Multipurpose sensor port

• US 20050075548A1
• Filed: 07/23/2004
• Published: 04/07/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Masimo Corporation
• Original Assignee: Masimo Corporation
• Inventors: Al-Ali, Ammar, Smith, Robert A., McCarthy, Rex J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,500,950 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/322
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/045 with a separable interface unit, e.g. for communication
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/08 Sensors provided with means for identification, e.g. barcodes or memory chips
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02416 using photoplethysmograph signals, e.g. generated by infrared radiation A61B5/14552 takes precedence
• 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: G05B 19/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation

Abstract

A sensor port is adapted to connect to either a sensor or a data source. A reader is configured to identify which of the sensor and the data source is connected to the sensor port. A data path is configured to communicate an analog signal associated with the sensor and digital data associated with the data source to a signal processor according to the identification made by the reader.

Claims

1. A physiological measurement method comprising the steps of:

providing a sensor port adapted to connect with an analog sensor;

connecting a digital data source to said sensor port;

reading an identifier associated with said data source, said identifier indicative that said data source is connected to said sensor port in lieu of the analog sensor; and

receiving digital data over said sensor port.

2. The physiological measurement method according to claim 1 comprising the further step of compiling said digital data in a signal processor.

3. The physiological measurement method according to claim 2 comprising the further step of writing said digital data from said signal processor into a firmware memory, said digital data comprising a plurality of instructions executable by said signal processor.

4. The physiological measurement method according to claim 3 wherein said connecting step comprises the substeps of:

uploading said instructions to a PC;

attaching a PC interface to said sensor port;

attaching said PC to said PC interface.

5. The physiological measurement method according to claim 3 wherein said connecting step comprises the substeps of:

storing said instructions into a nonvolatile memory; and

providing communications between said nonvolatile memory and said sensor port.

6. The physiological measurement method according to claim 2 comprising the further step of processing said digital data as a physiological signal.

7. A physiological measurement system comprising:

a sensor port adapted to connect to a sensor and a data source;

a reader configured to identify which of said sensor and said data source is connected to said sensor port;

a signal processor; and

a data path configured to communicate an analog signal associated with said sensor and digital data associated with said data source to said signal processor according to said reader.

8. The physiological measurement system according to claim 7 further comprising:

a firmware memory configured to provide instructions to said signal processor,

said signal processor programmed to download said instructions from said data source and store said instructions in said memory, said instructions executable by said signal processor so as to extract a physiological measurement from said analog signal.

9. The physiological measurement system according to claim 8 wherein said data source is a PC interfaced to said sensor port, said instructions being uploaded to said PC.

10. The physiological measurement system according to claim 8 wherein said data source is a nonvolatile memory adapted to communicate with said sensor port, said instructions being stored in a nonvolatile memory.

11. The physiological measurement system according to claim 7 further comprising:

a first physiological measurement derivable by said signal processor from said analog signal; and

a second physiological measurement derivable by said signal processor from said digital data.

12. The physiological measurement system according to claim 7 further comprising a drive path configured to communicate stored data associated with a physiological measurement to a digital device connected to said sensor port.

13. The physiological measurement system according to claim 12 wherein said stored data is at least one of trend data and log data maintained in memory that can be accessed by said signal processor.

14. The physiological measurement system according to claim 7 further comprising a drive path configured to communicate acknowledgement data in conjunction with the communication of said digital data.

15. A physiological measurement method comprising the steps of:

providing a drive path adapted to activate emitters so as to transmit optical radiation through a fleshy medium having flowing blood;

providing a signal path adapted to communicate a detector response to said optical radiation after attenuation by said fleshy medium, said response indicative of optical characteristics of said flowing blood; and

transmitting output digital data over at least a portion of said drive path.

16. The physiological measurement method according to claim 15 comprising the further step of reading said output digital data from a memory having at least one of trend data and log data.

17. The physiological measurement method according to claim 15 comprising the further step of receiving input digital data over at least a portion of said signal path.

18. The physiological measurement method according to claim 17 comprising the further step of acknowledging receipt of said input digital data with said output digital data.

19. The physiological measurement method according to claim 18 comprising the further step of storing said input digital data for use as signal processing instructions.