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

• US 9,411,995 B2
• Filed: 02/23/2015
• Issued: 08/09/2016
• 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:
  US14/629,270
• Publication Number:
  US 20150235065A1
• Time in Patent Office: 533 Days
• Field of Search: 340/870.07, 340/572.1, 340/572.7, 340/572.8, 340/573.1, 340/5.92, 340/10.1, 340/10.32, 340/10.342, 600/300, 123/903
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 information to a medical monitor, the method comprising:

transmitting, using a physiological measuring device, physiological information of a subject to the medical monitor; and

transmitting, using an RFID transponder of the physiological measuring device, non-physiological information to the medical monitor by a wireless transmission technique.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting the physiological information comprises transmitting the physiological information by a wired technique.

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

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

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

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

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the RFID transponder of the physiological measuring device comprises an antenna and transponder circuitry.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the antenna comprises a coil antenna.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein diameter of the coil antenna is no more than 38 mm.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

storing, using non-transitory memory of the physiological measuring device, the non-physiological information.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

storing, using the non-transitory memory, one or more of a key code, a manufacturer code, calibration data, an OEM code, a product shelf life code, a physiological measuring device type code, a lot code, a serial number, and usage count.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

signing the non-transitory memory with a digital signature for authentication and validation.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting the non-physiological information comprises transmitting the non-physiological information in response to an interrogation from the medical monitor.

14. A method for communicating information to a medical monitor, the method comprising:

receiving, using a physiological measuring device, an interrogation from an RFID interrogator of the medical monitor;

transmitting, using the physiological measuring device, physiological information of a subject to the medical monitor; and

transmitting, using an RFID transponder of the physiological measuring device, non-physiological information to the medical monitor by a wireless transmission technique.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein transmitting the non-physiological information comprises transmitting the non-physiological information in response to the interrogation from the RFID interrogator of the medical monitor.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the RFID transponder of the physiological measuring device comprises an antenna and transponder circuitry.

17. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

storing, using non-transitory memory of the physiological measuring device, the non-physiological information.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

storing, using the non-transitory memory, one or more of a key code, a manufacturer code, calibration data, an OEM code, a product shelf life code, a physiological measuring device type code, a lot code, a serial number, and usage count.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

signing the non-transitory memory with a digital signature for authentication and validation.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein transmitting the physiological information comprises transmitting the physiological information by a wired technique.