Medical alert bracelet
Within the general population, there are people who wear some type of identification to assist others in understanding some of their special needs. Bracelet-type identification appliances such as wristbands and the like are commonly worn by individual patients in a hospital or other medical facility. Typically, an identification bracelet includes an elongated panel, generally made of precious metal, or plated with a precious metal, onto which a name or message may be engraved. The identification bracelet normally carries certain human-readable patient identification information such as patient name, room number, patient identification (ID) number, etc., wherein this identification information can be printed directly onto the bracelet, or otherwise applied to a card, tag or label that is affixed to or suitably carried by the bracelet. Further, identification bracelets are also used to speak for a wearer when the wearer cannot speak for himself. For example, persons having a disabling condition or medical allergies may wear identification bracelets so that in case of difficulties, in which the person is unable to communicate, medical help may be administered correctly. Also, a young child may be given a bracelet so that the child may be returned home if lost. In addition, a variety of machine-readable information may be similarly applied to or carried by the bracelet, such as bar code information which may duplicate the human-readable patient identification information but may also include selected patient condition information. Recent identification bracelets have also incorporated radio frequency identification (RFID) circuits having the capacity to receive and store significant patient medical history in addition to patent identification and condition information. Such identification bracelets have also been used in a wide range of non-medical environments. Bracelets either loosely fit about the wrist or incorporate mechanical means to adjust the tightness about the wrist. Mechanical means may comprise merely a small buckle and tongue with leather straps or a plurality of spring loaded elements in a metal watch band. Medical alert ID bracelets generally comprise a chain, or other supporting means such as a strap, used to hold the elongated panel on the wearer's wrist. Typically the chain or strap is made of the same material as the elongated panel and is of a fixed length. Such chains generally are broken apart, with one part of the chain attached to each end of the elongated panel. The medical identification bracelet generally also comprises a clasp, generally having one part of the clasp on each of the free ends of the chain, for fixing the ends of the chain together on the wearer's wrist. Generally, identification bracelets are worn loosely on the wrist, allowing the engraved panel to float to different positions, so as to be comfortable for the wearer and to lessen wear on the engraved panel.
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