MERRILLVILLE – A high-tech life sciences company that uses radio frequency identification technology for patient identification has moved into the Purdue Technology Center in the Purdue Research Park of Northwest Indiana.

            I-DENTI-FIED Inc., founded by dentist Kevin M. Brunski in 2008, has developed a patent-pending system in which a unique patient ID on a miniature RFID transponder is placed into a denture or dental prosthetic.

            Once enrolled in the system, the patient completes an online personal health record with information from their doctor and can update the record with changes to medication, allergies and conditions. During a medical visit, any hospital, ambulance or doctor’s office equipped with a special RFID reader can retrieve the information.

            President and CEO Steven M. Wise said the device cannot be lost or stolen and is a long-term alternative to short-term patient dependent identification systems like bracelets, wallet cards and wrist bands.

            “The lack of an easy method for a patient to be accurately identified during a medical emergency or to communicate a summarized medical history contributes to more than $7 billion in unnecessary medical costs to the health-care system,” said Wise. “We are targeting high-risk populations of individuals which chronic illnesses including dementia, diabetes, heart disease, high cholesterol and special needs like autism or Down syndrome.”