Multipurpose Sensor Port
A sensor port is adapted to connect to either a sensor or a data source. A reader is configured to identify which of the sensor and the data source is connected to the sensor port. A data path is configured to communicate an analog signal associated with the sensor and digital data associated with the data source to a signal processor according to the identification made by the reader.
This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10/898,680, entitled “Multipurpose Sensor Port,” filed Jul. 23, 2004, and application Ser. No. 10/898,680 claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/490,091 filed Jul. 25, 2003, entitled “Multipurpose Sensor Port.” The present application incorporates the disclosure of both of the foregoing applications herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONA pulse oximeter is a physiological instrument that provides noninvasive measurements of arterial oxygen saturation along with pulse rate. To make these measurements, a pulse oximeter performs a spectral analysis of the pulsatile component of arterial blood so as to determine the relative concentration of oxygenated hemoglobin, the major oxygen carrying constituent of blood. Pulse oximeters provide early detection of decreases in the arterial oxygen supply, reducing the risk of accidental death and injury. As a result, these instruments have gained rapid acceptance in a wide variety of medical applications, including surgical wards, intensive care units, general wards and home care.
As shown in
Further shown in
Additionally shown in
To update the firmware in a pulse oximeter, particularly firmware on an OEM PCB integrated into a host instrument, requires a circuitous path using multiple protocols and multiple processors developed by different companies. Some of the protocols and processor interfaces are non-standard, requiring custom programming for different instruments. This is particularly problematic when the instruments are part of an installed base at various medical facilities. Further, some pulse oximeter products, such as handheld products, may not have a communications port for connecting to an external computer, and firmware upgrades would typically require returning the instrument to the factory.
Every pulse oximeter has a sensor port, which provides access to a DSP via one or more signal paths. Therefore, it is desirable to utilize a sensor port for downloading pulse oximetry firmware to the DSP. It is also desirable to provide this sensor port capability in existing instruments without hardware modification. Utilizing a sensor port in this manner would alleviate an instrument manufacturer from having to provide download communication capability between a host processor and an OEM PCB and would allow easy field upgrades of all instruments, including handhelds.
One aspect of a multipurpose sensor port is a physiological measurement method comprising a sensor port adapted to connect with an analog sensor, and a digital data source connected to the sensor port. An identifier associated with said data source is read, where the identifier is indicative that the data source is connected to the sensor port in lieu of the analog sensor. Digital data is then received over the sensor port. In one embodiment, the digital data is compiled in a signal processor. Where the digital data are instructions executable by the signal processor, the data may then be written from the signal processor into a firmware memory. The instructions may be uploaded to a PC, which is attached to a PC interface that is attached to the sensor port. Alternatively, the instructions are stored into a nonvolatile memory that is in communications with the sensor port. In another embodiment, the digital data is processed as a physiological signal.
Another aspect of a multipurpose sensor port is a physiological measurement system having a sensor port adapted to connect to a sensor and a data source. A reader is configured to identify which of the sensor and the data source is connected to the sensor port. A data path is configured to communicate an analog signal associated with the sensor and digital data associated with the data source to a signal processor according to the reader. In one embodiment, a firmware memory is configured to provide instructions to the signal processor. The signal processor is programmed to download the instructions from the data source and store the instructions in the memory. The instructions are executable by the signal processor so as to extract a physiological measurement from the analog signal. The data source may be a PC interfaced to the sensor port, where the instructions are uploaded to the PC. Alternatively, the data source is a nonvolatile memory adapted to communicate with the sensor port, where the instructions being stored in a nonvolatile memory.
In another embodiment, a first physiological measurement is derivable by the signal processor from the analog signal, and a second physiological measurement is derivable by the signal processor from the digital data. In yet another embodiment, a drive path is configured to communicate stored data associated with a physiological measurement to a digital device connected to the sensor port. The stored data may be trend data and/or log data maintained in memory that can be accessed by the signal processor. In a further embodiment, a drive path is configured to communicate acknowledgement data in conjunction with the communication of the digital data.
Yet another aspect of a multipurpose sensor port is a physiological measurement method where a drive path is provided that is adapted to activate emitters so as to transmit optical radiation through a fleshy medium having flowing blood. A signal path is provided that is adapted to communicate a detector response to the optical radiation after attenuation by the fleshy medium, where the response is indicative of optical characteristics of the flowing blood. Output digital data is transmitted over at least a portion of the drive path. In one embodiment, the output digital data is read from a memory having trend data and/or log data. In another embodiment, input digital data is received over at least a portion of the signal path, and receipt of that input digital data is acknowledged with the output digital data. In a particular embodiment, the input digital data is stored for use as signal processing instructions.
As shown in
Also shown in
Further shown in
Additionally shown in
As shown in
Also shown in
A multipurpose sensor port has been disclosed in detail in connection with various embodiments. These embodiments are disclosed by way of examples only and are not to limit the scope of the claims that follow. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate many variations and modifications.
Claims
1. A device configured to allow digital communication between a sensor port of a patient monitor and a digital data source external to the patient monitor, the device communicating over conductors at times tasked with communicating analog drive signals to a sensor and conductors at times tasked with communicating analog signals to the patient monitor indicative of light detected by said sensor that has been attenuated by body tissue, said device comprising a sensor port interface configured to provide mechanical and signal level compliance between said sensor port and said digital data source, said sensor port digitally communicating through said sensor port interface with said digital data source, said sensor port communicating said analog signals with said sensor and wherein only one of said sensor or said sensor port interface can be connected with said sensor port at a time.
2. The device of claim 1 wherein the interface communicates digital upgrade firmware data to the sensor port.
3. The device of claim 1 wherein the digital data source comprises a PC and wherein the sensor port interface provides signal level, mechanical, and communication protocol compliance to the output of the PC.
4. The device of claim 3 wherein the PC transmits upgrade firmware to the digital data interface, and wherein the interface translates the upgrade firmware from a standard PC output signal into a sensor port input signal and communicates the sensor input signal to the sensor port.
5. The device of claim 1 wherein the digital data source comprises a second physiological sensor and wherein the sensor port interface communicates drive signals to the second physiological sensor and wherein the physiological sensor generates digital data and transmits the digital data through the sensor port interface to the sensor port of the physiological measurement system.
6. The device of claim 1 wherein the digital data source comprises a wireless data service.
7. The device of claim 1 wherein the digital data source employs a network standard in its communication.
8. A method of adapting a communication bridge, said bridge between a patient monitoring device and a physiological sensor the device uses to acquire signals responsive to physiological parameters of a patient to allow the device to determine measurement values for said physiological parameters, said bridge accommodating communication between said device and a digital data source, the method comprising:
- providing an interface mechanically and electrically connectable to a sensor port of the patient monitoring device, the interface configured to communicate with the digital data source, wherein the sensor port is also configured mechanically and electrically connect to a physiological sensor including emitters and one or more detectors adapted to detect light from said emitters after attenuation by tissue at a tissue site of said patient, said detected light responsive to said parameters of said patient; and
- transmitting digital data between the digital data source through the interface and to at least some conductors associated with the sensor port wherein the at least some conductors associated with the sensor port are also used to communicate analog signals to the physiological sensor and wherein only one of said sensor or said digital data source can be connected with said sensor port at a time.
9. The method of claim 8 wherein the digital data further comprises upgrade firmware for upgrading the firmware of the physiological monitor.
10. The method of claim 9 wherein the digital data source comprises non-volatile memory storing said upgrade firmware.
11. The method of claim 9 wherein the digital data source comprises a PC storing said upgrade firmware.
12. The method of claim 8 wherein the digital data further comprises measurement data from said physiological monitor.
13. The method of claim 12 wherein the digital data source comprises non-volatile memory storing said measurement data.
14. The method of claim 12 wherein the digital data source comprises a display.
15. The method of claim 12 wherein the display displays indicia responsive to said measurement.
16. The method of claim 8 wherein the digital data source comprises a PC and wherein the interface provides signal level, mechanical, and communication protocol compliance to the output of the PC.
17. The method of claim 8 wherein the digital data source comprises a second physiological sensor and wherein a drive signal is communicated from the at least some conductors associated with the sensor port, through the interface, to the physiological sensor and wherein the physiological sensor generates raw digital data which is communicated through the interface to the sensor port of the physiological monitor.
18. The method of claim 8 wherein the digital data source is comprises wireless data service.
19. A communication bridge adapted to communicate between an analog sensor and a physiological measurement device and also adapted to communicate between a digital data source and a physiological measurement device, said bridge comprising:
- means for at one time communicating digital data between a digital data source and a sensor port of a physiological measurement system; and
- means for communicating at another time between the sensor port of a physiological measurement system an analog physiological sensor including emitters and detector adapted to detect light from said emitters after attenuation by tissue at a tissue site of said patient.
20. The device of claim 19 wherein the digital data further comprises upgrade firmware.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 9, 2009
Publication Date: Sep 17, 2009
Inventors: Ammar Al-Ali (Tustin, CA), Robert A. Smith (Lake Forest, CA), Rex J. McCarthy (Mission Viejo, CA)
Application Number: 12/400,683
International Classification: A61B 5/1455 (20060101);