Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for formatting data from a pulse oximetry monitoring device to include display layout information for use by a remotely located display unit. In this regard, the remotely located display unit is in data communication with the pulse oximetry through a communications network. The data communications network may be an analog network such as a telephony network or a digital network such as the internet. In any case, upon receiving the pulse oximetry data, a remote display device may utilize the display layout information to provide an output of the monitored data. This output may be a visual display or a hard copy output.

Abstract: A photoplethysmographic monitoring system such as a pulse oximeter collects data regarding the blood analyte concentration and pulse rate of a patient through the analysis of light transmitted form an emitter through tissue to a photo detector. It is often necessary to review the collected data, such as oxygen saturation, pulse rate and pulsatility value at a location remote to the patient being monitored. The photoplethysmographic system formats the selected data for transmittal to a remote facsimile machine via standard telephone communication systems using an internal or external modem. The formatter is able to function within the processing and memory constraints of pulse oximeters by formatting and transmitting the data in sections. Formatted data may be sent via hard-wired telephone, cellular phone, PCS digital telephones or through satellite communication systems enabling transmittal of data from a portable photoplethysmographic system.