Bidirectional physiological information display

• US 8,790,268 B2
• Filed: 10/14/2010
• Issued: 07/29/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Masimo Corporation
• Original Assignee: Masimo Corporation
• Inventors: Al-Ali, Ammar
• Primary Examiner(s): Natnithithadha, Navin
• Assistant Examiner(s): WEARE, MEREDITH H
• Application Number:
  US12/904,823
• Publication Number:
  US 20110172551A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,384 Days
• Field of Search: 340/573.1
• US Class Current: 600/529
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/08 Detecting, measuring or recording devices for evaluating the respiratory organs A61B5/0205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0816 Measuring devices for examining respiratory frequency measuring frequency of electric signals G01R23/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6833 Adhesive patches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7435 Displaying user selection data, e.g. icons in a graphical user interface
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7445 Display arrangements, e.g. multiple display units
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 7/003 Detecting lung or respiration noise
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 15/00 ICT specially adapted for medical reports, e.g. generation or transmission thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 50/20 for computer-aided diagnosis, e.g. based on medical expert systems

Abstract

A patient monitor for displaying a physiological signal can include a visual element having a middle portion indicative of a transition in the physiological signal between physiological states. The visual element can also include first and second extremity portions, the first extremity portion extending from the middle portion in a first direction and the second extremity portion extending from the middle portion in a second direction. The visual element can also include an actionable value indicator to specify a value about the middle portion and the first and second extremity portions. The patient monitor can also include a processor configured to cause the value indicator to actuate in both the first and second directions according to changes in the physiological signal.

Claims

1. A method of displaying physiological information, the method comprising:

by a processor;

providing a value of a physiological parameter to a display of a patient monitor, the physiological parameter value reflecting physiological information obtained from a physiological sensor coupled to a patient;

calculating a freshness of the physiological parameter value;

adjusting an output associated with the parameter value based at least in part on the calculated freshness;

setting the value of the physiological parameter to a minimum value in response to a predetermined freshness period elapsing; and

providing functionality on a display of the patient monitor for a clinician to adjust the predetermined freshness period.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said calculating the freshness of the physiological parameter value comprises determining an amount of time that has elapsed since a valid value for the physiological parameter was obtained.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said calculating the freshness comprises adjusting a counter associated with the freshness.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising freezing the output associated with the parameter value for less than a threshold period of time.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising unfreezing the output associated with the parameter value in response to one of a valid measurement for the physiological parameter being obtained or the counter reaching the threshold period of time.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the output comprises a signal quality indicator associated with the physiological signal obtained from the physiological sensor.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said adjusting the output comprises outputting a reduced value for the signal quality indicator on the display.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said adjusting the output further comprises reducing a value of the signal quality indicator in response to a decrease in the calculated freshness.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein an amount of the decrease in the signal quality indicator corresponds to an amount of the decrease in the calculated freshness.

10. A method of displaying physiological information, the method comprising:

by a processor;

outputting a value of a physiological parameter to a display of a patient monitor, the physiological parameter value reflecting physiological information obtained from a physiological sensor coupled to a patient;

outputting a signal quality indicator reflecting a quality of the physiological information obtained from the physiological sensor;

determining whether the value of the physiological parameter is valid;

adjusting the signal quality indicator responsive to said determination;

setting the value of the physiological parameter to a reduced value in response to a predetermined freshness period elapsing; and

providing functionality on a display of the patient monitor for a clinician to adjust the predetermined freshness period.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said adjusting the signal quality indicator comprises flashing the signal quality indicator.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein said adjusting the signal quality indicator comprises reducing a value of the signal quality indicator.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein said adjusting the signal quality indicator comprises reducing a value of the signal quality indicator in an amount responsive to an amount of time having passed since the physiological parameter value reflected a valid measurement.

14. A method of displaying physiological information, the method comprising:

by a processor;

providing a value of a physiological parameter to a display of a patient monitor, the physiological parameter value reflecting physiological information obtained from a physiological sensor coupled to a patient;

determining whether the value of the physiological parameter is valid;

freezing an output associated with the physiological parameter value;

calculating a freshness of the physiological parameter value, in response to said freezing;

adjusting the output associated with the parameter value based at least in part on the calculated freshness;

changing the output of the physiological parameter in response to a predetermined freshness period elapsing; and

providing functionality on a display of the patient monitor for a clinician to adjust the predetermined freshness period.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the output comprises the value of the physiological parameter.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the physiological parameter comprises a respiratory parameter.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the physiological parameter comprises respiratory rate.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the output is represented by a bidirectional value indicator.