U.S. patent application number 16/557864 was filed with the patent office on 2019-12-19 for patient monitoring system with gatekeeper signal.
The applicant listed for this patent is ICU Medical, Inc.. Invention is credited to Lina Derderian, Timothy John Hughes.
Application Number | 20190380595 16/557864 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54009555 |
Filed Date | 2019-12-19 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190380595 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hughes; Timothy John ; et
al. |
December 19, 2019 |
PATIENT MONITORING SYSTEM WITH GATEKEEPER SIGNAL
Abstract
A gatekeeper electronic signal can be generated by a patient
sensor and/or in an intermediate device, such as an electrical
cable, that is separate from a patient's physiological information
electronic signal. The gatekeeper signal can be generated to
indicate to a computer monitor that the sensor and/or cable is of
the type that is compatible with, and/or usable with, such computer
monitor, and/or that the sensor and/or cable is properly attached
to the computer monitor. The gatekeeper signal can be created by an
ambient temperature sensor on, or in electrical communication with,
the patient monitor, and/or the gatekeeper signal can be created by
a gatekeeper electronic signal generator to simulate an ambient
temperature value. The gatekeeper signal can be separate from an
electronic signal or plurality of signals that include patient
physiological information, and the gatekeeper signal may not
include any patient physiological information.
Inventors: |
Hughes; Timothy John; (Palo
Alto, CA) ; Derderian; Lina; (Trabuco Canyon,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
ICU Medical, Inc. |
San Clemente |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
54009555 |
Appl. No.: |
16/557864 |
Filed: |
August 30, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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15118834 |
Aug 12, 2016 |
10405757 |
|
|
PCT/US2015/017377 |
Feb 24, 2015 |
|
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16557864 |
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61944408 |
Feb 25, 2014 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 2560/0252 20130101;
A61B 5/0215 20130101; A61B 2562/225 20130101; A61B 2562/227
20130101; A61B 2560/0266 20130101; A61B 2560/0276 20130101; A61M
2025/0003 20130101; A61B 2562/226 20130101; A61B 5/02141 20130101;
A61B 2017/0023 20130101; A61B 2560/0285 20130101; A61B 2560/0443
20130101; A61B 2560/028 20130101; A61B 2562/08 20130101; A61B
2562/222 20130101; A61B 2505/03 20130101; A61B 2560/0271
20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61B 5/0215 20060101
A61B005/0215; A61B 5/021 20060101 A61B005/021 |
Claims
1. A method of enabling cardiac monitoring comprising: providing to
a user a disposable cardiac-monitoring device comprising at least
one pressure sensor configured to be in fluid communication with a
patient's blood vessel to sense a pressure wave in the patient's
blood vessel, and configured to be in electrical communication with
a computer processor to transmit at least one physiologically
derived electrical signal to the computer processor that indicates
a cardiac parameter of a patient, and configured to generate a
verification signal that indicates or simulates an ambient
temperature at the disposable cardiac-monitoring device outside of
the fluid region, the verification signal not being required to
calibrate or otherwise modify the physiologically derived
electrical signal; instructing a user to attach the disposable
cardiac-monitoring device so as to be in fluid communication with
the patient's blood vessel; and instructing a user to attach the
disposable cardiac-monitoring device so as to be in electrical
communication with the computer processor.
2. A method of enabling cardiac monitoring of a patient comprising:
obtaining a disposable cardiac-monitoring device; attaching the
cardiac-monitoring device so as to be in fluid communication with a
patient's vasculature; and attaching the cardiac-monitoring device
so as to be in electrical communication with a computer processor,
thereby permitting the cardiac-monitoring device to sense a
pressure wave in the patient's vasculature and transmit a
pressure-wave signal to the computer processor and permitting the
cardiac-monitoring device to create a second signal that indicates
or simulates a temperature at the cardiac monitoring device outside
of a region of the cardiac-monitoring device that contains
fluid.
3. A gatekeeper signal-generating device configured to be
attachable so as to be in electrical communication with a medical
computer processor and a disposable patient pressure sensor having
a liquid-receiving region configured to receive liquid during use,
the gatekeeper signal-generating device comprising: a signal
generator configured to send a gatekeeper electrical signal to the
medical computer processor that indicates or simulates an ambient
temperature, outside of the liquid-receiving region, the gatekeeper
electrical signal being isolated from and not configured to be used
to modify or calibrate any patient-information signal; a first
electrical connector configured to attach the gatekeeper
signal-generating device to the medical computer processor; and a
second electrical connector configured to attach the gatekeeper
signal-generating device to the disposable patient pressure
sensor.
4. The combination of the gatekeeper signal-generating device of
claim 3 and the medical computer processor.
5. The combination of the gatekeeper signal-generating device of
claim 3 and the disposable patient pressure sensor.
6. The gatekeeper signal-generating device of claim 3 in electrical
communication with an electrical cable.
7. The gatekeeper signal-generating device of claim 6 embedded in
an electrical cable.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser.
No. 15/118,834, filed on Aug. 12, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No.
10,405,757, which is the national phase of International
Application No. PCT/US2015/017377, which claims the benefit of
priority of U.S. Provisional No. 61/944,408, filed on Feb. 25,
2014, and entitled, "Patient Monitoring System with Gatekeeper
Signal," the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by
reference herein and made part of this specification for all that
it discloses.
BACKGROUND
Field
[0002] Certain embodiments disclosed herein relate generally to
monitoring physiological parameters of a patient, and specifically
to verifying that a proper sensor is in communication with a
physiological monitoring system.
Description of the Related Art
[0003] In many healthcare settings, especially in the care of
seriously afflicted cardiac patients, it is desirable or necessary
for a healthcare practitioner to be able to obtain generally
continuous information about a patient's physiology, such as a
patient's cardiac performance or a patient's blood characteristics.
Electronic physiological monitoring systems can include a tubular
catheter inserted into a patient's blood vessel, a sensor in fluid
communication with the catheter, and a computer monitor in
electrical communication with the sensor. The computer monitor is
typically positioned at or near a patient's bedside and typically
includes a computer processor and a display of data regarding the
patient's cardiac performance.
[0004] The sensor may be a disposable component, used in treating a
particular patient and then discarded and replaced with a new
sensor. A variety of different types of sensors are made by
different sources and purchased by healthcare facilities for
different physiological monitoring systems. Several of these
different types of sensors may be available in a particular
healthcare setting. In addition, some sensors may be connected to
the monitoring systems by one or more intermediate devices, such as
one or more cables, that may be disposable or non-disposable. Some
sensors and/or intermediate cables may not be validated for, or
compatible with, or safe for use with, a particular physiological
monitoring system. Such sensors and/or cables, if somehow connected
to or placed in electrical communication with a particular
physiological monitoring system, might cause damage to the
monitoring system or yield false readings about a patient's current
physiological condition. Moreover, even if a proper sensor and/or
cable is intended to be used, but the electrical connection between
the sensor and/or cable and the computer monitor is not properly
connected, such as if the electrical connector is not fully
inserted or includes a bent or damaged electrical contact, then an
incomplete or faulty data signal may be transmitted from the sensor
to the computer monitor.
SUMMARY
[0005] In some embodiments, a gatekeeper electronic signal can be
generated remote from the patient monitor. In some embodiments, the
gatekeeper electronic signal can be generated by a patient sensor
and/or in an intermediate device, such as an electrical cable, that
is separate from a patient's physiological information electronic
signal. The gatekeeper signal can be generated to indicate to a
computer monitor that the sensor and/or cable is of the type that
is compatible with, and/or usable with, such computer monitor,
and/or that the sensor and/or cable is properly attached to the
computer monitor. In some embodiments, the gatekeeper signal can be
created by an ambient temperature sensor on, or in electrical
communication with, the patient monitor, and/or the gatekeeper
signal can be created by a gatekeeper electronic signal generator
to simulate an ambient temperature value. The gatekeeper signal can
be separate from an electronic signal or plurality of signals that
include patient physiological information, and the gatekeeper
signal may not include any patient physiological information. In
some embodiments, the gatekeeper signal is not configured to be
used to process or evaluate any electronic signals to obtain or
analyze patient physiological information.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a critical-care patient
monitoring system;
[0007] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a schematic representation
of a patient sensor that is configured to generate a gatekeeper
electrical signal;
[0008] FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a patient sensor with an
ambient temperature sensor; and
[0009] FIG. 4 illustrates an example of an algorithm or subroutine
in a computer monitor for monitoring, evaluating, and/or responding
to a gatekeeper electrical signal.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0010] As illustrated in the example of FIG. 1, in some
embodiments, a critical-care patient monitoring system 100 can
include a computer monitor 110 placed in electrical communication
with a patient sensor 120, such as a cardiac-monitoring sensor
and/or a blood parameter sensor, which in turn is placed in fluid
communication with a blood vessel of a patient 130, such as by way
of a catheter 150. Though shown as an integrated unit, the computer
monitor 110 may include one or more separable components; for
example, the visual display, with or without embedded processing
capabilities, may be releasably attached to the base computer
monitor. As a patient's heart beats, a pressure wave is transmitted
through the patient's interconnected system of blood vessels (veins
and arteries). The pressure wave provides information about the
patient's cardiac performance, which can be electrically
transmitted from the patient sensor 120 to the computer monitor
110, such as by way of a wired connection 160 or a wireless
connection. The information about the patient's cardiac performance
can be derived or calculated through a mathematical analysis
performed by the computer monitor 110 of the shape of the pressure
wave, and/or the ways in which the pressure wave changes over time,
etc. As shown, the patient sensor 120 can be positioned on a
suitable holding structure 140, such as a pole stand or other
holder, and the patient sensor can be in fluid communication with a
liquid source 170.
[0011] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, in some embodiments, a patient
sensor 120 such as a cardiac monitoring sensor can comprise a
transducer 180 that is configured to transform mechanical motion
into electrical energy, such as a pressure sensor that produces an
electrical signal that changes over time in response to changes in
fluid pressure. The patient sensor 120 can comprise a
fluid-receiving region 190, such as a fluid channel, that is in
communication with the transducer. The fluid channel can form part
of, or be attached to, or otherwise be positioned in fluid
communication with, the medical catheter 150 or other tubing or
device in fluid communication with a patient's vessel. In some
embodiments, the fluid-receiving region 190 is a liquid-receiving
region that is configured to receive one or more liquids such as
blood, water, saline, or another medical fluid. A distal end of the
medical catheter can be inserted into a patient's blood vessel, in
contact with the patient's blood, in a conventional manner.
[0012] The medical catheter 150 can contain a column of
biocompatible fluid, such as saline and/or blood, that interfaces
with the blood flowing inside of a patient's blood vessel (e.g., a
vein or an artery). The column of fluid can be provided by a liquid
source 170, such as an IV bag, that is pressurized or that is
gravity-fed into the patient sensor 120, which can be disposed in
fluid communication with the patient sensor 120 by way of one or
more fluid connectors 195. A suitable valve, such as a stopcock 200
can provide a controllable connection between the liquid source 170
and the patient sensor 120. The stopcock 200 can permit fluid to
flow from the liquid source 170, to the fluid-sensing region 190,
and/or to or from a side port 205. As the pressure wave from the
patient's beating heart is transmitted through the patient's blood
vessel, the wave is communicated through fluid interaction with the
blood into the column of fluid inside the medical catheter 150, and
then to the fluid channel 190 at or near the transducer, where the
fluid pressure wave can be converted into a cardiac monitoring
electrical signal and transmitted by an electrical wire 160 or
wirelessly to the computer monitor 110. The computer monitor 110
can be programmed to analyze the cardiac monitoring electrical
signal to provide physiological information about the patient, such
as cardiac performance information (e.g., pulse rate, blood
pressure such as systolic pressure and/or diastolic pressure,
and/or cardiac output, etc.).
[0013] In addition to, or instead of, providing cardiac performance
information, a blood parameter sensor can be provided with a
medical catheter configured to convey information about one or more
blood parameters, such as one or more of: a blood gas level (e.g.,
oxygen and/or carbon dioxide, etc.), a pH level, a hemoglobin
level, a hematocrit level, a glucose level, and/or a blood
temperature, etc. In some embodiments, one or more blood parameters
can be determined by measuring characteristics of light waves that
are transmitted into and/or reflected from the blood or another
substance in communication with the blood, such as through a system
of one or more fiber optic light-transmitting and/or
light-receiving cables. In some embodiments, one or more blood
parameters can be determined by placing one or more sensors in
close communication with the blood, such as a temperature-sensing
thermistor suspended in the blood or positioned near the blood.
[0014] The patient sensor 120, whether a cardiac-monitoring sensor
and/or a blood-parameter sensor, or some other form of patient
sensor, can be structured, positioned, and/or oriented in a variety
of different ways. The patient sensor 120 can comprise a
patient-information electrical signal generator 210. In some
embodiments, a physiological sensing device such as a cardiac
monitoring sensor and/or a blood parameter sensor can form part of
the patient-information electrical signal generator or can be in
electrical communication with the patient-information electrical
signal generator.
[0015] In some embodiments, the patient sensor 120 comprises a
housing 230 with one or more transducers 180 or receivers
positioned on or in or near the housing 120, in combination with a
medical catheter 150 and one or more electrical wires 160 and/or
one or more electrical connectors 240. The patient sensor 120,
including the physiological sensing device or transducer 180, the
patient-information electrical signal generator 210, the gatekeeper
electrical signal generator 250, the medical catheter 150, the
electrical wires 160, and/or the electrical connectors 240, can be
a disposable unit. A patient-information electrical signal can be
produced by the patient-information electrical signal generator of
the patient sensor from the patient information or data obtained by
one or more sensors regarding the physiological characteristics,
conditions, or status of a patient. The patient's physiological
information can be conveyed to or toward the computer monitor 110
of the critical-care patient monitoring system 100 by way of a
patient-information electrical signal through the one or more
electrical wires 160, 260 and/or one or more electrical connectors
240. In some embodiments, the patient's physiological information
can be conveyed to or toward the computer monitor 110 of the
critical-care patient monitoring system 100 by way of a
patient-information electrical signal that is transmitted
wirelessly.
[0016] In some embodiments, a non-disposable electrical cable 260
can be used to convey the patient-information electrical signal and
the gatekeeper electrical signal from the electrical wires 160 in
the patient sensor 120 to the computer monitor 110. In some
embodiments, a gatekeeper signal-generating device 250 can be in
electrical communication with such a cable or another intermediate
device, or can be integrated into or embedded in such a cable or
another intermediate device, instead of or in addition to being in
electrical communication with or integrated into or embedded in a
disposable patient sensor 120. In some healthcare settings, the
distance between the transducer portion 180 of the patient sensor
120 and the computer monitor 110 can be significant, such as when
the transducer 180 is positioned on a pole stand 140 or in some
other location relatively close to the entry point of the medical
catheter into the patient's body (such as into the patient's arm
130 or some other location) and the computer monitor 110 is located
on a stand in a hospital room several feet away from the entry
point. A fluid 145 catheter attached to the patient can be
connected to the fluid line 150 from the sensor 120 by way of a
pair of fluid connectors, such as corresponding male and female
fluid connectors 155, 175.
[0017] Since the electrical wiring may be draped down from the
transducer 180, across the floor, and back up to the computer
monitor 110 (to avoid creating horizontal wire barriers to persons
walking around the patient's vicinity), the length of electrical
wiring 160, 260 between the transducer 180 and the computer monitor
110 may be in the range of about 6 feet or so (2 meters). If all of
this wiring 160,260 were part of the disposable patient sensor 120,
it would dramatically increase the manufacturing cost and unit
price of the disposable patient sensor 120, which would be
unnecessary because much of the wiring does not routinely come into
contaminating contact with a patient, and need not be sterile, but
is instead positioned on the floor or near the computer monitor,
and can therefore be used with multiple patients. In some
embodiments, the electrical connection with the patient sensor 120
is achieved by attaching an electrical connection portion 240 of
the patient sensor 120 to a proximal electrical connection portion
of the non-disposable cable, and then attaching a distal connection
portion of the non-disposable cable 270 to an electrical connection
portion of the computer monitor.
[0018] The electrical information can be conveyed in some
embodiments wirelessly, such as by way of an electromagnetic
short-range signal, such as over a Wi-Fi network or by way of a
Bluetooth or ZigBee signal, or by some other wireless protocol that
is acceptable or utilized in a healthcare setting. Any description
or illustration in this specification of an electrical wire 160,
250, or electrical connection 140 can be accomplished in a wireless
manner and such descriptions or illustrations of wires or
electrical connections should be understood to also refer to and
encompass wireless connections. For example, any description or
illustration of a patient-information electrical signal and/or a
gatekeeper electrical signal being conveyed over a wired connection
should be understood to also refer to and encompass a suitable
wireless connection.
[0019] To help verify that a proper patient sensor 120 is attached
to the computer monitor 110 and/or that a proper secondary cable
270 is attached to the computer monitor 110 and/or to ensure that
the electrical connection between the sensor 120 and the computer
monitor 110 is properly established, a gatekeeper electrical signal
can be transmitted to the monitor 110. In some embodiments, the
signal is generated by a component permanently coupled to the
sensor device. In some embodiments, the signal is generated at
least in part by the non-disposable cable configured to place the
sensor in electrical communication with the computer monitor. In
some embodiments, the signal is generated by a combination of both
the components permanently coupled to the sensor device and the
non-disposable cable configured to place the device in electrical
communication with the computer monitor. In some embodiments, the
receipt of the gatekeeper electrical signal by the computer monitor
is a required condition for the computer monitor 110 to function
and/or for the computer monitor 110 to display patient information
on a display screen 280. In some embodiments, the monitor 110 will
only calculate and display physiological information about the
patient after the monitor 110 receives the gatekeeper electrical
signal and/or only for so long as the gatekeeper electrical signal
continues to be transmitted to the monitor (continuously or within
an allowable time interval). In some embodiments, if the gatekeeper
electrical signal is not received by the computer monitor as
expected, an error message will be conveyed on the display screen
or in some other manner. The error message can indicate that no
sensor is connected, that an improper sensor is connected to the
computer monitor, and/or that the user should check an electrical
attachment with the computer monitor, etc.
[0020] The gatekeeper electrical signal can be generated by a
signal generator in a variety of different ways and in a variety of
different locations. As shown in the example of FIG. 2, in some
embodiments, the signal generator for producing the gatekeeper
electrical signal is located on or within or near the housing 220
of the patient sensor. In some embodiments, the gatekeeper
electrical signal is produced by a signal generator comprising a
temperature sensor 290, such as an ambient temperature sensor. In
some embodiments, the signal generator is only an ambient
temperature sensor; in some embodiments, a temperature sensor 290
is in electrical communication with a gatekeeper electrical signal
generator for producing the gatekeeper electrical signal. The
temperature sensor 290 can be structured, positioned, and/or
oriented in a variety of different ways. For example, the
temperature sensor 290 can comprise a temperature-sensitive
electrical component, such as a diode or a transistor or a
thermistor or another electrical component, in which the output
voltage or another quality of the electrical signal or the
resistivity of the component changes as a function of the
temperature of the air or other material surrounding the electrical
component that is in thermal communication with the
temperature-sensitive electrical component.
[0021] It is expected that the critical-care patient monitoring
system 100 will be used in settings in which the ambient
temperature is generally about the level of a standard room
temperature, such as about 70.degree. F. or about 21.degree. C.,
and/or within a standard room temperature range, such as at least
about 65.degree. F. and/or less than or equal to about 75.degree.
F. (or at least about 18.degree. C. and/or less than or equal to
about 24.degree. C.). Other temperature ranges, including other
standard room temperature ranges, within or outside of these
temperature ranges can be utilized. The temperature sensor 290 can
be configured to generally sense the ambient temperature in the
patient's room or the ambient temperature at, near, or inside of
the patient sensor 120 or the housing 230 of the patient sensor
120. In some embodiments, the gatekeeper temperature sensor 290 is
positioned outside of the fluid-containing portion 190 of the
patient sensor 120 and/or outside of fluid communication or direct
thermal communication with the fluid in the patient sensor 120. In
some embodiments, the gatekeeper temperature sensor 290 is isolated
or separated from, is largely unaffected by, and/or is unable to
provide clinically useful information about, changes in a patient's
body temperature or other physiological parameters of a patient. In
some embodiments, the gatekeeper electrical signal can help ensure
that the critical-care patient monitoring system is used in an
environment in which ambient temperature ranges will not affect the
functioning of the electrical equipment and/or the physiological
readings obtained from a patient.
[0022] In some embodiments, the gatekeeper electrical signal
generator 250 is in electrical communication with the gatekeeper
temperature sensor 290. The gatekeeper electrical signal generator
can comprise an electrical circuit configured to produce a
gatekeeper electrical signal in concert with the gatekeeper
temperature sensor 290. In some embodiments, the electrical signal
produced by the gatekeeper electrical signal generator 250 varies
as a function of the ambient temperature sensed by the temperature
sensor 290. In some embodiments, the electrical signal produced by
the gatekeeper electrical signal generator 250 is a generally
constant value so long as the temperature sensed by the temperature
sensor 290 is within a predetermine range, such as within a
predetermined range of standard room temperatures.
[0023] The gatekeeper electrical signal can be conveyed from the
gatekeeper electrical signal generator 250 (located on or in the
patient sensor 120, in some embodiments) to the computer monitor
110 of the critical-care patient monitoring system 100 by way of an
electrical wire 165 that is separate from the electrical wire or
wires 167 configured to convey the patient-information electrical
signal. The electrical wires 165, 167 can be separately insulated
and bound together in a common wire bundle 160. In some
embodiments, the gatekeeper electrical signal is independent from
the patient-information signal and does not include any information
about the physiological status or condition of a patient.
[0024] In some embodiments of patient sensors, the gatekeeper
electrical signal is not produced from or using an actual
temperature sensor or a temperature value, but instead creates a
simulated temperature signal using an electrical signal generator.
In FIG. 2, the connection between the temperature sensor 290 and
the gatekeeper electrical signal generator is represented by a
dashed line to demonstrate that it need not exist in some
embodiments because there may not be a temperature sensor 290 at
all. A gatekeeper electrical signal derived from a simulated
temperature is not based upon a temperature reading and may not
vary at all, or may not vary appreciably, according to changes in
temperature. The patient sensor 120 may not include a temperature
sensor at all, at least not an ambient temperature sensor. The
simulated temperature signal may be utilized in situations where
the room or ambient temperature is not expected to be outside of
any range that would affect the proper functioning of the
electronic components or the patient's physiological condition; or
where there is little or no risk of sensor misattachment or a
mix-up in the type of sensor to be used; or when it is desired to
produce a simpler sensor with less electronic complexity. The
gatekeeper electrical signal produced with a simulated temperature
signal can be configured to be generally in the same range as the
signal that would ordinarily be produced and transmitted by a
temperature-sensing gatekeeper or verification signal
generator.
[0025] A supplier can provide a disposable patient sensor 120, or
an intermediate device, such as an electrical communication wire or
cable, for use with a computer monitor 110, that is configured to
provide a gatekeeper signal to the computer monitor 110. The
supplier can provide instructions to a healthcare provider, or
other user, to electrically connect the sensor and/or the
intermediate device, to a computer monitor 110 that is configured
to monitor an electrical gatekeeper input port for an electrical
gatekeeper signal. The sensor may or may not actually provide a
gatekeeper signal that is representative of a true temperature;
rather, the gatekeeper signal may be a real or simulated signal.
The supplier can provide instructions to the user to remove and/or
discard the sensor after use by a patient, such as in a biohazard
receptacle.
[0026] The computer monitor 110 of the critical-care patient
monitoring system 100 can comprise a computer processor, a computer
display 280 configured to display physiological information about
the patient (including one or any combination of any of the
physiological information that the patient sensor is configured to
obtain), a power source (such as a battery or a power cord), and
one or more electrical connectors, 270, 240 configured to establish
an electrical connection with the patient sensor, such as by way of
an attachment with one or more electrical connectors 240 that form
part of the patient sensor. The computer monitor 110 can be
configured to receive one or more patient-information electrical
signals that convey information about a patient's physiological
conditions. One or more components of the computer monitor 110 may
be releasably coupled to the other components of the monitor. For
example, the display 280 may be detachable from the base. The
display 280 may include the computer processor and other electrical
circuitry used in processing the signals, or the processor may be
included in other components of the monitor 110.
[0027] The computer monitor 110 also can be configured to receive a
gatekeeper electrical signal. In some embodiments, the computer
monitor 110 is configured to receive, process, calculate, and/or
identify an ambient temperature value from the gatekeeper
electrical signal, which can be an actual ambient temperature value
or a simulated ambient temperature value.
[0028] As schematically illustrated in an example in FIG. 4, block
300 shows that the computer monitor 110 can monitor the gatekeeper
signal or verification signal, such as on a generally continuous
basis, checking periodically whether a gatekeeper signal or
verification signal has been received, as shown in block 310. If
some type of electrical signal has been received by the monitor 110
at the gatekeeper signal electrical connection, then the computer
processor of the monitor 110 can be configured to analyze the
signal, as shown in block 320, to determine whether the signal is
within a particular range of values, or exhibits a particular shape
or variance over time, and/or demonstrates any other particular
characteristics that the computer processor of the monitor 110 is
programmed to recognize as indicative of a gatekeeper signal (such
as either an actual temperature signal or a simulated temperature
signal), as shown in block 330.
[0029] In some embodiments, as illustrated in block 340, the
computer monitor 110 can be programmed to enable receipt of the
patient information signal, processing of the patient information,
storage of the patient information signal in memory, transmission
of the patient information signal, and/or display the patient
information, only after, and/or only for so long as, the gatekeeper
electrical signal is transmitted to the computer monitor. In some
embodiments, the computer monitor 110 receives the gatekeeper
signal from the patient sensor 120 and compares it to a
predetermined range of values, thus determining whether the ambient
temperature sensed by the patient monitor is within a predetermined
range of ambient temperatures, such as a predetermined range of
standard room temperature values. As shown in block 350, if the
signal received at the gatekeeper signal electrical connection on
the monitor 110 is determined not to be an actual or simulated
temperature signal, then the monitor 110 can initiate an error
protocol, which in some embodiments can produce one or more
displays of information to the user, such as an error message, as
shown in block 360, or information about the proper type of sensor
120 and/or cable to be used with critical-care patient monitoring
system 100, and/or the proper way to attach a sensor 120, as shown
in block 370; and/or the error protocol can clear and/or disable
the display of physiological information from the patient on the
computer display 280, as shown in block 380, since such information
might be incorrect or unreliable if the gatekeeper signal or
verification signal is determined to be incorrect.
[0030] In some embodiments, the computer processor of the computer
monitor does not utilize the gatekeeper electrical signal to
process, analyze, calculate, or obtain any patient information from
the patient-information electrical signal or signals or from any
other source; rather, the patient information contained in the
patient-information electrical signal is independent from and is
not required to be calibrated, adjusted, or modified by the
gatekeeper electrical signal.
[0031] When the gatekeeper electrical signal represents a simulated
temperature value, but not an actual temperature value, the
computer monitor can in some embodiments receive such gatekeeper
electrical signal as an actual temperature value and proceed to
function normally and display patient data in a normal manner, as
though the gatekeeper electrical signal were produced using an
actual temperature value. Since the gatekeeper electrical signal is
not normally utilized to calibrate, modify, normalize, or adjust
the patient information in the patient-information electrical
signal, the simulated temperature value of the gatekeeper
electrical signal may not affect the accuracy of the patient data.
Thus, the same computer monitor can be configured to function
properly, in some embodiments, with a patient sensor that is
configured to produce a gatekeeper electrical signal using an
actual temperature measurement or a patient sensor that merely
produces a signal with a simulated temperature.
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