APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR ASSOCIATING MEDICAL PROBES WITH CONNECTION PORTS
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A medical instrument comprising:
- a console having a plurality of probe connection ports thereon, a first one of the plurality of ports configured for connection with a first connector associated with a first medical probe that is configured for engagement with the first port and not configured for connection with a second one of the plurality of ports; and
a proximity detection system configured to generate a first proximity signal upon positioning of the first connector within a first proximity to at least one the first port, the plurality of ports and the console;
the proximity detection system configured to generate a second signal upon positioning of the first connector within a second proximity to the second port, the second signal being distinct from the first signal.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus, systems and methods for associating medical diagnostic and treatment probes with connection ports of a multiport instrument console. Proximity sensing between a probe and the console provide user-detectable signals indicating the availability or nonavailability of a compatibly configured port for the probe, and specific identification of one or more ports that are compatible with the probe. The proximity sensing also provides capability for identifying and configuring a probe before attempting to connect the probe to a console port.
-
Citations
26 Claims
-
1. A medical instrument comprising:
- a console having a plurality of probe connection ports thereon, a first one of the plurality of ports configured for connection with a first connector associated with a first medical probe that is configured for engagement with the first port and not configured for connection with a second one of the plurality of ports; and
a proximity detection system configured to generate a first proximity signal upon positioning of the first connector within a first proximity to at least one the first port, the plurality of ports and the console;
the proximity detection system configured to generate a second signal upon positioning of the first connector within a second proximity to the second port, the second signal being distinct from the first signal. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 18)
- a console having a plurality of probe connection ports thereon, a first one of the plurality of ports configured for connection with a first connector associated with a first medical probe that is configured for engagement with the first port and not configured for connection with a second one of the plurality of ports; and
-
2. The instrument according to claim 2 wherein the second proximity corresponds to a shorter physical distance than the first proximity.
- 14. The instrument according to claim 14 wherein the first signal and the second signal comprise light emission and differ from one another with respect to one or more of color, brightness, and time-dependence of the respective light emission.
-
19. A method for identifying a position of a connector of a medical probe prior to engagement of the connector with a compatible connector port among a plurality of physically adjacent connector ports, the method comprising:
-
detecting a proximity of the connector to at least one port of the plurality of ports;
generating a user-detectable signal representing the proximity; andgenerating a second user-detectable signal identifying another connector port of the plurality of ports as incompatible with the connector.
-
-
20. A multifunctional medical instrument system comprising:
-
a console having a plurality of connection ports associated therewith, each of the plurality of ports configured for connection with a compatibly configured medical probe; at least two medical probes operable in association with the console and configured for compatible connection with at least one port among the plurality of ports; and a proximity sensing system for detecting a proximity between one of the at least two medical probes and at least one of the plurality of ports, the proximity sensing system configured to provide a first user-detectable signal indicating a location of the at least one compatible port. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
-
-
23. A multiport bedside monitor configured for receiving one or more medical probes for monitoring a body function of a patient, each of the one or more probes having a respective connector associated therewith, the monitor comprising:
a console having a plurality of medical probe connection ports thereon, the monitor configured to generate a first visually perceptible optical signal upon the positioning of a first probe connector less than a first distance from a first portion of the console, the first signal indicating a first port configured for receiving the first connector, the monitor further configured to generate a second optical signal visually distinct from the first signal upon the positioning of the first probe connector less than a second distance from a second port that is not configured for receiving the first connector, the second distance being shorter than the first distance. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25)
-
26. A medical instrument comprising:
-
a) a console having a plurality of probe connection ports thereon, a first one of the plurality of ports configured for connection with a first connector associated with a first medical probe that is configured for engagement with the first port and not configured for connection with a second one of the plurality of ports; b) a proximity detection system configured to detect a first proximity upon positioning of the first connector within a first distance to one of the first port, the plurality of ports and the console, the proximity detection system configured to detect a second proximity upon positioning of the first connector within a second distance to the second port, the second distance being shorter than the first distance; and c) a signal generation system configured to generate a first signal upon detection of the first proximity, the first signal including at least one of a first optical emission and a first visual display on a graphical user interface, the signal generation system configured to generate a second signal distinct from the first signal upon detection of the second proximity, the second signal including at least one of a second optical emission, a second visual display on the graphical user interface, and an acoustic signal.
-
Specification