Method and circuit for storing and providing historical physiological data

• US 7,764,983 B2
• Filed: 06/01/2006
• Issued: 07/27/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Mallinckrodt Incorporated (Mallinckrodt plc)
• Inventors: Fein, Michael E., Mannheimer, Paul D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Winakur; Eric F
• Assistant Examiner(s): Berhanu; Etsub D
• Application Number:
  US11/444,674
• Publication Number:
  US 20070043269A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,517 Days
• Field of Search: 600/323
• 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

Embodiments of the present invention relate to pulse oximeter systems and methods. Specifically, one embodiment includes an oximeter system including an oximeter sensor comprising a light emitting element configured to emit light having a wavelength, a light detector configured to receive the light, and a memory storing signal quality data that facilitates determining a quality of signals sent from the light emitting element to the light detector via the light. Further, the oximeter system may comprise an oximeter monitor, comprising a receiving circuit configured to receive the signal quality data from the oximeter sensor, and a processor configured to use the signal quality data to calculate an optical transmissivity of a material for the wavelength.

Claims

1. An oximeter system, comprising:

an oximeter sensor, comprising;

a light emitting element configured to emit light having a wavelength;

a light detector configured to receive the light; and

a memory storing signal quality data that facilitates determining a quality of signals sent from the light emitting element to the light detector via the light, wherein the signal quality data comprises one or more of;

an inherent brightness of the light emitting element;

a sensitivity measurement of the light detector;

a light emitting element power value;

a value of the wavelength; and

a secondary emission level; and

an oximeter monitor, comprising;

a receiving circuit configured to receive the signal quality data from the oximeter sensor; and

a processor configured to use the signal quality data to calculate an optical transmissivity of a material for the wavelength.

2. The oximeter system of claim 1, wherein the material is a patient'"'"'s tissue.

3. A method of manufacturing an oximeter system, comprising:

providing a light emitting element within an oximeter sensor, the light emitting element configured to emit light having a wavelength;

providing a light detector within the oximeter sensor, the light detector configured to receive the light;

providing a memory within the oximeter sensor, the memory storing signal quality data that facilitates determining a quality of signals, wherein the signal quality data comprises one or more of;

an inherent brightness of the light emitting element;

a sensitivity measurement of the light detector

a light emitting element power value;

a value of the wavelength; and

a secondary emission level;

providing a receiving circuit within an oximeter monitor, the receiving circuit configured to receive the signal quality data from the oximeter sensor;

providing a processor within the oximeter monitor, the processor configured to calculate an optical transmissivity of a material for the wavelength using the signal quality data; and

providing the oximeter monitor and oximeter sensor as the oximeter system.

4. A method of system operation, comprising:

emitting light having a wavelength from a light emitting element of an oximeter sensor;

receiving the light with a light detector;

storing signal quality data that facilitates determining a quality of signals sent from the light emitting element to the light detector via the light, wherein the signal quality data comprises one or more of;

an inherent brightness of the light emitting element;

a sensitivity measurement of the light detector;

a light emitting element power value

a value of the wavelength; and

a secondary emission level;

sending the signal quality data to an oximeter monitor; and

calculating an optical transmissivity of a material for the wavelength using the signal quality data.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the material is a patient'"'"'s tissue.