Wearable apparatus for patient tracking
An apparatus for tracking patients utilizes a wristband with integrated radio frequency circuits (RFIC). The wristband may further incorporate an antenna on a flex PCB. The wristband may also be disposable and comprising means for replacing the RFIC.
1. An apparatus for tracking patients comprising:
a PCB substrate, which is at least partially flexible, of a set length, further comprising:
a low power wireless transceiver and microcontroller that is adapted to communicate with a network;
a pushbutton;
a battery; and
circuitry to couple the same;
a wearable band made of flexible material, further comprising of:
an opening and enclosure that is at least as long as the set length of the PCB substrate;
the PCB substrate formed for insertion into the opening of the wearable band and formed to secure inside the enclosure;
the flexible material formed to enable the pushbutton on the PCB substrate to be pressed while secured inside the enclosure; and
the wearable band configured to securely fasten to a patient.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the pushbutton is operable to toggle the wireless transceiver and microcontroller to power on and remain on for a set duration of time.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the pushbutton is operable to send a control signal to the wireless transceiver and microcontroller.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the PCB substrate is fully flexible.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the circuitry further comprises a tamper wire that runs along the set length of the PCB substrate.
6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the tamper wire is placed in a loop along the PCB substrate such that when a user removes the wearable band the tamper wire connection is broken and a circuit is opened.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 configured such that if the circuit is opened the wireless transceiver communicates to the network that a tag was removed from the patient.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising of a temperature sensor, the apparatus adapted such that if the temperature sensor's reading drops below a threshold the wireless transceiver communicates to the network that a tag was removed from the patient.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the wearable band further comprises of a slot for a nametag.
10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the wireless transceiver complies with the Bluetooth Low Energy standard.
11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the wireless transceiver and microcontroller are adapted to communicate to a mobile device to provide data to identify a tag.
12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the wireless transceiver and microcontroller are adapted to communicate to a mobile device to receive configuration settings.