Single use pulse oximeter

• US 20070100219A1
• Filed: 10/27/2005
• Published: 05/03/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Smiths Medical ASD, Inc. (Smiths Group International Holdings Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Smiths Medical MD Incorporated
• Inventors: Smith, Guy, Sweitzer, Robert
• Granted Patent: US 7,499,739 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/323
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0219 of externally powered implanted units
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0285 Apparatus for single use
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0412 Low-profile patch shaped housings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14551 for measuring blood gases
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6833 Adhesive patches

Abstract

A single use, self-contained, self-powered disposable oximeter, in the form of a patch or a bandage strip, has mounted thereto a light emitter and a light sensor that together measure at least the SpO2 of the patient. Mounted to an electronics layer of the patch is an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) that has electronics integrated thereto that controls the operation of the light emitter and light sensor, and the algorithm for calculating from the data collected by the sensor at least the SpO2 of the patient. Optionally, a display and an alarm may also be mounted or embedded onto the patch for respectively displaying at least the SpO2, and for informing the caregiver/patient that at least the SpO2 is not within an acceptable range, if such is the case. Also provided in the patch is a battery that powers the operation of the ASIC circuit and the emitter, as well as the display and alarm if such optional components are provided on the patch. An attachment mechanism is also provided on the patch. Such mechanism may be in the form of an adhesive layer that can removably attach the patch to the patient in either a transmissive mode or a reflective mode. The patch oximeter may also be equipped with a transceiver, and the appropriate electronics, for wirelessly transceiving information to/from a remote device or another wireless patch oximeter. In place of a self-contained power source, the power for operating a wireless patch oximeter may be retrieved from a remote power source, provided that the patch oximeter is within a given distance from such remote power source.

Claims

1. A one piece disposable patch adapted to be attached to a patient for measuring at least the oxygen saturation level of blood of the patient, comprising:

a light emitter mounted to said patch;

a light detector mounted to said patch to detect the light from said light emitter passing through or reflected from the patient so as to acquire data relating to at least the oxygen saturation level of blood of the patient;

an electronic circuit mounted to said patch for effecting operation of said light emitter and said light detector, and to calculate from the data acquired at least the oxygen saturation level of blood of the patient;

a transceiver mounted to said patch to at least transmit the calculated oxygen saturation level of blood of the patient to a remote device; and

an attachment mechanism provided at the patch to enable said patch to be removably attachable to the patient.

2. The patch of claim 1, further comprising a display mounted thereto for displaying at least the calculated oxygen saturation level of blood of the patient.

3. The patch of claim 1, wherein said electronic circuit comprises an ASIC circuit integrally mounted to said patch.

4. The patch of claim 1, further comprising a power source mounted to said patch for supplying power to said electronic circuit, said transceiver and said light emitter.

5. The patch of claim 1, wherein at least said electronic circuit receives power from a source remote from but within a given distance of said patch.

6. The patch of claim 1, wherein said patch comprises a bandage that is adaptable to be securely wrapped around at least a digit or an ear lobe of the patient.

7. The patch of claim 1, wherein said patch comprises a bandage that is adaptable to be adhesively attached to the forehead or another substantially flat surface of the patient.

8. The patch of claim 1, further comprising at least two electrodes mounted to said patch and additional electronics mounted to said patch or integrated to said electronic circuit to effect operation of said electrodes to measure at least one other physiological parameter of the patient.

9. An oximeter comprising:

a patch adaptable to be attached to a patient, a light emitter and a light detector each mounted to said patch, said light detector detecting the light from said light emitter passing through or reflected from the patient and acquiring therefrom data relating to at least the oxygen saturation level of blood of the patient, an electronic circuit mounted to said patch for effecting operation of said light emitter and said light detector and to calculate from the acquired data at least the oxygen saturation level of blood of the patient, a transceiver mounted to said patch to enable said patch to at least transmit a signal representative of the oxygen saturation level of blood or the acquired data of the patient to a remote device, and means provided at the patch to enable said patch to be removably attached to the patient.

10. The oximeter of claim 9, further comprising a power source mounted to said patch for supplying power to said electronic circuit, said transceiver and said light emitter.

11. The oximeter of claim 9, wherein at least said electronic circuit receives power from a power source remote from said oximeter, said oximeter obtaining power from said remote power source to operate at least said electronic circuit when it comes within a given distance to said remote power source.

12. The oximeter of claim 9, further comprising at least one switch on said patch to enable selective activation or deactivation of at least one component of said oximeter.

13. The oximeter of claim 9, wherein said remote device comprises an other oximeter as claimed in claim 9.

14. The oximeter of claim 9, wherein said remote device comprises a monitor for monitoring at least the oxygen saturation level of blood of the patient.

15. The oximeter of claim 9, further comprising a display mounted to said patch for displaying at least the calculated oxygen saturation level of blood of the patient.

16. The oximeter of claim 9, further comprising at least two electrodes mounted to said patch and additional electronics on said patch or integrated to said electronic circuit to effect operation of said electrodes to measure at least one other physiological parameter of the patient.

17. The oximeter of claim 9, wherein said patch comprises a bandage adaptable at least to be attached to the forehead or wrap around a digit of the patient.

18. A method of determining whether a patient is in shock, comprising the steps of:

a) attaching at least two oximeters to different areas of the patient, wherein each of said oximeters has a patch adaptable to be attached to the patient, a light emitter and a light detector each mounted to said patch, said light detector detecting the light from said light emitter passing through or reflected from the patient and acquiring data relating to at least the blood perfusion rate of the patient at the area of the patient where said each oximeter is attached, an electronic circuit mounted to said patch for effecting operation of said light emitter and said light detector and to calculate from the acquired data at least the blood perfusion rate of the patient at the area, a transceiver mounted to said patch to enable said patch to communicate with a remote device or the other oximeter attached to the patient, and means provided at the patch to enable said patch to be removably attachable to the patient;

b) determining a differential of the blood perfusion rate of the patient as measured by the at least two oximeters attached to the different areas of the patient; and

c) comparing the determined differential with a predetermined condition to decide whether the patient is in shock.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein said step a comprises attaching one of the oximeters on the forehead of the patient and the other oximeter at an extremity of the patient.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising the steps of:

receiving the respective blood perfusion rates of the patient transmitted by the two oximeters at a remote host device or at each of the two oximeters; and

determining from a differential of the blood perfusion rate measured by the at least two oximeters whether the patient is at onset of shock or whether the patient is in shock.

21. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of:

mounting a power source to said each patch for supplying power to the electronic circuit, the transceiver, and the light emitter likewise mounted on said each patch.

22. The method of claim 18, further comprising the steps of:

establishing a power source remote from the oximeters; and

providing power from said remote power source to at least the electronic circuit of each of said oximeters when said each oximeter comes within a given distance to said remote power source.