Oximeter sensor with digital memory encoding patient data

• US 20040006261A1
• Filed: 05/30/2003
• Published: 01/08/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Mallinckrodt Incorporated (Mallinckrodt plc)
• Original Assignee: Nellcor Puritan Bennett Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Fein, Marcia, Swedlow, David, Fein, Michael E., Mannheimer, Paul D.
• Application Number:
  US10/452,806
• Publication Number:
  US 20040006261A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/323
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/085 combined with means for recording calibration data
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0205 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular conditions and different types of body conditions, e.g. heart and respiratory condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02055 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular condition and temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/053 Measuring electrical impedance or conductance of a portion of the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/11 Measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof, e.g. head or hand tremor, mobility of a limb for measuring pulse A61B5/02 ;A61B5/1038 takes precedence; motion detection to correct for motion artifacts in physiological signals A61B5/721
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14551 for measuring blood gases
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14552 Details of sensors specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1495 Calibrating or testing of in-vivo probes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7232 involving compression of the physiological signal, e.g. to extend the signal recording period
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/74 Details of notification to user or communication with user or patient indicating measured values G01D7/00; user input means input or output arrangements for computers G06F3/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 18/00 Testing or calibrating apparatus or arrangements provided for in groups G01D1/00 - G01D15/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 323/911 Medical electronics

Abstract

The present invention provides a memory chip for use in an oximeter sensor, or an associated adapter or connector circuit. The memory chip allows the storing of patient related data, such as patient trending data or a patient ID, to provide enhanced capabilities for the oximeter sensor. In addition to providing unique data to store in such a memory, the present invention include unique uses of the data stored in such a memory.

Claims

1. An oximeter sensor comprising:

a light emitting element;

a light detecting element; and

a memory device for storing digital data, said digital data comprising a patient identification code.

2. An oximeter sensor comprising:

a light emitting element;

a light detecting element; and

a memory device for storing digital data, said digital data comprising a length of time that a patient has been monitored using the oximeter sensor.

3. An oximeter sensor comprising:

a light emitting element;

a light detecting element; and

a memory device for storing digital data, said digital data comprising a time when an oximeter monitor coupled to the oximeter sensor was turned on or turned off.

4. A method for storing data in an oximeter sensor, the method comprising:

emitting light from a light emitting element;

detecting light from the light emitting element using a photodetector; and

storing digitally encoded data in a memory in the sensor, the digitally encoded data including a patient ID; and

tracking patient information using the patient ID.

5. A method for storing data in an oximeter sensor, the method comprising:

emitting light from a light emitting element;

detecting light from the light emitting element using a photodetector; and

storing digitally encoded data in a memory in the sensor, the digitally encoded data comprising a time when an oximeter monitor coupled to the oximeter sensor was turned on or turned off in the memory.

6. A method for storing data in an oximeter sensor, the method comprising:

emitting light from a light emitting element;

detecting light from the light emitting element using a photodetector; and

storing digitally encoded data in a memory in the sensor, the digitally encoded data comprising a duration of time that a patient has been monitored using said oximeter sensor.