Oximeter sensor with digital memory storing data

• US 6,628,975 B1
• Filed: 08/30/2001
• Issued: 09/30/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Mallinckrodt Incorporated (Mallinckrodt plc)
• Inventors: Fein, Michael E., Mannheimer, Paul D., Merchant, Adnan, Chin, Rodney
• Primary Examiner(s): Winakur, Eric F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): KREMER, MATTHEW J
• Application Number:
  US09/943,823
• Time in Patent Office: 761 Days
• Field of Search: 600/309-310, 600/322-326, 600/331, 600/334
• 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 3/022 having an ideal characteristic, map or correction data stored in a digital memory

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 includes information relating to enhancing the performance of the oximetry system.

Claims

1. A method for operating an oximeter sensor, the method comprising:

emitting light from a light emitting element;

detecting light at a light detecting element;

reading digital data that is stored in a memory device on the sensor, wherein the digital data includes capacitance values of wires coupled between the oximeter sensor and an oximeter monitor;

tuning capacitances of the wires using the capacitance values to balance the capacitances of the wires so that noise signals on the wires are more closely matched; and

amplifying signals from the sensor received on the wires using a differential amplifier.

2. Method of claim 1 wherein reading the digital data that is stored in the memory device further comprises:

reading digital data from the memory device including a temperature value; and

wherein the method further comprises;

determining arterial oxygen saturation using a motion-signal algorithm when a temperature at a patient'"'"'s skin reaches the temperature value.

3. Method of claim 1 wherein reading the digital data that is stored in the memory device further comprises:

reading digital data from the memory device including a temperature threshold value; and

the method further comprises;

terminating operation of the oximeter sensor if a temperature of the sensor increases above the temperature threshold value.