Ambulatory recorder having wireless data transfer with a multi-plane lens

• US 6,200,264 B1
• Filed: 08/06/1998
• Issued: 03/13/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 08/06/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Satherley, Richard J., Williams, Malcolm G. S.
• Primary Examiner(s): NASSER, ROBERT L
• Application Number:
  US09/129,916
• Time in Patent Office: 950 Days
• Field of Search: 600/300, 600/301, 600/345-356, 128/903, 128/904
• US Class Current: 600/300
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0406 specially shaped apparatus housings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0017 transmitting optical signals transmission by light H04B10/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14539 for measuring pH
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/369 Electroencephalography [EEG] devices for psychotechnics A61B5/16
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/389 Electromyography [EMG]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/903 Radio telemetry

Abstract

An ambulatory data recorder with enhanced infrared data transfer. In particular, the device features an infrared transmitter port having a multi-plane lens. The port, lens and recorder enclosure work together to permit a reliable infrared data link to be established between the recorder and a line voltage device even while the recorder is in a variety of positions. That is, the infrared data link may be established when the device is worn, of when the device is placed on a table in a variety of positions.

Claims

1. An ambulatory medical data recorders comprising:

an enclosure, the enclosure having a first major exterior upper surface and a second major exterior side surface, the first and second surfaces being substantially oriented along non-parallel first and second plants, respectively;

a processor for sampling sensed physiologic data, the processor being disposed within the enclosure;

an infrared data transmitter coupled to the processor, the infrared transmitter being positioned within the enclosure;

a sensor for sensing physiologic data, the sensor being coupled to the processor such that data sensed by the sensor may be transferred to the processor; and

an infrared communication lens, the lens being secured to the enclosure and defining an infrared pathway from the infrared data transmitter to the exterior surfaces of the enclosure, the lens being disposed along and contiguous with both the first major surface and the second major surface such that the lens straddles both the first major surface and the second major surface to thereby permit the recorder to establish a reliable infrared communication link with an external device when the recorder is placed in any one of a plurality of physical orientations respecting the external device.

2. The ambulatory medical data recorder of claim 1, wherein the processor further comprises a memory for storing the sensed data.

3. The ambulatory medical data recorder of claim 1, wherein the first major surface is substantially orthogonal to the second major surface.

4. The ambulatory medical data recorder of claim 3, further comprising push buttons controls to control the processor.

5. The ambulatory medical data recorder of claim 3, wherein the enclosure further comprises means for mounting the recorder to a patient.

6. The ambulatory medical data recorder of claim 1, wherein the sensor is incorporated into a catheter.

7. An ambulatory medical data recorder, comprising:

means for providing a connection to a sensor for sensing at least one physiologic signal;

means for recording the at least one signal, the signal recording means being configured to record the at least one signal and further being coupled to the catheter connection means;

an infrared data transmitter coupled to the signal recording means;

an enclosure having the signal recording means, the sensor connection means and the infrared data transmitter disposed therein or attached thereto the enclosure further comprising a first major exterior upper surface and a second major exterior side surface, the first and second surfaces being substantially oriented along non-parallel first and second planes, respectively;

an infrared communication lens, the lens being secured to the enclosure and defining an infrared pathway from the infrared data transmitter to the exterior surfaces of the enclosure, the lens being positioned along and contiguous with both the first major surface and the second major surface such that the lens straddles both the first major surface and the second major surface to thereby permit the recorder to establish a reliable infrared communication link with an external device when the recorder is placed in any one of a plurality of physical orientations respecting the external device.

8. The ambulatory medical data recorder of claim 7, wherein the signal recording means and the infrared data transmitter are powered by a battery.

9. The ambulatory medical data recorder of claim 7, wherein the sensor is incorporated into a catheter.

10. The ambulatory medical data recorder of claim 7, wherein the sensor is a pH sensor.

11. The ambulatory medical data recorder of claim 10, further comprising means for mounting the enclosure to a patient.