Smiths Medical Pm, Inc.

Smiths Medical Asd, Inc.

Robert Sweitzer

Guy A Smith

Eugene Palatnik

A single use, self-contained, self-powered disposable oximeter, in the form of a patch or a bandage strip, has mounted thereto a light emitter and a light sensor to measure the SpO2 of the patient. Mounted to an electronics layer of the patch is an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) that has electronics integrated thereto that controls the operation of the light emitter and light sensor, and the algorithm for calculating from the data collected by the sensor at least the SpO2 of the patient. The patch oximeter may also be equipped with a transceiver, and the appropriate electronics, for wirelessly transceiving information to/from a remote device or another wireless patch oximeter.

Single use pulse oximeter

A single use, self-contained, self-powered disposable oximeter, in the form of a patch or a bandage strip, has mounted thereto a light emitter and a light sensor that together measure at least the SpO2 of the patient. Mounted to an electronics layer of the patch is an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) that has electronics integrated thereto that controls the operation of the light emitter and light sensor, and the algorithm for calculating from the data collected by the sensor at least the SpO2 of the patient. Optionally, a display and an alarm may also be mounted or embedded onto the patch for respectively displaying at least the SpO2, and for informing the caregiver/patient that at least the SpO2 is not within an acceptable range, if such is the case. Also provided in the patch is a battery that powers the operation of the ASIC circuit and the emitter, as well as the display and alarm if such optional components are provided on the patch. An attachment mechanism is also provided on the patch. Such mechanism may be in the form of an adhesive layer that can removably attach the patch to the patient in either a transmissive mode or a reflective mode. The patch oximeter may also be equipped with a transceiver, and the appropriate electronics, for wirelessly transceiving information to/from a remote device or another wireless patch oximeter. In place of a self-contained power source, the power for operating a wireless patch oximeter may be retrieved from a remote power source, provided that the patch oximeter is within a given distance from such remote power source.

A simulator adapter is provided to be used with a conventional oximeter for monitoring a patient who may be remotely located from the oximeter. In a first embodiment of the invention, the simulator adapter has a simulator digit that fits to the sensor of the oximeter. The simulator digit senses the light output from the oximeter and provides a feedback to the simulator adapter to enable the adapter to adapt the signal of the patient sent to the adapter for use by the oximeter, as if the patient is on-site and is being measured by the oximeter. In a second embodiment, in place of a simulator digit, the simulator adapter has as its output a connector which is adapted to mate with the conventional connector that is part of the conventional oximeter. This second embodiment eliminates the need for any simulator digit and sensor for the oximeter, as appropriate circuitries are provided in the simulator adapter to enable it to connect directly to the oximeter. In an environment where the signal from the patient may be affected electromagnetically, the simulator adapter may be connected to the remote oximetry unit by a fiber optic cable, so that the signal representing the physiological parameter remotely measured from the patient is directly sent either to the simulator digit of the first embodiment or the adapter connector of the second embodiment.

Growing community of inventors

Milwaukee, WI, United States of America

Robert Sweitzer