Remote display of patient monitored data

• US 5,387,194 A
• Filed: 11/12/1992
• Issued: 02/07/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Surgical Technologies, Inc. (PRO-TECH Design & Manufacturing, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Surgical Technologies, Inc. (PRO-TECH Design & Manufacturing, Inc.)
• Inventors: Call, Evan, Williams, Eli, Swensen, Arlee
• Primary Examiner(s): Yasko, John D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): CERMAK, ADAM
• Application Number:
  US07/974,404
• Time in Patent Office: 817 Days
• Field of Search: 604/96-100, 604/65-67, 604/118, 604/121, 128/633, 128/709-712, 128/903, 128/904
• US Class Current: 604/97.03
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00048 Constructional features of the display
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0017 transmitting optical signals transmission by light H04B10/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02055 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular condition and temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0215 by means inserted into the body catheters A61M25/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/024 Detecting, measuring or recording pulse rate or heart rate A61B5/0205, A61B5/021 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1455 using optical sensors, e.g. spectral photometrical oximeters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/742 using visual displays A61B5/339 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7475 User input or interface means, e.g. keyboard, pointing device, joystick
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/10182 Injector syringes
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 90/10 Information and communication technologies [ICT] supporting adaptation to climate change, e.g. for weather forecasting or climate simulation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/904 Telephone telemetry

Abstract

Apparatus for remotely displaying the inflation pressure within an inflator for inflating a balloon catheter. The apparatus comprises a pressure transducer positioned to sense pressure within the syringe, a transmission unit receiving a pressure signal from the transducer and transmitting by means of infrared light pulse sequences, a pressure message reflective of the pressure signal. A monitor positionable at a distance from the transmission unit receives and decodes the pressure messages, and provides a display thereof. A timer key for initiating the transmission of start/stop clock messages is located on the inflator unit. The monitor further includes a timer responsive to received clock messages, and an elapsed time display.

Claims

1. Apparatus providing wireless transmission of a sensed parameter to a remote display unit, in combination with a medical device of the kind including a sensor for sensing a desired parameter, comprising:

a sensor operably associated with said medical device for sensing an operating condition of said medical device or a tissue condition of a patient to whom said medical device is affixed, and providing a sensor signal reflective of said condition;

transmitter means connected to said sensor to receive said sensor signal, and having means to wirelessly transmit a line-of-sight sensor message communicative of said condition, said transmission means including a wireless transmitter;

a power source connected to power said transmitter means; and

a remote display device placeable at a distance from said transmitter means, connectable to a second power source to receive operating power, and including;

signal reception means for receiving said line-of-sight sensor message and providing a message display signal in response thereto, and

message display means connected to said signal reception means for receiving said message display signal and providing a display reflective thereof.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said wireless transmitter is an infrared light transmitter, said sensor message comprises an infrared signal, and said remote display device includes infrared detection means for receiving said infrared signal sensor message and signal translation means connected to said infrared detection means for receiving and translating said infrared signal into a display signal indicative of thereof.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said infrared light transmitter comprises at least one infrared LED having a transmission arc through which said infrared LED effectively transmits said infrared signal.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said infrared light transmitter comprises a plurality of LEDs mutually positioned to have their said respective transmission arcs overlapping.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said infrared light transmitter comprises a pair of LEDs positioned to have said respective transmission arcs overlap by about 100°

.

6. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said infrared light transmitter comprises at least one infrared laser transmitter.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said sensor signal is an analog signal, and said transmission means further includes an A/D converter for converting said analog signal to a digital signal constituting said sensor message.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said transmitter unit further includes a controller connected to said A/D converter to receive said digital signal and having means to control the transmission of said sensor message.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said transmitter unit further includes a timer key connected to said controller, said controller having means to control said wireless transmitter to transmit a clock message in response to pressing of said timer key by a user.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said remote display unit further includes:

a time display, and

a display controller connected to said time display and said receiving unit, said display controller having means to count time elapsed from receipt of a start clock message and means to provide time display signals reflective thereof to said time display.

11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said controller has means to compute said sensor message by averaging at least two successively received sensor signals to produce an averaged sensor signal.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said controller has means to compute said sensor message by averaging said averaged sensor signal with an immediately preceding averaged sensor signal, to produce a twice-averaged sensor signal.

13. Apparatus combining a remote display and an inflator for inflating a balloon catheter, comprising:

a pressure transducer having means to sense pressure within an inflator of a balloon catheter, and providing a pressure signal reflective thereof;

a transmission unit communicating with said inflator to receive said pressure signal from said pressure transducer, and having means to wirelessly transmit a pressure message in response thereto, said transmitter unit including a wireless transmitter;

a power source connected to power said transmitter unit; and

a display device constructed to be positionable at a distance from said transmitter unit, connectable to a second power source to receive operating power, and having means to receive said pressure message and to provide a pressure display reflective thereof.