MULTIPURPOSE SENSOR PORT

• US 20140081097A1
• Filed: 09/13/2013
• Published: 03/20/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Masimo Corporation
• Original Assignee: Masimo Corporation
• Inventors: Al-Ali, Ammar, Smith, Robert A., McCarthy, Rex J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,920,317 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/323
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/045 with a separable interface unit, e.g. for communication
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/08 Sensors provided with means for identification, e.g. barcodes or memory chips
• 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 5/02416 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: G05B 19/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation

Abstract

A sensor port is adapted to connect to either a sensor or a data source. A reader is configured to identify which of the sensor and the data source is connected to the sensor port. A data path is configured to communicate an analog signal associated with the sensor and digital data associated with the data source to a signal processor according to the identification made by the reader.

Claims

1. A device configured to allow digital communication between a sensor port of a patient monitor and a digital data source external to the patient monitor and external to an analog physiological sensor, the device comprising:

first conductors configured to communicate analog drive signals to the analog physiological sensor;

second conductors configured to communicate analog signals to the patient monitor indicative of light detected by said analog physiological sensor that has been attenuated by body tissue;

a sensor port interface configured to provide mechanical and signal level compliance between said sensor port and said digital data source, said sensor port digitally communicating through said sensor port interface with said digital data source, said sensor port communicating said analog signals with said analog physiological sensor; and

a reader configured to detect which of the analog physiological sensor and the data source is connected to the sensor port.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the digital data source comprises a preprogrammed memory module configured to deliver digital upgrade firmware data to the sensor port.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the digital data source comprises a PC and wherein the sensor port interface is configured to provide signal level, mechanical, and communication protocol compliance to the output of the PC.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein the PC transmits upgrade firmware to the digital data interface, and wherein the sensor port interface is configured to translate the upgrade firmware from a standard PC output signal into a sensor port input signal and communicates the sensor input signal to the sensor port.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the digital data source comprises a digital physiological sensor and wherein the sensor port interface is further configured to:

communicate drive signals to the digital physiological sensor; and

transmit digital data from the digital physiological sensor through the sensor port interface to the sensor port of the physiological measurement system.

6. A method of adapting communications between a patient monitoring device and either an analog physiological sensor or a digital data source, the method comprising:

providing a sensor port of the patient monitoring device;

detecting whether the analog physiological sensor or the digital data source is connected to the sensor port;

when said analog physiological sensor is detected;

transmitting analog drive signals to the analog physiological sensor,

detecting light attenuated by body tissue using said analog physiological sensor, and

communicating analog signals to the patient monitoring device indicative of the light that has been attenuated by body tissue; and

when said digital data source is detected;

transmitting digital data between the digital data source through a sensor interface to the sensor port.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein transmitting digital data further comprises:

transmitting upgrade firmware to the physiological monitor; and

upgrading the firmware of the physiological monitor.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein transmitting digital data further comprises connecting the sensor port to a non-volatile memory module storing said upgrade firmware.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein transmitting digital data further comprises connecting the sensor port to a PC storing said upgrade firmware.

10. The method of claim 6 wherein transmitting digital data further comprises measurement data from said physiological monitor.

11. The method of claim 6 wherein transmitting digital data further comprises:

connecting the sensor port to a PC; and

providing signal level, mechanical, and communication protocol compliance to the output of the PC through the sensor port interface.

12. The method of claim 6 wherein the transmitting digital data further comprises:

connecting a digital physiological sensor to the sensor port;

communicating a drive signal through the interface to the physiological sensor; and

generating raw digital data by means of the physiological sensor; and

communicating the raw digital data through the interface to the sensor port of the physiological monitor.

13. The method of claim 6 wherein transmitting digital data further comprises connecting the sensor port to a wireless data device.

14. A communication bridge adapted to communicate between a physiological measurement device having a sensor port and either an analog sensor or a digital data source, said bridge comprising:

means for at one time communicating digital data between a digital data source and the sensor port;

means for communicating at another time analog signals between the sensor port and the analog sensor, said analog signals including an indication of light attenuated by tissue at a tissue site of a patient; and

means for detecting which of the analog sensor and the data source is connected to the sensor port.

15. The device of claim 14 wherein the means for at one time communicating digital data comprises a memory module, PC, or network service configured to store upgrade firmware.