Oximeter sensor with digital memory recording sensor data

• US 6,591,123 B2
• Filed: 08/30/2001
• Issued: 07/08/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc), Millinckrodt Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Mallinckrodt Incorporated (Mallinckrodt plc)
• Inventors: Swedlow, David, Fein, Michael E., Mannheimer, Paul D., Porges, Charles, Merchant, Adnan
• Primary Examiner(s): Winakur, Eric F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): KREMER, MATTHEW J
• Application Number:
  US09/943,805
• Publication Number:
  US 20020038081A1
• Time in Patent Office: 677 Days
• Field of Search: 600/309-310, 600/322-326, 600/331
• US Class Current: 600/323
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/085 combined with means for recording calibration data
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14552 Details of sensors specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1495 Calibrating or testing of in-vivo probes
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 18/00 Testing or calibrating apparatus or arrangements provided for in groups G01D1/00 - G01D15/00

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 different 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 data stored in such a memory. The data stored in the memory chip may include information relating to use of the oximeter sensor. For example, the memory chip may encode a sensor model identification that can be displayed on a display screen when the sensor is connected to an oximeter monitor. The memory may also encode a range of operating parameters such as light levels over which the sensor can function or a maximum drive current. The operating parameters are read and interpreted by a controller circuit to control the pulse oximetry system.

Claims

1. An oximeter monitor system comprising:

a sensor that includes a light emitter, a light detector, and a memory device, wherein the memory device stores an ID code tat identifies a sensor model of the sensor, and the memory device stores an action indicating that text is to be displayed in response to reading the ID code; and

a monitor that reads the ID code and the action from said memory device, decodes said ID code, and displays the text on a display screen as indicated by the action, wherein the text indicates the sensor model.

2. The oximeter monitor system of claim 1 wherein the memory device stores a maximum safe drive current for the light emitter in said sensor.

3. The oximeter monitor system of claim 1 wherein the memory device stores an expected range for signals received from the light detector in said sensor.

4. The oximeter monitor system of claim 3 wherein signals from said light detector being outside the expected range indicate a sensor-off condition.

5. An oximeter system comprising:

an oximeter sensor that includes a light emitting element, a light detecting element, and a memory device for storing digital data, said digital data comprising an identification code that identifies a sensor model of said oximeter sensor and an action to be performed by an oximeter monitor coupled to the oximeter sensor in response to reading the identification code; and

an oximeter monitor that reads the identification code and the action from the memory device, and that performs the action stored in the memory device in response to reading the identification code.

6. The oximeter system of claim 5 wherein said action comprises said oximeter monitor displaying the sensor model of said oximeter sensor by decoding said identification code.

7. An oximeter system comprising:

an oximeter sensor that includes a light emitting element, a light detecting element, and a memory device that stores digital data, said digital data comprising a code identifying a manufacturer of said oximeter sensor and an action to be performed by an oximeter monitor coupled to the oximeter sensor in response to reading the code, the action stared in the memory device indicating that the oximeter monitor is to use the code to determine whether the sensor is compatible with the oximeter monitor; and

an oximeter monitor that reads the code and the action from the memory device, and that performs the action stored in the memory device by using the code to determine whether the sensor is compatible with the oximeter monitor.

8. A method for operating an oximeter system, the method comprising:

emitting light from a light emitting element in an oximeter sensor;

detecting light from the light emitting element using a photodetector in the sensor;

storing digitally encoded data in a memory in the sensor, the digitally encoded data comprising an identification code that identifies a sensor model of said oximeter sensor in said memory and an action that indicates a function to be performed by an oximeter monitor coupled to the oximeter sensor in response to reading the identification code;

reading said identification code and said action from the memory using said oximeter monitor; and

performing the function indicated by said action using said oximeter monitor.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein performing the function indicated by said action comprises:

displaying the sensor model of said oximeter sensor by decoding said identification code.

10. A method for operating an oximeter system, the method comprising:

emitting light from a light emitting element in an oximeter sensor;

detecting light from the light emitting element using a photodetector in the sensor;

storing digitally encoded data in a memory in the sensor, the digitally encoded data comprising a code identifying a manufacturer of said oximeter sensor in said memory, and an action that indicates a function to be performed by an oximeter monitor coupled to the oximeter sensor in response to reading said code;

reading said identification code and said action from the memory using said oximeter monitor; and

performing the function indicated by said action using said oximeter monitor.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein performing the function indicated by said action comprises:

displaying the manufacturer of said oximeter sensor by decoding said identification code.