SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR INDICATING AN AMOUNT OF USE OF A SENSOR
First Claim
1. A quality control method configured to ensure reusable medical portions of products are not overused, the method comprising:
- using at least one reusable portion of a medical sensor, the medical sensor comprising at least one of an optical sensor, an acoustic sensor, and a bioelectrical signal sensor;
updating a cumulative measure based on said use, said cumulative measure including at least one quantitative indication of actual use; and
activating an indicator alerting a caregiver when said cumulative measure compares to an intended threshold amount of cumulative use in a predetermined manner, said intended threshold amount of said cumulative use corresponding at least in part with a determination of longevity of said at least one reusable portion of said medical sensor.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Aspects of the present disclosure include systems and methods for indicating an amount of use of a pulse oximetry sensor. According to one embodiment, the system includes an oximeter that monitors the amount of use for a given sensor. The oximeter and/or the sensor may advantageously include a visual alarm, an audio alarm, a vibrational alarm, a power down function, or the like, which can be activated when a predetermined amount of use has expired. According to another embodiment, the system includes a sensor having a memory device storing a unique identifier.
96 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A quality control method configured to ensure reusable medical portions of products are not overused, the method comprising:
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using at least one reusable portion of a medical sensor, the medical sensor comprising at least one of an optical sensor, an acoustic sensor, and a bioelectrical signal sensor; updating a cumulative measure based on said use, said cumulative measure including at least one quantitative indication of actual use; and activating an indicator alerting a caregiver when said cumulative measure compares to an intended threshold amount of cumulative use in a predetermined manner, said intended threshold amount of said cumulative use corresponding at least in part with a determination of longevity of said at least one reusable portion of said medical sensor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A system for preventing overuse of an optical sensor capable of communicating signals indicative of one or more physiological parameters of a patient to a patient monitor, the system comprising:
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electronic elements of a noninvasive sensor; a memory device storing data indicative of an amount of use of at least one of the electronic elements of the sensor; and a processing device capable of estimating said amount of use of the electronic elements and capable of storing said amount in said memory based on at least one or more monitoring parameters. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9)
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- 10. A medical memory device storing cumulative use data associated with at least one or more reusable components of at least one medical device including at least one of an optical sensor, an acoustic sensor, and a bioelectrical signal sensor, said memory accessed to determine whether use of said medical device should be discontinued.
Specification