Oximeter sensor with digital memory encoding patient data

• US 8,090,425 B2
• Filed: 09/30/2005
• Issued: 01/03/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Swedlow, David, Fein, Michael E., Mannheimer, Paul D.
• Primary Examiner(s): WINAKUR, ERIC FRANK
• Application Number:
  US11/239,817
• Publication Number:
  US 20060025660A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,286 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

The present invention provides a memory chip for use in an oximeter sensor, or an associated adapter or connector circuit. The memory chip allows the storing of patient related data, such as patient trending data or a patient ID, to provide enhanced capabilities for the oximeter sensor. In addition to providing unique data to store in such a memory, the present invention include unique uses of the data stored in such a memory.

Claims

1. A method of operation of an oximeter system, comprising:

directing light at a patient from a light emitter of an oximeter sensor;

detecting the light with a light receptor of the oximeter sensor;

transmitting a patient-type data alarm limit from a memory of the oximeter sensor to an oximeter monitor, wherein the patient-type data alarm limit is based on a type of patient for which the sensor is adapted; and

comparing the patient-type data alarm limit with a monitored patient parameter.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the patient-type data alarm limit includes a range of expected patient parameters for a particular type of patient.

3. The method of claim 1, comprising sending an alarm signal when a value of the monitored patient parameter crosses the patient-type data alarm limit.

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

providing a light emitting element configured to direct light at a patient;

providing a light receptor configured to detect the light;

providing a memory in the sensor, the memory storing a patient-type data alarm limit, wherein the patient-type data alarm limit is based on a type of patient for which the sensor is adapted; and

providing a pulse oximeter monitor configured to receive the patient-type data alarm limit from the memory of the sensor and to compare the patient-type data alarm limit with a monitored patient parameter.

5. The method of claim 4, comprising providing a communication device in the sensor, the device configured to transmit the patient-type data alarm limit to the pulse oximeter monitor for use in an algorithm for comparing the patient-type data alarm limit with the monitored patient parameter.

6. A method of operation of an oximeter system, comprising:

directing light at a patient from a light emitter of an oximeter sensor;

detecting the light with a light receptor of the oximeter sensor;

transmitting a patient-type data alarm limit from a memory of the oximeter sensor to an oximeter monitor, wherein the patient-type data alarm limit is based on a type of patient for which the sensor is adapted;

comparing the patient-type data alarm limit with a monitored patient parameter; and

receiving an updated patient-type data alarm limit and replacing the patient-type data alarm limit in the memory with the updated patient-type data alarm limit.

7. A method of operation of an oximeter monitor, comprising:

receiving, at the oximeter monitor, a patient-type data alarm limit from a memory of an oximeter sensor, wherein the patient-type data alarm limit is based on a type of patient for which the sensor is adapted; and

comparing the patient-type data alarm limit with a monitored patient parameter with the oximeter monitor.