ADVANCED SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OXYGEN SATURATION MONITORING

• US 20120165630A1
• Filed: 12/16/2011
• Published: 06/28/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sleepsafedrivers, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Sleepsafedrivers, Inc.
• Inventors: Knight, Adrian, Voien, Dana
• Granted Patent: US 9,754,079 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/323
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/08 Sensors provided with means for identification, e.g. barcodes or memory chips
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02 Detecting, measuring or recording pulse, heart rate, blood pressure or blood flow; Combined pulse/heart-rate/blood pressure determination; Evaluating a cardiovascular condition not otherwise provided for, e.g. using combinations of techniques provided for in this group with electrocardiography or electroauscultation; Heart catheters for measuring blood pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0205 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular conditions and different types of body conditions, e.g. heart and respiratory condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/087 Measuring breath flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1135 by monitoring thoracic expansion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14542 for measuring blood gases A61B5/14551 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 5/4806 Sleep evaluation A61B5/4821 takes precedence; devices for inducing sleep A61M21/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4818 Sleep apnoea
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6824 Arm or wrist
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6825 Hand
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6826 Finger
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6831 Straps, bands or harnesses
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6832 using adhesives A61B5/259 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/90 Identification means for patients or instruments, e.g. tags
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/94 coded with symbols, e.g. text
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/03 of security seals means for indicating unauthorised opening of container closures B65D, e.g. B65D27/30, B65D55/02; theft deterrent tags E05B73/0017
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation

Abstract

A method that includes configuring a first and a second identification band with unique serial numbers, each of said bands being connected to a signal cable attached to a sensor is provided. The first identification band is securely fixed to a first location on the patient and the second identification band is securely fixed to a second location on the patient. The first and second identification bands are connected with a bridging band. The signal cable is connected to a diagnostic test monitoring system and the patient'"'"'s oxygen saturation is monitored. The first and second identification bands are configured to evidence tampering when removed.

Claims

1. A method for oxygen saturation monitoring comprising:

configuring a first and a second identification band with unique serial numbers, each of said bands being connected to a signal cable comprising a sensor;

securely fixing the first identification band to a first location on the patient and the second identification band to a second location on the patient;

connecting the first and second identification bands with a bridging band;

connecting the signal cable to a diagnostic test monitoring system; and

monitoring the oxygen saturation of the patient through the sensor, wherein the first and second identification bands are configured to evidence tampering when removed.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first location is a base of a finger of the patient and the second location is a wrist of the patient below the finger, and wherein the second identification band is configured to encircle the wrist of the patient and the evidence of tampering is selected from the group consisting of the band being shred, the band being torn, the band releasing a single use securing device, and the band releasing evidence of tampering.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein securely fixing further comprises placing a mark across the ends of each of the first and second identification bands.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of configuring further comprises placing a loop in the signal cable, wherein at least one of the identification bands is passed through the loop.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising connecting a PSG recording system input signal cable to the diagnostic monitoring test system, wherein at least one of the identification bands encircles a connection formed where the signal cable meets and connects to the PSG recording system input signal cable.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein monitoring the oxygen saturation of the patient comprises using information obtained from monitoring the oxygen saturation of the patient to determine the likelihood of the patient having a sleep disorder.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the sleep disorder is sleep apnea.

8. A method, of diagnostic testing a patient, comprising:

attaching a sensor with a sensor signal cable to a patient;

configuring an identification band in a secure arrangement, wherein the secure arrangement secures the sensor and the sensor signal cable to the patient; and

connecting the sensor signal cable to a diagnostic test monitoring system for purposes of conducting a diagnostic test, wherein the identification band is configured to evidence tampering when removed.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the identification band is configured to encircle a wrist of a patient and to shred or tear when removed.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising making a mark on a sensor signal cable at a wrist of a patient, wherein the secure arrangement comprises a knot, and wherein the sensor signal cable is routed through a loop arrangement and aligned at the mark.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the identification band comprises a unique serial number.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein configuring further comprises placing a loop in the sensor signal cable and the identification band is passed through the loop.

13. The method of claim 8, further comprising connecting a PSG recording system input signal cable to the diagnostic monitoring test system, wherein the identification band is configured to encircle the connection formed where the sensor signal cable connects with the PSG recording system input signal cable.

14. A method for securely affixing a sensor to a patient, comprising:

attaching the sensor to a finger of a patient with a sensor signal cable routed along a hand of the patient;

configuring an identification band to encircle the signal cable and a wrist of the patient using a secure arrangement; and

wherein the identification band is configured to evidence tampering when removed.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the identification band is configured to shred or tear when removed.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the identification comprises a closure point, wherein fixing the identification band further comprises placing a mark across the closure point of the identification band.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the identification band comprises a unique serial number.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein configuring comprises placing a loop in the sensor signal cable and the identification band is passed through the loop.

19. An apparatus comprising:

a first identification band comprising a first serial number;

a second identification band comprising a second serial number; and

a third bridging identification band that connects the first and second identification bands, wherein the first and second identification bands show evidence of tampering upon removal.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the first and second identification bands comprise:

flashspun high-density polyethylene fiber material, tape, material treated with pressure sensitive ink, or plastic that irreversibly deforms when strained.

21. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the first and second identification bands comprise adhesive patches, single-use closures, or one-time securing snaps.

22. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the third bridging band comprises flashspun high-density polyethylene fiber material, tape, material treated with pressure sensitive ink, or plastic that irreversibly deforms when strained.

23. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the first and second identification bands are connected to the third bridging band using adhesive or staples.

24. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the first identification band is configured to fit around a sensor attached to a patient.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the first identification band is configured to fit around a pulse oximetry sensor on a finger on the patient.

26. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the sensor is attached to a sensor signal cable, further wherein the third bridging band is configured to attach to the sensor signal cable.

27. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the third bridging band tears, shreds, necks, delaminates, changes color, or physically deforms upon tampering.

28. A system comprising:

a first identification band;

a second identification band;

a bridging band connecting the first and second identification bands;

an oxygen saturation sensor attached to the first identification band; and

a sensor signal cable attached to the oxygen saturation sensor, wherein the first and second identification bands show evidence of tampering upon removal.

29. The system of claim 28, wherein the bridging band is connected to the sensor signal cable.

30. The system of claim 28, wherein the evidence of tampering comprises shredding, tearing, discoloration, delamination, change in physical dimensions, or necking.

31. The system of claim 28, wherein the first identification band is configured to be placed around a finger of a patient and the second identification band is configured to be placed around a wrist of the patient.

32. The system of claim 28, wherein the first and second identification bands comprise serial numbers.

33. The system of claim 28, wherein the bridging band comprises serial numbers.