Physiological sensor system with automatic authentication and validation by means of a radio frequency identification protocol with an integrated RFID interrogator system

• US 8,427,321 B2
• Filed: 12/09/2011
• Issued: 04/23/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/13/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Brumer, Rebecca, Chamoun, Nassib G., Cordero, Rafael M., Davidson, Marc, Kiely, James P.
• Primary Examiner(s): PHAM, TOAN NGOC
• Application Number:
  US13/315,486
• Publication Number:
  US 20120098646A1
• Time in Patent Office: 501 Days
• Field of Search: 340/572.1, 340/572.7, 340/572.8, 340/573.1, 340/5.82, 340/10.1, 340/10.32, 340/10.342, 600/300, 128/903
• US Class Current: 340/572.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/08 Sensors provided with means for identification, e.g. barcodes or memory chips
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/282 Holders for multiple electrodes for introduction into the body A61B5/287
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/303 Patient cord assembly, e.g. cable harness
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07749 the record carrier being capable of non-contact communication, e.g. constructional details of the antenna of a non-contact smart card
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0008 General problems related to the reading of electronic memory record carriers, independent of its reading method, e.g. power transfer
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10336 the antenna being of the near field type, inductive coil
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10366 the interrogation device being adapted for miscellaneous applications
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/2208 associated with components used in interrogation type services, i.e. in systems for information exchange between an interrogator/reader and a tag/transponder, e.g. in Radio Frequency Identification [RFID] systems methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns G06K7/00; record carrier for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings G06K19/00

Abstract

This invention relates to a physiological sensor which acquires pre-programmed data from an electrode or an electrode array using Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology. The source of the sensor may be authenticated by means of a wireless interface between an RFID transponder affixed to the electrode array, and an RFID interrogator embedded in the patient interface cable. The criteria for use are then verified to ensure that they are met by the electrode array before beginning signal acquisition. If the criteria are not met, a message is provided to the user via the monitor.

Claims

1. A sensor for acquiring physiological data comprising:

a physiological measuring device, comprising;

a physiological sensing element configured to provide physiological data for transmission by a first transmission technique,

a RFID transponder configured to transmit non-physiological data by a second transmission technique, and

a memory element associated with the RFID transponder.

2. The sensor of claim 1 further comprising an interface cable.

3. The sensor of claim 2 further comprising:

a mating receptacle which electrically connects said interface cable to a monitor containing a processor.

4. The sensor of claim 3, wherein said RFID transponder is located within said mating receptacle.

5. The sensor of claim 1 wherein said sensor communicates with a monitor wirelessly.

6. The sensor of claim 1, the memory element configured to store sensor-type information.

7. The sensor of claim 1, the memory element configured to store data relating to the number of times the sensor has been used.

8. The sensor of claim 1, the memory element configured to store information to limit reuse of said sensor.

9. The sensor of claim 1, the memory element configured to store a digital signature for authentication and validation.

10. The sensor of claim 1, wherein the RFID transponder draws power from a host system via an antenna.

11. A system, comprising:

a physiological measuring device, comprising;

a physiological sensing element configured to provide physiological data for transmission by a first transmission technique,

a RFID transponder configured to transmit non-physiological data by a second transmission technique,

a monitor configured to communicate with said physiological measuring device, comprising;

a RFID interrogator,

a RFID antenna matching circuit,

a RFID antenna.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein said physiological measuring device and said monitor communicate wirelessly.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein said RFID transponder provides information to said RFID interrogator, and wherein said monitor further comprises a display, and where said monitor displays physiological data only if said information meets a predetermined criteria.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the information is configured to limit reuse of said sensor.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein said information includes a digital signature for authentication and validation.

16. The system of claim 11 further comprising:

an interface cable; and

a mating receptacle which electrically connects said interface cable to said monitor.

17. The system of claim 11, wherein the RFID transponder draws power from a host system via an antenna.

18. A system for acquiring physiological signals comprising:

a sensor comprising;

at least one electrode configured to provide physiological data for transmission by a first transmission technique,

a RFID transponder configured to transmit non-physiological data by a second transmission technique,

a physiological monitoring system, comprising;

a RFID interrogator,

a RFID antenna matching circuit,

a RFID antenna.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein said sensor and said physiological monitoring system communicate wirelessly.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein the RFID transponder is configured to communicate sensor-type information.

21. The system of claim 18, wherein the RFID transponder is configured to communicate information to limit reuse of said sensor.

22. The system of claim 18, wherein the RFID transponder is configured to communicate a digital signature for authentication and validation.

23. The system of claim 18, wherein the RFID transponder draws power from a host system via an antenna.