Oximeter sensor with digital memory encoding sensor expiration data
First Claim
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1. An oximeter sensor comprising:
- a light emitting element;
a light detecting element; and
a memory device for storing digital data comprising expiration data relating to the oximeter sensor, wherein an oximeter monitor coupled to said oximeter sensor briefly drives a high current through said light emitting element to disable said light emitting element after an expiration date stored in the memory device.
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Abstract
The present invention provides a memory chip for use in an oximeter sensor, or an associated adapter or connector circuit. The memory chip allows the storing of sensor expiration data to provide enhanced capabilities for the oximeter sensor. In addition to providing unique data to store in such a memory, the invention describes unique uses of sensor expiration data stored in such a memory.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. An oximeter sensor comprising:
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a light emitting element;
a light detecting element; and
a memory device for storing digital data comprising expiration data relating to the oximeter sensor, wherein an oximeter monitor coupled to said oximeter sensor briefly drives a high current through said light emitting element to disable said light emitting element after an expiration date stored in the memory device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
a counter that encodes the number of sterilization cycles that have been performed on said sensor; and
a maximum number of sterilization cycles allowed for said sensor.
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6. The oximeter sensor of claim 1 wherein said expiration data comprises a maximum usage time for the use of said oximeter sensor.
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7. The oximeter sensor of claim 6 wherein said expiration data further comprises a total usage time to date for said oximeter sensor.
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8. The oximeter sensor of claim 7 wherein an oximeter monitor coupled to said oximeter sensor encodes the total usage time for said sensor in said memory device and compares the total usage time to said maximum usage time to determine when said sensor has expired.
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9. A method for storing data in an oximeter sensor, the method comprising
emitting light from a light emitting element; -
detecting light from the light emitting element using a photodetector;
storing digitally encoded data in a memory in the sensor, the digitally encoded data comprising expiration data relating to the oximeter sensor; and
driving a high current through said light emitting element to disable said light emitting element after an expiration date stored in the memory. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
displaying a sensor expiration message on a display screen when the total usage time for said sensor reaches the maximum usage time.
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Specification