Modular multi-parameter patient monitoring device

• US 10,667,762 B2
• Filed: 05/10/2019
• Issued: 06/02/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Masimo Corporation
• Original Assignee: Masimo Corporation
• Inventors: Barker, Nicholas Evan, DeJong, Chad A., Dotson, Kirby Clark, Al-Ali, Ammar, Muhsin, Bilal, Hwang, Sujin, Kiani, Massi Joe E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Yacob, Sisay
• Application Number:
  US16/409,625
• Publication Number:
  US 20200000415A1
• Time in Patent Office: 389 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/045 with a separable interface unit, e.g. for communication
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0456 Apparatus provided with a docking unit
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7425 Displaying combinations of multiple images regardless of image source, e.g. displaying a reference anatomical image with a live image geometric transforms for image registration G06T3/14; enhancement using image fusion G06T5/50; algorithms for registration of images G06T7/30
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1601 Constructional details related to the housing of computer displays, e.g. of CRT monitors, of flat displays constructional details related to flat displays integrated in a portable computer, e.g. laptop, handheld computer G06F1/1637; constructional details related to television receivers H04N5/64
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/181 Enclosures for portable computers G06F1/1613
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/20 Cooling means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/201 Cooling arrangements using cooling fluid
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 1/20 Processor architectures; Processor configuration, e.g. pipelining
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 30/40 for processing medical images, e.g. editing
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0017 with operator interface units
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0213 Venting apertures; Constructional details thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/18 Construction of rack or frame
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20136 Forced ventilation, e.g. by fans H05K7/202 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20172 Fan mounting or fan specifications
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20181 Filters; Louvers

Abstract

A multi-parameter patient monitoring device rack can dock a plurality of patient monitor modules and can communicate with a separate display unit. A signal processing unit can be incorporated into the device rack. A graphics processing unit can be attached to the display unit. The device rack and the graphic display unit can have improved heat dissipation and drip-proof features. The multi-parameter patient monitoring device rack can provide interchangeability and versatility to a multi-parameter patient monitoring system by allowing use of different display units and monitoring of different combinations of parameters. A dual-use patient monitor module can have its own display unit configured for displaying one or more parameters when used as a stand-alone device, and can be docked into the device rack when a handle on the module is folded down.

Claims

1. A computer processing unit of a multi-parameter patient monitoring system with improved heat dissipation, the processing unit comprising:

a first housing having a front side, a back side, and a side surface extending between the front and back sides, the housing comprising a plurality of vent openings;

a second housing extending around the side surface of the first housing and is spaced apart from an outer wall of the side surface to define a gap, at least a portion of the plurality of vent openings of the first housing being at the side surface and adjacent to the gap;

one or more hardware processors within the first housing; and

a fan located within the first housing, wherein, when activated, the fan is configured to draw pressurized air into the gap, the pressurized air flowing over the one or more hardware processors before exiting through at least some of the plurality of vent openings that are located away from the gap.

2. The computer processing unit of claim 1, wherein the fan is located near one or more of the plurality of openings.

3. The computer processing unit of claim 1, wherein the plurality of vent openings are located at the side surface.

4. The computer processing unit of claim 3, wherein the plurality of vent openings are located on opposing sides of the side surface.

5. The computer processing unit of claim 1, wherein the one or more hardware processors comprise one or more graphics processors configured to communicate with a second processing unit of the multi-parameter patient monitoring system to receive values of the one or more physiological parameters, the second processing unit located away from the device.

6. The computer processing unit of claim 1, wherein at least some of the vent openings are located on the back side.

7. The computer processing unit of claim 1, wherein the first housing comprising a plurality of docking stations configured to receive one or more patient monitor modules, the plurality of patient monitor modules each configured for connecting to one or more sensors so as to measure one or more physiological parameters.

8. The computer processing unit of claim 7, wherein the plurality of docking stations comprise docking stations of different sizes.

9. The computer processing unit of claim 7, wherein the plurality of docking stations are located adjacent the gap.

10. A graphics processing unit of a multi-parameter patient monitoring system with improved heat dissipation, the graphics processing unit comprising:

a first housing having a front side, a back side, and a side surface extending between the front and back sides, the side surface comprising a plurality of vent openings;

a second housing extending around the side surface of the first housing and is spaced apart from an outer wall of the side surface to define a gap, at least a portion of the plurality of vent openings being adjacent to the gap;

one or more graphics processors within the first housing; and

a fan located in the first housing, wherein, when activated, the fan is configured to draw pressurized air into the gap, the pressurized air flowing over the one or more graphics processors before exiting through the plurality of vent openings.

11. The graphics processing unit of claim 10, wherein the fan is located near one or more of the plurality of openings.

12. The graphics processing unit of claim 10, wherein the plurality of vent openings are located on opposing sides of the side surface.

13. The graphics processing unit of claim 10, wherein the one or more graphics processors are configured to communicate with a second processing unit of the multi-parameter patient monitoring system to receive values of the one or more physiological parameters, the second processing unit being separate from the graphics processing unit.

14. The graphics processing unit of claim 10, wherein the gap extending around a perimeter of the side surface.

15. A device rack of a multi-parameter patient monitoring system with improved heat dissipation, the device rack configured to electrically communicate with a graphics processing unit separate from the device rack, the device rack comprising:

a device rack housing having a front side, a back side, and a side surface extending between the front and back sides, the back side comprising a plurality of vent openings;

a docking compartment comprising a plurality of docks configured to receive a plurality of patient monitor modules, the plurality of patient monitor modules each configured for connecting to one or more sensors so as to measure one or more physiological parameters, wherein the dock compartment is located within the device rack housing and is spaced apart from an inner wall of the device rack housing to define a gap, the dock compartment comprising a plurality of vent openings adjacent to the gap;

a processor unit configured to receive and process data from the plurality of patient monitor modules, the processing unit being located closer to the back side than the docking compartment; and

a fan located in the housing, wherein, when activated, the fan is configured to draw pressurized air into the gap, the pressurized air flowing over the processor unit before exiting through the plurality of vent openings on the back side.

16. The device rack of claim 15, wherein the docking compartment comprises an inner housing separate from the device rack housing.

17. The device rack of claim 16, wherein a portion of the docking compartment extends outward from the device rack housing on the front side.

18. The device rack of claim 15, wherein a plurality of walls of the docking compartment is integral with the device rack housing.

19. The device rack of claim 15, wherein the plurality of patient monitor modules are configured to be received via the front side.

20. The device rack of claim 15, wherein the fan is located closer to the back side than the docking compartment.