Abstract: A system is disclosed for detecting and calculating the level of ambient and/or environmental noise, such as electromagnetic interference generated by electric power lines, ambient lights, light dimmers, television or computer displays, power supplies or transformers, and medical equipment. In some embodiments, the system performs frequency analysis on the interference signal detected by light photodetectors and determines the power of the interference signal concentrated in the analyzed frequency bands. The worst-case interference level can be determined by selecting the maximum from the computed power values. In some embodiments, the determined interference signal power can be compared with the noise tolerance of a patient monitoring system configured to reliably and non-invasively detect physiological parameters of a user. The results of the comparison can be presented to the user audio-visually. In some embodiments, the system can be used to perform spot check measurements of electromagnetic interference.

Abstract: A noninvasive physiological sensor for measuring one or more physiological parameters of a medical patient can include a bump interposed between a light source and a photodetector. The bump can be placed in contact with body tissue of a patient and thereby reduce a thickness of the body tissue. As a result, an optical pathlength between the light source and the photodetector can be reduced. In addition, the sensor can include a heat sink that can direct heat away from the light source. Moreover, the sensor can include shielding in the optical path between the light source and the photodetector. The shielding can reduce noise received by the photodetector.

Abstract: A spot check credit system advantageously includes various embodiments for obtaining authorization or payment for each measurement, groups of measurements, times of measurement or the like. In an embodiment, the system utilizes a server that communicates web pages over a computer network. In an embodiment, the system utilizes a digital communication device such as a photocommunicative key.

Abstract: A physiological sensor is adapted to removably attach an emitter assembly and a detector assembly to a fingertip. The emitter assembly is adapted to transmit optical radiation having multiple wavelengths into fingertip tissue. The detector assembly is adapted to receive the optical radiation after attenuation by the fingertip tissue. The sensor has a first shell and a second shell hinged to the first shell. A spring is disposed between the shells and urges the shells together. An emitter pad is fixedly attached to the first shell and configured to retain the emitter assembly. A detector pad is fixedly attached to the second shell and configured to retain the detector assembly. A detector aperture is defined within the detector pad and adapted to pass optical radiation to the detector assembly. A contour is defined along the detector pad and generally shaped to conform to a fingertip positioned over the detector aperture.

Abstract: A modulated physiological sensor is a noninvasive device responsive to a physiological reaction of a living being to an internal or external perturbation that propagates to a skin surface area. The modulated physiological sensor has a detector configured to generate a signal responsive to the physiological reaction. A modulator varies the coupling of the detector to the skin so as to at least intermittently maximize the detector signal. A monitor controls the modulator and receives an effectively amplified detector signal, which is processed to calculate a physiological parameter indicative of the physiological reaction.

Abstract: In a physiological sensor that estimates a true parameter value by providing a predicted parameter value, multiple measurements are taken to increase the accuracy of the predicted parameter value. The sensor can be reapplied between measurements to decrease the probability of an erroneous prediction caused by sensor misplacement. Some measurements can be discarded before calculating a predicted parameter value. The physiological sensor can have a plurality of modes, with one of the modes corresponding to multiple measurement process.

Abstract: A tissue profile wellness monitor measures a physiological parameter, generates a tissue profile, defines limits and indicates when the tissue profile exceeds the defined limits. The physiological parameter is responsive to multiple wavelengths of optical radiation after attenuation by constituents of pulsatile blood flowing within a tissue site. The tissue profile is responsive to the physiological parameter. The limits are defined for at least a portion of the tissue profile.

Abstract: A reflection-detector sensor position indicator comprises emitters that transmit light having a plurality of wavelengths. A detector outputs a sensor signal. At least one reflection detector outputs at least one sensor position signal. An attachment assembly attaches the emitters, the detector and the reflection detector onto a tissue site. A sensor-on condition indicates that the attachment assembly has positioned the emitters generally centered over a fingernail, the detector on a fingertip opposite the fingernail and the reflection detector over the fingernail. The sensor signal, in the sensor-on condition, is at least substantially responsive to the emitter transmitted light after attenuation by pulsatile blood flow perfused within a fingernail bed underneath the fingernail. The sensor position signal, in the sensor-on condition, is at least substantially responsive to the emitter transmitted light after reflection off of the fingernail.

Abstract: A patient monitoring system includes an inflatable cuff, a gas reservoir containing a compressed gas, and a sensor. When the inflatable cuff is coupled to a wearer, the gas reservoir supplies gas to the inflatable cuff to inflate the inflatable cuff via gas pathways. As the inflatable cuff inflates, a patient monitor can receive blood pressure data from the sensor and use the blood pressure data to determine the blood pressure of the wearer. The patient monitor can also receive blood pressure data during deflation of the inflatable cuff to determine the blood pressure of the wearer.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a sensor having a set of photodetectors that are arranged at various locations to enable the measurement of blood glucose. The photodetectors are arranged across multiple locations. For example, the detector may comprise multiple photodetector arrays that are arranged to have a sufficient difference in mean path length to allow for noise cancellation and noise reduction. Walls may be used in the detector to separate individual photodetectors and prevent mixing of detected optical radiation between the different locations on the measurement site. A window may also be employed to facilitate the passing of optical radiation at various wavelengths for measuring glucose in the tissue.

Abstract: A physiological sensor has emitters configured to transmit optical radiation having multiple wavelengths in response to corresponding drive currents. A thermal mass is disposed proximate the emitters so as to stabilize a bulk temperature for the emitters. A temperature sensor is thermally coupled to the thermal mass. The temperature sensor provides a temperature sensor output responsive to the bulk temperature so that the wavelengths are determinable as a function of the drive currents and the bulk temperature.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a sensor having a set of photodetectors that are arranged at various locations to enable the measurement of blood glucose. The photodetectors are arranged across multiple locations. For example, the detector may comprise multiple photodetector arrays that are arranged to have a sufficient difference in mean path length to allow for noise cancellation and noise reduction. Walls may be used in the detector to separate individual photodetectors and prevent mixing of detected optical radiation between the different locations on the measurement site. A window may also be employed to facilitate the passing of optical radiation at various wavelengths for measuring glucose in the tissue.

Abstract: A blood pressure measurement system that non-invasively determines an individual's blood pressure can include a noninvasive blood pressure sensor having an optical sensor and a motion sensor. The optical sensor can provide a photoplethysmograph signal obtained from a patient to a processor. The motion sensor can provide a motion signal to the processor responsive to motion of the patient. In one embodiment, the processor calculates or estimates the blood pressure of the patient based on the photoplethysmograph signal and the motion signal. Advantageously, the system can obtain this blood pressure measurement without an occlusive cuff, thereby reducing patient discomfort. In other implementations, the processor calculates a blood pressure-related parameter from the photoplethysmograph and motion signal. The processor can occasionally trigger an occlusive cuff measurement as this parameter changes, thereby reducing the frequency of occlusive cuff measurements.

Abstract: A physiological sensor includes an electrical grid to activate one or more light emitters by addressing at least one row conductor and at least one column conductor. Each light emitter includes a positive terminal and a negative terminal. The physiological sensor includes a first light emitter and a second light emitter. A first contact is communicatively coupled with the positive terminal of the first light emitter, the negative terminal of the second light emitter, a first row conductor, and a first column conductor. A second contact is communicatively coupled with the negative terminal of the first light emitter, the positive terminal of the second light emitter, a second row conductor, and a second column conductor. The first light emitter is activated by addressing the first row conductor and the second column conductor. The second light emitter is activated by addressing the second row conductor and the first column conductor.

Abstract: A cable is capable of communicating signals between a monitor and a physiological sensor. The monitor is capable of activating individual light emitters of an emitter array arranged in an electrical grid by driving at least one of row drive lines and at least one of column drive lines of the electrical grid. The cable has a first row input, a first column input, a second row input and a second column input. The cable also has a first output which combines the first row input and the first column input and a second output which combines the second row input and the second column input. The inputs are adapted to connect to electrical grid drive lines of a monitor. Further, the outputs are adapted to connect to contacts of a physiological sensor having back-to-back configured LEDs in electrical communication with the contacts.

Abstract: Confidence in a physiological parameter is measured from physiological data responsive to the intensity of multiple wavelengths of optical radiation after tissue attenuation. The physiological parameter is estimated based upon the physiological data. Reference data clusters are stored according to known values of the physiological parameter. At least one of the data clusters is selected according to the estimated physiological parameter. The confidence measure is determined from a comparison of the selected data clusters and the physiological data.

Abstract: A spot check credit system advantageously includes various embodiments for obtaining authorization or payment for each measurement, groups of measurements, times of measurement or the like. In an embodiment, the system utilizes a server that communicates web pages over a computer network. In an embodiment, the system utilizes a digital communication device such as a photocommunicative key.

Abstract: A spot check credit system advantageously includes various embodiments for obtaining authorization or payment for each measurement, groups of measurements, times of measurement or the like. In an embodiment, the system utilizes a server that communicates web pages over a computer network. In an embodiment, the system utilizes a digital communication device such as a photocommunicative key.

Abstract: Confidence in a physiological parameter is measured from physiological data responsive to the intensity of multiple wavelengths of optical radiation after tissue attenuation. The physiological parameter is estimated based upon the physiological data. Reference data clusters are stored according to known values of the physiological parameter. At least one of the data clusters is selected according to the estimated physiological parameter. The confidence measure is determined from a comparison of the selected data clusters and the physiological data.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for detecting and calculating the level of ambient and/or environmental noise, such as electromagnetic interference generated by electric power lines, ambient lights, light dimmers, television or computer displays, power supplies or transformers, and medical equipment. In some embodiments, the system performs frequency analysis on the interference signal detected by light photodetectors and determines the power of the interference signal concentrated in the analyzed frequency bands. The worst-case interference level can be determined by selecting the maximum from the computed power values. In some embodiments, the determined interference signal power can be compared with the noise tolerance of a patient monitoring system configured to reliably and non-invasively detect physiological parameters of a user. The results of the comparison can be presented to the user audio-visually. In some embodiments, the system can be used to perform spot check measurements of electromagnetic interference.