Isolation and communication element for a resposable pulse oximetry sensor

• US 20060020180A1
• Filed: 09/26/2005
• Published: 01/26/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ammar Al-Ali
• Original Assignee: Ammar Al-Ali
• Inventors: Al-Ali, Ammar
• Granted Patent: US 7,272,425 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/310
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0276 Determining malfunction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/182 Electrical shielding, e.g. using a Faraday cage
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14552 Details of sensors specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6826 Finger
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6838 Clamps or clips

Abstract

A sensor has a connector adapted to electrically communicate with a physiological measurement instrument. A breakable conductor incorporated by the sensor transitions from a continuity state to a discontinuity state as the result of sensor wear. An isolation and communications element (ICE) has an instrument port and an electrically isolated loop port. The instrument port is in communications with the connector and the loop port is in communications with the breakable conductor. The ICE generates a control output responsive to the discontinuity state to render the sensor inoperable.

Claims

1. An optical sensor configured to noninvasively monitor one or more physiological parameters of a wearer of the optical sensor, the optical sensor comprising:

a plurality of emitters;

a detector configured to detect light attenuated by body tissue of a wearer of the optical sensor;

an emitter input configured to supply an emitter drive signal to the plurality of emitters;

a memory device; and

a communication device configured to receive sensor data to be stored in the memory device.

2. The optical sensor of claim 1, wherein the sensor data comprises calibration data.

3. The optical sensor of claim 1, wherein the sensor data comprises data indicative of parameters of the plurality of emitters.

4. The optical sensor of claim 1, wherein the sensor data comprises data indicative of a manufacturer of the optical sensor.

5. The optical sensor of claim 1, wherein the communication device is configured to receive the sensor data from an attached oximeter.

6. The optical sensor of claim 1, wherein the communication device is configured to receive the sensor data over the emitter input.

7. The optical sensor of claim 1, wherein the communication device is configured to receive the sensor data at least during a startup process.

8. The optical sensor of claim 1, wherein the communication device is configured to receive the sensor data at least during a calibration process.

9. The optical sensor of claim 1, wherein the communication device is configured to receive the sensor data at least during an initialization process.

10. The optical sensor of claim 1, wherein the communication device is configured to receive the sensor data at least during a re-initialization process.

11. The optical sensor of claim 1, wherein the communication device is configured to receive the sensor data at least during testing.

12. The optical sensor of claim 1, wherein the testing occurs at the manufacturer.

13. A method of providing accurate data about an attached sensor to an oximeter system, the method comprising:

accessing a memory on a noninvasive optical sensor capable of detecting light attenuated by body tissue, the optical sensor including a plurality of emitters and the memory capable of storing accurate data indicative of one or more characteristics of the optical sensor; and

storing said accurate data on said memory.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising reading said accurate data from said memory.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said reading comprises accessing said memory through an input to the plurality of emitters.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein said storing comprises accessing said memory through an input to the plurality of emitters.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein the accurate data comprises calibration data.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein the accurate data comprises data indicative of parameters of the plurality of emitters.

19. The method of claim 13, wherein the accurate data comprises data indicative of a manufacturer of the noninvasive optical sensor.

20. The method of claim 13, wherein the storing occurs during an initialization process.

21. The method of claim 13, wherein the storing occurs during sensor testing.

22. The method of claim 13, wherein the testing occurs at the manufacturer.

23. An optical sensor comprising:

means for storing data pertaining to specifications of an optical sensor capable of noninvasively outputting a signal indicative of one or more parameters of a wearer of the optical sensor; and

means for accessing said stored data to determine said specifications.

24. The optical sensor of claim 23, wherein said data comprises calibration data.

25. The optical sensor of claim 23, wherein said data comprises data indicative of parameters of the plurality of emitters.

26. The optical sensor of claim 23, wherein said data comprises data indicative of a manufacturer of the noninvasive optical sensor.