Abstract: A physiological sensor includes a light source and an age detector circuit in communication with the light source. The age detector circuit is configured to determine an age of the light source based on current-voltage characteristics of said light source. In addition, a method includes measuring an initial I-V characteristic and an actual I-V characteristic of the light source, and comparing the initial I-V characteristic to the actual I-V characteristic since changes in the I-V characteristics indicate aging. Actual I-V characteristics can be compared between light sources when they age at different rates to determine light source aging. Moreover, the method may include updating the memory device with the actual I-V characteristic at predetermined times.

Abstract: A sensor used to measure physiological characteristics of body tissues is provided. The physiological sensor includes a first light source assembly having a first light source in parallel with a second light source. Each of the first light source and the second light source have an anode and a cathode. A second light source assembly includes a third light source in parallel with a fourth light source. Each of the third light source and the fourth light source have an anode and a cathode. The anode of the first light source is electrically connected to the cathode of the second light source, the anode of said third light source, and the cathode of said fourth light source. The anode of the third light source is electrically connected to the cathode of the fourth light source.

Abstract: A sensor used to measure physiological characteristics of body tissues is provided. The physiological sensor includes a first light source assembly having a first light source in parallel with a second light source. Each of the first light source and the second light source have an anode and a cathode. A second light source assembly includes a third light source in parallel with a fourth light source. Each of the third light source and the fourth light source have an anode and a cathode. The anode of the first light source is electrically connected to the cathode of the second light source, the anode of said third light source, and the cathode of said fourth light source. The anode of the third light source is electrically connected to the cathode of the fourth light source.

Abstract: Monitoring cerebral autoregulation may include determining one or more autoregulation indices incorporating cerebral blood flow and blood pressure measurements and/or indices. Measurement techniques may be invasive or non-invasive. Various combinations of data, e.g., oximeter data, electrocardiogram data, blood pressure data, hemoglobin data, and heart rate data, may be used to create various indices. Many of the indices may be based on correlations of data. A display may indicate several of the indices.

Abstract: A physiological sensor includes a light source in optical communication with a light detector. A controller is in communication with the light detector via a connector. A booster circuit is in communication with the light detector and the connector. The booster circuit may be configured to buffer signals generated by the light detector and reduce an input capacitance on either the controller or terminals of the connector. In various embodiments, the booster circuit may be disposed on the connector for a reusable cable or a disposable sensor pad.

Abstract: A physiological sensor includes a light source in optical communication with a light detector. A controller is in communication with the light detector via a connector. A booster circuit is in communication with the light detector and the connector. The booster circuit may be configured to buffer signals generated by the light detector and reduce an input capacitance on either the controller or terminals of the connector. In various embodiments, the booster circuit may be disposed on the connector for a reusable cable or a disposable sensor pad.

Abstract: A physiological sensor includes a light source and an age detector circuit in communication with the light source. The age detector circuit is configured to determine an age of the light source based on current-voltage characteristics of said light source. In addition, a method includes measuring an initial I-V characteristic and an actual I-V characteristic of the light source, and comparing the initial I-V characteristic to the actual I-V characteristic since changes in the I-V characteristics indicate aging. Actual I-V characteristics can be compared between light sources when they age at different rates to determine light source aging. Moreover, the method may include updating the memory device with the actual I-V characteristic at predetermined times.

Abstract: A sensor used to measure physiological characteristics of body tissues is provided. The physiological sensor includes a first light source assembly having a first light source in parallel with a second light source. Each of the first light source and the second light source have an anode and a cathode. A second light source assembly includes a third light source in parallel with a fourth light source. Each of the third light source and the fourth light source have an anode and a cathode. The anode of the first light source is electrically connected to the cathode of the second light source, the anode of said third light source, and the cathode of said fourth light source. The anode of the third light source is electrically connected to the cathode of the fourth light source.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for spectrophotometric in vivo monitoring of blood metabolites such as hemoglobin oxygen concentration at a plurality of different areas or regions on the same organ or test site on an ongoing basis, by applying a plurality of spectrophotometric sensors to a test subject at each of a corresponding plurality of testing sites and coupling each such sensor to a control and processing station, operating each of said sensors to spectrophotometrically irradiate a particular region within the test subject; detecting and receiving the light energy resulting from said spectrophotometric irradiation for each such region and conveying corresponding signals to said control and processing station, analyzing said conveyed signals to determine preselected blood metabolite data, and visually displaying the data so determined for each of a plurality of said areas or regions in a comparative manner.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for spectrophotometric in vivo monitoring of blood metabolites such as hemoglobin oxygen concentration at a plurality of different areas or regions on the same organ or test site on an ongoing basis, by applying a plurality of spectrophotometric sensors to a test subject at each of a corresponding plurality of testing sites and coupling each such sensor to a control and processing station, operating each of said sensors to spectrophotometrically irradiate a particular region within the test subject; detecting and receiving the light energy resulting from said spectrophotometric irradiation for each such region and conveying corresponding signals to said control and processing station, analyzing said conveyed signals to determine preselected blood metabolite data, and visually displaying the data so determined for each of a plurality of said areas or regions in a comparative manner. REEXAMINATION RESULTS The questions raised in reexamination proceeding No. 90/010,128, filed Mar.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for spectrophotometric in vivo monitoring of blood metabolites such as hemoglobin oxygen concentration at a plurality of different areas or regions on the same organ or test site on an ongoing basis, by applying a plurality of spectrophotometric sensors to a test subject at each of a corresponding plurality of testing sites and coupling each such sensor to a control and processing station, operating each of said sensors to spectrophotometrically irradiate a particular region within the test subject; detecting and receiving the light energy resulting from said spectrophotometric irradiation for each such region and conveying corresponding signals to said control and processing station, analyzing said conveyed signals to determine preselected blood metabolite data, and visually displaying the data so determined for each of a plurality of said areas or regions in a comparative manner.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for spectrophotometric in vivo monitoring of blood metabolites such as hemoglobin oxygen concentration at a plurality of different areas or regions on the same organ or test site on an ongoing basis, by applying a plurality of spectrophotometric sensors to a test subject at each of a corresponding plurality of testing sites and coupling each such sensor to a control and processing station, operating each of said sensors to spectrophotometrically irradiate a particular region within the test subject; detecting and receiving the light energy resulting from said spectrophotometric irradiation for each such region and conveying corresponding signals to said control and processing station, analyzing said conveyed signals to determine preselected blood metabolite data, and visually displaying the data so determined for each of a plurality of said areas or regions in a comparative manner.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for spectrophotometric in vivo monitoring of blood metabolites such as hemoglobin oxygen concentration at a plurality of different areas or regions on the same organ or test site on an ongoing basis, by applying a plurality of spectrophotometric sensors to a test subject at each of a corresponding plurality of testing sites and coupling each such sensor to a control and processing station, operating each of said sensors to spectrophotometrically irradiate a particular region within the test subject; detecting and receiving the light energy resulting from said spectrophotometric irradiation for each such region and conveying corresponding signals to said control and processing station, analyzing said conveyed signals to determine preselected blood metabolite data, and visually displaying the data so determined for each of a plurality of said areas or regions in a comparative manner.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for spectrophotometric in vivo monitoring of blood metabolites such as hemoglobin oxygen concentration at a plurality of different areas or regions on the same organ or test site on an ongoing basis, by applying a plurality of spectrophotometric sensors to a test subject at each of a corresponding plurality of testing sites and coupling each such sensor to a control and processing station, operating each of said sensors to spectrophotometrically irradiate a particular region within the test subject; detecting and receiving the light energy resulting from said spectrophotometric irradiation for each such region and conveying corresponding signals to said control and processing station, analyzing said conveyed signals to determine preselected blood metabolite data, and visually displaying the data so determined for each of a plurality of said areas or regions in a comparative manner.