SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FACILITATING SENSOR AND MONITOR COMMUNICATION

• US 20090247852A1
• Filed: 03/31/2009
• Published: 10/01/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Nellcor Puritan Bennett LLC (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Ravid, Arie, Wang, Hui, Boyce, Robin, Nordstrom, Brad
• Granted Patent: US 8,364,224 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/324
• 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 5/01 Measuring temperature of body parts ; Diagnostic temperature sensing, e.g. for malignant or inflamed tissue clinical contact thermometers G01K13/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02416 using photoplethysmograph signals, e.g. generated by infrared radiation A61B5/14552 takes precedence
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7232 involving compression of the physiological signal, e.g. to extend the signal recording period
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/742 using visual displays A61B5/339 takes precedence

Abstract

Embodiments disclosed herein may include an adapter which is capable of converting signals from an oximeter sensor such that the signals are readable by an oximeter monitor. In an embodiment, the adapter is capable of converting signals relating to calibration information from the oximeter sensor. The calibration information may relate to wavelengths of light emitting diodes within the oximeter sensor. In a specific embodiment, the adapter will convert wavelength calibration information in a first form relating to data values stored in a digital memory chip to a second form relating to a resistance value of an expected resistor within the oximeter sensor.

Claims

1. An adapter, comprising:

communications circuitry capable of facilitating communication with an oximeter sensor;

communications circuitry capable of facilitating communication with an oximeter monitor; and

calibration circuitry capable of receiving calibration information in a first form from the oximeter sensor and converting the calibration information into a second form which is readable by the oximeter monitor.

2. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the calibration information generally relates to the wavelengths of light emitting diodes within the oximeter sensor.

3. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the first form generally relates to data values stored in a digital memory chip within the oximeter sensor.

4. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the second form generally relates to a resistance value of an expected resistor within the oximeter sensor.

5. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the calibration circuitry is configured to convert the calibration information based on values from an inverse lookup table.

6. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the calibration circuitry is configured to convert the calibration information using a series of resistors and switches.

7. The adapter of claim 1, comprising circuitry configured to convert light emitting diode signals to and from the oximeter sensor and oximeter monitor.

8. The adapter of claim 1, comprising circuitry configured to convert signals detected by a photo detector within the oximeter sensor.

9. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the adapter is configured to wirelessly communicate with the oximeter sensor.

10. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the adapter comprises an independent power source.

11. A pulse oximetry system, comprising:

an oximeter sensor;

an oximeter monitor; and

an adapter capable of receiving calibration information in a first form from the oximeter sensor and converting the calibration information into a second form which the oximeter monitor is capable of reading.

12. The pulse oximetry system of claim 11, wherein the adapter is configured to switch between a first mode in which the calibration information is converted from the first form to the second form and a second mode in which the calibration information is not converted from the first form.

13. The pulse oximetry system of claim 11, wherein the oximeter sensor comprises at least one light emitting diode, at least one photo detector, and a digital memory chip capable of storing various data regarding the oximeter sensor.

14. The pulse oximetry system of claim 11, wherein the oximeter sensor and the adapter are configured to wirelessly communicate with each other.

15. The pulse oximetry system of claim 11, wherein the adapter comprises circuitry configured to convert light emitting diode signals to and from the oximeter sensor and oximeter monitor.

16. The pulse oximetry system of claim 11, wherein the adapter comprises circuitry configured to convert signals detected by a photo detector within the oximeter sensor.

17. A method for communicating calibration information from an oximeter sensor to an oximeter monitor, comprising:

determining a type of calibration element present within the oximeter sensor;

enabling calibration signal conversion circuitry within the adapter if the calibration element is a digital memory chip; and

sending a message to the oximeter monitor to begin receiving oximetry data from the oximeter sensor.

18. The method of claim 17, comprising converting signals from the oximeter sensor relating to values stored in the digital memory chip into signals corresponding to expected resistance values.

19. The method of claim 17, comprising bypassing the calibration signal conversion circuitry before determining the type of calibration element present within the oximeter sensor.

20. The method of claim 19, comprising bypassing the calibration signal conversion circuitry via electrical switches.