U.S. patent application number 14/547980 was filed with the patent office on 2015-03-19 for disposable sensor device and monitoring system.
This patent application is currently assigned to Edwards Lifesciences IPRM AG. The applicant listed for this patent is Edwards Lifesciences IPRM AG. Invention is credited to Matthias Fahle, Reinhold Knoll, Frederic Michard, Ulrich Pfeiffer, Tobias Thomamuller.
Application Number | 20150080750 14/547980 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39523481 |
Filed Date | 2015-03-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150080750 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Pfeiffer; Ulrich ; et
al. |
March 19, 2015 |
Disposable Sensor Device and Monitoring System
Abstract
The invention relates to a disposable sensor device (51) for
patient monitoring comprising a sensor (52) for providing an
electric quantity based on a quantity to be detected, a first
signal terminal (54) for providing a tap for the electric quantity,
a first supply terminal (53) for supplying the sensor with an
electrical supply quantity, a first connector for accommodating the
first signal terminal (54) and the first supply terminal (53), a
second signal terminal (56) for providing a further tap for the
electric quantity, and a second connector for accommodating at
least the second signal terminal (56). The invention further
relates to a disposable sensor device for patient monitoring
comprising a sensor (7) for providing an electric quantity based on
a quantity to be detected; a first signal terminal (22) for
providing a tap for the electric quantity; a first connector (A)
for accommodating the first signal terminal, wherein the first
connector (A) is provided with a trimming element (R2) which
simulates the influence of a selectively attachable first
monitoring device (1) on a measuring of the electric quantity,
wherein the trimming element (R2) is electrically effective
depending on a connector structure of a corresponding further
connector (B, C) to be coupled with the first connector (A).
Inventors: |
Pfeiffer; Ulrich; (Munchen,
DE) ; Knoll; Reinhold; (Neuburg a.lnn, DE) ;
Thomamuller; Tobias; (Bruckmuhl, DE) ; Michard;
Frederic; (Bievres, FR) ; Fahle; Matthias;
(Munich, DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Edwards Lifesciences IPRM AG |
Nyon |
|
CH |
|
|
Assignee: |
Edwards Lifesciences IPRM
AG
Nyon
CH
|
Family ID: |
39523481 |
Appl. No.: |
14/547980 |
Filed: |
November 19, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12529010 |
Apr 12, 2010 |
8920329 |
|
|
PCT/EP2008/001289 |
Feb 19, 2008 |
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14547980 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
600/485 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 2560/045 20130101;
A61B 2560/0214 20130101; A61B 5/002 20130101; A61B 2562/227
20130101; A61B 5/02141 20130101; A61B 5/0215 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
600/485 |
International
Class: |
A61B 5/021 20060101
A61B005/021 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 27, 2007 |
DE |
1020070095734 |
Claims
1. A disposable sensor device for patient monitoring comprising: a
sensor for providing an electric quantity based on a quantity to be
detected; a first signal terminal for providing a tap for the
electric quantity; a first supply terminal for supplying the sensor
with an electrical supply quantity; a first connector for
accommodating the first signal terminal and the first supply
terminal; a second signal terminal for providing a further tap for
the electric quantity; a second connector for accommodating at
least the second signal terminal.
2. A sensor device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor is
provided in a bridge circuit.
3. A sensor device according to claim 1, wherein the second
connector further includes a second supply terminal for tapping the
supply quantity provided via the first connector.
4. A monitoring system for patient monitoring comprising: a
disposable sensor device according to claim 1; and a first
monitoring device connectable to the first connector for tapping
the electric quantity via the first signal terminal and for
supplying the electrical supply quantity via the first supply
terminal.
5. A monitoring system according to claim 4 further comprising: a
second monitoring device connectable to the second connector for
tapping the electric quantity via the second signal terminal.
6. A monitoring system for patient monitoring comprising: a
disposable sensor device according to claim 3; a first monitoring
device connectable to the first connector for tapping the electric
quantity via the first signal terminal and for supplying the
electrical supply quantity via the first supply terminal; a second
monitoring device connectable to the second connector for tapping
the electric quantity via the second signal terminal; wherein the
second monitoring device is further adapted to tap the electrical
supply quantity supplied by the first monitoring device via the
second supply terminal; and wherein the second monitoring device
includes an excitation sensing circuit adapted to sense whether or
not an electrical supply quantity is applied on the second supply
terminal and to further supply an electrical supply quantity via
the second supply terminal to the disposable sensor device in case
no electrical supply quantity is sensed.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to disposable sensor devices
for patient monitoring such as an arterial blood pressure sensor
device, a pulse contour cardiac output device and the like. The
present invention is further related to monitoring systems for such
disposable sensor devices.
[0002] In patient monitoring there are situations wherein multiple
monitoring devices are needed which are dealing with the same
parameter. For example, there may be some need to receive the
respective signal by a bedside monitor and by a portable device in
parallel wherein both should be able to read the parameter of
interest. So far, each monitoring device, e.g. the bedside
monitoring device and the portable measurement device, uses a
separate sensor device. The multiple sensor devices may be closely
spaced to detect the same or at least similar results, as e.g.
described in US 2006/0009699.
[0003] Mostly, the sensor device needs some kind of excitation
voltage, i.e. a supply DC or AC voltage. Then, the sensor device
delivers a detector signal which depends on the excitation voltage
and the parameter which is to be analyzed in the monitoring
system.
[0004] To provide two sensor devices of the same kind for being
read out by two different monitoring devices leads to a bulky shape
on the sensor's side. Furthermore, the increased space volume may
cause a worse frequency response in case an AC excitation voltage
is used. Even if the two sensor devices are closely spaced they are
not located at the same heart level such that in case of pressure
sensor devices different arterial pressure values would be
obtained.
[0005] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide a disposable sensor device and a monitoring system which
allows to monitor a measured parameter of patient by two or more
monitoring devices thereby avoiding the drawbacks of the prior
art.
[0006] This object has been achieved by the disposable sensor
devices according to claims 1 and 7 and the monitoring systems
according to further independent claims.
[0007] Further embodiments of the present invention are indicated
in the depending subclaims.
[0008] According to one aspect a disposable sensor device for
patient monitoring is provided. The disposable sensor device
comprises a sensor for providing an electric quantity based on a
quantity to be detected, a first signal terminal for providing a
tap for the electric quantity, a first supply terminal for
supplying the sensor with an electrical supply quantity, and a
first connector for accommodating the first signal terminal and the
first supply terminal. A second signal terminal for providing a
further tap for the electric quantity and a second connector for
accommodating at least the second signal terminal are provided.
[0009] Furthermore, the sensor may be provided as a bridge circuit
or any other analogue electric measurement circuit. The bridge
circuit could be a Wheatstone full or half bridge e.g. with
resistors.
[0010] Moreover, the second connector further may include a second
supply terminal for tapping the supply quantity provided via the
first connector.
[0011] According to another aspect, a monitoring system for patient
monitoring is provided. The monitoring system comprises the above
disposable sensor device, a first monitoring device connectable to
the first connector for tapping the electric quantity via the first
signal terminal and for supplying the electrical supply quantity
via the first supply terminal.
[0012] A second monitoring device may be connectable to the second
connector for tapping the electric quantity via the second signal
terminal.
[0013] Furthermore, it may be provided a monitoring system
comprising the above disposable sensor device, a first monitoring
device connectable to the first connector for tapping the electric
quantity via the first signal terminal and for supplying the
electrical supply quantity via the first supply terminal, and a
second monitoring device connectable to the second connector for
tapping the electric quantity via the second signal terminal,
wherein the second monitoring device is further adapted to tap the
electrical supply quantity supplied by the first monitoring device
via the second supply terminal, wherein the second monitoring
device includes an excitation sensing circuit adapted to sense
whether or not an electrical supply quantity is applied on the
second supply terminal and to further supply an electrical supply
quantity via the second supply terminal to the disposable sensor
device in case no electrical supply quantity can be sensed.
[0014] According to a further aspect a disposable sensor device for
patient monitoring is provided. The sensor device comprises a
sensor for providing an electric quantity based on a quantity to be
detected, a first signal terminal for providing a tap for the
electric quantity, and a first connector for accommodating the
first signal terminal. The first connector is provided with a
trimming element which simulates the influence of a selectively
attachable first monitoring device on a measuring of the electric
quantity, wherein the trimming element is electrically effective
depending on a connector structure of a corresponding further
connector to be coupled with the first connector.
[0015] Moreover, the electric quantity may be applied between the
first and a second signal terminals of the first connector, wherein
the trimming element is applied between the first and a third
signal terminals of the first connector, wherein depending on the
connector structure of the corresponding further connector, either
the first and second signal terminals are tapped and the third
signal terminal remains untapped or the first and a shortcut second
and third signal terminals of the first connector are tapped.
[0016] Moreover, the sensor may comprise a Wheatstone-Bridge
circuit or any other analogue electric measurement circuit.
[0017] According to an embodiment the sensor has a pressure sensor
for measuring an arterial pressure of a patient.
[0018] A first excitation terminal may be provided in the first
connector to apply an excitation voltage to the sensor. The
excitation voltage may be applied between the first and a second
excitation terminals of the first connector, wherein a further
trimming element is applied between the first and a third
excitation terminal of the first connector, wherein depending on
the connector structure of the corresponding further connector,
either the first and second excitation terminals are connected with
an excitation voltage and the third excitation terminal remains
unconnected or the first and a shortcut second and third excitation
terminals are connected with the excitation voltage.
[0019] According to a further aspect a monitoring system for
patient monitoring is provided. The monitoring system comprises a
disposable sensor device as mentioned above and a first monitoring
device for tapping the electric quantity, having a second connector
to match with the first connector, wherein the second connector has
a connector structure depending on which the trimming element of
the first connector is electrically effective.
[0020] Furthermore, the electric quantity may be applied between
the first and a second signal terminal of the first connector,
wherein the trimming element is applied between the first and a
third signal terminals of the first connector, wherein the second
connector has a terminal contact to shortcut the second and third
signal terminals of the first connector in a plugged condition such
that the trimming element is electrically effective.
[0021] Moreover, an excitation voltage may be applied between first
and second excitation terminals of the first connector, wherein a
further trimming element is applied between the first and a third
excitation terminal of the first connector, wherein the second
connector has an excitation terminal contact which is adapted to
provide the excitation voltage from the first monitoring device and
to shortcut the second and third excitation terminal to both
connect them with the excitation voltage in a plugged
condition.
[0022] According to a further aspect a monitoring system for
patient monitoring is provided. The monitoring system comprises a
disposable sensor device as mentioned above, and a second
monitoring device for tapping the electric quantity, having a third
intermediate connector to match with the first connector, wherein
the third connector has a connector structure such that, when the
first and second connectors are in a plugged condition, the
trimming element of the first connector is electrically
ineffective.
[0023] The electric quantity may be applied between the first and a
second signal terminal of the first connector, wherein the trimming
element is applied between the first and a third signal terminal of
the first connector, wherein the third connector has a terminal
contact to only contact the second signal terminal but not the
third signal terminal of the first connector in the plugged
condition such that the trimming element is electrically
ineffective.
[0024] An excitation voltage may be further applicable between
first and second excitation terminals of the first connector,
wherein a further trimming element is applied between the first and
a third excitation terminal of the first connector, wherein the
third connector has an excitation terminal contact which is adapted
to provide the excitation voltage from the second monitoring device
and to only contact the second excitation terminal but not the
third excitation terminal of the first connector in the plugged
condition such that the further trimming element is electrically
ineffective.
[0025] According to a further aspect a monitoring system for
patient monitoring is provided. The monitoring system comprises a
disposable sensor device as mentioned above, a first monitoring
device for tapping the electric quantity, having a second connector
to match with the first connector, wherein the second connector has
a connector structure such that, when the first and second
connectors are in a plugged condition, the trimming element of the
first connector is electrically effective, and a second monitoring
device for tapping the electric quantity, having a third
intermediate connector having two outlets to respectively match
with the first and the second connector, wherein the second
connector has a connector structure such that, when the first and
second connectors are in a plugged condition, the trimming element
of the first connector is electrically ineffective, wherein the
third connector has a connector structure such that when the second
and third connectors are in a plugged condition, the second
monitoring device receives the electrical quantity passed through
the third connector.
[0026] Furthermore, the electric quantity may be applied between
the first and a second signal terminal of the first connector,
wherein the trimming element is applied between the first and a
third signal terminal of the first connector, wherein the second
connector has a terminal contact which is adapted to shortcut the
second and third signal terminals of the first connector in the
plugged condition of the first and second connectors such that the
trimming element is electrically effective, wherein the third
connector has a terminal contact which is adapted to only contact
the second signal terminal but not the third signal terminal of the
first connector in the plugged condition of the first and third
connector such that the trimming element is electrically
ineffective.
[0027] An excitation voltage may be applicable between first and
second excitation terminals of the first connector, wherein a
further trimming element is applied between the first and a third
excitation terminal of the first connector, wherein the second
connector has an excitation terminal contact which is adapted to
shortcut the second and third excitation terminals to both connect
them with the excitation voltage in a plugged condition, wherein
the third connector has an excitation terminal contact which is
adapted to only contact the second excitation terminal but not the
third excitation terminal of the first connector in the plugged
condition of the first and the third connector such that the
further trimming element is electrically ineffective, wherein the
third connector further has a connector structure such that when
the first, second and third connectors are in a plugged condition,
the second monitoring device is adapted to supply the excitation
voltage to the sensor via the third connector.
[0028] An excitation supply unit may be provided in the second
monitoring unit which is adapted to detect, when the first and
third connector are in the connected condition, an appliance of an
excitation voltage on the first and second excitation terminals of
the first connector, and in case that no excitation voltage is
applied on the first and second excitation terminals of the first
connector the excitation supply unit supplies an excitation voltage
via the third connector to the first connector otherwise the
excitation supply unit does not supply any excitation voltage.
[0029] Moreover, the second monitoring device may be adapted to
monitor the quantity to be detected for the case the trimming
element is electrically effective.
[0030] Preferred embodiments of the present invention are described
in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which
same reference signs indicated elements having the same or similar
functionality and in which:
[0031] FIG. 1 shows schematically a configuration of a monitoring
system according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0032] FIG. 2 shows schematically the electrical interconnections
between the bedside monitor and the disposable pressure
transducer;
[0033] FIG. 3 shows schematically a further configuration of a
monitoring system according to the embodiment of FIG. 1;
[0034] FIG. 4 shows schematically the electrical interconnections
between the bedside monitor, the portable measurement device, and
the disposable pressure transducer;
[0035] FIG. 5 schematically illustrates the terminals of the
transducer plug A;
[0036] FIG. 6 schematically illustrates the terminals of the
intermediate plug B;
[0037] FIG. 7 schematically illustrates the terminals of the BSM
plug C;
[0038] FIG. 8 shows the BSM plug c, the intermediate plug B and the
transducer plug A in a connected condition;
[0039] FIG. 9 shows the BSM plug C and the transducer plug A in a
connected condition; and
[0040] FIG. 10 shows a disposable sensor device and a monitoring
system according to a further embodiment.
[0041] In FIG. 1 a possible configuration of a monitoring system in
a first configuration is disclosed. The monitoring system includes
as a first monitoring device a bedside monitor (BSM) 1 for
receiving, storing and/or visualizing patient-related data of a
patient P. In the illustrated example, the bedside monitor 1 is
directly coupled with an arterial pressure module 2 which receives
a sensor signal from a disposable pressure transducer (DPT) 7 as a
sensor via a cable connection. The arterial pressure module 2
receives the sensor signals and provides a communication of
pressure information obtained with the sensor signal to the bedside
monitor 1.
[0042] An arterial catheter 9 is placed inside the patient P and is
coupled with a reservoir 11 via a respective tubing 5. The tubing 5
is configured to supply an infusion liquid from the reservoir 11 to
the patient's body. The tubing 5 is lead through an organizer plate
8 which is preferably located at mid-chest level of the patient. A
stop cock 17 for disconnecting the reservoir 11 from the catheter 9
is placed on the organizer plate 8. In proximity to the stop cock
17 at the mid-chest level a pressure transducer 7 as a sensor
device is placed at the tubing 5 to detect the pressure of the
infusion liquid within the tubing 5. The infusion liquid in the
tubing 5 transmits the blood pressure in the patient's arterial
vessels to the pressure transducer 7 at the organizer plate 8.
[0043] The cable connection between the bedside monitor 1 and the
pressure transducer 7 includes a connection cable 3 which is
connected or connectable to the bedside monitor 1 and which is
provided with a third connector C, further referenced as BSM plug
C. The pressure transducer 7 is provided with a pressure transducer
cable 6 and provided with a first connector A further referred to
as transducer plug A. Transducer plug A and BSM plug C can be
coupled to provide electrical connections between the bedside
monitor 1 and the pressure transducer 7.
[0044] In FIG. 2 it is schematically shown the electrical
interconnections between the bedside monitor 1 and the disposable
pressure transducer 7 as well as a structure of an exemplary
pressure transducer. In the given example, the disposable pressure
transducer 7 has a number of four pressure detecting elements 12
which are coupled to form a Wheatstone bridge as it is well-known
in the art, to increase detection sensitivity. The Wheatstone
bridge receives an excitation voltage via excitation lines E+, E-
which may be a DC voltage in case of resistive detecting elements
12 and which may be an AC voltage having a predefined oscillation
frequency and magnitude in case the detecting elements 12 are
capacitive or inductive detecting elements. From the output nodes
of the Wheatstone bridge sensor signals S+, S- are tapped via
signal lines by the bedside monitor 1. The sensor signals S+, S-
depend on the pressure to be detected according to the states of
the detecting elements 12 as well as on the excitation voltage.
Instead of pressure transducer any kind of sensors which provide a
detectable sensor signal can be applied with each embodiment of the
present invention.
[0045] In cases of a situation wherein in patient monitoring
multiple measurement devices are needed to e.g. detect the blood
pressure of the patient P the monitoring system proposes a way to
further use the pressure transducer 7 as the sensor device for a
portable measurement device 4 which is to be further connected with
the pressure transducer 7. FIG. 3 shows schematically a second
configuration of the monitoring system wherein the portable
measuring device 4 is connected with the pressure transducer 7.
[0046] The portable measurement device 4 is provided via a
measurement cable with an intermediate connector B further referred
to as intermediate plug B. The measurement cable includes as
described above excitation lines and signal lines to supply the
pressure transducer 7 and to receive the sensor signal from the
pressure transducer 7, respectively. The intermediate plug B is
adapted to couple the portable measurement device 4 with the cable
connection between the bedside monitor 1 and the pressure
transducer 7. The intermediate plug B is coupled in between the BSM
plug C and the transducer plug A.
[0047] FIG. 4 schematically shows the electrical coupling of the
pressure transducer 7 with both the bedside monitor 1 and the
portable measurement device 4. To avoid the case that both the
bedside monitor 1 and the portable measurement device 4 provides an
excitation voltage for the pressure transducer 7 preferably at
least the portable measurement device 4 can include a excitation
sensing circuit 16 which detects via the excitation lines whether
an excitation voltage is already supplied to the pressure
transducer 7 and if an excitation voltage is already supplied to
the pressure transducer 7 no excitation voltage is supplied by the
portable measurement device 4. Otherwise the portable measurement
device 4 supplies an excitation voltage to the pressure transducer
7 via excitation lines.
[0048] In general, each of the monitoring devices 1, 4 connected to
the pressure transducer 7 may be configured to deliver an
excitation voltage to the pressure transducer 7 if it is not
present. In this configuration all monitoring devices to be coupled
to the detector device could be built up equally and the monitoring
device which provides the excitation to the detector device is
defined on the fly.
[0049] As mentioned above, the pressure transducer 7 has to
function with both configurations either connected to a bedside
monitor 1 only or connected simultaneously to the bedside monitor 1
and the portable measuring device 4 in parallel.
[0050] The connection of the pressure transducer 7 to the bedside
monitor 1 may be mandatory. Then, the pressure transducer 7 gets
its excitation voltage from the bedside monitor 1. The portable
measurement device 4 detects the excitation voltage and measures
the sensor signal. However, the pressure reading on the bedside
monitor 1 may under no circumstances be influenced by a parallel
connection of the portable measurement device 4. As the portable
measurement device 4 includes an input resistance the sensor signal
is influenced by the input resistance of the sensing ports of the
portable measurement device 4 if the portable measurement device 4
is connected to the cable connection. By providing the pressure
transducer 7 with a Wheatstone bridge the sensitivity with regard
to input resistances of portable measurement device 4 and/or the
bedside monitor 1 are already substantially decreased. Furthermore,
according to the present embodiment the connectors, i.e. the
transducer plug A, the BSM plug C and the intermediate plug B of
the portable measurement device 4 are provided with a structure
which allows the bedside monitor 1 to detect the sensor signal from
the pressure transducer 7 under the same conditions either with the
portable measurement device 4 connected or not.
[0051] In FIG. 5 the terminals of the transducer plug A are
schematically shown. The terminals for the provision of the
excitation voltages to the pressure transducer 7 are referred to as
first and second excitation terminals 20 and 21, 25 respectively,
the signal terminals for reading the sensor signals from the
pressure transducer 7 are indicated as first and second signal
terminals 22 and 23, respectively. The transducer plug A includes a
first trimming resistance R1 and a second trimming resistance R2.
The first trimming resistant is coupled between the first
excitation terminal 20 and a third excitation voltage terminal 24.
The second trimming resistance R2 is coupled between the first
signal terminal 22 and a third signal terminal 25. The third
excitation terminal 24 and the third signal terminal 25 are open
that means they are not contacted in a non-contacting condition of
the transducer plug A. Furthermore, the second excitation terminal
21 and the third excitation terminal 24 as well as the second
signal terminal 23 and the third signal terminal 25 are fully
isolated from each other.
[0052] The first and the second trimming resistances R1, R2
(impedances) have respective values that simulate the resistances
(impedances) of the portable measurement device 4 if connected to
the BSM plug A. Therefore, the value of the first trimming
resistance R1 is selected to correspond to the internal resistance
between the excitation terminal contacts of the portable
measurement device 4. The value of the second trimming resistance
R2 is selected to correspond to the internal input resistance of
detection signal contacts of the portable measurement device 4 for
receiving the sensor signal.
[0053] In FIG. 6 the internal structure of the intermediate plug B
is shown. The intermediate plug B provides interconnection wiring
33 for each of the excitation voltages E+, E- and each of the
sensor signals S+, S- which are further branched to the portable
measurement device 4 such that the portable measurement device 4
can provide an excitation voltage, receive an excitation voltage
and may tap the sensor signal from the pressure transducer 7 via
the transducer plug A. For coupling with the transducer plug A, the
intermediate plug B has first contacts 34 of a first outlet 31. For
coupling with the BSM plug C, the intermediate plug B has second
contacts 35 of a second outlet 32. The first outlet 31 is
structurally adapted to be only connectable to the transducer plug
A wherein the second outlet 32 of the intermediate plug B is
structurally adapted to be only connectable with the BSM plug C.
Thereby, faulty interconnections between the devices can be
avoided.
[0054] FIG. 7 illustrates the structure of the BSM plug C. The
respective excitation lines E+, E- and sensor signal lines S+, S-
connected with the bedside monitor 1 are coupled to respective
contacts 41.
[0055] The BSM plug C can be connected with the second outlet 32 of
the intermediate plug B such that the interconnection wiring are in
contact with the respective excitation lines E+, E- and the signal
lines S+, S- of the BSM cable. The contacts 41 of the BSM plug C
can be provided as long contact pads which are able to
simultaneously contact, in a plugged condition with plug A, the
second and third excitation terminal 21, 24 as well as the second
and third signal terminals 23 and 25, 15 respectively.
[0056] As shown in FIG. 8, the BSM plug C, the intermediate plug B
and the transducer plug A are connected with each other. An
electrical interconnection of the excitation lines and signal lines
between the transducer plug A and the BSM plug C is provided by the
interconnection wiring 33 in the intermediate plug B. Furthermore
the intermediate plug B provides the electrical connection of the
interconnection wiring 33 with the portable measurement device 4
such that the portable measurement device 4 receives the excitation
voltage as well as the sensor signals provided by the pressure
transducer 7. When coupling the first outlet 31 of the intermediate
plug B to the transducer plug A the first contacts 34 of the
intermediate plug B do only connect the first and second excitation
terminals 20, 21 and the first and second signal 30 terminals 22,
23 of the transducer plug A, respectively. The third excitation
terminal 24 and the third signal terminal 25 are not electrically
contacted. One reason therefore is that between the first and
second excitation terminals 20 and 21 of the transducer plug A a
value of the first trimming resistance R1 is provided as the input
resistance of the portable measurement device 4. Therefore the
first trimming resistance R1 should not be electrically effective
within the transducer plug A. The same is for the second trimming
resistor R2 which also is electrically ineffective as the portable
measurement device 4 is in electrical connection with the first and
second signal terminals 22 and 23. To summarize, the trimming
resistors (impedances) R1, R2 provided within the transducer plug A
are made electrically ineffective as they are not necessary to
simulate the internal resistances of the portable measurement
device 4 as it is already connected.
[0057] However, as shown in the configuration of FIG. 9 the BSM
plug C is configured to be also connected with the transducer plug
A. In such a configuration contacts of the BSM plug C contacts the
second excitation voltage terminal 21 and the second signal
terminal 23 in the manner described with regard to the connection
with the intermediate plug B. However, the BSM plug C further
provides an interconnection (shortcut) between the second
excitation terminal 21 and the third excitation voltage terminal 24
as well as between the second signal terminal 23 and the third
signal terminal 25. The shortcut make the first and second trimming
resistors R1 and R2 electrically effective such that between the
first and second excitation terminals 20, 21 as well as it been the
first and second signal terminals 22 and 23 the trimming
resistances (impedances) R1, R2 are applied which simulate the
state of a connection of the portable measurement device 4 although
it is not connected to the monitoring system in this configuration.
As there is no portable measurement device 4 connected the trimming
resistors R1, R2 are electrically effective.
[0058] The plugs A, B, C can be provided with terminals and
contacts configured as simple contact pads, pins and the like which
can be contacted with corresponding terminals and contacts which
may be adapted like flexible contact beams, spring-like contacts
and the like.
[0059] In general, features for connectors A, B, and C should
fulfill following requirements: [0060] the transducer connector can
be connected either with a first outlet of the intermediate
connector B or with an monitoring device connector each for
connecting the detector device with a respective monitoring device;
[0061] a second outlet of the intermediate connector is only
connectable with a monitoring device connector but not with the
transducer connector; [0062] in case the transducer connector is
directly connected with a monitoring device connector, trimming
resistances are made electrically effective and coupled with at
least one of excitation terminals and signal terminals of the
transducer connector; [0063] in case the intermediate connector is
connected with the transducer connector the trimming resistances
R1, R2 are not made electrically effective.
[0064] The embodiments of the present invention provide at least
one or more of the following advantages: [0065] an arterial blood
pressure waveform can be measured by two or more monitoring devices
in parallel using only one sensor [0066] known disadvantages of
curve-damping by using two sensors which would result in a larger
dead space within one pressure sensor are ruled out; [0067] the
pressure of exactly the same heart level can be recorded by two
monitoring devices; [0068] the pressure transducer can be trimmed
to correct impedance conditions independently from whether it is
connected to the bedside monitor alone or to both the bedside
monitor and the portable measurement device in parallel; [0069] the
pressure transducer is only provided with one transducer plug which
only has one outlet so safety requirements during defibrillation
are fulfilled. In other words no open connection exists.
[0070] The principle of the present invention can be used for any
passive analogue sensor like e.g. a thermostat for temperature
measurement, a conductivity sensor or an electrical impedance
sensor as long the additional measurement device has an adapted
interface and its inner resistance (impedance) is known as
constant.
[0071] Further to the embodiment of the monitoring system of FIGS.
1 and 3 the pressure transducer 7 can also be applied close to the
catheter 9. Moreover, further connectors can be provided within the
connection cables of all monitoring devices and the sensor
device.
[0072] In the above-mentioned embodiment preferably both the
bedside monitor 1 and the portable measurement device 4 are
provided with a source for an excitation voltage. Both devices may
be provided with excitation sensing circuits to decouple the
excitation voltage if an excitation voltage is already present on
the excitation lines in the cable connection between the respective
measurement device and the pressure transducer 7. However, as
portable measurement devices usually are battery powered it is
preferred that the portable measurement device is the device which
decouples the excitation voltage from the transducer in case the
bedside monitor 1 may provide the excitation voltage. In other
words, it can be provided that the provision of the excitation
voltage by the bedside monitor 1 has priority to the provision of
the excitation voltage by the portable measurement device 4.
[0073] Another embodiment is shown in FIG. 10, wherein another
structure of a disposable sensor device in a monitoring system is
depicted. The monitoring system 50 of FIG. 10 includes a disposable
sensor device 51 having a transducer 52 and a connector 55 having a
first connector port to accommodate two first signal terminals 54
and two first supply terminals 53 as known from the embodiments
described above. Preferably, the transducer 52 and the connector 55
may be integrally formed, however, they can also be connected
together via a suitable cable. The circuitry of the transducer 52
(e.g. Wheatstone Bridge) may be similar or the same as of the above
embodiments. Instead of a Wheatstone bridge a simple voltage
divider comprising a series connection of two pressure sensors or
of one pressure sensor and one or more resistors. A tap between the
pressure sensors or between the pressure sensor and the resistors
provides a single sensor signal based on the detected pressure.
[0074] The connector 55 is further provided with a second connector
port accommodating second signal terminals 56 and, as an optional
feature, second supply terminals 57, wherein each of the first
supply terminals 53 is electrically interconnected with a
respective second supply terminal 57 (if existing) and each of the
first signal terminals 54 is electrically interconnected with a
respective second signal terminal 56.
[0075] To the first connector port a first plug 63 may be connected
to electrically connect a first monitoring device 60 to the
disposable sensor device 51 via the first supply lines 61 and the
first signal lines 62. Normally, the first monitoring device 60
provides an excitation voltage via the first supply lines to the
disposable sensor device 51. The excitation voltage can be set as
already explained with respect to the above embodiments.
[0076] The first monitoring device 60 receives a sensor signal via
the first signal lines 62 from the disposable sensor device 51 to
detect the quantity to be measured, such as the blood pressure of
the patient, as already described above.
[0077] To the second connector port a second plug 73 may be
connected to connect a second monitoring device 70 to the
disposable sensor device 51 via the second supply lines 71 and the
second signal lines 72. The second monitoring device 70 preferably
merely receives a sensor signal via the second 20 signal lines 62
from the disposable sensor device 51 to detect the quantity to be
measured, but without supplying any supply to the disposable
pressure device. In that case no supply lines need to be provided
between the second plug 73 and the second monitoring device 70.
Thereby, the second monitoring device 70 can be provided without a
supply source for driving the sensor device 51 and the design
effort for the second monitoring device 70 can be reduced.
[0078] According to another embodiment, the second monitoring
device 70 may be provided with an excitation sensing circuit 74
which can be connected via second supply lines with the second
supply terminals in the connector 55 of the disposable sensor
device 51. The excitation sensing circuit 74 is adapted to detect
whether or not an excitation is provided from the first monitoring
device 60 via the first supply terminals 53 and supplies an
excitation voltage by its own in case no excitation voltage can be
detected via the second supply lines 71.
[0079] In case the transducer merely includes a voltage divider or
another circuit instead of a Wheatstone bridge only one or more
than two first and second signal lines 62, 72 as well as 10 the
respective connectors may be provided.
REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0080] 1 Bedside monitor
[0081] 2 Arterial pressure module
[0082] 3 Cable
[0083] 4 Portable measurement device
[0084] 5 Tubing
[0085] 6 Pressure transducer cable
[0086] 7 Pressure transducer
[0087] 8 Organizer plate
[0088] 9 Catheter
[0089] 11 Reservoir
[0090] 12 Pressure detecting elements
[0091] 16 Excitation sensing circuit
[0092] 17 Stop cock
[0093] 20 First excitation terminals
[0094] 21 Second excitation terminals
[0095] 22 First detection signal
[0096] 23 Second detection signal
[0097] 24 Third excitation terminals
[0098] 25 Third detection signal
[0099] 31 First outlet
[0100] 32 Second outlet
[0101] 33 Interconnection wiring
[0102] 34 First contacts
[0103] 35 Second contacts
[0104] 41 Contacts
[0105] 51 Disposable sensor device
[0106] 52 Sensor
[0107] 53 First supply terminal
[0108] 54 First signal terminal
[0109] 55 Connector
[0110] 56 Second signal terminal
[0111] 57 Second supply terminal
[0112] 60 First monitoring device
[0113] 61 First supply lines
[0114] 62 First signal lines
[0115] 63 First plug
[0116] 70 Second monitoring device
[0117] 71 First supply lines
[0118] 72 First signal lines
[0119] 73 Second plug
[0120] 74 Excitation detection circuit
* * * * *