Multiple region pulse oximetry probe and oximeter
First Claim
1. A pulse oximeter comprising:
- light emitting means for directing light through first and second unique regions of tissue;
detecting means for detecting the light directed through the first and second regions of tissue;
wherein the light emitting means and the detecting means are disposed in close proximity to each other;
saturation calculating means, coupled to the detecting means, for calculating a first oxygen saturation value from the amount of light detected from the first region of tissue and a second oxygen saturation value from the amount of light detected from the second region of tissue;
difference calculating means, coupled to the saturation calculating means for calculating a difference value which represents how much the first oxygen saturation value differs from the second oxygen saturation value;
threshold comprising means, coupled to the difference calculating means, for comparing the difference value to a threshold value; and
threshold indicating means, coupled to the threshold comparing means, for providing a threshold indicating signal when the difference value is not greater than the threshold value.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A first light emitting element directs light through a first region of tissue, a second light emitting element directs light through a second region of tissue that is spatially distinct from the first region of tissue, and a photodetector detects light traveling through the first and second regions. First and second oxygen saturation values are calculated from the amount of light detected from the first and second regions of tissue, respectively. A difference calculating unit calculates a difference value which represents how much the first oxygen saturation value differs from the second oxygen saturation value, and a comparator compares the difference value to a threshold value. A threshold indicating signal is provided when the difference value has a selected mathematical relationship (e.g., less than or equal) to the threshold value.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A pulse oximeter comprising:
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light emitting means for directing light through first and second unique regions of tissue; detecting means for detecting the light directed through the first and second regions of tissue; wherein the light emitting means and the detecting means are disposed in close proximity to each other; saturation calculating means, coupled to the detecting means, for calculating a first oxygen saturation value from the amount of light detected from the first region of tissue and a second oxygen saturation value from the amount of light detected from the second region of tissue; difference calculating means, coupled to the saturation calculating means for calculating a difference value which represents how much the first oxygen saturation value differs from the second oxygen saturation value; threshold comprising means, coupled to the difference calculating means, for comparing the difference value to a threshold value; and threshold indicating means, coupled to the threshold comparing means, for providing a threshold indicating signal when the difference value is not greater than the threshold value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of determining a characteristic of blood comprising the steps of:
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directing electromagnetic radiation through a first region of tissue; detecting the electromagnetic radiation from the first region of tissue; calculating a first blood oxygen saturation value from the amount of electromagnetic radiation detected from the first region of tissue; directing electromagnetic radiation through a second region of tissue, the second region of tissue being unique from the first region of tissue and in close proximity to the first region of tissue; detecting the electromagnetic radiation from the second region of tissue; calculating a second blood oxygen saturation value from the amount of electromagnetic radiation detected from the second region of tissue; calculating a difference value which represents how much the first blood oxygen saturation value differs from the second blood oxygen saturation value; comparing the difference value to a threshold value; and providing a threshold indicating signal when the difference value is not greater than the threshold value. - View Dependent Claims (12)
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Specification