Systems and methods for indicating an amount of use of a sensor
First Claim
1. A method of monitoring when a pulse oximetry sensor has been used beyond a predetermined amount, the method comprising:
- monitoring with an electronic device an amount of use of a pulse oximetry sensor; and
activating an expiration indicator when the amount is at or near a predetermined amount of use.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Aspects of the present invention include systems and methods for indicating an amount of use of a pulse oximetry sensor. According to one embodiment, the system includes an oximeter that monitors the amount of use for a given sensor. The oximeter and/or the sensor may advantageously include a visual alarm, an audio alarm, a vibrational alarm, a power down function, or the like, which can be activated when a predetermined amount of use has expired. According to another embodiment, the system includes a sensor having a memory device storing a unique identifier.
134 Citations
32 Claims
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1. A method of monitoring when a pulse oximetry sensor has been used beyond a predetermined amount, the method comprising:
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monitoring with an electronic device an amount of use of a pulse oximetry sensor; and
activating an expiration indicator when the amount is at or near a predetermined amount of use. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of determining an amount of use of a medical sensor, the method comprising:
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determining whether a medical sensor being used is new;
when the medical sensor is new, resetting a timer;
incrementing the timer during use of the medical sensor; and
when the timer is proximate to a predetermined amount, activating an indicator configured to illustrate that the use of the medical sensor is proximate the predetermined amount. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A pulse oximeter comprising:
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an output conductor configured to connect to a pulse oximetry sensor; and
a microprocessor configured to monitor transitions supplied to the output conductor and when a representative value of the transitions approaches a predetermined amount, to activate an indicator indicating that use the pulse oximetry sensor has approached the predetermined amount. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. An electronic medical device configured to send signals to and receive signals from a sensor, the electronic medical device comprising:
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a microprocessor;
an output configured to communicate with a sensor;
a program executing on the microprocessor, wherein the program instructs the microprocessor to identify the sensor, monitor the use of the sensor and provide at least one of an audio and visual alarm when the sensor reaches a predetermined amount of use. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32)
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Specification