Retinopathy of prematurity determination and alarm system

• US 8,428,677 B2
• Filed: 05/28/2010
• Issued: 04/23/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Doyle, Peter, Graboi, Daniel G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Perkey, W. B.
• Application Number:
  US12/789,718
• Publication Number:
  US 20110295094A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,061 Days
• Field of Search: 600/323
• US Class Current: 600/323
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14551 for measuring blood gases
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14555 specially adapted for the eye fundus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4836 Diagnosis combined with treatment in closed-loop systems or methods A61B5/0036 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/10 Preparation of respiratory gases or vapours
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/0208 Oxygen
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/18 with alarm
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/581 by audible feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/583 by visual feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/205 partial oxygen pressure (P-O2)

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to determining a likelihood of possible retinopathy of prematurity and alerting a caregiver of such likelihood. According to certain embodiments, an apparatus for displaying an indication of a risk of retinopathy of prematurity in a patient may include a processing unit. The processing unit is configured to determine whether an oxygen saturation history of the patient places the patient at risk of developing retinopathy of prematurity. The apparatus may also include a display unit configured to present an indication of a risk of prematurity in the patient when the processing unit determines that the oxygen saturation history of the patient places the patient at risk of developing retinopathy of prematurity, the indication comprising at least one of a number associated with the risk, an audible alarm, or a visual alarm.

Claims

1. An apparatus for displaying an indication of a risk of retinopathy of prematurity in a patient, the apparatus comprising:

a processing unit configured to determine whether an oxygen saturation history of the patient places the patient at risk of developing retinopathy of prematurity; and

a display unit configured to present an indication of a risk of prematurity in the patient when the processing unit determines that the oxygen saturation history of the patient places the patient at risk of developing retinopathy of prematurity, the indication comprising at least one of a number associated with the risk, an audible alarm, or a visual alarm.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the display unit is configured to present the oxygen saturation history of the patient.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the display unit comprises a geometric shape, wherein the geometric shape is filled based on an extent the oxygen saturation history extends beyond an oxygen saturation threshold.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the geometric shape comprises an annulus.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the geometric shape is shaped like an eye.

6. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the geometric shape is full when the extent exceeds a threshold.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the visual alarm comprises an eye shaped image.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the visual alarm flashes.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the visual alarm is a different color from other elements on the display unit.

10. A method for displaying an indication of a risk of retinopathy of prematurity in a patient, the method comprising:

determining whether an oxygen saturation history of the patient places the patient at risk of developing retinopathy of prematurity; and

presenting an indication of a risk of prematurity in patient when the oxygen saturation history of the patient places the patient at risk of developing retinopathy of prematurity, wherein the indication comprises at least one of a number associated with the risk, an audible alarm, or a visual alarm.

11. The method of claim 10, comprising displaying the oxygen saturation history of the patient.

12. The method of claim 10, comprising displaying a geometric shape, wherein the geometric shape represents an extent the oxygen saturation history extends beyond an oxygen saturation threshold.

13. The method of claim 12, comprising filling the geometric shape as the extent the oxygen saturation history extends beyond the oxygen saturation threshold increases.

14. The method of claim 12, comprising emptying the geometric shape when the oxygen saturation history does not extend beyond the oxygen saturation threshold.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the geometric shape comprises an annulus.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the geometric shape is shaped like an eye.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein the geometric shape is full when the extent exceeds a threshold.

18. The method of claim 10, wherein the visual alarm comprises an eye shaped image.

19. The method of claim 10, wherein the visual alarm flashes.

20. A pulse oximeter, comprising:

a sensor capable of generating a physiological signal;

a processing unit configured to determine whether an oxygen saturation history of the patient places the patient at risk of developing retinopathy of prematurity; and

a display unit configured to present an indication of a risk of prematurity in the patient when the processing unit determines that the oxygen saturation history of the patient places the patient at risk of developing retinopathy of prematurity, the indication comprising at least one of a number associated with the risk, an audible alarm, or a visual alarm.

21. An apparatus for displaying an indication of a risk of retinopathy of prematurity in a patient, the apparatus comprising:

a processing unit configured to determine whether an oxygen saturation history of the patient places the patient at risk of developing retinopathy of prematurity; and

a display unit configured to present an indication of a risk of prematurity in the patient when the processing unit determines that the oxygen saturation history of the patient places the patient at risk of developing retinopathy of prematurity, the indication comprising at least one of a number associated with the risk, an audible alarm, or a visual alarm, and wherein the display unit comprises a geometric shape, and the geometric shape is changed based on an extent the oxygen saturation history extends beyond an oxygen saturation threshold.