Patents by Inventor Thomas J. Yorkey
Thomas J. Yorkey 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).
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Patent number: 7130671Abstract: In a system for measuring a physiological parameter using at least one wavelength of electromagnetic energy transmitted through living tissue, a method for determining an operational status of the system. The method includes receiving a data signal from at least one sensor, determining whether the received data signal is representative of the physiological parameter by sensing whether the at least one sensor is secured to the living tissue, and generating a status signal representative of the operational status of the system based on that determination. The determination includes measuring an output level corresponding to the at least one wavelength. The determination may also include analyzing a spectrum corresponding to the at least one wavelength to determine a percentage of energy contained in a subset of the spectrum, or monitoring an amplitude of the data signal for a given interval.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2004Date of Patent: October 31, 2006Assignee: Nellcor Puritan Bennett IncorporatedInventors: Clark R. Baker, Jr., Thomas J. Yorkey
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Patent number: 6836679Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the effects of noise on a system for measuring physiological parameters, such as, for example, a pulse oximeter. The method and apparatus of the invention take into account the physical limitations on various physiological parameters being monitored when weighting and averaging a series of measurements. Varying weights are assigned different measurements, measurements are rejected, and the averaging period is adjusted according to the reliability of the measurements. Similarly, calculated values derived from analyzing the measurements are also assigned varying weights and averaged over adjustable periods. More specifically, a general class of filters such as, for example, Kalman filters, is employed in processing the measurements and calculated values. The filters use mathematical models which describe how the physiological parameters change in time, and how these parameters relate to measurement in a noisy environment.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2002Date of Patent: December 28, 2004Assignee: Nellcor Puritan Bennett IncorporatedInventors: Clark R. Baker, Jr., Thomas J. Yorkey
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Publication number: 20040181134Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the effects of noise on a system for measuring physiological parameters, such as, for example, a pulse oximeter. The method and apparatus of the invention take into account the physical limitations on various physiological parameters being monitored when weighting and averaging a series of measurements. Varying weights are assigned different measurements, measurements are rejected, and the averaging period is adjusted according to the reliability of the measurements. Similarly, calculated values derived from analyzing the measurements are also assigned varying weights and averaged over adjustable periods. More specifically, a general class of filters such as, for example, Kalman filters, is employed in processing the measurements and calculated values. The filters use mathematical models which describe how the physiological parameters change in time, and how these parameters relate to measurement in a noisy environment.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2004Publication date: September 16, 2004Applicant: Nellcor Puritan Bennett IncorporatedInventors: Clark R. Baker, Thomas J. Yorkey
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Publication number: 20040158135Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the effects of noise on a system for measuring physiological parameters, such as, for example, a pulse oximeter. The method and apparatus of the invention take into account the physical limitations on various physiological parameters being monitored when weighting and averaging a series of measurements. Varying weights are assigned different measurements, measurements are rejected, and the averaging period is adjusted according to the reliability of the measurements. Similarly, calculated values derived from analyzing the measurements are also assigned varying weights and averaged over adjustable periods. More specifically, a general class of filters such as, for example, Kalman filters, is employed in processing the measurements and calculated values. The filters use mathematical models which describe how the physiological parameters change in time, and how these parameters relate to measurement in a noisy environment.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 9, 2004Publication date: August 12, 2004Applicant: Nellcor Incorporated, a Delaware corporationInventors: Clark R. Baker, Thomas J. Yorkey
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Publication number: 20040097797Abstract: Sensors and monitors for a physiological monitoring system having capability to indicate an accuracy of an estimated physiological condition. The sensor senses at least one physiological characteristic of a patient and is connectable to a monitor that estimates the physiological condition from signals detected by the sensor. The sensor includes a detector for detecting the signals from the patient which are indicative of the physiological characteristic. The sensor is associated with a memory configured to store data that defines at least one sensor signal specification boundary for the detected signals. The boundary is indicative of a quality of the signals and an accuracy of the physiological characteristic estimated from the signals by the monitor. The sensor further includes means for providing access to the memory to allow transmission of the data that defines the at least one sensor boundary to the monitor.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2003Publication date: May 20, 2004Applicant: Mallinckrodt Inc.Inventors: Charles Porges, Clark Baker, Thomas J. Yorkey, Michael Bernstein, Paul Mannheimer
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Patent number: 6721584Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the effects of noise on a system for measuring physiological parameters, such as, for example, a pulse oximeter. The method and apparatus of the invention take into account the physical limitations on various physiological parameters being monitored when weighting and averaging a series of measurements. Varying weights are assigned different measurements, measurements are rejected, and the averaging period is adjusted according to the reliability of the measurements. Similarly, calculated values derived from analyzing the measurements are also assigned varying weights and averaged over adjustable periods. More specifically, a general class of filters such as, for example, Kalman filters, is employed in processing the measurements and calculated values. The filters use mathematical models which describe how the physiological parameters change in time, and how these parameters relate to measurement in a noisy environment.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2001Date of Patent: April 13, 2004Assignee: Nellcor Puritan Bennett IncorporatedInventors: Clark R. Baker, Jr., Thomas J. Yorkey
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Patent number: 6675031Abstract: Sensors and monitors for a physiological monitoring system having capability to indicate an accuracy of an estimated physiological condition. The sensor senses at least one physiological characteristic of a patient and is connectable to a monitor that estimates the physiological condition from signals detected by the sensor. The sensor includes a detector for detecting the signals from the patient which are indicative of the physiological characteristic. The sensor is associated with a memory configured to store data that defines at least one sensor signal specification boundary for the detected signals. The boundary is indicative of a quality of the signals and an accuracy of the physiological characteristic estimated from the signals by the monitor. The sensor further includes means for providing access to the memory to allow transmission of the data that defines the at least one sensor boundary to the monitor.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2000Date of Patent: January 6, 2004Assignee: Mallinckrodt Inc.Inventors: Charles Porges, Clark Baker, Thomas J. Yorkey, Michael Bernstein, Paul Mannheimer
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Patent number: 6463310Abstract: A mechanism for storing and providing historical physiological data, such as blood oxygen saturation data, for a patient. In particular, the historical physiological data is stored in a storage medium that “travels” with the patient and is accessible wherever the patient is moved. This is achieved by storing the physiological data within a sensor assembly. At the destination site, a monitor or a device capable of interfacing with the sensor electronics can retrieve and display the data. The historical physiological data allows a clinician or medical personnel at the destination site to assess the condition of the patient for the entire time that the patient has been monitored. Various types of physiological data can be stored including, but not limited to, blood oxygen saturation, heart rate, and temperature data. Compression of the data can be performed to enhance the storage capability.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2000Date of Patent: October 8, 2002Assignee: Mallinckrodt, Inc.Inventors: David B. Swedlow, Stephen L. Daleo, Thomas J. Yorkey, Edward M. Richards, Charles Porges, Charles Stuart, Daniel M. Nemits, Russell L. Delonzor
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Publication number: 20020137994Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the effects of noise on a system for measuring physiological parameters, such as, for example, a pulse oximeter. The method and apparatus of the invention take into account the physical limitations on various physiological parameters being monitored when weighting and averaging a series of measurements. Varying weights are assigned different measurements, measurements are rejected, and the averaging period is adjusted according to the reliability of the measurements. Similarly, calculated values derived from analyzing the measurements are also assigned varying weights and averaged over adjustable periods. More specifically, a general class of filters such as, for example, Kalman filters, is employed in processing the measurements and calculated values. The filters use mathematical models which describe how the physiological parameters change in time, and how these parameters relate to measurement in a noisy environment.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2002Publication date: September 26, 2002Applicant: Nellcor Incorporated, a Delaware corporationInventors: Clark R. Baker, Thomas J. Yorkey
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Patent number: 6411833Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the effects of noise on a system for measuring physiological parameters, such as, for example, a pulse oximeter. The method and apparatus of the invention take into account the physical limitations on various physiological parameters being monitored when weighting and averaging a series of measurements. Varying weights are assigned different measurements, measurements are rejected, and the averaging period is adjusted according to the reliability of the measurements. Similarly, calculated values derived from analyzing the measurements are also assigned varying weights and averaged over adjustable periods. More specifically, a general class of filters such as, for example, Kalman filters, is employed in processing the measurements and calculated values. The filters use mathematical models which describe how the physiological parameters change in time, and how these parameters relate to measurement in a noisy environment.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 1999Date of Patent: June 25, 2002Assignee: Nellcor Puritan Bennett IncorporatedInventors: Clark R. Baker, Jr., Thomas J. Yorkey
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Publication number: 20020045806Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the effects of noise on a system for measuring physiological parameters, such as, for example, a pulse oximeter. The method and apparatus of the invention take into account the physical limitations on various physiological parameters being monitored when weighting and averaging a series of measurements. Varying weights are assigned different measurements, measurements are rejected, and the averaging period is adjusted according to the reliability of the measurements. Similarly, calculated values derived from analyzing the measurements are also assigned varying weights and averaged over adjustable periods. More specifically, a general class of filters such as, for example, Kalman filters, is employed in processing the measurements and calculated values. The filters use mathematical models which describe how the physiological parameters change in time, and how these parameters relate to measurement in a noisy environment.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2001Publication date: April 18, 2002Inventors: Clark R. Baker, Thomas J. Yorkey
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Patent number: 6094592Abstract: A method for use in a system for determining a physiological parameter is described. The system has a sensor for transmitting electromagnetic energy of first and second wavelengths toward a tissue sample and detecting the electromagnetic energy after scattering of the electromagnetic energy by the tissue sample, thereby generating a first signal corresponding to the first wavelength and a second signal corresponding to the second wavelength. The first and second signals are transformed into the frequency domain, thereby generating third and fourth signals. A ratio signal is generated using the third and fourth signals. For each of a plurality of ratio values an associated sum is generated corresponding to the number of times the ratio signal coincides with the ratio value associated with the sum. Contributions to each sum are weighted in accordance with the third signal. A best ratio value is selected from the plurality of ratio values based on the sums associated therewith.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 1998Date of Patent: July 25, 2000Assignee: Nellcor Puritan Bennett, Inc.Inventors: Thomas J. Yorkey, Paul D. Mannheimer
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Patent number: 6083172Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the effects of noise on a system for measuring physiological parameters, such as, for example, a pulse oximeter. The method and apparatus of the invention take into account the physical limitations on various physiological parameters being monitored when weighting and averaging a series of measurements. Varying weights are assigned different measurements, measurements are rejected, and the averaging period is adjusted according to the reliability of the measurements. Similarly, calculated values derived from analyzing the measurements are also assigned varying weights and averaged over adjustable periods. More specifically, a general class of filters such as, for example, Kalman filters, is employed in processing the measurements and calculated values. The filters use mathematical models which describe how the physiological parameters change in time, and how these parameters relate to measurement in a noisy environment.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 1998Date of Patent: July 4, 2000Assignee: Nellcor Puritan Bennett IncorporatedInventors: Clark R. Baker, Jr., Thomas J. Yorkey
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Patent number: 5865736Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling alarms in medical diagnostic apparatus where an alarm is generated when a measured value for a physiological parameter passes a threshold. The method determines both the amount of time the measured value is past the threshold, and the amount by which the threshold is passed. The alarm is inhibited based upon a combination of (1) the amount of time and (2) how much past the threshold the measured value is. Preferably, the combination is an integral or some function of an integral.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 1997Date of Patent: February 2, 1999Assignee: Nellcor Puritan Bennett, Inc.Inventors: Clark R. Baker, Jr., Richard D. Moshier, Thomas J. Yorkey
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Patent number: 5853364Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the effects of noise on a system for measuring physiological parameters, such as, for example, a pulse oximeter. The method and apparatus of the invention take into account the physical limitations on various physiological parameters being monitored when weighting and averaging a series of measurements. Varying weights are assigned different measurements, measurements are rejected, and the averaging period is adjusted according to the reliability of the measurements. Similarly, calculated values derived from analyzing the measurements are also assigned varying weights and averaged over adjustable periods. More specifically, a general class of filters such as, for example, Kalman filters, is employed in processing the measurements and calculated values. The filters use mathematical models which describe how the physiological parameters change in time, and how these parameters relate to measurement in a noisy environment.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1996Date of Patent: December 29, 1998Assignee: Nellcor Puritan Bennett, Inc.Inventors: Clark R. Baker, Jr., Thomas J. Yorkey
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Patent number: 5645060Abstract: Motion compensation is based on analysis of intensity signals received by detectors, without separately measuring a motion signal, without providing feedback to cancel the motion signal and without attempting to mathematically eliminate the motion signal. Instead, the present invention mathematically recognizes the presence of the motion signal and recognizes a few key characteristics of the motion signal and makes corresponding assumptions. First, it is recognized that the motion/noise in each wavelength signal is proportional. Second, it is assumed that the blood pulse signal is not affected by motion.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 1995Date of Patent: July 8, 1997Assignee: Nellcor Puritan Bennett IncorporatedInventor: Thomas J. Yorkey