies, a diagnosis, and an orientation of patient <NUM> for a medical procedure, among others. In another example, the information associated with patient <NUM> may include indexing information. The indexing information may be used to index into a database and/or a storage device that stores information associated with patient <NUM>. The indexing information may be used as a key or used to create the key that may be used to retrieve information associated with patient <NUM> from a database and/or a storage device that stores the information associated with patient <NUM>.

Machine-readable information <NUM> may be printed and/or placed as part of the patient record on any kind of support media format (e.g., paper, cloth, plastic card, sticker, etc.). For example, machine-readable information <NUM> may include a bar code and/or a custom optical code and/or marking. A device used in a medical setting may include a camera that can acquire machine-readable information <NUM>, and the device may process machine-readable information <NUM> to select a patient treatment and/or a medical procedure.

The camera that can acquire machine-readable information <NUM> may include one or more digital image sensors that transform incoming photons into electrical charges and/or electrical signals. In one example, the one or more digital image sensors may include one or more charge-coupled devices (CCDs). In another example, the one or more digital image sensors may include one or more complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) devices.

As illustrated, garment <NUM> may include orientation information such as orientation information <NUM>-<NUM>. As shown, orientation information <NUM> may aid in orienting garment <NUM>, as to a proper direction of garment <NUM> with relation to feet of patient <NUM>, and orientation information <NUM> may aid in orienting garment <NUM>, as to a proper direction of garment <NUM> with relation to a head of patient <NUM>. Although not specifically shown, garment <NUM> may include orientation information that indicates a front orientation or a rear orientation. As illustrated, garment <NUM> may include name information <NUM> that may be used in assigning garment <NUM> to patient <NUM>. Although not specifically illustrated, other markings such as a date of birth may be used in assigning garment <NUM> to patient <NUM>. Orientation information <NUM> may aid in orienting one or more of an instrument and an implant, among others, that is or are used in a medical procedure.

Although the orientation information illustrated may be specific in some aspects, the orientation information may be changed and/or oriented differently for one or more medical personnel. In one example, a first doctor may perform a surgery via a superior position. In a second example, a second doctor may perform a surgery via a temporal position, such as one side of patient <NUM> or another side of patient <NUM>. In another example, a third doctor may perform a surgery via an oblique position, such as at any angle with reference to patient <NUM>.

As shown, medical system <NUM> may include displays <NUM> and <NUM>. Microscope <NUM> may include display <NUM>. For example, display <NUM> may be or include a heads up display for microscope <NUM>. Display <NUM> may display images acquired via microscope <NUM>. For example, other medical personnel and/or medical students may use display <NUM> to view the images acquired via microscope <NUM>. Display <NUM> may display information associated with patient <NUM>. For example, display <NUM> may provide vital signs of patient <NUM>.

A processor associated with medical system <NUM> processes machine-readable information <NUM> and determines if a medical procedure that uses medical system <NUM> is authorized and/or permitted. If the processor determines that the medical procedure that uses medical system <NUM> is authorized and/or permitted, the processor permits use of medical system <NUM> for the medical procedure. If the processor determines that the medical procedure that uses medical system <NUM> is not authorized and/or not permitted, the processor does not permit functionality of one or more portions of medical system <NUM>. In one example, the processor may not permit functionality of microscope <NUM> and/or display <NUM>. In another example, while the processor may not permit functionality of microscope <NUM> and/or display <NUM>, the processor may permit or continue to permit display <NUM> to provide vital signs of patient <NUM>.

The processor associated with medical system <NUM> may process machine-readable information <NUM> and determine if an orientation of machine-readable information <NUM> is in accordance with one or more rules. For example, the one or more rules may stipulate that machine-readable information <NUM> is aligned in a specified way in relation to microscope <NUM>. As machine-readable information <NUM> is attached to patient <NUM>, the one or more rules may effectively stipulate that patient <NUM> is aligned in the specified way in relation to microscope <NUM>. One or more alignment rules may include one or more of tilt, roll, azimuth, and yaw of machine-readable information <NUM> in relation to microscope <NUM>.

As such, if the processor determines that the medical procedure that the orientation of machine-readable information <NUM> is in accordance with the one or more rules, the processor may permit use of medical system <NUM> for the medical procedure. If the processor determines that the orientation of machine-readable information <NUM> is not in accordance with the one or more rules, the processor may not permit functionality of one or more portions of medical system <NUM>.

Turning now to <FIG>, a processing system <NUM> is illustrated, according to one or more embodiments. Although <FIG> includes particular elements, processing system <NUM> may include fewer elements or may include addition elements. As shown, processing system <NUM> may include a processor <NUM> and a memory <NUM>, coupled to processor <NUM>. Memory <NUM> may include persistent and volatile media, fixed and removable media, and magnetic and semiconductor media, among others. Memory <NUM> may include storage media such as non-transitory computer-readable media that stores data and instructions, such as executable code, for at least a period of time. Memory <NUM> may include, without limitation, storage media such as a direct access storage device, including a hard disk drive, a sequential access storage device, such as a tape disk drive, compact disk (CD), random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), CD-ROM, digital versatile disc (DVD), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory, non-transitory media, and/or one or more combinations of the foregoing. As shown, memory <NUM> may include processor instructions <NUM>.

Processor <NUM> may execute processor instructions <NUM> to implement one or more systems, processes, and/or methods described herein. For example, processor instructions <NUM> may be configured, coded, and/or encoded with instructions in accordance with one or more of flowcharts, methods, and/or processes described herein. One or more of a storage medium and a memory medium may be a software product, a program product, and/or an article of manufacture. For example, the software product, the program product, and/or the article of manufacture may be configured, coded, and/or encoded with instructions, executable by a processor, in accordance with one or more of flowcharts, methods, and/or processes described herein.

Processor <NUM> may include any suitable system, device, or apparatus operable to interpret and execute program instructions, process data, or both stored in memory <NUM> and/or received via a network. Processor <NUM> further may include one or more microprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signal processors (DSPs), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or other circuitry configured to interpret and execute program instructions, process data, or both.

As illustrated, processor <NUM> may be communicatively coupled to an input/output (I/O) device <NUM>. I/O device <NUM> may include any instrumentality or instrumentalities, which allow a user to interact with processing system <NUM> and its associated components by facilitating input from a user and output to a user. Facilitating input from a user may allow the user to manipulate processing system <NUM>, and facilitating output to a user may allow processing system <NUM> to indicate effects of the user's manipulation. For example, I/O device <NUM> may allow a user to input data, instructions, or both into processing system <NUM>, and otherwise manipulate processing system <NUM> and its associated components. I/O devices may include user interface devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse, a touch screen, a joystick, a handheld lens, a tool tracking device, a coordinate input device, or any other I/O device suitable to be used with a medical system, such as medical system <NUM> (see <FIG>).

I/O device <NUM> may include one or more busses, one or more serial devices, and/or one or more network interfaces, among others, that may facilitate and/or permit processor <NUM> to implement one or more systems, processes, and/or methods described herein. In one example, I/O device <NUM> may include a storage interface that may facilitate and/or permit processor <NUM> to communicate with an external storage 230a. The storage interface may include one or more of a universal serial bus (USB) interface, a SATA (Serial ATA) interface, a PATA (Parallel ATA) interface, and a small computer system interface (SCSI), among others. In a second example, I/O device <NUM> may include a network interface that may facilitate and/or permit processor <NUM> to communicate with a network <NUM>. I/O device <NUM> may include one or more of a wireless network interface and a wired network interface. In another example, I/O device <NUM> may include one or more of a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) interface, a PCI Express (PCIe) interface, a serial peripheral interconnect (SPI) interface, and an inter-integrated circuit (I<NUM>C) interface, among others.

As shown, a storage 230b may be coupled to network <NUM>. Processor <NUM> may access storage 230b via network <NUM>. For example, processor <NUM> may store data via storage 230b and/or retrieve data via storage 230b. Processor <NUM> may store information associated with patient <NUM> (see <FIG>) via storage 230b and/or retrieve information associated with patient <NUM> via storage 230b.

Network <NUM> may include one or more networks. In one example, network <NUM> may include a local area network (LAN). In a second example, network <NUM> may include and/or form a portion of a wide area network (WAN). Network <NUM> may include and/or form a portion of an Internet. In another example, network <NUM> may include one or more of a wired and a wireless network.

Network <NUM> may be coupled to one or more networks. In one example, network <NUM> may be coupled to a public switch telephone network (PSTN). In another example, network <NUM> may coupled to a public WAN. The public WAN may include the Internet.

Turning now to <FIG>, various configurations of medical system <NUM> and processing system <NUM> are illustrated, according to one or more embodiments. As shown in <FIG>, medical system <NUM> (see <FIG>) may include processing system <NUM>. Processing system <NUM> is communicatively coupled to one or more portions of medical system <NUM>. For example, processor <NUM> may control and/or provide access control to one or more portions of medical system <NUM>. Processor <NUM> may be communicatively coupled to one or more portions of medical system <NUM> via I/O device <NUM> to control and/or provide access control to one or more portions of medical system <NUM>.

Processing system <NUM> may be external to medical system <NUM>, and medical system <NUM> (see <FIG>) may be communicatively coupled to processing system <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, processing system <NUM> can be external to medical system <NUM>. In one example, processing system <NUM> may be communicatively coupled to medical system <NUM> via I/O device <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. In another example, processing system <NUM> may be communicatively coupled to medical system <NUM> via network <NUM>, illustrated in <FIG>.

Turning now to <FIG>, a portable medical staff device <NUM> is illustrated, according to one or more embodiments. As shown in <FIG>, portable medical staff device 300a can include a camera <NUM> and a screen 320a. As shown in <FIG>, a portable medical device 300b may be coupled to one or more of an optical acquisition (OA) device <NUM> and a screen 320b. OA device <NUM> may be or include one or more of a camera and an optical code reader, among others. In one example, OA device <NUM> may be coupled to portable medical device 300b in a wired fashion. In another example, OA device <NUM> may be coupled to portable medical device 300b in a wireless fashion.

Portable medical staff device <NUM> may be used to acquire machine-readable information <NUM> via camera <NUM> (see <FIG>) or via OA device <NUM> (see <FIG>). In one example, portable medical staff device <NUM> may facilitate and/or permit one or more medical staff to verify that machine-readable information <NUM> is associated with patient <NUM>. Screen 320a may provide identification information such as a name, a date of birth, etc., based on machine-readable information <NUM>, and the one or more medical staff may verify that information with patient <NUM> or a medical proxy of patient <NUM>. In another example, portable medical staff device <NUM> may facilitate and/or permit one or more medical staff to route a patient through a medical facility. Screen <NUM> may provide routing information (e.g., destination location, etc.) based on machine-readable information <NUM>.

Portable medical staff device <NUM> may provide information retrieved from machine-readable information <NUM> and/or retrieved from a database. In one example, machine-readable information <NUM> may include encoded markings, and portable medical staff device <NUM> may process machine-readable information <NUM> and provide some or all information that was encoded. In another example, portable medical staff device <NUM> may retrieve information from a database and/or a storage device, based on machine-readable information <NUM>, and provide the retrieved information via screen <NUM>. The database and/or the storage device may be local to portable medical staff device <NUM>. Portable medical staff device <NUM> may access the database and/or the storage device via a network (e.g., network <NUM>).

Portable medical staff device <NUM> may include any type of portable processing device. For example, portable medical staff device <NUM> may include a personal digital assistant (PDA), a laptop computer system, a wireless telephonic device, a tablet computing device, and a mobile computing system, among others.

Turning now to <FIG>, various garments with machine-readable information are illustrated, according to one or more embodiments. <FIG> shows a garment <NUM> embodied as a headband that may be worn by patient <NUM> (see <FIG>). As shown, garment <NUM> may include a name <NUM> and machine-readable information <NUM> that is associated with patient <NUM>. Machine-readable information <NUM> may be or include a two-dimensional barcode. For example, the two-dimensional barcode may be or include a PDF417 barcode, which is a stacked linear barcode symbol format.

Machine-readable information <NUM> may include, for example, one or more of a name, a date of birth, a type of surgery, a checksum of at least a portion of information associated with patient <NUM> (see <FIG>), one or more locations, and medical procedure information, among others. Machine-readable information <NUM> may include a comma-separated value string, such as "John Doe, 09January <NUM><NUM>,cataract,<NUM>626EE2F, OR7,RR6B,axis <NUM>,toric lens,SN6A T3 <NUM>. For example, "cataract" is the type of surgery, "3626EE2F" is a checksum (e.g., a thirty-two bit cyclic redundancy check) of "OR7,RR6B,axis <NUM>,toric lens,SN6A T3 <NUM>. 50D", and "axis <NUM>", "toric lens", "SN6A T3 <NUM>. 50D" may be information for medical personnel associated with the medical procedure.

One or more portions of information associated with patient <NUM> may be encrypted. For example, "John Doe,09January1955,cataract,3626EE2F" may be encrypted. Using encryption of one or more portions of patient information may facilitate and/or permit compliance with one or more policies, one or more rules, one or more regulations, and/or one or more laws. Using encryption of one or more portions of patient information may facilitate and/or permit authentication of the one or more portions of patient information.

As shown, machine-readable information <NUM> includes a barcode generated via a string "LzEsJkbW8xdf70vF+7wTD6n5zktFl3BHGFbHhMQkvJ9f4ek4HuCM7y59XCr0rChd,OR7, RR6B,axis <NUM>,toric lens,SN6A T3 <NUM>. 50D", where "John Doe,09January <NUM>,cataract, 3626EE2F" was encrypted with AES-<NUM> (one hundred and twenty-eight bit Advanced Encryption Standard) with an encryption key of "Qr39Pt7L" to produce "LzEsJkbW8xdf70vF+7wTD6n5zktFl3BHGFbHhMQkvJ9f4ek4HuCM7y59XCr0rChd" in a base64 text format. As illustrated, garment <NUM> may include machine-readable information <NUM>. Machine-readable information <NUM> may be printed and/or placed on garment before machine-readable information <NUM> is printed on garment <NUM>. For example, to prevent fraud and/or fraudulent behavior, machine-readable information <NUM> may be printed and/or placed on garment before delivery to a medical facility that includes medical system <NUM> (see <FIG>). A manufacturer of garment <NUM> may print and/or place machine-readable information <NUM> upon garment <NUM>.

As illustrated, garment <NUM> may include orientation information <NUM> and <NUM>. For example, orientation information <NUM> can indicate a side of garment <NUM> that should be oriented towards feet of patient <NUM>, and orientation information <NUM> may indicate a side of garment <NUM> that should be oriented towards ahead of patient <NUM> (see <FIG>). Garment <NUM> may include other orientation information, as well. As shown, garment <NUM> may include orientation information <NUM>.

Orientation information may also provide intraoperative guidance to medical personnel during steps in the medical procedure. In one example, orientation information 445a may include written orientation and/or instructions associated with orienting a device and/or implant used in a medical procedure. In another example, orientation information 445b may include a graphic and/or depiction of a device and/or implant used in the medical procedure. As shown, orientation information <NUM> provides a message and an illustration of a lens to be implanted at a forty-five degree axis.

<FIG> illustrates a garment <NUM> embodied as a cap or hat, according to one or more embodiments. As shown, garment <NUM> may include a name <NUM> and machine-readable information <NUM> that is associated with patient <NUM> (see <FIG>). Machine-readable information <NUM> may be or include a two-dimensional barcode. For example, the two-dimensional barcode may be or include a quick response (QR) code.

Machine-readable information <NUM> may include, for example, one or more of a name, a date of birth, a patient identification code, a resuscitation directive, one or more medical conditions, one or more allergies and/or conditions, a blood type, a type of surgery, a specification within the type of surgery, and an authentication code. For example, machine-readable information 430b may be created from a string, such as a comma-separated value string such as "Jane Doe,09January1955,10938A45,N,Z91. <NUM>-<NUM>-Z88. <NUM>,CABG-<NUM>, 9e64cd24594fba1be20975fac64201eb". As such, the value "10938A45" may be a patient identification that may be used as an index or key to access a database that stores additional patient information. The value "N" may indicate that a "do not resuscitate" directive is negative, while the value "Z91. <NUM>-<NUM>-Z88. <NUM>" may be hyphen-separated values indicating that patient <NUM> (see <FIG>) is allergic to eggs (code: Z91. <NUM>), has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (code: <NUM>), and is allergic to penicillin (code: Z88. The value "CABG-<NUM>" may also include hyphen-separated values indicating that patient <NUM> is to have a coronary artery bypass grafting (code: CABG) as a double internal mammary-coronary artery bypass (code: <NUM>).

An authentication code may be generated via one or more of a checksum and a cryptographic hash function, among others. In one example, the checksum may include a cyclic redundancy check. In another example, the cryptographic hash function may be at least one of a message digest MD-<NUM>, MD-<NUM>, secure hash algorithm (SHA) <NUM>, SHA-<NUM>, and SHA-<NUM>, among others. The authentication code may be generated from patient information. For example, the authentication code may be generated from "Jane Doe,09Januaryl955,10938A45,N,Z91. <NUM>-<NUM>-Z88. <NUM>,CABG-<NUM>". The authentication code may be generated from patient information and a "salt". For example, the "salt" may be a value that is used to alter a checksum and/or a hash such that the original string and the salt are needed to authenticate the original string. The authentication code "9e64cd24594fbalbe20975fac64201eb" may be generated via the MD-<NUM> hash function, the patient information, and a salt of ",PqulZfW2". As such, "9e64cd24594fbalbe20975fac64201eb" may be generated by using the MD-<NUM> hash function of the string "Jane Doe,09January1955,10938A45,N,Z91. <NUM>-<NUM>-Z88. <NUM>,CABG-<NUM>,PqulZfW2".

<FIG> illustrates another garment <NUM> embodied as a scrub shirt that includes machine-readable information <NUM>, according to one or more embodiments. As shown, garments 625a-625d may have respective machine-readable information 630a-630d printed and/or placed in various places on the respective garment. Machine-readable information <NUM> may be placed at various positions that may make accessing machine-readable information <NUM> easier and/or that may depend upon a medical procedure. Machine-readable information <NUM> may include one or more structures, one or more functionalities, and/or information described with reference to one or more of machine-readable information <NUM> (see <FIG>), <NUM> (see <FIG>), and <NUM> (see <FIG>).

<FIG> also illustrates another garment <NUM> embodied as scrub pants 725a and 725b and exam shorts 725c and 725d that include machine-readable information <NUM>, according to one or more embodiments. As shown, garments 725a-725d may have respective machine-readable information 730a-730d printed and/or placed in various places on the respective garment. Machine-readable information <NUM> may be placed at various positions that may make accessing machine-readable information <NUM> easier and/or that may depend upon a medical procedure. Machine-readable information <NUM> may include one or more structures, one or more functionalities, and/or information described with reference to one or more of machine-readable information <NUM> (see <FIG>), <NUM> (see <FIG>), and <NUM> (see <FIG>).

Turning now to <FIG>, a block diagram of printing process and system is illustrated, according to one or more embodiments. As shown, a processing system <NUM> may be communicatively coupled to a printer <NUM>. In one example, processing system <NUM> may be communicatively coupled to printer <NUM> via wireless communications. In a second example, processing system <NUM> may be communicatively coupled to printer <NUM> via wired communications. In another example, processing system <NUM> may be communicatively coupled to printer <NUM> via a network. Although processing system <NUM> and printer <NUM> are illustrated as separate blocks, system <NUM> and printer <NUM> may be combined.

Processing system <NUM> may include one or more structures and/or one or more functionalities of those described with reference to processing system <NUM>. For example, processing system <NUM> may include a processor <NUM>, a memory <NUM> that may be communicatively coupled to processor <NUM> and that may include processor instructions <NUM>, and an I/O device <NUM> that may be communicatively coupled to processor <NUM>. Processor <NUM>, memory <NUM>, processor instructions <NUM>, and I/O device <NUM> may include one or more structures and/or one or more functionalities of those described with processor <NUM>, memory <NUM>, processor instructions <NUM>, and I/O device <NUM>, respectively.

Processing system <NUM> may be or include any type of processing device. For example, processing system <NUM> may be or include a PDA, a laptop computer system, a desktop computer system, a server computer system, an embedded processing system, a wireless telephonic device, a tablet computing device, and a mobile computing system, among others.

As shown, processing system <NUM> may be communicatively coupled to external storage 230a and may be communicatively coupled to external storage 230b via network <NUM>. Storage <NUM> may store one or more diagnostic images of at least a portion of patient <NUM> (see <FIG>) and/or may store one or more reference images of at least a portion of patient <NUM>. In one example, storage <NUM> may store one or more X-ray images and/or one or more magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images. In another example, storage <NUM> may store one or more reference image of an eye of patient <NUM>. Storage <NUM> may store preoperative measurements. In one example, storage <NUM> may store electrocardiogram information. In another example, storage <NUM> may store one or more of a radii, a radii, corneal curvature of steep and flat axes, a limbal position and diameter, a pupil position and diameter, and a corneal reflex position, among others. The preoperative measurements may assist in one or more medical procedures. For example, the preoperative measurements may assist with a number and locations of incisions and an appropriate intraocular lens using one or more formulas in a cataract surgical procedure.

As illustrated, a medium 830a may be provided and/or fed to printer <NUM>. Printer <NUM> may be or include a device, such as printing device, that is operable to print and/or place machine-readable information and/or human-readable information as one or more markings on a medium. For example, printer <NUM> may mark medium 830a with machine-readable information to produce a marked medium 830b. Printer <NUM> may print and/or place one or more optical codes on medium 830a, producing marked medium 830b. Printer <NUM> may print and/or place one or more of orientation information and name information, among others, on medium 830a, producing marked medium 830b. Printer <NUM> may print and/or place one or more of orientation information <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> on medium 830a, producing marked medium 830b. Printer <NUM> may print and/or place one or more of name information <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> on medium 830a, producing marked medium 830b.

Medium <NUM> may be or include one or more mediums that can be marked with machine-readable information and/or human-readable information. In one example, medium <NUM> may include one or more of paper, cloth, and plastic, among others. In another example, medium <NUM> may include one or more of a head band, a cap, a hat, a sticker (e.g., an adhesive-backed sticker), scrub pants, a bandage, a scrub shirt, one or more socks, one or more slippers, a patient gown, an exam cape, exam shorts, and a robe, among others. Medium <NUM> may be arranged in a manner where printer <NUM> may print and/or place one or more markings on medium <NUM>. In one example, medium <NUM> may be folded in a manner where printer <NUM> may print and/or place one or more markings on medium <NUM>. In another example, one or more portions of medium <NUM> may be placed in and/or held by a hoop and/or a cartridge where printer <NUM> may print and/or place one or more markings on medium <NUM>.

Processing system <NUM> may provide information to printer <NUM>. In one example, processing system <NUM> may provide information associated with patient <NUM> (see <FIG>) to printer <NUM>. Patient information, described herein, may be provided to printer <NUM> via processing system <NUM>. In a second example, processing system <NUM> may retrieve one or more portions of information associated with patient <NUM> from storage <NUM> and may provide at least a portion of the retrieved information, a key or index associated with the one or more portions of information associated with patient <NUM>, and/or authentication information associated with the one or more portions of information associated with patient <NUM>. Processing system <NUM> may retrieve preoperative measurements from storage <NUM> which may be provided to printer <NUM>. A key or index associated with one or more diagnostic images may be determined and/or created and may be provided to printer <NUM>. Authentication information may be determined and/or created to match and/or ensure machine-readable information associated with patient <NUM> (see <FIG>) corresponds to storage 230a. In another example, processing system <NUM> may provide machine-readable marking information to printer <NUM>. Machine-readable marking information may include barcode information.

Printer <NUM> may be located at a medical facility. For example, printer <NUM> may be located at an office of a doctor, a hospital, an urgent care facility, or an outpatient surgery center, among others. Printer <NUM> may be located at a manufacturer and/or a distributer. In one example, printing machine-readable information on a garment at the manufacturer and/or the distributer may aid in preventing fraudulent and/or counterfeit garments. In another example, machine-readable information may be printed and/or placed on a garment used in a medical procedure at the manufacturer and/or the distributer, and the machine-readable information may be assigned to a patient. The machine-readable information may be assigned to the patient when the patient is issued the garment, and the machine-readable information assigned to the patient may be used to identify the patient and/or may be used to provide a key to retrieve information associated with the patient.

Turning now to <FIG>, a method of providing machine-readable information associated with a medical procedure is illustrated, according to one or more embodiments. At step <NUM>, patient information may be received. The patient information may include information pertinent to a medical procedure and/or the patient. For example, the patient information may include one or more of a name, a date of birth, medical procedure information, medical implant information, a food allergy, and a drug allergy, among others. The patient information may be received from a storage device. In one example, the storage device may include a database, and the patient information may be received from the database. In another example, the storage device may include a USB storage device. The patient information may be received from a processing system and/or computing device.

At step <NUM>, patient information may be encoded. In one example, encoding the patient information may include producing a comma separated value (CSV) string from the patient information. In a second example, encoding the patient information may include encrypting one or more portions of the patient information. In a third example, encoding the patient information may include computing a hash and/or a checksum of one or more portions of the patient information. In another example, encoding the patient information may include encoding machine-readable information with the patient information.

Encoding the machine-readable information with the patient information may include producing one or more of a graphic, a raster (e.g., a raster file), a bit-map, a scalar vector graphic, and instructions (e.g., instructions of printer command language program, PostScript instructions, etc.). For example, the one or more of the graphic, the raster, the bit-map, the scalar vector graphic, and the instructions may include barcode information and/or symbols and/or may include data that may be used by printer <NUM> (see <FIG>) to print and/or place the barcode information and/or symbols. The barcode information may include a type of barcode. For example, the type of barcode may include codabar, code <NUM>, code <NUM>, farmacode, code <NUM>, code <NUM>, code <NUM>, code <NUM>, code <NUM>, CPC binary, EAN <NUM>, EAN <NUM>, EAN <NUM>, EAN <NUM>, GS1-<NUM>, GS1 DataBar, ITF-<NUM>, JAN, KarTrak ACI, MSI, Pharmcode, Plessy, PostBar, POSTNET, RM4SCC/KIX, RM Mailmark C, RM Mailmark L, Telepen, Universal Product Code, Aztec Code, Code <NUM>, ColorCode, Color Construct Code, ContoSign, d-touch, DataGlyphs, Data Matrix, Datastrip Code, EZcode, High Capacity Color Barcode, Han Xin Barcode, HueCode, InterCode, MaxiCode, NexCode, PDF417, Qode, QR code, ShotCode, or SPARQCode, among others.

At step <NUM>, the encoded patient information may be provided to a printer. For example, the encoded patient information may be provided to printer <NUM> (see <FIG>) via one or more of a wireless communication, a wired communication, and a network communication, among others.

At step <NUM>, machine-readable information may be printed and/or placed on a medium. For example, printer <NUM> (see <FIG>) may print and/or place the machine-readable information on medium <NUM> (see <FIG>). Printer <NUM> may print a barcode on medium <NUM>. Printer <NUM> may print and/or place symbols on medium <NUM>.

The machine-readable information may be printed and/or placed on the medium using a marking material that reflects one or more specific wavelengths of light and/or transforms one or more specific wavelengths of light into other one or more specific wavelengths of light. For example, the machine-readable marking may be printed and/or placed on the medium using an ink that reflects and/or transforms ultraviolet light. The ink may transform ultraviolet light into another wavelength of light that can be acquired via one or more cameras and/or image sensors described herein. The machine-readable information may be printed and/or placed on the medium using a marking material that absorbs one or more specific wavelengths of light.

Turning now to <FIG>, a method of processing machine-readable information associated with a medical procedure is illustrated, according to one or more embodiments. At step <NUM>, machine-readable information may be acquired. In one example, acquiring the machine-readable information may include a camera acquiring an image that includes the machine-readable information. A camera of medical system <NUM> (see <FIG>) may acquire an image that includes machine-readable information <NUM> (see <FIG>). In a second example, portable medical device 300a (see <FIG>) may use camera <NUM> (see <FIG>) to acquire an image that includes the machine-readable information. In another example, portable medical device 300b (see <FIG>) may use OA device <NUM> (see <FIG>) to acquire the machine-readable information. OA device <NUM> may acquire one or more of machine-readable information <NUM>, <NUM> (see <FIG>), <NUM> (see <FIG>), <NUM> (see <FIG>), <NUM> (see <FIG>), <NUM> (see <FIG>), and <NUM> (see <FIG>), among others.

At step <NUM>, the machine-readable information may be processed. Processing the machine-readable information may include processing one or more images to determine information stored via the machine-readable information. For example, the one or more images may include one or more barcodes that include information associated with a medical procedure. The one or more barcodes may include information described herein, and processing the machine-readable information may include retrieving information associated with a medical procedure from the machine-readable information.

The machine-readable information may be processed to determine patient data. In one example, the machine-readable information may include the patient data. In another example, processing the machine-readable information to determine patient data may include retrieving one or more portions of the patient data from a storage device. Storage 230a (see <FIG>) may store the one or more portions of the patient data, and one or more portions of the machine-readable information may be used to retrieve the one or more portions of the patient data from storage 230a. Storage 230b (see <FIG>) may store the one or more portions of the patient data, and one or more portions of the machine-readable information may be used to retrieve, via network <NUM> (see <FIG>), the one or more portions of the patient data from storage 230b.

The machine-readable information may include encrypted information. For example, processing the machine-readable information to determine patient data may include decrypting information stored via the machine-readable information to determine patient data.

At step <NUM>, a medical procedure may be determined. For example, the information retrieved from the machine-readable information may indicate the medical procedure. The information retrieved from the machine-readable information <NUM> (see <FIG>) may indicate a medical procedure of a cataract surgery. The information retrieved from the machine-readable information <NUM> (see <FIG>) may indicate a medical procedure of a coronary artery bypass grafting surgery. Medical system <NUM> (see <FIG>) may be operable to be used in multiple medical procedures, and the information retrieved from the machine-readable information may be used to select the medical procedure from the multiple medical procedures for which medical system <NUM> may be permitted.

At step <NUM>, use of one or more portions of medical system <NUM> (see <FIG>) may be permitted based on the information retrieved from the machine-readable information. In one example, use of microscope <NUM> (see <FIG>) and display <NUM> (see <FIG>) may be permitted. In a second example, use of display <NUM> (see <FIG>) may be permitted to display vital signs of patient <NUM> (see <FIG>), though not permitted to provide images acquired via microscope <NUM>. The information retrieved from the machine-readable information may indicate that student medical personnel may not participate in the medical procedure. In another example, use of display <NUM> may be permitted to provide images acquired via microscope <NUM> based on one or more indications of the information retrieved from the machine-readable information.

At step <NUM>, user input that indicates at least one planned procedure step may be received. For example, a medical procedure may incorporate multiple planned procedure steps. The medical procedure may incorporate a surgery that incorporates multiple planned procedure steps.

At step <NUM>, it may be determined if the medical procedure incorporate s the at least one planned procedure step, received at step <NUM>. If the medical procedure does incorporate at least one planned procedure step, at least a portion of images acquired via a camera may be provided to a display at step <NUM>. In one example, the at least the portion of images acquired via the camera may be provided to at least one of displays <NUM> and <NUM> (see <FIG>). In another example, microscope <NUM> (see <FIG>) may include a display, and the at least the portion of images acquired via the camera may be provided to the display of microscope <NUM>. Microscope <NUM> may include a display that augments one or more views of one or more objects. For example, providing, to the display, may include augmenting the one or more views of the one or more objects.

If the medical procedure does not incorporate the at least one planned procedure step, error information may be provided to a display at step <NUM>. In on example, the error information may be provided to at least one of displays <NUM> and <NUM> (see <FIG>). In a second example, microscope <NUM> (see <FIG>) may include a display, and the error information may be provided to the display of microscope <NUM>. In another example, the error information may be provided to a display that augments one or more views, via microscope <NUM> (see <FIG>), of one or more objects.

Operation of at least a second portion of the medical system may be prevented if the medical procedure does not incorporate the at least one planned procedure step, at step <NUM>. For example, preventing use of the at least the second portion of the medical system may aid in preventing error or further error in the medical procedure. The at least the second portion of the medical system may be different from the at least the first portion of the medical system, permitted at step <NUM>. The at least the second portion of the medical system may be the at least the first portion of the medical system, permitted at step <NUM>. For example, the at least the first portion of the medical system may be disabled if the medical procedure does not incorporate the at least one planned procedure step.

Preventing operation of the at least the second portion of the medical system may be overridden. In one example, the prevention of the at least the second portion of the medical system may be overridden for life and/or limb saving purposes. In a second example, one or more portions of the medical procedure may be experimental. The experimental one or more portions of the medical procedure may not be incorporate d in stored protocol for a medical procedure. In another example, total control of the medical system may not be withheld from one or more medical personnel.

Turning now to <FIG>, a method of processing machine-readable information associated with a medical procedure and an orientation of the machine-readable information is illustrated, according to one or more embodiments. Steps <NUM>-<NUM> may be performed in accordance with steps <NUM>-<NUM> (see <FIG>), respectively.

At step <NUM>, an orientation based on machine-readable information may be determined. The information retrieved from the machine-readable information may include and/or indicate an orientation. For example, the one or more portions of medical system <NUM> (see <FIG>) may be permitted or disabled based on the orientation. The orientation may be relative to a portion of medical system <NUM> (see <FIG>), such as microscope <NUM> (see <FIG>), and the one or more portions of medical system <NUM> may be permitted or disabled based on the orientation relative to the portion of medical system <NUM>.

At step <NUM>, it may be determined if the determined orientation is in accordance with the at least one planned procedure step. If the determined orientation is in accordance with the at least one planned procedure step, at least a portion of images acquired via a camera may be provided to a display at step <NUM>. Step <NUM> may be performed in accordance with step <NUM> (see <FIG>). If the determined orientation is not in accordance with the at least one planned procedure step, error information may be provided to a display at step <NUM>. Steps <NUM> and <NUM> may be performed in accordance with respective steps <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively.

One or more of the method and/or process elements and/or one or more portions of a method and/or processor elements may be performed in varying orders, may be repeated, or may be omitted. Furthermore, additional, supplementary, and/or duplicated method and/or process elements may be implemented, instantiated, and/or performed as desired. Moreover, one or more of system elements may be omitted and/or additional system elements may be added as desired.

Claim 1:
A processing system (<NUM>) configured to be communicatively coupled to one or more first portions of a medical system (<NUM>), the processing system (<NUM>) comprising:
a processor (<NUM>) operable to receive images via a camera (<NUM>); and
a memory (<NUM>) coupled to the processor (<NUM>) and operable to store instructions to be executed by the processor (<NUM>);
wherein the processing system (<NUM>) is operable to, as the processor (<NUM>) executes the instructions:
acquire machine-readable information (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>) received from at least one of the images received via the camera (<NUM>), wherein the machine-readable information (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>) includes an optical code printed and/or placed on a garment (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>) to be worn by a patient (<NUM>) for a medical procedure;
process the machine-readable information (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>) to determine patient data from the machine-readable information (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>);
determine the medical procedure that uses the medical system (<NUM>) based on the patient data;
determine if the medical procedure is permitted based on information retrieved from the machine-readable information,
wherein, if the processor (<NUM>) determines that the medical procedure is permitted, the processor (<NUM>) permits use of the medical system for the medical procedure, and if the processor (<NUM>) determines that the medical procedure is not permitted, the processor (<NUM>) does not permit functionality of one or more second portions of the medical system (<NUM>);
receive user input that indicates at least one planned procedure step; determine if the medical procedure incorporates the at least one planned procedure step.