Method and circuit for storing and providing historical physiological data

• US 7,904,131 B2
• Filed: 06/01/2006
• Issued: 03/08/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Mallinckrodt Incorporated (Mallinckrodt plc)
• Inventors: Fein, Michael E., Mannheimer, Paul D.
• Primary Examiner(s): WINAKUR, ERIC FRANK
• Application Number:
  US11/445,008
• Publication Number:
  US 20070049810A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,741 Days
• Field of Search: 600/323, 600/310, 600/322, 600/344
• US Class Current: 600/323
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/085 combined with means for recording calibration data
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0205 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular conditions and different types of body conditions, e.g. heart and respiratory condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02055 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular condition and temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/053 Measuring electrical impedance or conductance of a portion of the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/11 Measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof, e.g. head or hand tremor, mobility of a limb for measuring pulse A61B5/02 ;A61B5/1038 takes precedence; motion detection to correct for motion artifacts in physiological signals A61B5/721
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14551 for measuring blood gases
• 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: A61B 5/7232 involving compression of the physiological signal, e.g. to extend the signal recording period
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/74 Details of notification to user or communication with user or patient indicating measured values G01D7/00; user input means input or output arrangements for computers G06F3/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 18/00 Testing or calibrating apparatus or arrangements provided for in groups G01D1/00 - G01D15/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 323/911 Medical electronics

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention include systems and methods that relate to pulse oximetry. Specifically, one embodiment includes an oximeter sensor, comprising a light emitting element configured to emit light, a light detector configured to receive the light, and a memory device that stores data, comprising an amount of wetness on the oximeter sensor.

Claims

1. An oximeter sensor, comprising:

a light emitting element configured to emit light;

a light detector configured to receive the light;

a memory device that stores data, comprising an amount of wetness on the oximeter sensor; and

an isolation mechanism configured to isolate a patient from electronics associated with the oximeter sensor when a predefined wetness level is reached.

2. The oximeter sensor of claim 1, comprising a moisture sensor or impedance sensor configured to detect the amount of wetness on the oximeter sensor.

3. The oximeter sensor of claim 1, comprising a circuit configured to disable the oximeter sensor if the amount of wetness on the oximeter sensor exceeds a predefined threshold.

4. A method of manufacturing an oximeter sensor, comprising:

providing a light emitting element configured to project light;

providing a light detector configured to receive the light;

providing a memory device storing data comprising a maximum allowable amount of wetness on the oximeter sensor;

providing a circuit in the oximeter sensor configured to disable the oximeter sensor if the amount of wetness on the oximeter sensor exceeds a predefined threshold; and

providing a sensor body including the light emitting element, the light detector, the memory device, and the circuit.

5. The method of claim 4, comprising providing a moisture sensor or impedance sensor configured to detect an amount of wetness on the oximeter sensor.

6. An oximeter system, comprising:

an oximeter sensor, comprising;

a light emitting element configured to emit light;

a light detector configured to receive the light;

a memory device that stores data comprising an amount of wetness on the oximeter sensor; and

an isolation mechanism configured to isolate a patient from electronics associated with the oximeter sensor when a predefined wetness level is reached; and

an oximeter monitor, comprising;

a drive circuit configured to provide signals to circuitry of the oximeter sensor; and

a receiving circuit configured to receive the data from the oximeter sensor.

7. An oximeter monitor, comprising:

a drive circuit configured to provide signals to circuitry of an oximeter sensor;

a circuit configured to receive information from a memory device of the oximeter sensor, the information including an amount of wetness on the oximeter sensor; and

disabling circuit configured to disable the oximeter sensor if the amount of wetness on the oximeter sensor exceeds a predefined threshold.

8. The monitor of claim 7, comprising a moisture sensor circuit configured to receive data from a moisture sensor or impedance sensor of the oximeter sensor.

9. A method of monitor operation, comprising:

receiving information from a memory device of an oximeter sensor, the information including an amount of wetness on the oximeter sensor;

providing signals to circuitry of the oximeter sensor; and

sending a disable signal to the oximeter sensor based on comparing the amount of wetness on the oximeter sensor with a predefined wetness limit.

10. A method of operating an oximeter sensor, comprising:

projecting light from a light emitting element;

receiving the light with a light detector;

storing data in a memory device, the data comprising an amount of wetness on the oximeter sensor; and

disabling the oximeter sensor if the amount of wetness on the oximeter sensor exceeds a predefined threshold.

11. The method of claim 10, comprising detecting moisture levels using a moisture sensor or impedance sensor.