Single site, multi-variable patient monitor

• US 5,673,692 A
• Filed: 02/03/1995
• Issued: 10/07/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 02/03/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: PhDx Systems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Biosignals Ltd., Co.
• Inventors: Schulze, Arthur E., Cooper, Tommy G.
• Primary Examiner(s): NASSER, ROBERT L
• Application Number:
  US08/383,116
• Time in Patent Office: 977 Days
• Field of Search: 128/670, 128/664, 128/736, 128/691, 128/689, 128/665, 128/633, 128/634, 128/666
• US Class Current: 600/301
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14552 Details of sensors specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6815 Ear
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6816 Ear lobe
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6817 Ear canal
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/02 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/025 Interfacing a pyrometer to an external device or network; User interface
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/04 Casings
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/049 Casings for tympanic thermometers
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/08 Optical arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/0846 having multiple detectors for performing different types of detection, e.g. using radiometry and reflectometry channels

Abstract

An apparatus for monitoring multiple physiological variables of a patient at a single site on the patient can be used to facilitate assessment of the patient'"'"'s well being during medical surgery as well as during ambulatory monitoring, home monitoring, procedure monitoring and similar situations. The apparatus has an infrared (IR) temperature sensor, a pulse oximeter sensor and a communication circuit for outputting information produced from the pulse oximeter and information produced from the infrared temperature measuring device. These elements are integrally placed within a mold or plug made to fit the ear of the patient.

Claims

1. An apparatus for monitoring multiple physiological variables of a patient, comprising:

an infrared (IR) temperature sensor for measuring temperature of the patient from a tympanic membrane at one end of an ear canal of the patient;

a pulse oximeter sensor for measuring oximetry data from a portion of a lining of the ear canal, said pulse oximeter sensor including;

first and second light sources and a light sensor for receiving light from said light sources, said light sources being adapted to be aimed away from said tympanic membrane to reduce thermal interference between said infrared temperature sensor and said light sensor;

said apparatus further including a communication circuit for outputting data produced by the pulse oximeter sensor and the infrared temperature sensor; and

a housing for supporting said infrared temperature sensor, said pulse oximeter sensor, and said communication circuit, said light sources and said light sensor being angularly spaced from each other at an angle of about 90°

or less.

2. The invention of claim 1, wherein said angle is between about 45°

and about 90°

.

3. The invention of claim 2, wherein said angle is about 60°

.

4. The invention of claim 1, wherein the first and second light source and the infrared temperature sensor are activated in a time-division multiplex manner to reduce thermal interference by making the infrared temperature measurements while the light sources are off.

5. An apparatus for monitoring multiple physiological variables of a patient, comprising:

housing having an inner end, outer end and an elongated section between said ends, said housing being sized to fit in an ear canal of a patient;

a radiation source mounted along said elongated section to emit radiation toward a lining of the ear canal of the patient;

a first radiation sensor mounted along said elongated section, at an angle of about 90°

or less with respect to said source, to receive radiation from said source following reflection by the lining of the ear canal at a reflection point;

a second radiation sensor mounted in said inner end to receive radiation, from a tympanic membrane of the patient in said ear canal, along a direction generally perpendicular to a plane including said radiation source, said first radiation sensor, and said reflection point.

6. The invention of claim 5, further including:

a second radiation source mounted along a first opening to emit radiation toward the lining of the ear canal of the patient.

7. The invention of claim 6, wherein:

said sources and said first sensor are pulse oximeter sources and a pulse oximeter sensor; and

said second sensor is an infrared temperature sensor.

8. The invention of claim 5, wherein said apparatus further comprises:

a communication circuit coupled to said sensors for communicating signals responsive to said sensors; and

an external processor for receiving said signals from said communication circuit and processing said signals into physiological data.