Nellcor Incorporated

Nexan Limited

Natus Medical, Inc.

William New, Jr

James E Corenman

John D Place

Harpal S Kumar

William J Mullarkey

Paul Johnson

Laurence J Nicolson

Neil J Sheehan

Peter M Relph

David E Goodman

Toshibumi Wakayama

Andrea J Harry

Christian Walton

David Sheraton

William M Moore

Steven Jones

Mark Yelderman

Michael D Llewellyn

William G O'Brien

A physiological sensor device for attachment to a mammalian subject comprising an output transmitter, at least two physiological sensors each for sensing one of the subject's physiological parameters, and a controller operably in communication with the physiological sensors which controller communicates a signal comprising data representative of both the sensed physiological parameters to the output transmitter which operably transmits the signal to a remote location, wherein the controller comprises a multiplexer which operably switches the data from both the physiological sensors into a serial output signal. Respiration may be detected by a bend sensor including an elongate member and an electrical component mounted thereon which electrical component has an electrical property which varies in dependence on the extent of bending of the elongate member. Other parameters such as temperature and full waveform ECG may also be measured.

Physiological sensor array

A portable signal transfer unit for relaying a signal representative of physiological data of a mammalian subject from a remote physiological sensor to a remote receiver unit. The portable transfer unit includes an input device which operably receives the signal, a memory for buffering the signal, and an output device which wirelessly transmits the signal to the remote unit. The signal transfer unit also includes a signal processor for relaying the signal from the signal input to the output device, wherein the signal processor has two or more receivers each receiver adapted to handle a specified signal carrier frequency. An indicator is also provided which indicates to the subject whether the signal transfer unit is within range of the remote unit to enable effective transmission of the signal from the signal transfer unit to the remote unit.

Portable signal transfer unit

A system and method for monitoring vital signs and capturing data from a patient remotely using radiotelemetry techniques. The system is characterized by a cordless, disposable sensor band with sensors form measuring full waveform ECG, full waveform respiration, skin temperature, and motion, and transmission circuitry for the detection and transmission of vital signs data of the patient. A small signal transfer unit that can either be worn by the patient, e.g., on his or her belt, or positioned nearby receives data from the sensor band, which it then forwards by e.g., radio transmission to a base station that can be located up to 60 meters away. The base station receives data transmissions from the signal transfer unit and is designed to connect to conventional phone lines for transferring the collected data to a remote monitoring station. The base station may also capture additional clinical data, such as blood pressure data, and to perform data checks. Patient safety is enhanced by the ability of the base station to compare clinical data, e.g., ECG, against given profiles and to mark events when appropriate or when the base station is programmed to do so. Such events are indicated to the physician and could be indicated to the patient by reverse transmission to the signal transfer unit. A remote monitoring station allows the presentation and review of data (including events) forwarded by the sensor band. ECG analysis software and a user-friendly graphical user interface are provided to remotely analyze the transmitted data and to permit system maintenance and upkeep. The system of the invention has useful application to the collection of patient clinical data during drug trials and medical testing for regulatory approvals as well as management of patients with chronic diseases.

Portable remote patient telemonitoring system

An earphone assembly is disclosed that includes an annular baffle having an outer surface and an inner surface as well as an interior wall and an exterior wall. The interior wall defines a central chamber. A transparent, flexible lid is attached to the baffle along the outer surface, completely covering the central chamber and forming an acoustic seal with the baffle. The lid has an inner face and an outer face. The flexibility of the earphone is improved by creating hinges in the lid and by providing cuts, or other discontinuities, in the baffle. For example, a radial cut may be disposed in the annular baffle. Further, a circumferential cut may also (or alternatively) be disposed in the baffle, extending from the inner surface and disposed between the exterior wall and the interior wall. At least one hinge may be disposed on the flexible lid. To improve the attachment of the earphone to the patient's head, tabs are mounted to the exterior wall. An adhesive material is applied to the inner surface of the annular baffle and to the tabs, thereby increasing the adhesive surface compared to existing earphones. A proprietary connection may be employed such that the baffle sends out an identifying signal to the transducer. The transducer then controls its transmission of acoustic energy based upon the identifying signal. In certain instances, the transducer may stop sending acoustic energy at all if it does not recognized the signal from the baffle.

Flexible earphone assembly for use during hearing screening

A cup member defines a cavity for covering an infant's ear, and an annular member extends from an end portion of the cup member. The cup member and the annular member each comprise a first sound attenuating layer of foam material which attenuates high frequency sound and a second sound attenuating layer of a material which attenuates low frequency sound. The annular member has a surface for placing the earmuff against the infant's head. A hydrogel adhesive is disposed on the surface for bonding the earmuff to the infant's head. The hydrogel layer preferably extends along the plane defined by the surface of the annular member and into the cavity defined by the cup member for bonding the earmuff to a substantially hairless portion of the infant's head located behind the pinna. A portion of the annular member may be creased for forming a bendable tab which helps to conform the earmuff to the curvature of the infant's head behind the ear, and a slit may be formed in the cup member to prevent air pressure build-up in the event of compression of the cup member.

Acoustically sealing earmuff for an infant

A sensor for trans-illumination of a blood perfused portion of flesh to measure light extinction during trans-illumination is disclosed. The sensor is preferably mounted on a fingertip but any digit or blood perfused portion of flesh will work. The sensor includes a first end for disposition on one side of the trans-illuminated flesh and a second end for disposition on the opposite and opposed side of the trans-illuminated flesh. A light source is mounted to the first side and a photo-sensor is mounted to the second side. If an elongated flexible strip is used, it is provided with adhesive and is suitably windowed that light is allowed to take an optical path through the finger. If no flexible strip is used, the two ends are aligned and secured to the flesh such that the light emitted takes an optical path through the finger. When the adhesive fastener is used, the effect of the light source and photo-detector substrates being integrated into the adhesive fastener is that they become, in effect, a part of the skin. The resulting device is resistant to accidental removal and avoids constriction of blood vessels. Most importantly, the low mass of the sensor itself and its conformance to, so as to effectively become a part of, the skin, prevents relative motion between the light source and sensor and the perfused flesh. This eliminates the common interference associated with the operation of conventional plethysmographs and oximeters.

Sensor having cutaneous conformance

A probe apparatus for use with an optical oximeter is disclosed. A pair of light emitting diodes emit light of known narrow wavelengths through an appendage of a patient onto a photosensor. A resistor of coded known resistance is used to enable the oximeter to calculate the co-efficient of extinction of the wavelengths of the LEDs. The resistor, LEDs and photosensor are mounted on self-attaching hook and eye tape for mounting the probe onto the appendage of the patient. The probe is detachably wired to the oximeter, rendering the probe completely disposable. The oximeter is programmed at the factory to calculate the co-efficients of extinction of any LEDs which may be encountered in a series of disposable probes. From the co-efficients of extinction, the pulse rate and degree of arterial oxygen saturation is computed and displayed by the oximeter.

Calibrated optical oximeter probe

A display monitor is disclosed for a pulse oximeter of the type wherein light of two different wavelengths is passed through body tissue, such as a finger, an ear or the scalp, so as to be modulated by the pulsatile component of arterial blood therein and thereby indicate oxygen saturation. A tonal signal is emitted having a pitch proportional to the ratio of oxygen saturation and a sequential repetition proportional to pulse. A visual cue consisting of an array of strobed light emitting diodes is flashed having a total light output proportional to the magnitude of the pulse and a sequential flashing rate proportional to pulse rate. A systematic rejection of extraneous or irregular detected data prevents undue sounding of alarms.

Growing community of inventors

Woodside, CA, United States of America

William New, Jr