Oximeter sensor with digital memory encoding sensor data

• US 20060217606A1
• Filed: 06/01/2006
• Published: 09/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Nellcor Puritan Bennett Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Swedlow, David, Fein, Michael E., Mannheimer, Paul D., Porges, Charles, Merchant, Adnan
• Granted Patent: US 7,809,419 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/323
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/085 combined with means for recording calibration data
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14552 Details of sensors specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1495 Calibrating or testing of in-vivo probes
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 18/00 Testing or calibrating apparatus or arrangements provided for in groups G01D1/00 - G01D15/00

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention include systems and methods that relate to a sensor with memory. Specifically, one embodiment includes a sensor comprising a light emitting element configured to emit light, a light detecting element configured to detect the light, and a memory storing at least one patient-specific parameter, the memory providing access to an oximeter monitor to read the at least one patient-specific parameter.

Claims

1. A sensor, comprising:

a light emitting element configured to emit light;

a light detecting element configured to detect the light; and

a memory storing at least one patient-specific parameter, the memory providing access to an oximeter monitor to read the at least one patient-specific parameter.

2. The sensor of claim 1, comprising a communication device configured to facilitate communication with a medical facility computer network, the network comprising the oximeter monitor.

3. The sensor of claim 1, wherein the at least one patient-specific parameter is digitally encoded.

4. The sensor of claim 1, wherein the memory stores data relating to an action to be performed by the oximeter monitor in response to reading the at least one patient-specific parameter.

5. The sensor of claim 1, wherein the patient-specific parameter includes a sensor application location or an expected range of pulse size.

6. A method of manufacturing an oximeter sensor, comprising:

providing a light emitting element configured to emit light;

providing a light detecting element configured to detect the light; and

storing at least one patient-specific parameter in a memory, the memory providing access to an oximeter monitor to read the at least one patient-specific parameter.

7. The method of claim 6, comprising providing a communication device within the oximeter sensor configured to facilitate communication with a medical facility computer network, the network comprising the oximeter monitor.

8. A method of oximeter sensor operation, comprising:

projecting light into a patient with a light emitting element;

detecting the light with a light detecting element; and

storing at least one patient-specific parameter in a memory of the oximeter sensor, the memory providing access to an oximeter monitor.

9. The method of claim 8, comprising communicating with a medical facility computer network, the network comprising the oximeter monitor.

10. The method of claim 8, comprising storing the at least one patient-specific parameter as digitally encoded data.

11. An oximeter system, comprising:

an oximeter sensor, comprising;

a light emitting element configured to project light into a patient;

a light detector configured to detect the light;

a memory storing at least one patient-specific parameter; and

an access point configured to provide access to the memory; and

an oximeter monitor, comprising;

an output circuit configured to provide signals to the oximeter sensor; and

a read circuit configured to read the at least one patient-specific parameter from the memory of the oximeter sensor via the access point.

12. An oximeter monitor, comprising:

a drive circuit configured to provide signals to circuitry of an oximeter sensor that is coupleable to a patient; and

a circuit configured to receive at least one patient-specific parameter from a memory of the oximeter sensor.

13. A method of oximeter monitor operation, comprising:

providing signals to circuitry of an oximeter sensor that is coupleable to a patient; and

receiving at least one patient-specific parameter from a memory of the oximeter sensor.