Method and system for determining when to reposition a physiological sensor
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for notifying an operator to reposition a sensor, comprising the acts of:
- starting a timer based upon an output of a photodetector of the sensor that is indicative of the sensor being affixed to a patient, wherein the timer is set to run for a time interval;
resetting the timer if the output of the photodetector is indicative of the sensor being removed from the patient and reaffixed to the patient prior to the expiration of the time interval; and
prompting a caregiver to reposition the sensor at the expiration of the time interval.
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Abstract
A sensor may be placed on a patient to obtain physiological measurements. The application of the sensor on the patient may start a timer set to run for a given time interval. If the sensor is repositioned before the interval is expired, the timer is reset. If the time expires without the sensor being repositioned, a caregiver is prompted to reposition the sensor.
879 Citations
52 Claims
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1. A method for notifying an operator to reposition a sensor, comprising the acts of:
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starting a timer based upon an output of a photodetector of the sensor that is indicative of the sensor being affixed to a patient, wherein the timer is set to run for a time interval; resetting the timer if the output of the photodetector is indicative of the sensor being removed from the patient and reaffixed to the patient prior to the expiration of the time interval; and prompting a caregiver to reposition the sensor at the expiration of the time interval. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. One or more tangible machine-readable media comprising:
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code adapted to start a timer based upon an output of a photodetector of a sensor that is indicative of the sensor being affixed to a patient, wherein the timer is set to run for a time interval; code adapted to reset the timer if the output of the photodetector indicates that the sensor was removed and reaffixed to the patient prior to the expiration of the time interval; and code adapted to prompt a caregiver to reposition the sensor at the expiration of the time interval. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A method of using a sensor, the method comprising the acts of:
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starting a timer upon a sensor being affixed to the skin of a patient, wherein the timer is set to run for a time interval; determining whether the sensor is repositioned based upon a change in the amount of light detected by a photodetector of the sensor; resetting the timer if the sensor is repositioned prior to the expiration of the time interval; and prompting a caregiver to reposition the sensor at the expiration of the time interval. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. A method of using a sensor, the method comprising the acts of:
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starting a timer upon a sensor being affixed to a patient; determining whether the sensor is repositioned based upon one or more comparisons of the amount of light detected by a photodetector of the sensor to a threshold value, wherein the amount of light detected crossing and recrossing the threshold is indicative of the sensor being repositioned; resetting the timer if the sensor is repositioned prior to the timer reaching a time limit; and prompting a caregiver to reposition the sensor if the timer reaches the time limit. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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41. A method of using a sensor, the method comprising the acts of:
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starting a timer upon a sensor being affixed to a patient; determining whether the sensor is repositioned based upon an algorithm executed on a monitor in communication with the sensor, wherein the algorithm indicates whether the sensor is currently on or off; resetting the timer if the sensor is repositioned prior to the timer reaching a time limit; and prompting a caregiver to reposition the sensor if the timer reaches the time limit. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43, 44, 45, 46)
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47. One or more tangible machine-readable media comprising:
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code adapted to start a timer upon application of a sensor to a patient; code adapted to determine whether the sensor is repositioned based upon a change in the amount of light detected by a photodetector of the sensor; code adapted to reset the timer if the sensor is repositioned prior to the timer reaching a time limit; and code adapted to prompt a caregiver to reposition the sensor if the timer reaches the time limit. - View Dependent Claims (48, 49, 50, 51, 52)
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Specification