System and method for monitoring the life of a physiological sensor

• US 20080088467A1
• Filed: 10/12/2006
• Published: 04/17/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/12/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Masimo Corporation
• Original Assignee: Masimo Corporation
• Inventors: Al-Ali, Ammar
• Granted Patent: US 7,880,626 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/679
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0238 Means for recording calibration data
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0266 for monitoring or limiting apparatus function
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0276 Determining malfunction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/028 Arrangements to prevent overuse, e.g. by counting the number of uses
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/045 with a separable interface unit, e.g. for communication
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0475 Special features of memory means, e.g. removable memory cards
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0238 Optical sensor arrangements for performing transmission measurements on body tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/043 in a linear array
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/085 combined with means for recording calibration data
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14551 for measuring blood gases
• 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 5/6826 Finger
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6838 Clamps or clips

Abstract

Aspects of the present disclosure include a sensor configured to store in memory indications of sensor use information and formulas or indications of formula for determining the useful life of a sensor from the indications of sensor use information. A monitor connected to the sensor monitors sensor use and stores indications of the use on sensor memory. The monitor and/or sensor use the compute the useful life of the sensor from the indications of use and the formulas. When the useful life of the sensor is reached, an indication is given to replace the sensor.

Claims

1. A reusable noninvasive physiological sensor configured to store sensor use information comprising:

a first and second emitter configured to emit light of at least two wavelengths through tissue;

a detector configured to sense the light after it has passed through the tissue and to generate a signal indicative of the sensed light;

a memory device configured to store an indication of sensor use information and an indication of a function to be used in determining the useful life of the sensor; and

a communication port configured to communicate at least the signal and information stored on the memory with a patient monitor.

2. The sensor of claim 1, wherein the memory device comprises a read only portion and a read/write portion.

3. The sensor of claim 2, wherein the indication of the function is stored in the read only portion and the indication of sensor use information is stored in the read/write portion.

4. The sensor of claim 1, wherein the memory device is comprised of a plurality of memory devices.

5. The sensor of claim 1, wherein the indication of the sensor use information comprises an indication of one or more of an age of the sensor, a use time of the sensor, a current supplied to the sensor, a temperature of the sensor, a number of times the sensor is depressed, a number of times the sensor is calibrated, and a number of times the sensor is powered up.

6. The sensor of claim 5, wherein the monitor tracks the use information and sends an indication of the use information to the sensor for storage in the memory.

7. A method of determining the useful life of a physiological sensor comprising a memory device comprising:

using a physiological sensor comprising a memory device to obtain physiological information;

monitoring the use of the sensor;

storing an indication of the use of the sensor on the memory device; and

determining when the useful life of the sensor has been exceeded by using the indications of use and one or more mathematical functions selected from a plurality of mathematical functions.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the plurality of mathematical functions is stored on a patient monitor.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the sensor is used to select the one or more mathematical functions.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the mathematical function is derived from use data.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein at least one indication of use is used to select the one or more mathematical functions.

12. The method of claim 7, wherein one or more mathematical functions comprises two or more mathematical functions.

13. The method of claim 7, wherein the indication of the use of the sensor comprises an indication of one or more of an age of the sensor, a use time of the sensor, a current supplied to the sensor, a temperature of the sensor, a number of times the sensor is depressed, a number of times the sensor is calibrated, and a number of times the sensor is powered up.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of monitoring the use of the sensor is performed by a patient monitor.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of monitoring the use of the sensor is performed by the sensor.

16. The method of claim 7, wherein the mathematical function is stored in the sensor memory.

17. The method of claim 7, wherein an indication of the mathematical function is stored in the sensor memory.

18. The method of claim 10, wherein the use data is obtained from used sensors.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein used sensors are used on patients.

20. The method of claim 7, wherein the physiological sensor is one or more of a blood oxygen sensor, a blood pressure sensor, and an ECG sensor.

21. The method of claim 7, further comprising determining if at least one portion of the sensor can be reused.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising reusing the at least one portion of the sensor.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein reusing comprises producing a refurbished sensor comprising the at least one part of the sensor.

24. The method of claim 21, further comprising analyzing the use information to determine an extent of use of the sensor.

25. The method of claim 23, further comprising storing reuse information on the refurbished sensor.

26. A method of indicating when a physiological sensor needs to be replaced comprising:

emitting light from a light emitting element;

detecting light from the light emitting element after it has been attenuated by tissue;

storing information on a sensor memory module;

determining when the sensor memory module is full;

indicating that the sensor needs be replaced when it is determined that the sensor memory module is full.

27. The method of claim 26, further comprising storing information at predetermined time intervals.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein information comprises usage information.