RESPIRATORY MONITORING

• US 20140194766A1
• Filed: 01/13/2014
• Published: 07/10/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Masimo Corporation
• Original Assignee: Masimo Corporation
• Inventors: Al-Ali, Ammar, Diab, Mohamed K.
• Granted Patent: US 9,566,019 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/531
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0004 characterised by the type of physiological signal transmitted
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0816 Measuring devices for examining respiratory frequency measuring frequency of electric signals G01R23/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0836 Measuring rate of CO2 production
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/097 Devices for facilitating collection of breath or for directing breath into or through measuring devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6819 Nose
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/682 Mouth, e.g., oral cavity; tongue; Lips; Teeth
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6822 Neck
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0666 Nasal cannulas or tubing devices for improving normal breathing through the nose A61F5/08; nose filters A62B23/06; outside holding devices A61M25/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0672 Nasal cannula assemblies for oxygen therapy
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/085 Gas sampling
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/10 Preparation of respiratory gases or vapours
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/1065 in the expiratory path
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/0208 Oxygen
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/18 with alarm
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3561 local, e.g. within room or hospital
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/581 by audible feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/583 by visual feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/42 Rate
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/432 partial CO2 pressure (P-CO2)
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/435 partial O2 pressure (P-O2)

Abstract

A patient interface in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is configured to be at least partially carried by a patient and to receive gas exhaled by the patient. The patient interface includes first and second cannula tubes each having a first end and a second end, the first ends are configured to be inserted into the nostrils of a patient, the first and second cannula tubes are configured to direct exhaled gas from the patient from the first ends to said second ends. The patient interface also includes first and second sensors positioned near the second ends, and the first and second sensors are configured to provide first and second signals based upon the gas, wherein the first and second signals are indicative of a physiological parameter of the patient. The patient interface also includes a communications link configured to provide the signal to a physiological monitor.

Claims

1. (canceled)

2. A method of detecting a physiological parameter of a patient, comprising:

receiving, in a sensing module, gas exhaled by a patient, the sensing module comprising;

a plurality of sensors each configured, when activated, to provide a signal indicative of a physiological parameter of the patient based on the gas; and

a sensor selector configured to cause the gas exhaled by the patient to be directed to an active sensor, the active sensor selected from the plurality of sensors.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein when a predetermined event occurs, the sensor selector directs the gas to a second sensor selected from the plurality of sensors.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the predetermined event is at least one of:

an accuracy of the active sensor falling below a predetermined level, an end of a useful life of the active sensor, a passing of a predetermined amount of time, or a triggering of an alarm based on an expiration of a timer.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein at least one of the plurality of sensors does not receive gas at a particular time.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein the sensing module is configured to be suspended from the neck of the patient.

7. The method of claim 2, wherein the sensor selector comprises at least one of a rotatable plate, a slidable plate, or one or more valves.

8. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

providing the signal to a physiological monitor via a communications link.

9. The method of claim 2, wherein at least one of the plurality of sensors comprises at least one of a nanotechnology sensor or an infrared sensor.

10. The method of claim 2, wherein the signal is indicative of at least one of a carbon dioxide concentration of the gas or a respiratory rate of the patient.

11. A sensing module configured to receive exhaled gas by a patient via a cannula tube and detect a physiological parameter of a patient, the sensing module comprising:

a plurality of sensors each configured, when activated, to provide a signal indicative of a physiological parameter of the patient based on the gas; and

a sensor selector configured to cause the gas exhaled by the patient to be directed to an active sensor, the active sensor selected from the plurality of sensors.

12. The sensing module of claim 11, wherein when a predetermined event occurs, the sensor selector directs the gas to a second sensor selected from the plurality of sensors.

13. The sensing module of claim 11, wherein at least one of the plurality of sensors does not receive gas at a particular time.

14. The sensing module of claim 11, wherein the sensor selector comprises at least one of a rotatable plate, a slidable plate, or one or more valves.

15. The sensing module of claim 11, wherein the sensing module is configured to be suspended from a neck of the patient.

16. The sensing module of claim 11, wherein the sensor selector is configured to control a location of at least one of the plurality of sensors within the sensing module.

17. The sensing module of claim 11, wherein the sensor selector is configured to direct the gas from a first sensor to a second sensor before the useful life of the first sensor ends.

18. A patient interface configured to receive gas exhaled by a patient, said patient interface comprising:

a sensor configured to receive exhaled gas by a patient and provide a signal indicative of a physiological parameter of the patient based on the gas; and

an information element coupled to the sensor, wherein the information element includes calibration information regarding the sensor.

19. The patient interface of claim 18, further comprising a communications link configured to provide the signal to a physiological monitor.

20. The patient interface of claim 18, wherein the sensor comprises at least one of a nanotechnology sensor or an infrared sensor.

21. The patient interface of claim 18, wherein the signal is indicative of at least one of a carbon dioxide concentration of the gas or a respiratory rate of the patient.