Methods and Systems for Determining a Probe-Off Condition in a Medical Device

• US 20140275882A1
• Filed: 03/12/2013
• Published: 09/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/2013
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Addison, Paul Stanley, Watson, James Nicholas, Mannheimer, Paul
• Application Number:
  US13/797,832
• Publication Number:
  US 20140275882A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/324
• 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 5/02108 from analysis of pulse wave characteristics
• 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 5/1495 Calibrating or testing of in-vivo probes

Abstract

A physiological monitoring system may use one or more characteristics of an ambient signal to determine a probe-off condition. A physiological sensor may be used to emit one or more wavelengths of light. A light signal may be received that includes an ambient light component and one or more components corresponding to the emitted light. One or more characteristics (e.g., baseline characteristics) of the ambient light component may be determined and compared to one or more thresholds. The system may determine whether the physiological sensor is properly positioned based on the comparison.

Claims

1. A method for determining whether a physiological sensor is properly positioned on a subject, the method comprising:

using the physiological sensor to emit a photonic signal comprising at least, one wavelength of light;

receiving a light signal, wherein the light signal comprises an ambient light signal component and a component corresponding to the at least one wavelength of light;

determining, using processing equipment, a baseline characteristic of the ambient light signal;

comparing, using the processing equipment, the baseline characteristic of the ambient light signal to a threshold; and

determining, using the processing equipment, that the physiological sensor is not properly positioned based on the comparison.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the physiological sensor comprises a pulse oximeter sensor.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein using the physiological sensor to emit a photonic signal comprises using at least one light emitting diode.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving a light signal comprises receiving a light signal using a photoelectric detector.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein determining a baseline characteristic of the ambient light signal comprises determining the baseline amplitude of the ambient light signal.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein determining a baseline characteristic of the ambient light signal comprises determining a baseline trend of the ambient light signal.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the threshold is determined based on the ambient light signal.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining a characteristic of the light signal, wherein determining that the physiological sensor is not properly positioned is further based on the characteristic of the light signal.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein determining that the physiological sensor is not properly positioned comprises determining a probe-off condition.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing an indicator of the determined physiological sensor position.

11. A system for determining whether a physiological sensor is properly positioned on a subject, the system comprising:

an emitter configured to emit a photonic signal comprising at least one wavelength of light;

a detector configured to receive a light signal, wherein the light signal comprises an ambient light signal component and a component corresponding to the at least one wavelength of light; and

processing equipment configured to;

determine a baseline characteristic of the ambient light signal;

compare the baseline characteristic to a threshold; and

determine that the physiological sensor is not properly positioned based on the comparison.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the physiological sensor comprises a pulse oximeter sensor.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the emitter comprises a light emitting diode.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the detector comprises a photoelectric detector.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein the baseline characteristic of the ambient light signal comprises the baseline amplitude of the ambient light signal.

16. The system of claim 11, wherein the baseline characteristic of the ambient light signal comprises a baseline trend of the ambient light signal.

17. The system of claim 11, wherein the threshold, is determined based on the ambient light signal.

18. The system of claim 11, wherein the processing equipment is further configured to:

determine a characteristic of the light signal; and

determine that the physiological sensor is not properly positioned further based on the characteristic of the light signal.

19. The system of claim 11, wherein the processing equipment is further configured, to determine a probe-off condition when the physiological sensor is not properly positioned.

20. The system of claim 11, wherein the processing equipment is further configured to provide an indicator of the determined physiological sensor position.