Pulse oximeter access apparatus and method

• US 20050101848A1
• Filed: 11/04/2004
• Published: 05/12/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Masimo Corporation
• Original Assignee: Masimo Corporation
• Inventors: Converston, Ronald, Al-Ali, Ammar, Kiani, Massi E.
• Granted Patent: US 7,483,729 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/323
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0266 for monitoring or limiting apparatus function
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0475 Special features of memory means, e.g. removable memory cards
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/08 Sensors provided with means for identification, e.g. barcodes or memory chips
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/221 Arrangements of sensors with cables or leads, e.g. cable harnesses
• 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 5/7221 Determining signal validity, reliability or quality A61B5/7207 and A61B5/7217 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7271 Specific aspects of physiological measurement analysis A61B5/316, A61B5/349 and A61B5/374 take precedence

Abstract

Access is provided to certain pulse oximetry systems utilizing a keyed sensor and a corresponding locked sensor port of a restricted access monitor. In such systems, the keyed sensor has a key comprising a memory element, and the monitor has a memory reader associated with the sensor port. The monitor is configured to function only when the key is in communications with the locked sensor port, and the memory reader is able to retrieve predetermined data from the memory element. The monitor is accessed by providing the key separate from the keyed sensor, integrating the key into an adapter cable, and connecting the adapter cable between the sensor port and an unkeyed sensor so that the monitor functions with the unkeyed sensor.

Claims

1. In a pulse oximetry system comprising a keyed sensor and a corresponding locked sensor port of a restricted access monitor, said keyed sensor having a key comprising a memory element, said monitor having a memory reader associated with said sensor port, said monitor configured to function only when said key is in communications with said locked sensor port and said memory reader is able to retrieve predetermined data from said memory element, an access method comprising the steps of:

providing said key separate from said keyed sensor;

integrating said key into an adapter cable; and

connecting said adapter cable between said sensor port and a unkeyed sensor so that said monitor functions with said unkeyed sensor.

2. The access method according to claim 1 wherein said providing step comprises the substeps of:

purchasing said keyed sensor; and

removing said key from said keyed sensor.

3. The access method according to claim 2 wherein said removing step comprises the substep of detaching a patient cable connector containing said key from said keyed sensor.

4. The access method according to claim 2 wherein said providing step comprises the substep of removing said key from a patient cable connector portion of said keyed sensor.

5. The access method according to claim 1 wherein said providing step comprises the substeps of:

providing said memory element;

programming said memory element with said predetermined data; and

incorporating said memory element into a connector.

6. The access method according to claim 1 wherein said integrating step comprises the substeps of:

providing a keyless adapter cable having a first end, an opposite second end, and a first connector attached to said first end; and

attaching a second connector having said key to said second end.

7. The access method according to claim 6 wherein:

said adapter cable is a sensor adapter;

said first connector is a sensor connector adapted to mate with a patient cable connector of said generic sensor; and

said second connector is a patient cable connector adapted to mate with a sensor connector of a patient cable.

8. The access method according to claim 6 wherein:

said adapter cable is a patient cable; and

said second connector is one of a monitor connector adapted to mate with said sensor port and a sensor connector adapter to mate with a patient cable connector of said unkeyed sensor.

9. The access method according to claim 1 wherein said connecting step comprises the substeps of:

mating a patient cable to said sensor port;

connecting said adapter cable between said patient cable and said unkeyed sensor.

10. The access method according to claim 1 wherein said connecting step comprises the substeps of:

mating said adapter cable to said sensor port;

connecting said unkeyed sensor to said adapter cable.

11. A pulse oximeter access apparatus comprising:

a sensor having emitters adapted to transmit light of at least first and second wavelengths into a fleshy medium and a light sensitive detector adapted to generate at least first and second intensity signals by detecting the light after absorption by constituents of pulsatile blood flowing within the fleshy medium;

a monitor configured to non-invasively measure at least one physiological parameter responsive to magnitudes of said intensity signals;

a key containing access information;

a sensor port configured to communicate emitter drive signals from said monitor to said sensor, said intensity signals from said sensor to said monitor, and access information from said key to said monitor;

a lock associated with said sensor port adapted to read said access information from said key and to enable said monitor to provide measurements of said at least one physiological parameter in response to said access information; and

an adapter cable configured to provide a communications link between said sensor and said sensor port, said adapter cable containing said key.

12. The pulse oximeter access apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said key comprises a memory element removed from a second sensor, said memory element programmed with said access information.

13. The pulse oximeter access apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said memory element is incorporated into a patient cable connector detached from said second sensor, said patient cable connector being reattached to said adapter cable.

14. The pulse oximeter access apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said memory element is incorporated into a connector portion of said adapter cable.

15. The pulse oximeter access apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said adapter cable is configured to connect between said sensor and a patient cable.

16. The pulse oximeter access apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said adapter cable is a patient cable configured to connect to said sensor at one end and said sensor port at another end.

17. A pulse oximeter access apparatus comprising:

a sensor means for providing a physiological signal to a monitor;

a key means for providing access to a locked sensor port portion of said monitor; and

an adapter cable means for providing communications between said sensor and said sensor port, said adapter cable means containing said key means.

18. The pulse oximeter access apparatus according to claim 17 further comprising:

a patient cable means for providing communications between said sensor and said sensor port; and

a connector means for mating with said patient cable means,

said key means integrated into said connector means,

said connector means attached to said adapter cable means.

19. The pulse oximeter access apparatus according to claim 18 further comprising:

a second sensor means for providing a physiological signal to a monitor,

said second sensor means providing said connector means.

20. The pulse oximeter access apparatus according to claim 18 further comprising:

a second sensor means for providing a physiological signal to a monitor,

said second sensor means providing said key means.