Abstract: A patient monitor includes a clamping device on its rear surface for securely holding the monitor on an intravenous line (IV) pole. The clamping device is operated by the user with a sliding lever located on the side of the unit. The clamping mechanism has a ratcheting device to maintain the clamping force on the IV pole applied by the user with a simple one hand pull. The sliding lever has two buttons that release the clamp from the IV pole when the buttons are depressed simultaneously. The IV pole clamping system provides a simple and reliable mechanism for securely attaching the patient monitor to a stretcher IV pole or a free standing IV pole during patient transfer.

Abstract: A capnography module for a patient monitoring system includes a hardware switching mechanism and a software mechanism for switching the capnography module automatically between a mainstream monitoring mode and a sidestream monitoring mode. The hardware switching mechanism along with software detection is capable of detecting the connection of a mainstream capnography sensor and a sidestream sampling line and generates flags to notify the software switching mechanism which sensor or line is connected. The software switching mechanism notifies a controller board in the module which monitoring system is available and the controller board operates the module in the respective mode. The capnography module also includes a connector latching mechanism for securing the mainstream capnography sensor to the module and preventing accidental disconnection.

Abstract: The specification describes anesthesia systems with an integrated, extendable clinical center and clinician/anesthesia office that accommodates for physical separation of clinical and clerical functions. The disclosed anesthesia systems allow for a portion of the system to be brought closer to the patient such that clinical controls can be accessed while tending to the patient airway, without compromising office space available to the clinician or crowding the patient area.

Abstract: An improved fluid flow gauging device includes a light enhanced acrylic block flow tube to optimize visualization of pressure readings. An LED or other light source is fitted to the top of the flow tube and illuminates a float or bobbin from above to provide more accurate readings, especially in low light conditions such as modern operating rooms. In addition, the light enhanced flow tube provides a mechanical backup in the case of failure of newer electronic systems and visually matches the graphical flow display, simultaneously providing a double-check of the electronic system.

Abstract: The present specification discloses systems and methods of patient monitoring in which multiple sensors are used to detect physiological parameters and the data from those sensors are correlated to determine if an alarm should, or should not, be issued, thereby resulting in more precise alarms and fewer false alarms. Electrocardiogram readings can be combined with invasive blood pressure, non-invasive blood pressure, and/or pulse oximetry measurements to provide a more accurate picture of pulse activity and patient respiration. In addition, the monitoring system can also use an accelerometer or heart valve auscultation to further improve accuracy.

Abstract: The anesthesia systems have an integrated, extendable clinical center and clinician/anesthesia office that accommodates for a physical separation of clinical and clerical functions. The anesthesia system includes an alarm reversion system which enables a predefined alarm limit to be set and then to be automatically reverted back to an alarm limit existing just before the predefined alarm limit was set.

Abstract: The present application discloses methods and systems for transferring primary alarm notification on patient monitoring systems from a bedside monitor to one or more secondary devices which may operate on a less than fully reliable network. The bedside monitor includes an attached physiological parameter measurement device which detects when a specific physiological parameter measures outside a predetermined range. The bedside monitor then directs the secondary device(s) to annunciate its alarm. Primary alarming responsibility reverts from the secondary device(s) back to the bedside monitor whenever communication between the two is lost or when acknowledgement of the alarm condition by the secondary device is not relayed back to the bedside monitor within a predetermined amount of time.

Abstract: A portable health data tool permits a health care provider to assimilate and display a plurality of health care data from a patient and to associate the data with patient identifying information all stored in a memory contained in the tool. The tool includes a code reader for reading patient information into the tool from a bar code or other coded tag. The tool is associated with a plurality of different data assimilation devices stored with the tool's housing, including but not limited to, instruments for measuring, temperature, blood pressure, two-finger or lead wire ECG data, pulse oximetry data, sound data and picture data obtained from an optional digital camera integrated within the housing. The tool further includes data receiver and/or transmitter ports, which may be wireless or cable ports, for transferring data between the health data tool and a separate computer system that stores patient records.

Abstract: An anesthesia workstation includes a sliding track system attached to the front of the anesthesia workstation for the mounting of one or more displays. The displays are horizontally slidable along the front of the anesthesia workstation along the sliding track. In addition, the sliding track system includes pivot points which enable outward pivoting of the displays up to 90 degrees. Sliding and pivoting of the displays is possible both independently and simultaneously. The sliding track system allows the anesthetist to slide and pivot the displays across the front of the workstation along the length of the track to the most preferable viewing position. Additional storage space is positioned within the anesthesia workstation behind the displays and becomes exposed and accessible when the displays are manipulated via the sliding track system.

Abstract: The present specification discloses systems and methods for patient monitoring using a multitude of display regions, at least two of which have the capability to simultaneously display real time patient waveforms and vital statistics as well as provide display for local and remote software applications. In one example, a primary display shows real time patient waveforms and vital statistics while a customizable secondary display shows trends, cumulative data, laboratory and radiology reports, protocols, and similar clinical information. Additionally, the secondary display can launch local and remote applications such as entertainment software, Internet and email programs, patient education software, and video conferencing applications. The dual display allows caregivers to simultaneously view real time patient vitals and aggregated data or therapy protocols, thereby increasing hospital personnel efficiency and improving treatment, while not compromising the display of critical alarms or other data.

Abstract: A system for patient monitoring includes a plurality of non-integrated components including a display, a monitor, one or more modules, and at least one patient parameter measuring device. The display includes a flat glass front with a blackened border that appears continuous but allows the passage of light during alarm situations. The display includes a housing with openings on the right and left sides which allow the passage of light during alarm situations. The display also includes a prominent programmable button which enables easy alarm silencing. The monitor can be fixedly attached to the back of the display in a “backpack mounting” configuration to free up bedside space. Optional monitor and display cabinets are capable of housing power supplies and cables and provide for additional free space. The monitor, module(s), and patient parameter measuring device(s) are all interconnected via Dual Serial Bus (DSB) interfaces.

Abstract: The disclosed anesthesia systems provide an integrated, extendable clinical center and clinician/anesthesia office that accommodates for physical separation of clinical and clerical functions. The disclosed anesthesia systems allow for a portion of the system to be brought closer to the patient such that clinical controls can be accessed while tending to the patient airway, without compromising office space available to the clinician or crowding the patient area.

Abstract: An interface protocol for patient monitoring systems includes a Dual Serial Bus (DSB) interface. The DSB interface includes a first serial protocol that is USB, Firewire, or Ethernet protocol and a second serial protocol that is a low power serial (LPS) protocol. DSB interfaces provide for communication between DSB Hosts and DSB Devices and allow for the transfer of operating and battery charging power from DSB Host to DSB Device. In addition, the DSB host contains a switched Auxiliary Voltage Supply (AVS) which can provide up to 15 W of power to DSB devices for battery charging or other high power needs. The DSB interface eliminates the need for multiple cables for different parameter sensing devices as there is only one type of connector and, accordingly, reduces the risk of damage caused by inadvertently plugging a parameter sensing device into the wrong receptacle.

Abstract: An anesthesia workstation includes a sliding track system attached to the front of the anesthesia workstation for the mounting of one or more displays. The displays are horizontally slidable along the front of the anesthesia workstation along the sliding track. In addition, the sliding track system includes pivot points which enable outward pivoting of the displays up to 90 degrees. Sliding and pivoting of the displays is possible both independently and simultaneously. The sliding track system allows the anesthetist to slide and pivot the displays across the front of the workstation along the length of the track to the most preferable viewing position. Additional storage space is positioned within the anesthesia workstation behind the displays and becomes exposed and accessible when the displays are manipulated via the sliding track system.

Abstract: The present specification discloses a ventilator system that can be manufactured quickly with minimal skill requirements and rapidly deployed in response to epidemic respiratory disease conditions. In one embodiment, the ventilator, having a minimal number of controls, is used to give ventilation or mechanical breathing to a patient suffering ARDS. The mechanical ventilation is based on pressure control and has variable pressure, breathing rate, and oxygenation. Preferably, the ventilator is rapidly deployable, easy and intuitive to operate, and capable of sustaining at least 75% of epidemic respiratory distress victims who require assisted ventilation until resuming normal breathing.

Abstract: The present invention is a novel method of generating and representing the status of various physiological parameters that are monitored for patients during hospitalization. The system of present invention allows healthcare providers to easily view, at a glance, the status or trend of a patient or a plurality of patients as well as any changes in the parameter values.

Abstract: A capnography module for a patient monitoring system includes a hardware switching mechanism and a software mechanism for switching the capnography module automatically between a mainstream monitoring mode and a sidestream monitoring mode. The hardware switching mechanism along with software detection is capable of detecting the connection of a mainstream capnography sensor and a sidestream sampling line and generates flags to notify the software switching mechanism which sensor or line is connected. The software switching mechanism notifies a controller board in the module which monitoring system is available and the controller board operates the module in the respective mode. The capnography module also includes a connector latching mechanism for securing the mainstream capnography sensor to the module and preventing accidental disconnection.

Abstract: A portable health data tool permits a health care provider to assimilate and display a plurality of health care data from a patient and to associate the data with patient identifying information all stored in a memory contained in the tool. The tool includes a code reader for reading patient information into the tool from a bar code or other coded tag. The tool is associated with a plurality of different data assimilation devices stored with the tool's housing, including but not limited to, instruments for measuring, temperature, blood pressure, two-finger or lead wire ECG data, pulse oximetry data, sound data and picture data obtained from an optional digital camera integrated within the housing. The tool further includes data receiver and/or transmitter ports, which may be wireless or cable ports, for transferring data between the health data tool and a separate computer system that stores patient records.

Abstract: A system for calculating a variability value that is indicative of AF by obtaining a signal sequence of a plurality of RR intervals by monitoring electrical activity of a patient's heart. Each RR interval is converted into an instantaneous heart rate value and sorted into ascending order. The difference between each successive heart rate is calculated, discarding the two largest differences. The variability value is calculated by adding the retained differences.

Abstract: The present application discloses methods and systems for transferring primary alarm notification on patient monitoring systems from a bedside monitor to one or more secondary devices which may operate on a less than fully reliable network. The bedside monitor includes an attached physiological parameter measurement device which detects when a specific physiological parameter measures outside a predetermined range. The bedside monitor then directs the secondary device(s) to annunciate its alarm. Primary alarming responsibility reverts from the secondary device(s) back to the bedside monitor whenever communication between the two is lost or when acknowledgement of the alarm condition by the secondary device is not relayed back to the bedside monitor within a predetermined amount of time.