Pulse oximetry sensor adaptor

• US 20040147823A1
• Filed: 07/22/2003
• Published: 07/29/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: David Tobler, Massi E. Kiani, Robert A. Smith
• Original Assignee: David Tobler, Massi E. Kiani, Robert A. Smith
• Inventors: Kiani, Massi E., Smith, Robert A., Tobler, David R.
• Granted Patent: US 6,993,371 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/323
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/222 Electrical cables or leads therefor, e.g. coaxial cables or ribbon cables
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14551 for measuring blood gases
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14552 Details of sensors specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/909 Medical use or attached to human body

Abstract

An adapter allows the interconnection of a sensor originating from one manufacturer to be coupled with conventionally incompatible monitors originating from other manufacturers to form a properly functioning pulse oximetry system. The adapter matches a sensor driver in a monitor to the current requirements and light source configuration of a sensor. The adapter also matches a sensor'"'"'s light detector signal level to the dynamic range requirements of a monitor preamplifier. Further, the adapter provides compatible sensor calibration, sensor type and security information to a monitor. The adapter may have a self-contained power source or it may derive power from the monitor, allowing both passive and active adapter components. The adapter is particular suited as an adapter cable, replacing a conventional patient cable or sensor cable as the interconnection between a sensor to a monitor in a pulse oximetry system.

Claims

1. A device configured to provide information to a pulse oximetry monitor, said device comprising an information generator configured to simulate information expected by the pulse oximetry monitor, wherein the simulated information is provided to the pulse oximetry monitor on a first signal path in common with a second signal path for communicating a driving signal from the pulse oximetry monitor.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is a sensor.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is an adapter configured to interconnect the pulse oximetry monitor with a sensor.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is a cable configured to provide an interconnection between the pulse oximetry monitor and a sensor.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the simulated information indicates a sensor type to the pulse oximetry monitor.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the simulated information indicates an operating wavelength.

7. A device configured to provide information to a pulse oximetry monitor, said device comprising an information generator configured to simulate information expected by the pulse oximetry monitor, wherein the simulated information is provided to the pulse oximetry monitor on a first signal line in common with a second signal line for communicating an intensity signal to the pulse oximetry monitor.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the device is a sensor adapter.

9. The device of claim 7, wherein the device is a combination of a sensor and an adapter.

10. The device of claim 7, wherein the device is a connector.

11. The device of claim 7, wherein the simulated information conveys a characteristic of a sensor.

12. The device of claim 7, wherein the simulated information indicates source of a sensor.

13. A method of communicating expected information regarding a sensor to an oximeter monitor, the method comprising:

simulating the expected information; and

providing the expected information to the oximeter monitor on a first signal line in common with a second signal line for making measurements.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the expected information relates to a sensor type which is compatible with the oximeter monitor.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the sensor lacks the expected information.