July 07, 2006
Implantable Microchips
Four hospitals in Puerto Rico will begin implanting a microchip the size of a rice grain in patients who suffer from illnesses such as Alzheimer's disease
The hospitals will start using the microchip, made by the Verichip Corp. It is inserted in the forearm, costs $200 and is voluntary.
VeriChip is the only company with U.S. FDA approval to implant such chips in people. The company has implanted more than 2,500 people worldwide with chips that give hospitals access to their identification, which is used to retrieve medical information from an Internet database.
According to the Verichip website:
It is the world's first and only patented, FDA-cleared, human-implantable RFID microchip, VeriChip is able to offer rapid, secure patient identification helping at-risk patients get the right treatment when needed most.
The VeriChip is about the size of a grain of rice, it inserts just under the skin and contains only a unique, 16-digit identifier. The chip itself does not contain any other data other than this unique electronic ID, nor does it contain any Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking capabilities. And unlike conventional forms of identification, the VeriChip™ cannot be lost, stolen, misplaced, or counterfeited. It is safe, secure, reversible, and always with you.
Once inserted just under the skin, via a quick, painless outpatient procedure (much like getting an injection), the VeriChip™ can be scanned when necessary with a proprietary VeriChip reader, whether handheld or wall-mounted. A small amount of radio frequency energy passes from the reader energizing the dormant microchip which then emits a radio frequency signal transmitting the individuals unique verification number. This number can then be used for such purposes as accessing personal medical information in a password-protected database or assessing whether someone has authority to enter into a high-security area.
Verichip also has wearable and attachable RFID tags.
Wearable RFID Tags
Refer to VeriChip’s selection of active RFID tags that can be worn by an individual (usually on the wrist or leg). For example, VeriChip's Hugs and HALO Infant Protection Systems utilize wearable Infant Tags and Mother Tags to help prevent infant abductions and accidental mother/baby switching. Patient Tags worn on the wrist are used within VeriChip's RoamAlert and WatchMate systems to prevent residents from wandering out of designated areas.
Attachable RFID Tags
Refer to VeriChip’s selection of active and passive RFID tags, such as the Asset Tag found within Assetrac, that can be affixed to items. "Attachable" also refers to the bar code technology used within the HOUNDware line of management systems for mobile industrial assets. Possible assets to be tagged include medical equipment, laptops, tools, and supplies ensuring assets can be found when needed, tracked for maintenance and replenishment, and protected from theft, loss, and hoarding.