Physiological sensor system with automatic authentication and validation by means of a radio frequency identification protocol with an integrated RFID interrogator system

• US 8,077,039 B2
• Filed: 10/12/2007
• Issued: 12/13/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/13/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Nellcor Puritan Bennett LLC (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Brumer, Rebecca, Chamoun, Nassib G., Cordero, Rafael M., Davidson, Marc, Kiely, James P.
• Primary Examiner(s): PHAM, TOAN NGOC
• Application Number:
  US11/871,585
• Publication Number:
  US 20110273270A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,523 Days
• Field of Search: 340/572.1, 340/572.4, 340/572.7, 340/572.8, 340/573.1, 340/5.82, 340/10.1, 340/10.32, 340/10.42
• US Class Current: 340/572.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/08 Sensors provided with means for identification, e.g. barcodes or memory chips
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/282 Holders for multiple electrodes for introduction into the body A61B5/287
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/303 Patient cord assembly, e.g. cable harness
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07749 the record carrier being capable of non-contact communication, e.g. constructional details of the antenna of a non-contact smart card
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0008 General problems related to the reading of electronic memory record carriers, independent of its reading method, e.g. power transfer
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10336 the antenna being of the near field type, inductive coil
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10366 the interrogation device being adapted for miscellaneous applications
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/2208 associated with components used in interrogation type services, i.e. in systems for information exchange between an interrogator/reader and a tag/transponder, e.g. in Radio Frequency Identification [RFID] systems methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns G06K7/00; record carrier for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings G06K19/00

Abstract

This invention relates to a physiological sensor which acquires pre-programmed data from an electrode or an electrode array using Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology. The source of the sensor may be authenticated by means of a wireless interface between an RFID transponder affixed to the electrode array, and an RFID interrogator embedded in the patient interface cable. The criteria for use are then verified to ensure that they are met by the electrode array before beginning signal acquisition. If the criteria are not met, a message is provided to the user via the monitor.

Claims

1. An interface cable for connecting electrodes to a physiological monitor comprising:

sockets connectable to an electrode array of at least one electrode,

a RFID interrogator,

a RFID antenna matching circuit,

a RFID antenna,

said RFID interrogator, antenna matching circuit and antenna being incorporated into said patient interface cable.

2. The interface cable of claim 1 further comprising a molded thermoplastic cover positioned around said sockets.

3. The interface cable of claim 1 further comprising a switching power supply, said switching power supply being connected to the RFID interrogator to limit the power consumed by the RFID interrogator.

4. The sensor of claim 3 further comprising a mating receptacle which electrically connects said interface cable to a monitor containing a processor.

5. The sensor system of claim 4, wherein said processor is located in the monitor.

6. The sensor system of claim 4, wherein said RFID interrogator is located in the monitor.

7. The sensor system of claim 4, wherein said antenna matching circuit is located in the monitor.

8. The interface cable of claim 1 further comprising a capacitor bank, said capacitor bank being connected to the RFID interrogator to limit the power consumed by the RFID interrogator.

9. A sensor for acquiring physiological signals comprising:

an interface cable including sockets connectable to an electrode array of at least one electrode, a RFID interrogator, a RFID antenna matching circuit, a RFID antenna, said RFID interrogator, antenna matching circuit and antenna being incorporated into said patient interface cable,

an electrode array of at least one electrode connectable to said sockets,

at least one RFID transponder for storing information,

wherein said at least RFID transponder is affixed to at least one electrode of said electrode array.

10. The sensor of claim 9 wherein said information stored in said RFID transponder includes an electrode array lot code.

11. The sensor of claim 9 wherein said information stored in said RFID transponder includes an electrode array serial number.

12. The sensor of claim 9 wherein said information stored in said RFID transponder includes an electrode array shelf life code.

13. The sensor of claim 9 wherein said information stored in said RFID transponder includes an OEM code identifying the distributor of said electrode array.

14. The sensor of claim 9 wherein said information stored in said RFID transponder includes a usage counter indicating the number of uses remaining.

15. The sensor of claim 9 wherein said information stored in said RFID transponder includes a digital signature for authentication and validation.

16. The sensor of claim 9 further comprising a microprocessor contained within the interface cable for processing data stored in the RFID transponder.

17. The sensor of claim 16 wherein said processor runs software which uses the value of an OEM code to allow or disallow the acquisition of physiological signals from said electrode array.

18. The sensor of claim 16 in which said microprocessor runs software which reformats said information stored in said RFID transponder to ISO 7816 format.

19. The sensor of claim 16, in which said microprocessor runs authentication software.

20. The sensor of claim 16 in which said microprocessor uses said authentication software to validate a digital signature stored in said RFID transponder, wherein successful validation of said digital signature is required before said sensor array is used for the acquisition of electrophysiological signals.

21. The sensor of claim 9, additionally comprising a means of monitoring the connection status of said electrode array.

22. The sensor of claim 21 in which said means of monitoring the connection status of the electrode array comprises continuous polling of the RFID transponder IC by the RFID interrogator.

23. The sensor of claim 21 in which said means of monitoring the connection status of the electrode array comprises a analog-to-digital converter which samples the voltage of the antenna matching circuit.

24. The sensor of claim 21 in which said means of monitoring the connection status of the electrode array comprises a voltage comparator which senses the voltage of the antenna matching circuit.