Oximeter sensor with digital memory encoding sensor data

• US 8,068,889 B2
• Filed: 06/01/2006
• Issued: 11/29/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Swedlow, David, Fein, Michael E., Mannheimer, Paul D., Porges, Charles, Merchant, Adnan
• Primary Examiner(s): WINAKUR, ERIC FRANK
• Application Number:
  US11/445,016
• Publication Number:
  US 20060217607A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,007 Days
• Field of Search: 600/323, 600/310, 600/322
• 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

Embodiments of the present invention include systems and methods that relate to a sensor with memory. Specifically, one embodiment includes a method of sensor operation, comprising a light emitting element configured to emit light, a light detecting element configured to detect the light, and a memory storing a language code or country code, the memory providing access to an oximeter monitor to read the language code or country code.

Claims

1. An oximeter system, comprising:

an oximeter sensor configured to sense a physiological parameter;

a memory storing a language code or country code, wherein the memory is a component of the oximeter sensor; and

an oximeter monitor configured to read the language code or country code from the memory of the oximeter sensor and to perform an action based on the language code or country code.

2. The oximeter system of claim 1, comprising a communication device configured to facilitate communication with a medical facility computer network, the network comprising the oximeter monitor.

3. The oximeter system of claim 1, wherein the language code or country code is digitally encoded.

4. The oximeter system of claim 1, wherein the memory stores data relating to an action to be performed by the oximeter monitor in response to reading the language code or country code.

5. The oximeter system of claim 1, wherein the action comprises displaying a message in a language corresponding to the language code or country code or displaying the language code or country code.

6. A method of manufacturing an oximeter system, comprising:

providing an oximeter sensor configured to sense a physiological parameter, wherein the oximeter sensor comprises a memory;

storing a language code or country code in the memory; and

providing an oximeter monitor configured to read the language code or country code from the memory of the oximeter sensor and to perform an action based on the language code or country code.

7. The method of claim 6, comprising providing a communication device within the oximeter sensor configured to facilitate communication with a medical facility computer network, the network comprising the oximeter monitor.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the action comprises displaying a message in a language corresponding to the language code or country code or displaying the language code or country code.

9. A method of oximeter system operation, comprising:

sensing a physiological parameter of a patient with an oximeter sensor;

providing a language code or country code in a memory of the oximeter sensor to an oximeter monitor from the oximeter sensor; and

performing an action on the oximeter monitor based on the language code or sensor code.

10. The method of claim 9, comprising communicating with a medical facility computer network, the network comprising the oximeter monitor.

11. The method of claim 9, comprising storing the language code or country code as digitally encoded data.

12. The method of claim 9, comprising providing data relating to an action to be performed by the oximeter monitor to the oximeter monitor from the oximeter sensor.

13. The method of claim 9, comprising coupling the oximeter sensor to the patient.

14. The method of claim of claim 9, wherein the action comprises displaying a message in a language corresponding to the language code or country code or displaying the language code or country code.

15. An oximeter system, comprising:

an oximeter sensor, comprising;

a light emitting element configured to project light into a patient;

a light detector configured to detect the light;

a memory storing a language code or country code; and

an access point configured to provide access to the memory; and

an oximeter monitor, comprising;

an output circuit configured to provide signals to the oximeter sensor; and

a read circuit configured to read the language code or country code from the memory of the oximeter sensor via the access point and to perform an action based on the language code or country code.

16. The oximeter system of claim 15, wherein the action comprises displaying a message in a language corresponding to the language code or country code or displaying the language code or country code.

17. An oximeter monitor, comprising:

a drive circuit configured to provide signals to circuitry of an oximeter sensor that is coupleable to a patient; and

a circuit configured to receive a language code or country code from a memory of the oximeter sensor and to perform an action based on the language code or country code.

18. The oximeter monitor of claim 17, wherein the action comprises displaying a message in a language corresponding to the language code or country code or displaying the language code or country code.

19. A method of oximeter monitor operation, comprising:

providing signals to circuitry of an oximeter sensor that is coupleable to a patient;

receiving a language code or country code from a memory of the oximeter sensor, and

performing an action based on the received language code or country code.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the action comprises displaying a message in a language corresponding to the language code or country code or displaying the language code or country code.