System and method for reliable sleep diagnostic testing

• US 8,771,185 B2
• Filed: 12/22/2010
• Issued: 07/08/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sleepsafe Drivers
• Original Assignee: Sleepsafedrivers, Inc.
• Inventors: Voien, Dana
• Primary Examiner(s): Jackson, Gary
• Assistant Examiner(s): SORIANO, BOBBY GILES
• Application Number:
  US12/928,903
• Publication Number:
  US 20120165628A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,294 Days
• Field of Search: 600/300, 600/301, 600/323, 600/324, 383/5
• US Class Current: 600/300
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/08 Sensors provided with means for identification, e.g. barcodes or memory chips
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02 Detecting, measuring or recording pulse, heart rate, blood pressure or blood flow; Combined pulse/heart-rate/blood pressure determination; Evaluating a cardiovascular condition not otherwise provided for, e.g. using combinations of techniques provided for in this group with electrocardiography or electroauscultation; Heart catheters for measuring blood pressure
• 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 5/087 Measuring breath flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1135 by monitoring thoracic expansion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14542 for measuring blood gases A61B5/14551 takes precedence
• 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 5/4806 Sleep evaluation A61B5/4821 takes precedence; devices for inducing sleep A61M21/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4818 Sleep apnoea
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6824 Arm or wrist
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6825 Hand
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6826 Finger
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6831 Straps, bands or harnesses
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6832 using adhesives A61B5/259 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/90 Identification means for patients or instruments, e.g. tags
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/94 coded with symbols, e.g. text
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/03 of security seals means for indicating unauthorised opening of container closures B65D, e.g. B65D27/30, B65D55/02; theft deterrent tags E05B73/0017
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation

Abstract

A method for securely affixing a sensor to a patient is provided. The method includes attaching the sensor to the patient'"'"'s index finger with a sensor signal cable routed along the patient'"'"'s hand, and configuring an identification band to encircle the signal cable and the patient'"'"'s wrist using a secure affixing arrangement. The identification band is configured to evidence tampering when removed. The secure affixing arrangement may take various forms, including tying loops and securing the cable and/or sensor to the patient using tape, plastics, and so forth.

Claims

1. A method for reliable oxygen saturation monitoring, comprising:

attaching an oxygen saturation sensor to a patient at a first location on the patient;

configuring a passive identification band in an arrangement connected to a sensor signal cable, wherein the oxygen saturation sensor is capable of being connected to the sensor signal cable, wherein the passive identification band does not employ wiring that creates an electric circuit within the passive identification band;

securely fixing the passive identification band to the patient at a second location on the patient;

connecting the sensor signal cable to a diagnostic test monitoring system;

testing the patient; and

marking the passive identification band,

wherein the marking on the identification band is configured to evidence tampering when the passive identification band is removed.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the passive identification band is configured to encircle the patient'"'"'s wrist and to shred and/or tear when removed, further wherein the second location comprises the patient'"'"'s wrist and the first location and the second location on the patient are not the same location.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein securely fixing the passive identification band further comprises placing a mark across the ends of the passive identification band.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the passive identification band further comprises a unique serial number.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein configuring further comprises placing a loop in the sensor device signal cable, wherein the passive identification band is passed through the loop.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the passive identification band is configured to encircle a connection formed where the sensor device signal output cable meets and connects with a PSG recording system input signal cable.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the passive identification band encircles the second location of the patient'"'"'s body.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising a second band at a third location on the patient'"'"'s body, the second band configured to evidence tampering when removed, wherein the first, second, and third locations on the patient'"'"'s body are not the same location.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the marking comprises a serial number, a pen marking, a signature, a marking relating to a chain of custody, a stamp, a writing instrument mark, a shredding of the band at a particular location, a tearing of the band at a particular location, a tear mark, or any combination thereof.

7. A method for monitoring a patient, comprising:

attaching an oxygen saturation sensor to a patient at a first location on the patient;

configuring a passive identification band in a secure arrangement at a second location on the patient, wherein the secure arrangement secures the sensor and a sensor signal cable to the patient, wherein the passive identification band does not employ wiring that creates an electric circuit within the passive identification band;

marking the passive identification band, and

connecting the sensor signal cable to a diagnostic test monitoring system for purposes of conducting a diagnostic test;

wherein the marking on the passive identification band is configured to evidence tampering when the identification band is removed.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the passive identification band is configured to encircle the patient'"'"'s wrist and to shred and/or tear when removed, further wherein the second location comprises the patient'"'"'s wrist and the first location and the second location on the patient are not the same location.

9. The method of claim 7, further comprising a knot wherein the sensor signal cable is routed through a loop arrangement.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the passive identification band comprises a unique serial number.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein configuring further comprises placing a loop in the sensor signal cable and the passive identification band is passed through the loop.

12. The method of claim 7, wherein the passive identification band is configured to encircle the connection formed where the sensor device signal output cable meets and connects with a PSG recording system input signal cable.

16. The method of claim 7, wherein the passive identification band encircles the second location of the patient'"'"'s body.

17. The method of claim 7, further comprising a second band at a third location on the patient'"'"'s body, the second band configured to evidence tampering when removed, wherein the first, second, and third locations on the patient'"'"'s body are not the same location.

18. The method of claim 7, wherein the marking comprises a serial number, a pen marking, a signature, a marking relating to a chain of custody, a stamp, a writing instrument mark, a shredding of the band at a particular location, a tearing of the band at a particular location, a tear mark, or any combination thereof.