Patents by Inventor Terrence R. Bennett

Terrence R. Bennett has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Method and apparatus for reducing ambient noise effects in electronic monitoring instruments
    Patent number: 5885213
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for adapting to noise sources affecting a pulse oximeter. Various available frequencies are evaluated to determine their respective noise levels and one is selected to act as the operating demultiplexer frequency. During normal operation of the pulse oximeter, the various available demultiplexer frequencies are periodically scanned to determine which has the lowest associated noise. The noise level associated with the operating frequency is used to determine the signal-to-noise ratio of the pulse oximeter signals and thereby qualify certain signals from the pulse oximeter. Those pulses associated with a signal-to-noise ratio below a predetermined threshold are rejected and excluded from use in calculating blood oxygen saturation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: Nellcor Puritan Bennett Incorporated
    Inventors: Charles A. Richardson, Michael Bernstein, Jerry K. Okikawa, Terrence R. Bennett
  • Method and apparatus for reducing ambient noise effects in electronic monitoring instruments
    Patent number: 5713355
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for adapting to noise sources affecting a pulse oximeter. Various available frequencies are evaluated to determine their respective noise levels and one is selected to act as the operating demultiplexer frequency. During normal operation of the pulse oximeter, the various available demultiplexer frequencies are periodically scanned to determine which has the lowest associated noise. The noise level associated with the operating frequency is used to determine the signal-to-noise ratio of the pulse oximeter signals and thereby qualify certain signals from the pulse oximeter. Those pulses associated with a signal-to-noise ratio below a predetermined threshold are rejected and excluded from use in calculating blood oxygen saturation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Assignee: Nellcor Puritan Bennett Incorporated
    Inventors: Charles A. Richardson, Michael Bernstein, Jerry K. Okikawa, Terrence R. Bennett
  • Method and apparatus for reducing ambient noise effects in electronic monitoring instruments
    Patent number: 5555882
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for adapting to noise sources affecting a pulse oximeter. Various available frequencies are evaluated to determine their respective noise levels and one is selected to act as the operating demultiplexer frequency. During normal operation of the pulse oximeter, the various available demultiplexer frequencies are periodically scanned to determine which has the lowest associated noise. The noise level associated with the operating frequency is used to determine the signal-to-noise ratio of the pulse oximeter signals and thereby qualify certain signals from the pulse oximeter. Those pulses associated with a signal-to-noise ratio below a predetermined threshold are rejected and excluded from use in calculating blood oxygen saturation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Assignee: Nellcor Incorporated
    Inventors: Charles A. Richardson, Michael Bernstein, Jerry K. Okikawa, Terrence R. Bennett
  • Method for reducing ambient noise effects in electronic monitoring instruments
    Patent number: 5368224
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for adapting to noise sources affecting a pulse oximeter. Various available frequencies are evaluated to determine their respective noise levels and one is selected to act as the operating demultiplexer frequency. During normal operation of the pulse oximeter, the various available demultiplexer frequencies are periodically scanned to determine which has the lowest associated noise. The noise level associated with the operating frequency is used to determine the signal-to-noise ratio of the pulse oximeter signals and thereby qualify certain signals from the pulse oximeter. Those pulses associated with a signal-to-noise ratio below a predetermined threshold are rejected and excluded from use in calculating blood oxygen saturation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1994
    Assignee: Nellcor Incorporated
    Inventors: Charles A. Richardson, Michael Bernstein, Jerry K. Okikawa, Terrence R. Bennett