Oximeter sensor with digital memory recording sensor data

• US 20020038081A1
• Filed: 08/30/2001
• Published: 03/28/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc), Millinckrodt Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Mallinckrodt Incorporated (Mallinckrodt plc)
• Inventors: Fein, Marcia, Swedlow, David, Fein, Michael E., Mannheimer, Paul D., Porges, Charles, Merchant, Adnan
• Granted Patent: US 6,591,123 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/323
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/085 combined with means for recording calibration data
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14552 Details of sensors specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1495 Calibrating or testing of in-vivo probes
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 18/00 Testing or calibrating apparatus or arrangements provided for in groups G01D1/00 - G01D15/00

Abstract

The present invention provides a memory chip for use in an oximeter sensor, or an associated adapter or connector circuit. The memory chip allows the storing of different data to provide enhanced capabilities for the oximeter sensor. In addition to providing unique data to store in such a memory, the invention describes unique uses of data stored in such a memory. The data stored in the memory chip may include information relating to use of the oximeter sensor. For example, the memory chip may encode a sensor model identification that can be displayed on a display screen when the sensor is connected to an oximeter monitor. The memory may also encode a range of operating parameters such as light levels over which the sensor can function or a maximum drive current. The operating parameters are read and interpreted by a controller circuit to control the pulse oximetry system.

Claims

1. An oximeter monitor system comprising:

a sensor; and

a monitor,

said sensor including a memory device for storing data identifying an ID code associated with a sensor model,

said monitor reading said memory device, decoding said ID code, and selecting operating parameters based on said sensor model.

2. The oximeter monitor system of claim 1 wherein said operating parameters are a maximum safe drive current for a light emitter in said sensor.

3. The oximeter monitor system of claim 1 wherein said operating parameters are an expected range for signals received from a light detector in said sensor.

4. The oximeter monitor system of claim 3 wherein signals from said light detector being outside the expected range indicate a sensor-off condition.

5. An oximeter sensor comprising:

a light emitting element;

a light detecting element; and

a memory device for storing digital data, said digital data comprising an identification code that identifies a sensor model of said oximeter sensor and an action to be performed by an oximeter monitor coupled to the oximeter sensor in response to reading the identification code.

6. The oximeter sensor of claim 5 wherein said action comprises said oximeter monitor displaying the sensor model of said oximeter sensor by decoding said identification code.

7. An oximeter sensor comprising:

a light emitting element;

a light detecting element; and

a memory device for storing digital data, said digital data comprising a maximum safe drive current that can be applied to said light emitting element.

8. The oximeter sensor of claim 7 wherein an oximeter monitor coupled to said oximeter sensor drives said light emitting element to said maximum safe drive current.

9. An oximeter sensor comprising:

a light emitting element;

a light detecting element; and

a memory device for storing digital data, said digital data comprising updated code or coefficients for use by an oximeter monitor coupled to said oximeter sensor to calculate data encoded in signals received from said light detecting element.

10. An oximeter sensor comprising:

a light emitting element;

a light detecting element; and

a memory device for storing digital data, said digital data comprising a displayable message.

11. The oximeter sensor of claim 10 wherein the digital data further comprises codes corresponding to a plurality of languages, wherein said message is displayable in a selected language.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein performing said action comprises:

displaying the sensor model of said oximeter sensor by decoding said identification code.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising:

driving said light emitting element to said maximum safe drive current.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein performing said action comprises:

displaying the manufacturer of said oximeter sensor by decoding said identification code.

12. An oximeter sensor comprising:

a light emitting element;

a light detecting element; and

a memory device for storing digital data, said digital data comprising a code identifying a manufacturer of said oximeter sensor and an action to be performed by an oximeter monitor coupled to the oximeter sensor in response to reading the code.

13. A method for storing data in an oximeter sensor, the method comprising:

emitting light from a light emitting element;

detecting light from the light emitting element using a photodetector; and

storing digitally encoded data in a memory in the sensor, the digitally encoded data comprising an identification code that identifies a sensor model of said oximeter sensor in said memory and an action to be performed by an oximeter monitor coupled to the oximeter sensor in response to reading the identification code;

reading said identification code and said action using said oximeter monitor; and

performing said action using said oximeter monitor.

15. A method for storing data in an oximeter sensor, the method comprising:

emitting light from a light emitting element;

detecting light from the light emitting element using a photodetector; and

storing digitally encoded data in a memory in the sensor, the digitally encoded data comprising a maximum safe drive current that can be applied to said light emitting element in said memory.

17. A method for storing data in an oximeter sensor, the method comprising:

emitting light from a light emitting element;

detecting light from the light emitting element using a photodetector; and

storing digitally encoded data in a memory in the sensor, the digitally encoded data comprising a code identifying a manufacturer of said oximeter sensor in said memory and an action to be performed by an oximeter monitor coupled to the oximeter sensor in response to reading said code;

reading said identification code and said action using said oximeter monitor; and

performing said action using said oximeter monitor.

19. A method for storing data in an oximeter sensor, the method comprising:

emitting light from a light emitting element;

detecting light from the light emitting element using a photodetector; and

storing digitally encoded data in a memory in the sensor, the digitally encoded data comprising updated code or coefficients for use by an oximeter monitor coupled to said oximeter sensor to calculate data from signals received from said photodetector.