Patient monitor

• US 6,679,840 B1
• Filed: 10/02/2000
• Issued: 01/20/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Barbara J. Ladd, Leland L. Ladd
• Original Assignee: Barbara J. Ladd, Leland L. Ladd
• Inventors: Ladd, Leland L.
• Primary Examiner(s): ROBINSON, DANIEL LEON
• Application Number:
  US09/677,365
• Time in Patent Office: 1,205 Days
• Field of Search: 600/300, 600/301, 600/302, 600/303, 600/304, 600/305, 600/306, 600/307, 600/308, 600/309, 128/902, 128/903, 128/904, 340/573.1, 424/2, 434/258
• US Class Current: 600/300
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/08 Sensors provided with means for identification, e.g. barcodes or memory chips
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1126 using a particular sensing technique
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6892 Mats

Abstract

A patient monitor has an information processor, an information display, a control or selector, at least two sensor sockets, and at least two patient sensors. The information processor is programmable and re-programmable according to a user'"'"'s requirements. The sockets are substantially identical with a number of socket connectors and are electrically connected in parallel with one another. One of the sensors monitors one aspect of a patient'"'"'s condition and generates a signal to the information processor accordingly. A second sensor monitors a second aspect of a patient'"'"'s condition and generates a signal to the information processor accordingly. Each of the patient sensors plugs into any of the sensor sockets. The sensor sockets and the sensors have connectors that connect when the sensors are plugged into the sockets. Not all of the connectors are used by a sensor, however, so the patient monitor identifies and differentiates each sensor not by which socket it is plugged into, but by which plug and socket connectors are used.

Claims

1. A patient monitoring device in combination with a fluid reservoir, comprising;

a processing device;

a display operatively connected with the processing device;

a selector operatively connected with the processing device;

a housing;

at least one air pump mounted in the housing and operatively connected with the processing device, the air pump being adapted to provide at least one of air pressure and air suction;

a fluid reservoir operatively connected with the air pump, the fluid reservoir being one of a fluid supply that is adapted to dispense a fluid when the air pump applies air pressure to the fluid supply and a suction canister that is adapted to collect fluid when the air pump applies a suction to the suction canister, respectively, the fluid reservoir being connected with the air pump so that fluid is precluded from drawing into the air pump;

at least two sockets, each socket being substantially identical with a number of socket connectors, the sockets being electrically connected in parallel with one another, the socket connectors being operatively connected with the processing device;

a first sensor, the first sensor being adapted to generate a signal according to a predefined criteria, the first sensor having a first sensor plug that corresponds to the at least two sockets whereby the first sensor plug removably couples with any of the at least two sockets, the first sensor plug having a set of first plug connectors that cooperates with the socket connectors, the first sensor being connected with fewer than all of the socket connectors when the first sensor plug is coupled with either of the at least two sockets and defining a first subset of the socket connectors, the first subset of the socket connectors being those socket connectors that connect with the first sensor when the first sensor plug is coupled with one of the at least two sockets; and

a second sensor, the second sensor being adapted to generate a signal according to a predefined criteria, the second sensor having a second sensor plug that corresponds to the at least two sockets whereby the second sensor plug removably couples with any of the at least two sockets, the second sensor plug having a set of second plug connectors that cooperates with the socket connectors, the second sensor being connected with fewer than all of the socket connectors when the second sensor plug is coupled with either of the at least two sockets and defining a second subset of the socket connectors, the second subset of the socket connectors being those socket connectors that connect with the second sensor when the second sensor plug is coupled with one of the at least two sockets, the second subset of the socket connectors also being a different subset from the first subset of the socket connectors.

2. A method of monitoring a patient comprising the steps of:

providing a sensor that is adapted to generate a sensor signal according to a predefined criteria;

providing a programmable processing device that is adapted to respond to the sensor signal, the programmable processing device having at least a first register, the programmable processing device having at least a first interface port;

providing a power supply for the programmable processing device, the power supply having a power switch by which the programmable processing device is switched between off and on conditions;

providing a housing;

providing an air pump, the air pump being adapted to provide at least one of air pressure and air suction;

providing a fluid reservoir, the fluid reservoir being one of a fluid supply that is adapted to dispense a fluid when the air pump applies air pressure to the fluid supply and a suction canister that is adapted to collect fluid when the air pump applies a suction to the suction canister, respectively;

operatively connecting the air pump and the fluid reservoir, the fluid reservoir being connected with the air pump so that fluid is precluded from drawing into the air pump;

operatively connecting the fluid pump with the processing device;

operatively connecting the sensor with the first interface port;

configuring the processing device to respond to switching from the off condition to the on condition by setting the first register to predetermined reference values;

configuring the processing device to perform a diagnostic test of the processing device in accordance with predetermined criteria;

configuring the processing device to poll the first interface port and record a status of the first interface port;

configuring the processing device with a table of boundary values for the first interface port;

configuring the processing device to compare the status of the first interface port with the table of boundary values, further configuring the processing device to generate an alarm signal when the status of the first interface port is outside the table of boundary values;

providing an alarm, the alarm being one of a group of alarms that includes a visual indicator and an audible indicator the alarm further being responsive to the alarm signal; and

providing a user control interface and operatively connecting the user control interface with the processing device whereby at least the table of boundary values for the first interface port are variable by a user.