PULSE OXIMETER ACCESS APPARATUS AND METHOD
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Abstract
Access is provided to certain pulse oximetry systems utilizing a keyed sensor and a corresponding locked sensor port of a restricted access monitor. In such systems, the keyed sensor has a key comprising a memory element, and the monitor has a memory reader associated with the sensor port. The monitor is configured to function only when the key is in communications with the locked sensor port, and the memory reader is able to retrieve predetermined data from the memory element. The monitor is accessed by providing the key separate from the keyed sensor, integrating the key into an adapter cable, and connecting the adapter cable between the sensor port and an unkeyed sensor so that the monitor functions with the unkeyed sensor.
208 Citations
18 Claims
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1-10. -10. (canceled)
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11. A locked patient monitor system behaving like an unlocked patient monitor system, the locked patient monitor system normally comprising a patient monitor and an authorized noninvasive sensor, the locked patient monitor system considered locked because it is configured to process signals only from said authorized noninvasive sensor during normal operation for quality control purposes, the locked patient monitor system behaving like an unlocked patient monitor system because the patient monitor, opposite to its configuration, processes signals from unauthorized noninvasive sensors during normal operation, the locked patient monitor system comprising:
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a patient monitor including an input configured to receive signals responsive to light attenuated by body tissue of a patient, said signals output from a light detector of said authorized noninvasive sensor, said input also configured to receive predetermined access information from a memory non-removably associated with said authorized noninvasive sensor, and a signal processor responsive to said signals and said predetermined access information from said input, said signal processor configured to process said predetermined access information to determine whether said predetermined access information indicates the presence of said authorized noninvasive sensor; an accessory comprising one of a cable or a connector, said accessory including said memory harvested from said authorized noninvasive sensor, said accessory configured to communicate said predetermined access information to said patient monitor through said input without said authorized noninvasive sensor; and an unauthorized noninvasive optical sensor configured to communicate with said input once said accessory unlocks said patient monitor using said harvested memory, said signal processor configured to process signals from said unauthorized noninvasive sensor during normal operation because of the presence of said accessory.
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14. A locked pulse oximetry patient monitor system behaving like an unlocked pulse oximetry patient monitor system, the locked patient monitor system normally comprising a patient monitor and an authorized noninvasive sensor, the locked patient monitor system considered locked because it is configured to process signals only from said authorized noninvasive sensor during normal operation for quality control purposes, the locked patient monitor system behaving like an unlocked patient monitor system because the patient monitor, opposite to its configuration, processes signals from one or more unauthorized noninvasive sensors during normal operation, the locked patient monitor system comprising:
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a patient monitor including an input configured to receive signals responsive to light attenuated by body tissue of a patient, said signals output from a light detector of said authorized noninvasive sensor, said input also configured to receive predetermined access information from a memory non-removably associated with said authorized noninvasive sensor, and a signal processor responsive to said signals and said predetermined access information from said input, said signal processor configured to process said predetermined access information to determine whether said predetermined access information indicates the presence of said authorized noninvasive sensor; an accessory comprising one of a cable or a connector, said accessory including said predetermined access information harvested from said memory non-removably associated with said authorized noninvasive sensor, said accessory configured to communicate said predetermined access information to said patient monitor through said input without said authorized noninvasive sensor; and an unauthorized noninvasive optical sensor configured to communicate with said input once said accessory unlocks said patient monitor using said harvested predetermined access information, said signal processor configured to process signals from said unauthorized noninvasive sensor during normal operation because of the presence of said accessory.
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18. A method of unlocking a locked patient monitor system so that the locked patient monitor system behaves like an unlocked patient monitor system, the locked patient monitor system normally comprising a patient monitor and an authorized noninvasive sensor, the locked patient monitor system considered locked because it is configured to process signals only from said authorized noninvasive sensor during normal operation for quality control purposes, the locked patient monitor system behaving like an unlocked patient monitor system because the patient monitor, opposite to its configuration, processes signals from one or more unauthorized noninvasive sensors during normal operation, the method of unlocking a locked patient monitor system comprising:
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harvesting predetermined access information from a locked patient monitor system, wherein the predetermined access information is stored on a memory non-removably associated with said authorized noninvasive sensor, the locked patient monitor system comprising a signal processor configured to receive said predetermined access information from said memory associated with said authorized noninvasive sensor to determine whether said predetermined access information indicates the presence of said authorized noninvasive sensor; incorporating said harvested predetermined access information into a memory associated with an accessory, the accessory comprising one of a cable or a connector; and communicating said harvested predetermined access information from said memory associated with said accessory to said signal processor without said authorized noninvasive sensor, said communicating tricking said signal processor to indicate the presence of said authorized noninvasive sensor in the presence of an unauthorized noninvasive optical sensor.
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Specification