Physiological sensor system with automatic authentication and validation by means of a Radio Frequency Identification protocol with an integrated RFID interrogator system

• US 8,896,423 B2
• Filed: 04/19/2013
• Issued: 11/25/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/13/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Brumer, Rebecca, Chamoun, Nassib G., Cordero, Rafael M., Davidson, Marc, Kiely, James P.
• Primary Examiner(s): PHAM, TOAN NGOC
• Application Number:
  US13/867,007
• Publication Number:
  US 20130234830A1
• Time in Patent Office: 585 Days
• Field of Search: 340/10.1, 340/572.1, 340/572.7, 340/572.8, 340/573.1, 340/5.82, 340/10.32, 340/10.342, 600/300, 128/903
• US Class Current: 340/10.1
• 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. A method for communicating data, comprising:

receiving physiological data from a physiological sensor, the physiological data transmitted by a first transmission technique;

interrogating an RFID transponder using an RFID interrogator, wherein the interrogating causes the RFID transponder to transmit non-physiological data by a second transmission technique; and

receiving the non-physiological data using an RFID antenna coupled to an RFID antenna matching circuit.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first transmission technique is a wired technique.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the second transmission technique is a wireless RFID technique.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying the physiological data using a monitor.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein displaying the physiological data comprises displaying the physiological data only if the non-physiological data meets a predetermined criteria.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the non-physiological data comprises receiving an encrypted data packet stored on the RFID transponder.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the non-physiological data is selected from the group consisting of a number of times the sensor has been used, a sensor type code, calibration data, and any combination thereof.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising detecting the presence of the RFID transponder in a detection field using the RFID interrogator.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the physiological data comprises EKG data.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing power to the RFID transponder via the RFID antenna.

11. A method for communicating data, comprising:

receiving physiological data transmitted by a first transmission technique, wherein the physiological data is from a physiological sensor; and

receiving non-physiological data transmitted by a second transmission technique from an RFID transponder, wherein the RFID transponder comprises a memory device.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the first transmission technique is a wired technique.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the second transmission technique is a wireless RFID technique.

14. The method of claim 11, further comprising displaying the physiological data using a monitor.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein displaying the physiological data comprises displaying the physiological data only if the non-physiological data meets a predetermined criteria.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein receiving the non-physiological data comprises receiving an encrypted data packet stored on the RFID transponder.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein the non-physiological data is selected from the group consisting of a number of times the sensor has been used, a sensor type code, calibration data, and any combination thereof.

18. The method of claim 11, further comprising detecting the presence of the RFID transponder in a detection field using the RFID interrogator.

19. The method of claim 11, wherein the physiological data comprises EKG data.

20. The method of claim 11, further comprising providing power to the RFID transponder via the RFID antenna.