Dual-mode pulse oximeter

• US 6,770,028 B1
• Filed: 08/18/2000
• Issued: 08/03/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/25/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Masimo Corporation
• Original Assignee: Masimo Corporation
• Inventors: Smith, Robert, Lee, Michael, Dalke, David, Novak, Jerome, Ali, Ammar Al, Vaden, Val E., Goldman, Julian, Carothers, Don, Diab, Mohamed K., Kiani, Massi E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Winakur, Eric F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): McCrosky, David J.
• Application Number:
  US09/641,542
• Time in Patent Office: 1,446 Days
• Field of Search: 600/300, 600/301, 600/322, 600/323, 128/903, 128/904, 320/115
• US Class Current: 600/300
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0271 using a remote monitoring unit
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0456 Apparatus provided with a docking unit
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/085 combined with means for recording calibration data
• 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 5/1495 Calibrating or testing of in-vivo probes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/742 using visual displays A61B5/339 takes precedence

Abstract

A pulse oximeter has an integrated mode in which it operates as a plug-in module for a multiparameter patient monitoring system (MPMS). The pulse oximeter also has a portable mode in which operates separately from the MPMS as a battery-powered handheld or standalone instrument. The pulse oximeter has a sensor port that receives a photo-plethysmographic signal as input to an internal processor. The pulse oximeter processes this sensor signal to derive oxygen saturation and pulse rate measurements. In the portable mode, this information is provided on its display, and stored in memory for trend capability. A keypad provides a user interface for operational control in the portable mode. In the integrated mode, the pulse oximeter provides oxygen saturation and pulse rate measurements to the MPMS through a communications interface, along with previously stored trend data, and displayed on the MPMS monitor. The MPMS also provides external power and operational control of the pulse oximeter in the integrated mode. Alternatively, a docking station operates as a plug-in module that provides the mechanical and electrical interface between a portable pulse oximeter and MPMS instruments from a variety of manufacturers. In the integrated mode, the portable pulse oximeter docks to the docking station, which in turn is inserted in one or more MPMS slots. The docking station can function as a simple electrical pass-through device between the docked portable pulse oximeter and the MPMS or it can provide a MPMS communications interface.

Claims

1. A patient monitoring method utilizing a standalone measurement apparatus configured to also be used with a multiparameter patient monitoring system (MPMS) comprising the steps of:

performing a first physiological measurement with said standalone apparatus physically and electrically isolated from said MPMS;

presenting information related to said first measurement on a display portion of said standalone apparatus;

performing a second physiological measurement with said standalone apparatus interfaced to said MPMS;

communicating said second physiological measurement to said MPMS;

presenting information related to said second measurement on a monitor portion of said MPMS;

plugging a docking station into a module slot portion of said MPMS so that said docking station is in electrical communications with said MPMS; and

attaching said standalone apparatus to said docking station so that said standalone apparatus is in electrical communications with said docking station.

2. A multimode patient monitoring apparatus comprising:

a portable physiological measurement device capable of operating in a portable mode, which provides standalone monitoring of one or more physiological parameters of a patient through communication with one or more sensors, and capable of operating in an integrated mode, which provides integrated monitoring of one or more physiological parameters of a patient; and

a docking station including a modular connector and a communication link between the portable physiological measurement device and the docking station when the portable physiological measurement device is operating in at least the integrated mode,

wherein the modular connector is shaped to plugably and removably mate with a multiparameter patient monitoring system (MPMS) to form an electrical connection between the docking station and the MPMS, the docking station further comprises a management processor, and the management processor generates an output usable by the MPMS to determine at least one of the monitored one or more physiological parameters of the patient when the portable physiological measurement device is operating in at least the integrated mode.

3. The multimode patient monitoring apparatus of claim 2, wherein the management processor synthesizes the output.