LOW POWER PULSE OXIMETER

• US 20080064936A1
• Filed: 11/13/2007
• Published: 03/13/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Masimo Corporation
• Original Assignee: Masimo Corporation
• Inventors: Al-Ali, Ammar
• Granted Patent: US 8,457,703 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/300
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0209 adapted for power saving
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1455 using optical sensors, e.g. spectral photometrical oximeters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14551 for measuring blood gases

Abstract

A pulse oximeter may reduce power consumption in the absence of overriding conditions. Various sampling mechanisms may be used individually or in combination. Various parameters may be monitored to trigger or override a reduced power consumption state. In this manner, a pulse oximeter can lower power consumption without sacrificing performance during, for example, high noise conditions or oxygen desaturations.

Claims

1. A method of managing power consumption during continuous patient monitoring by adjusting behavior of a patient monitor, the method comprising:

continuously operating a patient monitor at a lower power consumption level to determine measurement values for one or more physiological parameters of a patient;

comparing processing characteristics to a predetermined threshold; and

when said processing characteristics pass said threshold, transitioning to continuously operating said patient monitor at a higher power consumption level.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said continuously operating at said lower power consumption level comprises reducing activation of an attached sensor.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said reducing activation comprises reducing a duty cycle of said sensor.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein said attached sensor comprises an optical sensor configured to detect emitted light attenuated by body tissue of said patient.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said continuously operating at said lower power consumption level comprises reducing an amount of processing by a signal processor.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said reducing comprises processing less data.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said processing less data comprises reducing an overlap in data blocks being processed.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein during said operating at said higher power consumption level, monitoring when said processing characteristics recedes from said threshold;

and when receded, transitioning to continuously operating said patient monitor at said lower power consumption level.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said processing characteristics comprise signal characteristics from one or more light sensitive detectors.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said signal characteristics comprises signal strength.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein said signal characteristics comprises a presence of noise.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein said signal characteristics comprises a presence of motion induced noise.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein said processing characteristics include determining an estimate of current power consumption and comparing said estimate with a target power consumption.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein said processing characteristics include an override condition.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said override condition comprises measurements during a critical care environment.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein said override condition comprises one or more monitored parameters exhibiting predefined behavior.