Robust alarm system

• US 20070109115A1
• Filed: 10/12/2006
• Published: 05/17/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/14/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Masimo Corporation
• Original Assignee: Masimo Corporation
• Inventors: Diab, Mohamed, Lamego, Marcelo, Kiani, Massi Joseph
• Granted Patent: US 7,962,188 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/507
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0238 Optical sensor arrangements for performing transmission measurements on body tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1455 using optical sensors, e.g. spectral photometrical oximeters
• 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: A61B 5/7405 using sound
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/746 Alarms related to a physiological condition, e.g. details of setting alarm thresholds or avoiding false alarms alarms per se G08B
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 1/08 using electric transmission ; transformation of alarm signals to electrical signals from a different medium, e.g. transmission of an electric alarm signal upon detection of an audible alarm signal
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1966 Wireless systems, other than telephone systems, used to communicate with a camera
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/009 Signalling of the alarm condition to a substation whose identity is signalled to a central station, e.g. relaying alarm signals in order to extend communication range
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 29/10 Monitoring of the annunciator circuits

Abstract

A robust alarm system has an alarm controller adapted to input an alarm trigger and to generate at least one alarm drive signal in response. Alarm subsystems input the alarm drive signal and activate one or more of multiple alarms accordingly. A subsystem function signal provides feedback to the alarm controller as to alarm subsystem integrity. A malfunction indicator is output from the alarm controller in response to a failure within the alarm subsystems.

Claims

1. A robust alarm system comprising:

an alarm controller adapted to input an alarm trigger and generate at least one alarm drive signal in response;

a plurality of alarm subsystems adapted to input said at least one alarm drive signal and activate a plurality of alarms in response;

a subsystem function signal output from said alarm subsystems to said alarm controller so as to indicate the integrity of said alarm subsystems; and

a malfunction indicator output from said alarm controller in response to a failure within said alarm subsystems.

2. The robust alarm system according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said alarm subsystems comprises:

a driver responsive to said drive signal so as to actuate at least one of said alarms via a drive circuit;

a circuit tester adapted to verify the integrity of said driver and said drive circuit; and

an alarm detector adapted to verify the integrity of at least one of said alarms.

10. The robust alarm system according to claim 1 wherein a first portion of said alarms is located within a portable instrument and a second portion of said alarms is located within a docking station adapted to mechanically and electrically couple with said portable instrument.

3. The robust alarm system according to claim 3 wherein said subsystem function signal comprises:

a circuit function signal output from said circuit tester to said alarm controller so as to indicate the integrity of said driver; and

an alarm function signal output from said alarm detector to said alarm controller so as to indicate the integrity of at least one of said alarms.

4. The robust alarm system according to claim 4 wherein said alarm detector is an acoustic sensor adapted to detect sound waves from at least one said alarms.

5. The robust alarm system according to claim 4 wherein said alarm detector is a piezoelectric sensor mechanically coupled to at least one of said alarms so as to detect vibrations from at least one of said alarms.

6. The robust alarm system according to claim 4 wherein said alarm detector is an ultrasound transmitter and corresponding receiver adapted to detect movement of a transducer portion of at least one of said alarms.

7. The robust alarm system according to claim 4 wherein said alarm detector is light emitter and corresponding detector adapted to detect movement of a transducer portion of at least one of said alarms.

8. The robust alarm system according to claim 4 wherein said alarm detector is sensing coil adapted to detect movement of a cone portion of a speaker alarm.

9. A robust alarm system comprising:

a processor responsive to a sensor so as to initiate an alarm trigger based upon a physiological event;

a controller responsive to said alarm trigger so as to generate at least one alarm drive signal; and

a plurality of alarms in communication with said alarm drive signal so as to concurrently indicate said physiological event.

11. A robust alarm method comprising the steps of:

transmitting optical radiation having at least two wavelengths into a tissue site;

providing a sensor signal responsive to attenuation of said optical radiation by pulsatile blood flowing within said tissue site;

deriving a physiological parameter measurement from said sensor signal;

generating an alarm trigger in response to said physiological parameter measurement being beyond a preset limit of said physiological parameter; and

concurrently activating a plurality of alarms in response to said alarm trigger.

12. The robust alarm method according to claim 12 comprising the further step of monitoring a circuit function signal indicative of drive circuit integrity for at least a portion of said alarms.

14. The robust alarm system method according to claim 12 comprising the further steps of:

distributing a first subset of said alarms to a portable instrument; and

distributing a second subset of said alarms to a docking station adapted to mechanically and electrical interface with said portable instrument.

13. The robust alarm method according to claim 13 comprising the further step of monitoring an alarm function signal indicative of alarm transducer integrity for at least a portion of said alarms.