SINGLE USE PULSE OXIMETER

• US 20130046163A1
• Filed: 09/13/2012
• Published: 02/21/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Smiths Medical ASD, Inc. (Smiths Group International Holdings Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Smiths Medical ASD, Inc. (Smiths Group International Holdings Ltd.)
• Inventors: Sweitzer, Robert, Smith, Guy
• Granted Patent: US 8,903,467 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/340
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0219 of externally powered implanted units
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0285 Apparatus for single use
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0412 Low-profile patch shaped housings
• 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 5/6833 Adhesive patches

Abstract

A single use, self-contained, self-powered disposable oximeter, in the form of a patch or a bandage strip, has mounted thereto a light emitter and a light sensor to measure the SpO2 of the patient. Mounted to an electronics layer of the patch is an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) that has electronics integrated thereto that controls the operation of the light emitter and light sensor, and the algorithm for calculating from the data collected by the sensor at least the SpO2 of the patient. The patch oximeter may also be equipped with a transceiver, and the appropriate electronics, for wirelessly transceiving information to/from a remote device or another wireless patch oximeter.

Claims

1-17. -17. (canceled)

18. A method of determining whether a patient is in shock, comprising the steps of:

a) attaching at least two oximeters to different areas of the patient, wherein each of said oximeters has a patch adaptable to be attached to the patient, a light emitter and a light detector each mounted to said patch, said light detector detecting the light from said light emitter passing through or reflected from the patient and acquiring data relating to at least the blood perfusion rate of the patient at the area of the patient where said each oximeter is attached, an electronic circuit mounted to said patch for effecting operation of said light emitter and said light detector and to calculate from the acquired data at least the blood perfusion rate of the patient at the area, a transceiver mounted to said patch to enable said patch to communicate with a remote device or the other oximeter attached to the patient, and means provided at the patch to enable said patch to be removably attachable to the patient;

b) determining a differential of the blood perfusion rate of the patient as measured by the at least two oximeters attached to the different areas of the patient; and

c) comparing the determined differential with a predetermined condition to decide whether the patient is in shock.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein said step a comprises attaching one of the oximeters on the forehead of the patient and the other oximeter at an extremity of the patient.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising the steps of:

receiving the respective blood perfusion rates of the patient transmitted by the two oximeters at a remote host device or at each of the two oximeters; and

determining from a differential of the blood perfusion rate measured by the at least two oximeters whether the patient is at onset of shock or whether the patient is in shock.

21. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of:

mounting a power source to said each patch for supplying power to the electronic circuit, the transceiver, and the light emitter likewise mounted on said each patch.

22. The method of claim 18, further comprising the steps of:

establishing a power source remote from the oximeters; and

providing power from said remote power source to at least the electronic circuit of each of said oximeters when said each oximeter comes within a given distance to said remote power source.