Noninvasive multi-parameter patient monitor

Description

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to the field of noninvasive patient monitors. More specifically, the disclosure relates to monitors displaying measurements derived using signals from optical sensors.

BACKGROUND

Spectroscopy is a common technique for measuring the concentration of organic and some inorganic constituents of a solution. The theoretical basis of this technique is the Beer-Lambert law, which states that the concentration c_iof an absorbent in solution can be determined by the intensity of light transmitted through the solution, knowing the pathlength d_λ, the intensity of the incident light I_0,λ, and the extinction coefficient ε_i,λ at a particular wavelength λ. In generalized form, the Beer-Lambert law is expressed as:

$\begin{matrix} I_{λ} = I_{0, λ} ⅇ^{- d_{λ \cdot μ_{0, λ}}} & (1) \\ μ_{0, λ} = \sum_{i = 1}^{n} ɛ_{i, λ} \cdot c_{i} & (2) \end{matrix}$

where μ_0,λ is the bulk absorption coefficient and represents the probability of absorption per unit length. The minimum number of discrete wavelengths that are required to solve Equations 1-2 are the number of significant absorbers that are present in the solution.

A practical application of this technique is pulse oximetry, which utilizes a noninvasive sensor to measure oxygen saturation (SpO₂) and pulse rate. In general, the sensor has light emitting diodes (LEDs) that transmit optical radiation of red and infrared wavelengths into a tissue site and a detector that responds to the intensity of the optical radiation after absorption (e.g., by transmission or transreflectance) by pulsatile arterial blood flowing within the tissue site. Based on this response, a processor determines measurements for SpO₂, pulse rate, and can output representative plethysmographic waveforms. Thus, “pulse oximetry” as used herein encompasses its broad ordinary meaning known to one of skill in the art, which includes at least those noninvasive procedures for measuring parameters of circulating blood through spectroscopy. Moreover, “plethysmograph” as used herein (commonly referred to as “photoplethysmograph”), encompasses its broad ordinary meaning known to one of skill in the art, which includes at least data representative of a change in the absorption of particular wavelengths of light as a function of the changes in body tissue resulting from pulsing blood.

Pulse oximeters capable of reading through motion induced noise are available from Masimo Corporation (“Masimo”) of Irvine, Calif. Moreover, portable and other oximeters capable of reading through motion induced noise are disclosed in at least U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,770,028, 6,658,276, 6,157,850, 6,002,952, and 5,769,785. Read which are owned by Masimo, and are incorporated by reference herein. Such reading through motion oximeters have gained rapid acceptance in a wide variety of medical applications, including surgical wards, intensive care and neonatal units, general wards, home care, physical training, and virtually all types of monitoring scenarios.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Despite the success of read through motion oximeter systems, there is a need to provide patient monitors capable of displaying multiple physiological parameters, other than or in addition to SpO₂, plethysmograph waveforms, or pulse rates. For example, in accessing a patient's condition, caregivers often desire knowledge of other blood constituents, including for example, a percent value for arterial carbon monoxide saturation (“HbCO”) or a percent value for methemogobin saturation (“HbMet”) or the like. For example, in an embodiment, the display advantageously displays one or more of the following: pulse rate, plethysmograph waveform data, perfusion index, values of blood constituents in body tissue, including for example, HbCO, HbMet, total hemoglobin (“Hbt”), arterial oxygen saturation (“SpO₂”), fractional arterial oxygen saturation (“SpaO₂”), or the like. In other embodiments, the monitor may advantageously and accurately determine values for one or more of HbO₂, Hb, blood glucose, water, the presence or absence of therapeutic drugs (aspirin, Dapson, nitrates, or the like) or abusive/recreational drugs (methamphetamine, alcohol, steroids, or the like), concentrations of carbon dioxide (“CO₂”) or oxygen (“O”), ph levels, bilirubin, perfusion quality, signal quality or the like. Accordingly, the present disclosure includes a multi-parameter patient monitor capable of determining one or more of the foregoing parameters, other than or in addition to, SpO₂, plethysmograph waveforms, or perfusion quality index.

In an embodiment, the display of a noninvasive multi-parameter patient monitor advantageously includes a plurality of display modes enabling more parameter data to be displayed than the available physical display area or real estate. In an embodiment, a user may cycle different parameter values through an area of the display common to both parameters even when one parameter is shifted, through, for example, actuation of a user input key. The patient monitor may also display different parameters as color-coded. For example, when the following measured parameters are within “normal” ranges, SpO₂may be displayed red, pulse rate (BPM) may be displayed green, HbCO may be displayed orange, HbMet may be displayed blue, or the like. In an embodiment, measured values of SpO₂may be displayed in white, BPM may be displayed in yellow green or aquamarine, PI™ may be displayed in violet, Hbt may be displayed in grass green, HbMet may be displayed in blue or light blue, HbCO may be displayed in orange, and SpaO₂may be displayed in electric blue.

Moreover, parameter trend data may also be displayed using the same or similar color coding, especially when multiple trends are displayed on one or more display graphs. In addition, more coarse or gross parameter indications may be displayed for quick reference to indicate to a caregiver whether any of a variety of monitored parameters, such as, for example, SpO₂, HbCO or HbMet is within acceptable ranges. The monitor may advantageously include additional display information, such as, for example, parametric displays where one parameter is displayed as a function of another, three dimensional displays (for example, extending a parametric display along time or an additional parameter), directional indicators predicting where a parameter is likely heading or reporting a general direction a parameters has been trending, or the like.

In addition to the foregoing, caregivers often desire to more closely monitor parameters that are close to, approaching, or beyond normal safe thresholds. In an embodiment, the patient monitor provides an indication that the caregiver should change display modes to view more critical monitored parameters. In alternative embodiments, the patient monitor automatically changes display modes to show parameters moving closer to or beyond normal thresholds.

In an embodiment, the patient monitor includes an audible or visual indication of a type of sensor communicating with the monitor. For example, the monitor may determine how many wavelengths a particular attached sensor will emit through communication with memory devices associated with the attached sensor or cable.

Additional embodiments include audio or visual alarms for each of multiple monitored parameters, combinations of parameters, an indication of perfusion in the tissue of the measurement site, an indication of the confidence the signal processing has in its output measurements, or the like.

For purposes of summarization, certain aspects, advantages and novel features are described herein. Of course, it is to be understood that not necessarily all such aspects, advantages or features need to be present in any particular embodiment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings and the associated descriptions are provided to illustrate embodiments of the disclosure and not to limit the scope of the claims.

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a patient monitoring system including a sensor and a multi-parameter patient monitor.

FIG. 2 illustrates a top elevation view of an exemplary handheld noninvasive multi-parameter patient monitor capable of displaying at least HbCO, such as, for example, the patient monitor of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary display of the patient monitor of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 illustrates the display of FIG. 3 showing measured values of SpO₂, BPM, perfusion, and type of sensor according to an exemplary embodiment of the patient monitor of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 illustrates the display of FIG. 3 showing measured values of HbCO, perfusion, and type of sensor according to an exemplary embodiment of the patient monitor of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 illustrates the display of FIG. 3 showing measured values of SpO₂, HbCO, BPM, perfusion, and type of sensor, according to an exemplary embodiment of the patient monitor of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 illustrates a top elevation view of an exemplary handheld noninvasive multi-parameter patient monitor capable of displaying at least HbCO and HbMet, such as, for example, the patient monitor of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary display of the patient monitor of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 illustrates the display of FIG. 8 showing measured values of SpO₂, BPM, HbCO, HbMet, and type of sensor according to an exemplary embodiment of the patient monitor of FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 illustrates the display of FIG. 8 showing measured values of HbCO, HbMet, and type of sensor according to an exemplary embodiment of the patient monitor of FIG. 1.

FIG. 11A illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary noninvasive multi-parameter patient monitor such as, for example, the patient monitor of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 11B-11H illustrate display screens of the patient monitor of FIG. 11A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED AND ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present disclosure include a portable or other multi-parameter patient monitor capable of determining multiple physiological parameters from one or more signals output from one or more light sensitive detectors capable of detecting light attenuated by body tissue carrying pulsing blood. For example, in an embodiment, the monitor advantageously and accurately determines a wide variety of physiological parameters or other calculations as discussed above.

In an embodiment, the display of patient monitor advantageously includes a plurality of display modes enabling more parameter data to be displayed than the available physical display real estate. For example, the patient monitor may include one or more user input keys capable of toggling through measurement data. In an embodiment, the displays include mode indicators providing caregivers easily identifiable visual queues, such as LED's, text, icons, or other indicia providing readily identifiable queues as to which parameter is being displayed. In an embodiment, the display may shift, may be parameter color-coded, or the like to further ensure quick comprehension of which measured parameter is the displayed parameter. For example, in an embodiment, the monitor displays SpO₂in white, pulse rate (BPM) in green, HbCO in orange, and HbMet in blue when the respective measured parameter is within a “normal” range.

In an embodiment, the patient monitor provides an indication that the caregiver should change display modes to view more critical or time sensitive measured parameters, specific caregiver selected parameters, or the like. For example, the patient monitor may advantageously sound audio or visual alarms that alert the caregiver to particular one or more of worsening parameters, parameters changing in a predetermined pattern or rate, parameters stabilizing below user defined or safe thresholds, caregiver selected parameters, or the like. The monitor may also use alerts that provide audio or visual indications of the severity of the condition, severity of the change, or the like. In alternative embodiments, the patient monitor may automatically change display modes when a particular parameter crosses one or more thresholds. For example, a patient monitor may be displaying a first parameter, such as a plethysmograph, and upon determining measurements indicating that HBMet is trending toward an alarm condition, the monitor may automatically switch from displaying the first parameter to the alarming parameter, or in this case, a trend of the alarming parameter.

In an embodiment, a switch is provided to allow a user to switch displays to view an alarming measurement. In an embodiment, during an alarm condition, a parameter display may switch to a trend graph in the same or different color, line weight, flash, flash rate, intensity, size, or the like.

The patient monitor may also include one or more displays capable of displaying trend data for any one or more of the monitored or derived patient parameters. For example, the trend data may be displayed in graph form, may include multiple trend lines, each representing a different monitored or derived patient parameter. Moreover, each trend line may be color-coded to facilitate quick comprehension of which trend line represents which measured parameter. However, an artisan will recognize from the disclosure herein a large number of identification techniques including color-coding, identifying text, or the like. Additionally, user input may toggle displayed trend data, may select which parameters to display simultaneously, or the like.

In an embodiment, the patient monitor includes an audible or visual indication of a type of sensor communicating with the monitor. For example, the patient monitor may provide a particular audio or visual indication, such as a beep, LED activation, graphic activation, text messages, voice messages, or the like, to indicate communication with or connection to an approved sensor, patient cable, combination, or the like. In an embodiment, the indication may change based on the manufacturer, type of sensor recognized or not recognized, type of patient, type of physiological parameters measurable with the attached sensor, or the like. Additional embodiments include an indication of perfusion in the tissue of the measurement site and an indication of the confidence the signal processing has in its output measurements or input signal quality.

To facilitate an understanding of the disclosure, the remainder of the description references exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings. Moreover, in this application, reference is made to many blood parameters. Some references that have common shorthand designations are referenced through such shorthand designations. For example, as used herein, HbCO designates carboxyhemoglobin, HbMet designates methemoglobin, and Hbt designates total hemoglobin. Other shorthand designations such as COHb, MetHb, and tHb are also common in the art for these same constituents. These constituents are generally reported herein in terms of a percentage, often referred to as saturation, relative concentration or fractional saturation. Total hemoglobin is generally reported as a concentration in g/dL. The use of the particular shorthand designators presented in this application does not restrict the term to any particular manner in which the designated constituent is reported.

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a patient monitoring system 100. As shown in FIG. 1, the system 100 includes a patient monitor 102 comprising a processing board 104 and a host instrument 108. The processing board 104 communicates with a sensor 106 to receive one or more intensity signal(s) indicative of one or more parameters of tissue of a patient. The processing board 104 also communicates with a host instrument 108 to display determined values calculated using the one or more intensity signals. According to an embodiment, the board 104 comprises processing circuitry arranged on one or more printed circuit boards capable of installation into the monitor 102, or capable of being distributed as some or all of one or more OEM components for a wide variety of host instruments monitoring a wide variety of patient information. In an embodiment, the processing board 102 comprises a sensor interface 110, a digital signal processor and signal extractor (“DSP” or “processor”) 112, and an instrument manager 114. In general, the sensor interface 110 converts digital control signals into analog drive signals capable of driving sensor emitters, and converts composite analog intensity signal(s) from light sensitive detectors into digital data.

In an embodiment, the sensor interface 110 manages communication with external computing devices. For example, in an embodiment, a multipurpose sensor port (or input/output port) is capable of connecting to the sensor 106 or alternatively connecting to a computing device, such as a personal computer, a PDA, additional monitoring equipment or networks, or the like. When connected to the computing device, the processing board 104 may upload various stored data for, for example, off-line analysis and diagnosis. The stored data may comprise trend data for any one or more of the measured parameter data, plethysmograph waveform data acoustic sound waveform, or the like. Moreover, the processing board 104 may advantageously download from the computing device various upgrades or executable programs, may perform diagnosis on the hardware or software of the monitor 102. In addition, the processing board 104 may advantageously be used to view and examine patient data, including raw data, at or away from a monitoring site, through data uploads/downloads, or network connections, combinations, or the like, such as for customer support purposes including software maintenance, customer technical support, and the like. Upgradable sensor ports are disclosed in copending U.S. application Ser. No. 10/898,680, filed on Jul. 23, 2004, titled “Multipurpose Sensor Port,” incorporated by reference herein.

As shown in FIG. 1, the digital data is output to the DSP 112. According to an embodiment, the DSP 112 comprises a processing device based on the Super Harvard ARChitecture (“SHARC”), such as those commercially available from Analog Devices. However, a skilled artisan will recognize from the disclosure herein that the DSP 112 can comprise a wide variety of data and/or signal processors capable of executing programs for determining physiological parameters from input data. In particular, the DSP 112 includes program instructions capable of receiving multiple channels of data related to one or more intensity signals representative of the absorption (from transmissive or reflective sensor systems) of a plurality of wavelengths of emitted light by body tissue. In an embodiment, the DSP 112 accepts data related to the absorption of eight (8) wavelengths of light, although an artisan will recognize from the disclosure herein that the data can be related to the absorption of two (2) to sixteen (16) or more wavelengths.

FIG. 1 also shows the processing board 104 including the instrument manager 114. According to an embodiment, the instrument manager 114 may comprise one or more microcontrollers controlling system management, including, for example, communications of calculated parameter data and the like to the host instrument 108. The instrument manager 114 may also act as a watchdog circuit by, for example, monitoring the activity of the DSP 112 and resetting it when appropriate.

The sensor 106 may comprise a reusable clip-type sensor, a disposable adhesive-type sensor, a combination sensor having reusable and disposable components, or the like. Moreover, an artisan will recognize from the disclosure herein that the sensor 106 can also comprise mechanical structures, adhesive or other tape structures, Velcro wraps or combination structures specialized for the type of patient, type of monitoring, type of monitor, or the like. In an embodiment, the sensor 106 provides data to the board 104 and vice versa through, for example, a patient cable. An artisan will also recognize from the disclosure herein that such communication can be wireless, over public or private networks or computing systems or devices, or the like.

As shown in FIG. 1, the sensor 106 includes a plurality of emitters 116 irradiating the body tissue 118 with differing wavelengths of light, and one or more detectors 120 capable of detecting the light after attenuation by the tissue 118. In an embodiment, the emitters 116 comprise a matrix of eight (8) emission devices mounted on a flexible substrate, the emission devices being capable of emitting eight (8) differing wavelengths of light. In other embodiments, the emitters 116 may comprise twelve (12) or sixteen (16) emitters, although other numbers of emitters are contemplated, including two (2) or more emitters. As shown in FIG. 1, the sensor 106 may include other electrical components such as, for example, a memory device 122 comprising an EPROM, EEPROM, ROM, RAM, microcontroller, combinations of the same, or the like. In an embodiment, other sensor components may include a temperature determination device 123 or other mechanisms for, for example, determining real-time emission wavelengths of the emitters 116.

The memory 122 may advantageous store some or all of a wide variety data and information, including, for example, information on the type or operation of the sensor 106; type or identification of sensor buyer or distributor or groups of buyer or distributors, sensor manufacturer information, sensor characteristics including the number of emitting devices, the number of emission wavelengths, data relating to emission centroids, data relating to a change in emission characteristics based on varying temperature, history of the sensor temperature, current, or voltage, emitter specifications, emitter drive requirements, demodulation data, calculation mode data, the parameters for which the sensor is capable of supplying sufficient measurement data (e.g., HpCO, HpMet, HbT, or the like), calibration or parameter coefficient data, software such as scripts, executable code, or the like, sensor electronic elements, whether the sensor is a disposable, reusable, multi-site, partially reusable, partially disposable sensor, whether it is an adhesive or non-adhesive sensor, whether the sensor is a reflectance, transmittance, or transreflectance sensor, whether the sensor is a finger, hand, foot, forehead, or ear sensor, whether the sensor is a stereo sensor or a two-headed sensor, sensor life data indicating whether some or all sensor components have expired and should be replaced, encryption information, keys, indexes to keys or hash functions, or the like, monitor or algorithm upgrade instructions or data, some or all of parameter equations, information about the patient, age, sex, medications, and other information that may be useful for the accuracy or alarm settings and sensitivities, trend history, alarm history, or the like. In an embodiment, the monitor may advantageously store data on the memory device, including, for example, measured trending data for any number of parameters for any number of patients, or the like, sensor use or expiration calculations, sensor history, or the like.

FIG. 1 also shows the patient monitor 102 including the host instrument 108. In an embodiment, the host instrument 108 communicates with the board 104 to receive signals indicative of the physiological parameter information calculated by the DSP 112. The host instrument 108 preferably includes one or more display devices 124 capable of displaying indicia representative of the calculated physiological parameters of the tissue 118 at the measurement site. In an embodiment, the host instrument 108 may advantageously comprise a handheld housing capable of displaying one or more of a pulse rate, plethysmograph data, perfusion quality such as a perfusion quality index (“PI™”), signal or measurement quality (“SQ”), values of blood constituents in body tissue, including for example, SpO₂, HbCO, HbMet, Hbt, or the like. In other embodiments, the host instrument 108 is capable of displaying values for one or more of Hbt, Hb, blood glucose, bilirubin, or the like. The host instrument 108 may be capable of storing or displaying historical or trending data related to one or more of the measured values, combinations of the measured values, plethysmograph data, or the like. The host instrument 108 also includes an audio indicator 126 and user input device 128, such as, for example, a keypad, touch screen, pointing device, voice recognition device, or the like.

In still additional embodiments, the host instrument 108 includes audio or visual alarms that alert caregivers that one or more physiological parameters are falling below predetermined safe thresholds. The host instrument 108 may include indications of the confidence a caregiver should have in the displayed data. In a further embodiment, the host instrument 108 may advantageously include circuitry capable of determining the expiration or overuse of components of the sensor 106, including, for example, reusable elements, disposable elements, or combinations of the same.

Although described in terms of certain embodiments, other embodiments or combination of embodiments will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from the disclosure herein. For example, the monitor 102 may comprise one or more monitoring systems monitoring parameters, such as, for example, vital signs, blood pressure, ECG or EKG, respiration, glucose, bilirubin, or the like. Such systems may combine other information with intensity-derived information to influence diagnosis or device operation. Moreover, the monitor 102 may advantageously include an audio system, preferably comprising a high quality audio processor and high quality speakers to provide for voiced alarms, messaging, or the like. In an embodiment, the monitor 102 may advantageously include an audio out jack, conventional audio jacks, headphone jacks, or the like, such that any of the display information disclosed herein may be audiblized for a listener. For example, the monitor 102 may include an audible transducer input (such as a microphone, piezoelectric sensor, or the like) for collecting one or more of heart sounds, lung sounds, trachea sounds, or other body sounds and such sounds may be reproduced through the audio system and output from the monitor 102. Also, wired or wireless communications (such as Bluetooth or WiFi, including IEEE 801.11a, b, or g), mobile communications, combinations of the same, or the like, may be used to transmit the audio output to other audio transducers separate from the monitor 102.

For example, patterns or changes in the continuous noninvasive monitoring of intensity-derived information may cause the activation of other vital sign measurement devices, such as, for example, blood pressure cuffs.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary handheld noninvasive multi-parameter patient monitor 200, such as, for example, the patient monitor 102 of FIG. 2. Patient monitors 200 exhibiting combinations of many of the features described herein are advantageously commercially available from Masimo under the brand name “Rad 57c.” As shown in FIG. 1, the monitor 200 includes a patient cable connector 202 capable of mechanical mating with a patient cable to establish communication between the board 104 and the sensor 106. In an embodiment, the connector 202 comprises a multipurpose cable connector such as that disclosed in the incorporated U.S. application Ser. No. 10/898,680, titled “Multipurpose Sensor Port,” disclosing communication between the board 104 and an external computing device.

The monitor 200 also comprises a HbCO indicator 204 advantageously providing a visual queue that a HbCO capable sensor is properly connected through the connector 202. For example, the HbCO indicator 204 may advantageously activate when a sensor is connected that communicates sufficient information to determine HbCO, such as, for example, a sensor capable of emitting sufficient different wavelengths of light, a sensor storing sufficient data on the memory 122, a sensor having appropriate encryption data or key, combinations of the same, or the like. For example, in an embodiment, the processor 112 may receive information from a memory 122 indicating a number of available LED wavelengths for the attached sensor. Based on the number of wavelengths, or other information stored on the memory 122, the processor 112 may determine whether an HbCO-ready sensor has been attached to the monitor 200. An artisan will also recognize from the disclosure herein that the HbCO indicator 204 may advantageously comprise a HbMet indicator, Hbt indicator, or the like, which activates to a predetermined color associated with a parameter, or any color, or deactivates the same, to convey a type of attached sensor. Moreover, the artisan will recognize from the disclosure herein other parameters that may use other sensor components and the monitor 200 may include indicators capable of indicating communication with those types of sensors.

In an embodiment, the monitor 200 may also audibly indicate the type of sensor connected. For example, the monitor 200 may emit predetermined number or frequency of beeps associated with recognition of a particular sensor, a particular manufacturer, failure to recognize the sensor, or the like. Moreover, the sensor type may be indicative of the componentry, such as, for example, whether the sensor produces sufficient data for the determination of HbCO, HbMet, Hbt and SpO₂, SpO₂only, SpO₂and HbMet, any combination of the foregoing or other parameters, or the like. Additionally, the sensor type may be indicative of specific sensors designed for a type of patient, type of patient tissue, or the like. In other embodiments, the monitor 200 may announce the type of connector through speaker 236.

An artisan will also recognize from the disclosure herein that other mechanical (such as keys), electrical, or combination devices may inform the monitor 200 of the type of attached sensor. In an embodiment, the processor 112 also may select to drive less emitters that are currently available, such as, for example, in the presence of low noise and when power consumption is an issue.

The monitor 200 also comprises a multi-mode display 206 capable of displaying, for example, measurements of SpO₂and HbCO (or alternatively, HbMet). In an embodiment, the display 206 has insufficient space or display real estate to display the many parameters capable of being measured by the monitor 200. Thus, the multi-mode display 206 may advantageously cycle through two or more measured parameters in an area common to both parameters even when shifted. In such embodiments, the monitor 200 may also advantageously include parameter indicators 208, 210, providing additional visual queues as to which parameter is currently displayed. In an embodiment, the display may also cycle colors, flash rates, or other audio or visual queues providing readily identifiable information as to which measured parameter is displayed. For example, when the multi-mode display 206 displays measured values of SpO₂that are normal, the numbers may advantageously appear in green, while normal measured values of HbCO may advantageously appear in orange, and normal measured values of HbMet may appear in blue. Moreover, in an embodiment, the display 206 flashes at a predefined rate when searching for saturation and at another predefined rate when a signal quality is below a predetermined threshold.

The monitor 200 also comprises a HbCO bar 212 where in an embodiment a plurality of LED's activate from a bottom toward a top such that the bar “fills” to a level proportional to the measured value. For example, the bar 212 is lowest when the dangers from carbon monoxide poisoning are the least, and highest when the dangers are the greatest. The bar 212 includes indicia 214 that provide an indication of the severity of carbon monoxide saturation in a patient's blood. As shown in FIG. 2, the bar 212 and the indicia 214 continuously indicate the concentration of HbCO in about 5% increments. The indicia 214 indicate a measurement of HbCO saturation percentage between about 0 and about 50% with a granularity of about 5%. However, an artisan will also recognize from the disclosure herein a wide variety of ranges and granularities could be used, the indicia 214 could be electronically displayed in order to straightforwardly increase or decrease resolution, or the like. For example, HbCO may advantageously be displayed with greater resolution than ± about %5 in a lower portion of the scale. For example, an HbCO bar may advantageously include a scale of about <3%, about 6%, about 9%, about 12%, about 15%, about 20%, about 25%, about 30%, about 35%, and about >40%.

As is known in the art, carbon monoxide in the blood can lead to serious medical issues. For example and depending upon the particular physiology of a patient, about 10% carbon monoxide saturation can lead to headaches, about 20% can lead to throbbing headaches, or dyspnea on exertion, about 30% can lead to impaired judgment, nausea, dizziness and/or vomiting, visual disturbance, or fatigue, about 40% can lead to confusion and syncope, and about 50% and above can lead to comas, seizures, respiratory failure and even death.

In an embodiment, the bar 212 is the same or similar color as the multi-mode display 206 when displaying HbCO. In other embodiments, the bar 212 is lowest and green when the dangers from carbon monoxide poisoning are the least, and highest and red when the dangers are the greatest. In an embodiment, as HbCO increases, the entire bar 212 may advantageously change color, such as, for example, from green to red, to provide a clear indication of deepening severity of the condition. In other embodiments, the bar 212 may advantageously blink or flash, an audio alarm may beep or provide a continuation or rise in pitch or volume, or the like to alert a caregiver of deepening severity. Moreover, straightforward to complex alarm rules may be implemented to reduce false alarms based on, for example, knowledge of the physiological limitations on the rate of change in HbCO or the like.

Additionally, the monitor 200 may be capable of storing and outputting historical parameter data, display trend traces or data, or the like. Although the foregoing bar 212 has been described in terms of certain preferred embodiments, other embodiments will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from the disclosure herein.

FIG. 2 also shows the monitor 200 including a pulse display 216 displaying measured pulse rate in beats per minute (“BPM”). In an embodiment, the display 212 flashes when searching for a pulse. The pulse display 216 advantageously displays measured pulse rates from about zero (0) to about two hundred and forty (240) BPM. Moreover, when the measured pulse rates are considered normal, the pulse display 216 is advantageously green. Similar to other displays associated with the monitor 200, the pulse display 216 may employ a variety of color changes, audio alarms, or combinations of the same to indicate measured BPM below predetermined safe thresholds. In an embodiment, the pulse rate display 216 displays the measured pulse rate during the display of SpO₂and displays message data during the display of other parameters. For example, during the display of HbCO, the display 216 may advantageously display the term “CO.” In an embodiment, the display of the message data may be in the same or similar color as the other displays. For example, in an embodiment, the multi-mode display 206, the bar 212, and the pulse display 216 may all display data or messages in orange when the multi-mode display 206 displays measured HbCO values.

FIG. 2 also illustrates the monitor 200 comprising user input keys 218, including a HbCO button 220, mode/enter button 222, next button 224, power on/off button 226, up/down button 228, and alarm silence button 230. In an embodiment, activation of the HbCO button 220 toggles the measured value displayed in the multi-mode display 206. For example, activation of the HbCO button 220 toggles the multi-mode display 206 from displaying measured values of SpO₂to HbCO for about ten (10) seconds. Activation of the mode/enter button 222 or the next button 224 during the ten (10) second period returns the multi-mode display 206 back to SpO₂. A skilled artisan will also recognize that activation of the HbCO button 220 may advantageously toggle through a plurality of measured values, and that such values may be displayed for short segments and then return to SpO₂, may remain displayed until further activation of the button 220, or the like.

Activation of the mode/enter button 222 cycles through various setup menus allowing a caregiver to select or activate certain entries within the menu setup system, including alarm threshold customizations, or the like. Activation of the next button 224 can move through setup options within the menu setup system and in an embodiment is not active during normal patient monitoring. For example, a caregiver may activate the mode/enter button 222 and the next button 224 to specify high and low alarm thresholds for one or more of the measured parameters, to specify device sensitivity, trend settings, display customizations, color code parameters, or the like. In an embodiment, the high alarm setting for SpO₂can range from about two percent (2%) to about one hundred percent (100%) with a granularity of about one percent (1%). The low alarm setting for SpO₂can range from about one percent (1%) to about one hundred percent (100%) with a granularity of about one percent (1%). Moreover, the high alarm setting for pulse rate can range from about thirty (30) BPM to about two hundred and forty (240) BPM with a granularity of about five (5) BPM. The low alarm setting for pulse rate can range from about twenty five (25) BPM to about two hundred and thirty five (235) BPM with a granularity of about five (5) BPM. Other high and low ranges for other measured parameters will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from the disclosure herein.

In a further embodiment, a caregiver may activate the mode/enter button 222 and the next button 224 to specify device sensitivity, such as, for example, device averaging times, probe off detection, whether to enable fast saturation calculations, or the like. Various embodiments of fast saturation calculations are disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/213,270, filed Aug. 5, 2002, titled “Variable Indication Estimator” and incorporated by reference herein. Using the menus, a caregiver may also advantageously enter appropriate information governing trend collection on one or more of the measured parameters, input signals, or the like.

FIG. 2 also shows the power on/off button 226. Activation of the power on/off button 226 activates and deactivates the monitor 200. In an embodiment, press-and-hold activation for about two (2) seconds shuts the monitor 200 off. In an additional embodiment, activation of the on/off button 226 advantageously initiates detection of a type of attached sensor. For example, activation of the on/off button 226 may advantageously cause the monitor 200 to read information from a memory on an attached sensor and determine whether sufficient wavelengths exist on the sensor to determine one or more the physiological parameters discussed in the foregoing.

An artisan will recognize from the disclosure herein that the on/off button 226 may advantageously cause an electronic determination of whether to operate in at powers consisted with the U.S. (60 Hz) or another nationality (50 Hz). In an embodiment, such automatic determination and switching is removed from the monitor 200 in order to reduce a likelihood of problematic interfering crosstalk caused by such power switching devices.

Activation of the up/down button 228 may advantageously adjust the volume of the pulse beep tone. Additionally, activation of the up/down button 228 within the menu setup system, causes the selection of values with various menu options.

Moreover, activation of the alarm silence button 230 temporarily silences audio alarms for a predetermined period, such as, for example, about one hundred and twenty (120) seconds. A second activation of the alarm silence button 230 mutes (suspends) the alarm indefinitely, while a third activation returns the monitor 200 to standard alarm monitoring. FIG. 2 also shows the alarm silence button 230 includes an alarm silenced indicator 232. The alarm silenced indicator 232 may advantageously flash to indicate one or more alarms are temporarily silenced, may illuminate solid to indicate the alarms have been muted, or the like. Moreover, an artisan will recognize from the disclosure herein a wide variety of alarm silencing methodologies.

The monitor 200 also includes a battery level indicator 234 indicating remaining battery life. In the illustrated embodiment, four LED's indicate the status of the battery by incrementally deactivating to indicate proportionally decreasing battery life. In an embodiment, the four LED's may also change color as the battery charge decreases, and the final LED may begin to flash to indicate that the caregiver should replace the batteries.

FIG. 2 also shows the monitor 200 including an audio transducer or speaker 236. The speaker 236 advantageously provides audible indications of alarm conditions, pulse tone and feedback for key-presses, or the like. Moreover, the monitor 200 includes a low signal quality indicator (“SQ” or “SIQ™”) 238. The signal IQ indicator 238 activates to inform a caregiver that a measured value of the quality of the incoming signal is below predetermined threshold values. For example, in an embodiment, the measured value for signal IQ is at least partially based on an evaluation of the plethysmograph data's correspondence to predetermined models or characteristics of physiological signals. In an embodiment, the signal IQ indicator 238 output may be associated with the displayed parameter. For example, the output may be associated with one threshold for the display of SpO₂and another for the display of other parameter data.

The monitor 200 also comprises a perfusion quality index (“PI™”) bar 240 (which quantifies the measure of perfusion of the patient) where in an embodiment a plurality of LED's activate from a bottom toward a top such that the bar “fills” to a level proportional to the measured value. In one embodiment, the PI™ bar 240 shows a static value of perfusion for a given time period, such as, for example, one or more pulses. In another embodiment, or functional setting, the PI™ bar 240 may advantageously pulse with a pulse rate, may hold the last reading and optionally fade until the next reading, may indicate historical readings through colors or fades, or the like. Additionally, the PI™ bar 240 may advantageously change colors, flash, increasingly flash, or the like to indicate worsening measured values of perfusion.

The PI™ bar 240 can be used to simply indicate inappropriate occlusion due, for example, to improper attachment of the sensor 106. The PI™ bar 240 can also be used as a diagnostic tool during low perfusion for the accurate prediction of illness severity, especially in neonates. Moreover, the rate of change in the PI™ bar 240 can be indicative of blood loss, sleep arousal, sever hypertension, pain management, the presence or absence of drugs, or the like. According to one embodiment, the PI™ bar 240 values may comprise a measurement of the signal strength of the arterial pulse as a percentage of the total signal received. For example, in one preferred embodiment, the alternating portion of at least one intensity signal from the sensor 106 may advantageously be divided by the static portion of the signal. For example, an infrared intensity signal may advantageously be used as it is less subjective to noise.

In an embodiment, a measurement below about 1.25% may indicate medical situations in need of caregiver attention, specifically in monitored neonates. Because of the relevance of about 1.25%, the PI™ bar 240 may advantageously include level indicia 242 where the indicia 242 swap sides of the PI™ bar 240, thus highlighting any readings below about that threshold. Moreover, behavior of the PI™ bar 240, as discussed above, may advantageously draw attention to monitored values below such a threshold.

As discussed above, the monitor 200 may include output functionality that outputs, for example, trend perfusion data, such that a caregiver can monitor measured values of perfusion over time. Alternatively or additionally, the monitor 200 may display historical trace data on an appropriate display indicating the measured values of perfusion over time. In an embodiment, the trend data is uploaded to an external computing device through, for example, the multipurpose sensor connector 202 or other input output systems such as USB, serial or parallel ports or the like.

The monitor 200 also includes an alarm indicator 244 capable of providing visual queues of the status of one or more of the measured parameters. For example, the alarm indicator 244 may advantageously be green when all of the measured parameters are within normal conditions, may gradually fade to red, may flash, increasing flash, or the like, as one or more of the measured values approaches or passes predetermined thresholds. In an embodiment, the alarm indicator 244 activates when any parameter falls below an associated threshold, thereby advantageously informing a caregiver that perhaps a nondisplayed parameters is at an alarm condition. In another embodiment, the alarm indicator 244 may indicate the status of the parameter displayed on the multi-mode display 206. In an embodiment, the speaker 236 may sound in conjunction with and/or in addition to the indicator 244. Moreover, in an embodiment, an alarming parameter may automatically be displayed, may be emphasized, flashed, colored, combinations of the same or the like to draw a user's attention to the alarming parameter.

Although the foregoing invention has been described in terms of certain preferred embodiments, other embodiments will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from the disclosure herein.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary display of the patient monitor 200. As shown in FIG. 3, the display includes the multi-mode display 206, the pulse rate display 216, parameter indicators 208, 210, the HbCO bar 212 and indicator 204, the PI™ bar 240, and the alarm indicator 244. In an embodiment, the multi-mode display 206 and the pulse rate display 216 each comprise a plurality of seven segment displays 302 capable of displaying alpha-numeric information. As disclosed in the foregoing, the exemplary display may advantageously include color-coded parameter displays. Moreover, the exemplary display may include color progressions, flashing, flashing progressions, audible alarms, audible progressions, or the like, indicating worsening measured values of physiological data. In addition, in an embodiment, some or all of the displays may flash at a first rate to indicate attempts to acquire data when actual measured values are unavailable. Moreover, some or all of the display may flash at a second rate to indicate low signal quality where confidence is decreasing that the measured values reflect actual physiological conditions.

FIG. 4 illustrates the display of FIG. 3 showing measured values of SpO₂, BPM, perfusion, and type of sensor, according to an exemplary embodiment of the patient monitor of FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 4, the multi-mode display 206 is displaying a percentage value of SpO₂, and the pulse rate display 216 is displaying a pulse rate in beats per minute. Accordingly, the parameter indicator 210 is activated to confirm the display of measured values of SpO₂. As disclosed in the foregoing, in an embodiment, the multi-mode display 206 is red, indicating blood oxygen measurements while the pulse rate display 216 is green, indicating normal values of a patient's pulse.

FIG. 4 also shows the PI™ bar 240 almost fully activated, representing good perfusion. In addition, the HbCO indicator 204 is showing communication with a sensor producing insufficient data to determine measured values of additional parameters, such as, HbCO. In an embodiment, such sensors may comprise sensors capable of emitting light at about two (2) different wavelengths, may comprise sensors with insufficient data stored on a memory associated therewith, or the like.

FIG. 5 illustrates the display of FIG. 3 showing measured values of HbCO, perfusion, and type of sensor, according to an exemplary embodiment of the patient monitor of FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 5, the multi-mode display 206 is displaying a percentage value of HbCO, and the pulse rate display 216 is displaying an appropriate message indicating the HbCO measurement, such as, for example, “CO”. Also, the multi-mode display 206 has shifted the data to the left to quickly and efficiently indicate that the displayed parameter is other than SpO₂. Accordingly, the parameter indicator 208 is also activated to confirm the display of measured values of HbCO. As disclosed in the foregoing, in an embodiment, the multi-mode display 206 and pulse rate display message 216 are orange.

FIG. 5 also shows the PI™ bar 240 almost fully activated, representing good perfusion. In addition, the activation of the HbCO indicator 204 represents communication with a sensor capable of producing sufficient data to determine measured values of HbCO. In an embodiment, such sensors may comprise sensors capable of emitting light at about eight (8) or more different wavelengths; however, such sensors may comprise about two (2) or more different wavelengths. Moreover, such sensors may have appropriate data stored on a memory associated therewith, or the like. FIG. 5 also shows the HbCO measurement being about 20% (as illustrated on the HbCO bar 212 and multi-mode display 206) thereby indicating a potentially dangerous situation that if exacerbated, will become quite problematic. Therefore, the alarm indicator 244 is also activated, and in some embodiments, the speaker 236 as well.

FIG. 6 illustrates the display of FIG. 3 showing measured values of SpO₂, HbCO, BPM, perfusion, and type of sensor, according to an exemplary embodiment of the patient monitor of FIG. 1. In contrast to FIG. 4, FIG. 6 shows that the monitor 200 is communicating with a sensor capable of producing sufficient data to determine measured values of HbCO, even though the displayed values are that of SpO₂and BPM. Thus, FIG. 6 shows the activation of the HbCO indicator 204, and the continuous monitoring of HbCO by the HbCO bar 212. FIG. 6 also shows a high value of HbCO, and therefore, the indication of an alarm condition by activation of the alarm indicator 244. In an embodiment, upon determination of an alarm condition on a nondisplayed parameter, the monitor 200 may advantageously provide an alarm indication through speaker and alarm indicator activation, automatic toggle to the nondisplayed parameter on the multi-mode display 206 for a defined or undefined time, or the like.

FIG. 7 illustrates a top elevation view of an exemplary handheld noninvasive multi-parameter patient monitor 700 capable of displaying at least HbCO and HbMet, such as, for example, the patient monitor of FIG. 1. Patient monitors exhibiting combinations of many of the features described herein are advantageously commercially available from Masimo under the brand name “Rad 57 cm.” As shown in FIG. 7, the monitor 700 comprises a monitor similar to monitor 200 disclosed with reference to FIG. 2. Moreover, monitor 700 further includes a multi-mode display 706 capable of displaying, for example, measurements of HbMet and BPM. In an embodiment, the display 706 has insufficient space or display real estate to display the many parameters capable of being measured by the monitor 700. Thus, the multi-mode display 706 may advantageously cycle through two or more measured parameters. In such embodiments, the monitor 700 may also advantageously include parameter indicators 708, 710, providing additional visual queues as to which parameter is currently displayed. In an embodiment, the display 706 may also cycle colors, flash rates, or other audio or visual queues providing readily identifiable information as to which measured parameter is displayed. For example, when the multi-mode display 706 displays measured values of BPM that are normal, the numbers may advantageously appear in green, while normal measured values of HbMet may appear in blue. Moreover, in an embodiment, the display 706 may flash at a predefined rate when searching for saturation and at another predefined rate when a signal quality is below a predetermined threshold.

FIG. 7 also illustrates the monitor 700 comprising user input keys 718, including an HbCO/HbMet button 220. In an embodiment, activation of the HbCO/HbMet button 720 toggles the measured value displayed in the multi-mode display 706. For example, activation of the HbCO/HbMet button 720 toggles the multi-mode display 206 from displaying measured values of SpO₂and BPM, to HbCO and HbMet for about ten (10) seconds. Activation of the mode/enter button 222 or the next button 224 during the ten (10) second period returns the multi-mode display 706 back to SpO₂and BPM. A skilled artisan will also recognize that activation of the HbCO/HbMet button 720 may advantageously toggle through a plurality of measured values, and that such values may be displayed for short segments and then return to SpO₂and BPM, may remain displayed until further activation of the button 720, or the like.

The monitor 700 also comprises a coarser indication of HbMet through an HbMet bar 740. In an embodiment, a plurality of LED's activate from a bottom toward a top such that the bar “fills” to a level proportional to the measured value, with increments at about 0.5%, about 1%, about 2%, about 3%, about 4%, about 5%, about 7.5%, about 10%, about 15% and greater than about 20%, although an artisan will recognize from the disclosure herein other useful delineations. Additionally, the HbMet bar 740 may advantageously change colors, flash, increasingly flash, or the like to indicate worsening measured values of perfusion.

Although disclosed with reference to the HbMet bar 740, and artisan will recognize from the disclosure herein other coarse or even gross indications of HbMet, or any measured parameter. For example, a single LED may advantageously show green, yellow, and red, to indicate worsening coarse values of HbMet. Alternatively, a single LED may simply light to indicate an alarm or approaching alarm condition.

FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary display of the patient monitor 700 of FIG. 7. As shown in FIG. 8, the display includes the multi-mode displays 206, 706, parameter indicators 208, 210, 708, 710, the HbCO bar 212 and indicator 204, the HbMet bar 740, and the alarm indicator 244. In an embodiment, the multi-mode display 706 is similar to multi-mode display 206, comprising a plurality of seven segment displays 302 capable of displaying alpha-numeric information, and capable of altering its display characteristics or aspects in a wide variety of configurations discussed with reference to the display 206.

FIG. 9 illustrates the display of FIG. 8 showing measured values of SpO₂, BPM, HbCO, HbMet, and type of sensor according to an exemplary embodiment of the patient monitor of FIG. 1. FIG. 9 also shows the HbMet bar 740 near the bottom and corresponding to about 1%, representing acceptable HbMet, while the HbCO bar 212 hovers at a dangerous near 20%. In addition, the HbCO indicator 204 is showing communication with a sensor producing sufficient data to determine measured values of additional parameters, such as, HbMet, HbCO or the like. In an embodiment, such sensors may comprise sensors capable of emitting light of more than two (2) different wavelengths, preferably more than four (4) different wavelengths, and more preferably eight (8) or more different wavelengths.

FIG. 10 illustrates the display of FIG. 8 showing measured values of HbCO, HbMet, and type of sensor according to an exemplary embodiment of the patient monitor of FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 10, the multi-mode display 706 is displaying a percentage value of HbMet that is shifted using the parameter indicator 708. The data has been advantageously shifted to the left to quickly and efficiently indicate that the displayed parameter is other than BPM. Accordingly, the parameter indicator 708 is also activated to confirm the display of measured values of HbMet. As disclosed in the foregoing, in an embodiment, the multi-mode display 706 is blue.

FIG. 10 also shows the HbMet bar 740 nearly empty, representing acceptable HbMet. In addition, the activation of the HbCO indicator 204 represents communication with a sensor capable of producing sufficient data to determine measured values of HbCO. In an embodiment, such sensors may have appropriate data stored on a memory associated therewith, or the like. FIG. 10 also shows the HbCO measurement being about 20% (as illustrated on the HbCO bar 212 and multi-mode display 206 ) thereby indicating a potentially dangerous situation that if exacerbated, will become quite problematic. Therefore, the alarm indicator 244 is also activated, and in some embodiments, the speaker 236 as well.

FIG. 11A illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary noninvasive multi-parameter patient monitor 1100, such as, for example, the patient monitor of FIG. 1. Moreover, FIGS. 11B-11E illustrate exemplary display screens of the patient monitor of FIG. 11A. As shown in FIGS. 11A-11B, an embodiment of the monitor 1100 includes a display 1101 showing a plurality of parameter data. For example, the display may advantageously comprise a CRT or an LCD display including circuitry similar to that available on oximeters commercially available from Masimo Corporation of Irvine, Calif. sold under the name Radical™, and disclosed in the U.S. patents referenced above and incorporated above. However, an artisan will recognize from the disclosure herein many commercially available display components capable of displaying multiple parameter data along with the ability to display graphical data such as plethysmographs, trend traces, and the like.

In an embodiment, the display includes a measured value of SpO₂1102, a measured value of pulse rate 1104 in BPM, a plethysmograph 1106, a measured value of HbCO 1108, a measured value of HbMet 1110, a measured value of a perfusion quality 1112, a measured value of Hbt 1114, and a derived value of fractional saturation “SpaO₂” 116. In an embodiment, SpaO₂comprises HbO₂expressed as a percentage of the four main hemoglobin species, i.e., HbO₂, Hb, HbCO, and HbMet.

In an embodiment, one or more of the foregoing parameter includes trending or prediction indicators 1118 showing the current trend or prediction for that corresponding parameter. In an embodiment, the indicators 1118 may advantageously comprise an up arrow, a down arrow, and a hyphen bar to indicate up trending/prediction, down trending/prediction, or neutral trending/prediction.

FIG. 11C illustrates an exemplary display screen showing trend graph 1140 including trend line 1142 for HbMet. In an embodiment, the trend line 1142 may be advantageously colored for quick straightforward recognition of the trending parameter, may be associated with any one or more of the foregoing alarm attributes, may include trending lines for other parameters, or the like. The display screen also shows trending directional indicators 1142, 1144 for many of the displayed physiological parameters. In an embodiment, the directional indicators 1142, 1144 may advantageously comprises arrows showing the recent trend, predicted trend, user-customizable trend, combinations thereof, or the like for the associated parameters. In an embodiment, the directional indicators 1142, 1144 comprises an up arrow indicating a rising trend/predicted trend, a middle bar indicating a somewhat stable trend/predicted trend, and a down arrow indicating a lowering trend/predicted trend. An artisan will recognize a wide variety of other directional indicators 1142, 1144 from the disclosure herein.

FIG. 11D shows an exemplary display screen in vertical format. Such vertical format could be user actuated or based on a gravity switch. FIGS. 11E-11F illustrate additional displays of various physiological parameters similar to those discussed in the foregoing. being As shown in FIG. 11G, the display includes a measured value of SpO₂1162, a measured value of pulse rate 1164 in BPM, a plethysmograph 1166, a HbCO bar 1168, and a HbMet bar 1170. In an embodiment, the HbCO bar 1168 and HbMet bar 1170 may advantageously behave the same or similarly to the HbCO bar 212 and HbMet bar 712. Moreover, similar bars may advantageously display any of the physiological parameters discussed herein using display indicia appropriate to that parameter. For example, a SpO₂or SpaO₂bar may advantageously range from about 0% to about 100%, and more preferably range from about 50% to about 100%, while a Hbt bar may advantageously range from about 0 to about 30.

Moreover, similar to the disclosure above, the measured value of SpO₂1162 may advantageously toggle to measured values of HbCO, HbMet, Hbt, or the like based on, for example, actuation of user input keys, or the like.

In addition to the foregoing, the display may also include graphical data showing one or more color-coded or other identifying indicia for traces of trend data. Moreover, other graphical presentations may advantageously provide readily identifiable indications of monitored parameters or combinations of monitored parameters of the patient. For example, in an embodiment, the display includes a SpaO₂graph 1172. The SpaO₂graph 1172 plots SpO₂as a function of other blood analytes (1-SpaO₂), where SpaO₂comprises HbO₂expressed as a percentage of the four main hemoglobin species, i.e., HbO₂, Hb, HbCO, and HbMet. Thus, as shown in FIG. 11C, as the slope of the displayed line or arrow increases, the caregiver can readily note that the majority of hemoglobin carriers are being used to carry oxygen, and not, for example, harmful carbon monoxide. On the other hand, as the slope decreases, the caregiver can readily and advantageously note that the number of hemoglobin species available to carry oxygen is decreasing, regardless of the current value of SpO₂. Moreover, the length of the arrow or line also provides an indication of wellness, e.g., the higher the line the more oxygen saturation, the lower the line, the more likely there may be desaturation event, or the like.

Thus, the SpaO₂graph 1172 provides the caregiver with the ability to recognize that even though the measured value of SpO₂may be within acceptable ranges, there are potentially an unacceptable number of hemoglobin carriers unavailable for carrying oxygen, and that other potential problems may exist, such as, for example, harmful carbon monoxide levels, or the like. In an embodiment, various alarm conditions may cause the graph 1172 to change color, flash, or any combination of alarm indications discussed in the foregoing. Moreover, FIG. 11 illustrates yet an additional display of the foregoing parameters.

An embodiment may also include the monitor 1000 advantageously defining regions of wellness/severity of the monitored patient. For example, because the graph 1172 comprises two dimensions, the monitor 1000 may advantageously define regions where the patient's measured physiological parameters are considered acceptable, regions where the patient is considered at risk, regions where the patient is critical, and the like. For example, one region of acceptability may include a high SpO₂and a low 1-SpaO₂, another region of risk may include a high SpO₂and a high 1-SpaO₂, and another critical region may include a low SpO₂and a high 1-SpaO₂. Moreover, an artisan will recognize from the disclosure herein that different parameters may also be combined to provide readily identifiable indications of patient wellness.

In addition to or as an alternative to the two dimensional SpaO₂graph 1172, the monitor 1000 may also include a three dimensional graph, such as, for example, extending the graph 1172 along the variable of time. In this embodiment, the forgoing regions advantageously become three dimensional surfaces of wellness. Moreover, trend data may also be advantageously added to the surface to provide a history of when particular monitored parameters dipped in and out of various surfaces of wellness, risk, criticality, or the like. Such trend data could be color-coded, text identified, or the like. An artisan will also recognize that such surfaces may be dynamic. For example, measurements of HbCO> about 5 may dictate that trend data showing SpO₂< about 90% should be considered critical; however, measurements of HbCO< about 5 may dictate only SpO₂< about 85% would be critical. Again, an artisan will recognize from the disclosure herein other parameter combinations to create a wide variety of wellness/critical regions or surfaces that provide readily available visual or audio indications of patient well being, trigger specific alarms, or the like.

Moreover, the monitor 1000 may advantageously employ enlargement or reorganization of parameter data based on, for example, the severity of the measurement. For example, the monitor 1000 may display values for HbCO in a small portion of the screen or in the background, and when HbCO begins to approach abnormal levels, the small portion may advantageously grown as severity increases, even in some embodiments to dominate the display. Such visual alarming can be combined with audio alarms such as announcements, alarms, rising frequencies, or the like, and other visual alarms such as flashing, coloration, or the like to assist a caregiver in noticing the increasing severity of a monitored parameter. In an embodiment, a location of the display of an alarming value is changed to be displayed in a larger display area, such as 1102, so as to be readily noticeable and its display values readily ascertainable.

Although the foregoing invention has been described in terms of certain preferred embodiments, other embodiments will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from the disclosure herein. For example, the monitor 100 may advantageously be adapted to monitor or be included in a monitor capable of measuring physiological parameters other than those determined through absorption spectroscopy, such as, for example, blood pressure, ECG, EKG, respiratory rates, volumes, inputs for blood pressure sensors, acoustical sensors, and the like. Moreover, the monitor 100 may be adapted for wireless communication to and from the sensor 106, and/or to and from other monitoring devices, such as, for example, multi-parameter or legacy monitoring devices.

Also, other combinations, omissions, substitutions and modifications will be apparent to the skilled artisan in view of the disclosure herein. Accordingly, the present invention is not intended to be limited by the reaction of the preferred embodiments, but is to be defined by reference to the appended claims.

Additionally, all publications, patents, and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent, or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

Claims

1. A patient monitor capable of measuring at least two physiological parameters, the patient monitor comprising a display capable of displaying a measured value of a first physiological parameter of body tissue of a monitored patient in a first display area or displaying a measured value of a second physiological parameter of the body tissue in a second display area where the first display area and the second display area comprise at least some common display area capable of displaying information, wherein the common display area changes from displaying one of the measured values of the first or second physiological parameter to displaying the other of the measured values based on an occurrence of an event, the event being the measured value of one of the first or second physiological parameters approaching one or more threshold values indicative of a worsening state of a patient.
2. The patient monitor of claim 1, wherein the first display area and the second display area comprise the common display area.
3. The patient monitor of claim 1, wherein activation of a user input causes the common display area to change from displaying one of the measured value of the first or second physiological parameter to displaying the other of the measured value of the first or second physiological parameter.
4. The patient monitor of claim 1, wherein the common display area is configured to default to displaying one of the measured values of the first or second physiological parameters.
5. The patient monitor of claim 1, wherein the measured value of the first physiological parameter comprises an invasively measured value.
6. The patient monitor of claim 1, wherein the measured value of the first physiological parameter comprises a non-invasively measured value.
7. The patient monitor of claim 1, wherein the measured value of the first physiological parameter comprises glucose.
8. The patient monitor of claim 1, wherein the measured value of the first physiological parameter comprises an indication of oxygen saturation and the measured value of the second physiological parameter comprises an indication of carbon monoxide saturation.
9. The patient monitor of claim 1, wherein the measured value of the first physiological parameter comprises an indication of oxygen saturation and the measured value of the second physiological parameter comprises an indication of methemoglobin saturation.
10. The patient monitor of claim 1, wherein the measured value of the first physiological parameter comprises an indication of carbon monoxide saturation and the measured value of the second physiological parameter comprises an indication of methemoglobin saturation.
11. The patient monitor of claim 1, wherein an aspect of the display changes to illustrate a change in the severity of one of the measured values of the first or second physiological parameters.
12. The patient monitor of claim 11, wherein the aspect that changes comprises a display color.
13. The patient monitor of claim 11, wherein the aspect that changes comprises a display size.
14. The patient monitor of claim 11, wherein the aspect that changes comprises a display intensity.
15. A patient monitor capable of measuring at least two physiological parameters, the patient monitor comprising a display capable of displaying a measured value of a first physiological parameter of body tissue of a monitored patient in a first display area or displaying a measured value of a second physiological parameter of the body tissue in a second display area where the first display area and the second display area comprise at least some common display area capable of displaying information, wherein the common display area changes from displaying one of the measured values of the first or second physiological parameters to displaying the other of the measured values of the first or second physiological parameters based on an occurrence of an event, the event being one of the measured values of the first or second physiological parameters alarming.
16. The patient monitor of claim 15, wherein an aspect of an alarm changes when the common display area changes from displaying one of the measured values of the first or second physiological parameters.
17. The patient monitor of claim 16, wherein the aspect that changes comprises a display color.
18. A patient monitor capable of measuring at least two physiological parameters, the patient monitor comprising a display capable of displaying a measured value of a first physiological parameter of body tissue of a monitored patient in a first display area or displaying a measured value of a second physiological parameter of the body tissue in a second display area where the first display area and the second display area comprise at least some common display area capable of displaying information, wherein the common display area changes from displaying one of the measured values of the first or second physiological parameters to displaying the other of the measured values of the first or second physiological parameters automatically based on which is a more critical one of the measured values of the first or second physiological parameters.
19. The patient monitor of claim 18, wherein measured values of the first and second physiological parameters are determined using an output signal of a light sensitive detector capable of detecting light attenuated by the body tissue.
20. The patient monitor of claim 18, wherein at least one of measured physiological parameters is determined noninvasively.
21. A method of displaying two physiological parameter measurements using a display location of a display of a patient monitoring device, the display location being generally capable of displaying a single physiological parameter measurement, the method comprising: displaying a measured value of a first physiological parameter in a display location of an electronic display; andreplacing the display of the measured value of the first physiological parameter with a display of a measured value of a second physiological parameter in the display location when a change in the measurement of the second physiological parameter indicates a worsening state of the patient.
22. The method of claim 21, wherein the indication of the worsening state comprises an alarm condition.
23. The method of claim 21, wherein the measured value of the first physiological parameter comprises an invasively measured value.
24. The method of claim 21, wherein the measured value of the first physiological parameter comprises an indication of oxygen saturation and the measured value of the second physiological parameter comprises an indication of carbon monoxide saturation.
25. The method of claim 21, wherein the measured value of the first physiological parameter comprises an indication of oxygen saturation and the measured value of the second physiological parameter comprises an indication of methemoglobin saturation.
26. The method of claim 21, wherein the measured value of the first physiological parameter comprises an indication of carbon monoxide saturation and the measured value of the second physiological parameter comprises an indication of methemoglobin saturation.
27. A patient monitor capable of determining a plurality of physiological parameters from an output signal of a light sensitive detector capable of detecting light attenuated by body tissue, the patient monitor comprising: a display capable of displaying a measured value of a first blood parameter of body tissue of a monitored patient or displaying a measured value of a second blood parameter of the body tissue; anda user input button, the activation of which causes the display to change from displaying the measured value of the first blood parameter to displaying the measured value of the second blood parameter, wherein the display also changes from displaying the measured value of the first blood parameter to displaying the measured value of the second blood parameter when the second blood parameter passes an alarm threshold,wherein the measured values of the first and second blood parameters are determined using an output signal of a noninvasive light sensitive detector capable of detecting light attenuated by the body tissue.
28. The patient monitor of claim 27, wherein the display shifts a positioning of the display of the second blood parameter with respect to a positioning of the display of the first blood parameter.
29. The patient monitor of claim 27, wherein the change is for a predetermined duration and after expiration of the predetermined duration, the display changes back to displaying the measured value of the first blood parameter.
30. The patient monitor of claim 27, wherein the display of the measured value of the first blood parameter comprises a first color under normal conditions and the display of the measured value of the second blood parameter comprises a second color under normal conditions.
31. The patient monitor of claim 27, further comprising a sensor indicator capable of indicating whether an attached sensor can provide sufficient data to determine the measured value of the second blood parameter.
32. The patient monitor of claim 27, wherein the attached sensor can provide data through the output signal and through a memory device.
33. The patient monitor of claim 27, wherein the display displays the first blood parameter when the attached sensor cannot provide the sufficient data.
34. The patient monitor of claim 27, further comprising a memory for storing trend data on one or more of the first and second blood parameters.
35. The patient monitor of claim 27, further comprising an indicator capable of indicating the signal quality of the signals used to determine at least one of the measured values of the first and second blood parameters.
36. The patient monitor of claim 27, further comprising an alarm corresponding to either of the measured values of the first and second blood parameters falling below predetermined associated threshold values.
37. The patient monitor of claim 36, wherein the alarm comprises at least one of an audio or visual alarm.
38. The patient monitor of claim 27, further comprising an additional display indicating perfusion through the body tissue.
39. The patient monitor of claim 27, wherein the first blood parameter comprises a percent oxygen saturation and the second blood parameter comprises a percent carbon monoxide saturation.
40. The patient monitor of claim 39, comprising an additional display capable of indicating the percent carbon monoxide saturation.
41. The patient monitor of claim 39, comprising an additional display capable of indicating the percent methemoglobin saturation.
42. The patient monitor of claim 27, wherein the display comprises a first display and the patient monitor further comprises a second display capable of displaying a pulse rate.
43. The patient monitor of claim 42, wherein the second display is capable of displaying the pulse rate when the first display displays the measured value of the first blood parameter.
44. The patient monitor of claim 42, wherein the second display is capable of displaying indicia identifying the second blood parameter when the first display displays the measured value of the second blood parameter.
45. The patient monitor of claim 27, wherein a first activation type of the user input button causes the change to be for a predetermined duration and wherein a second activation type causes the change to be for an undetermined duration.
46. The patient monitor of claim 45, wherein the first activation type comprises a first depression of the user input button and the second activation type comprises an additional depression of the user input button.
47. The patient monitor of claim 45, wherein the first activation type comprises a short duration first depression of the user input button and the second activation type comprises a long duration first depression of the user input button.

PRIORITY CLAIM TO RELATED PROVISIONAL APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/657,596, filed Mar. 1, 2005, entitled “Multiple Wavelength Sensor,” No. 60/657,281, filed Mar. 1, 2005, entitled “Physiological Parameter Confidence Measure,” No. 60/657,268, filed Mar. 1, 2005, entitled “Configurable Physiological Measurement System,” and No. 60/657,759, filed Mar. 1, 2005, entitled “Noninvasive Multi-Parameter Patient Monitor.” The present application incorporates the foregoing disclosures herein by reference. The present application is related to the following copending U.S. utility applications: App. Sr. No.Filing DateTitleAtty Dock.111/367,013Mar. 1, 2006Multiple WavelengthMLR.002ASensor Emitters211/366,995Mar. 1, 2006Multiple WavelengthMLR.003ASensor Equalization311/366,209Mar. 1, 2006Multiple WavelengthMLR.004ASensor Substrate411/366,210Mar. 1, 2006Multiple WavelengthMLR.005ASensor Interconnect511/366,833Mar. 1, 2006Multiple WavelengthMLR.006ASensor Attachment611/366,997Mar. 1, 2006Multiple WavelengthMLR.009ASensor Drivers711/367,034Mar. 1, 2006PhysiologicalMLR.010AParameter ConfidenceMeasure811/367,036Mar. 1, 2006ConfigurableMLR.011APhysiologicalMeasurement System911/367,014Mar. 1, 2006Noninvasive Multi-MLR.013AParameter PatientMonitor1011/366,208Mar. 1, 2006Noninvasive Multi-MLR.014AParameter PatientMonitor The present application incorporates the foregoing disclosures herein by reference.

US Referenced Citations (653)

Number	Name	Date	Kind
3910701	Henderson et al.	Oct 1975	A
3998550	Konishi et al.	Dec 1976	A
4014321	March	Mar 1977	A
4157708	Imura	Jun 1979	A
4167331	Nielsen	Sep 1979	A
4266554	Hamaguri	May 1981	A
4267844	Yamanishi	May 1981	A
4446871	Imura	May 1984	A
4531527	Reinhold, Jr. et al.	Jul 1985	A
4586513	Hamaguri	May 1986	A
4621643	Newet al.	Nov 1986	A
4653498	New, et al.	Mar 1987	A
4655225	Dahne et al.	Apr 1987	A
4685464	Goldberger et al.	Aug 1987	A
4694833	Hamaguri	Sep 1987	A
4700708	New et al.	Oct 1987	A
4714341	Hamaguri et al.	Dec 1987	A
4770179	New et al.	Sep 1988	A
4773422	Isaacson et al.	Sep 1988	A
4781195	Martin	Nov 1988	A
4800885	Johnson	Jan 1989	A
4805623	Jobsis	Feb 1989	A
4832484	Aoyagi et al.	May 1989	A
4846183	Martin	Jul 1989	A
4863265	Flower et al.	Sep 1989	A
4867571	Frick et al.	Sep 1989	A
4869254	Stone et al.	Sep 1989	A
4907876	Suzuki et al.	Mar 1990	A
4911167	Corenman et al.	Mar 1990	A
4934372	Corenman et al.	Jun 1990	A
4938218	Goodman et al.	Jul 1990	A
4942877	Sakai et al.	Jul 1990	A
4955379	Hall	Sep 1990	A
4960126	Conlon et al.	Oct 1990	A
4960128	Gordon et al.	Oct 1990	A
4964010	Miyasaka et al.	Oct 1990	A
4964408	Hink et al.	Oct 1990	A
4967571	Sporri	Nov 1990	A
4975581	Robinson et al.	Dec 1990	A
4986665	Yamanishi et al.	Jan 1991	A
4997769	Lundsgaard	Mar 1991	A
5025791	Niwa	Jun 1991	A
RE33643	Isaacson et al.	Jul 1991	E
5028787	Rosenthal et al.	Jul 1991	A
5033472	Sato et al.	Jul 1991	A
5041187	Hink et al.	Aug 1991	A
5054495	Uemura et al.	Oct 1991	A
5058588	Kaestle et al.	Oct 1991	A
5069213	Polczynski	Dec 1991	A
5077476	Rosenthal	Dec 1991	A
5078136	Stone et al.	Jan 1992	A
5137023	Mendelson et al.	Aug 1992	A
5163438	Gordon et al.	Nov 1992	A
5189609	Tivig et al.	Feb 1993	A
5190040	Aoyagi	Mar 1993	A
5209230	Swedlow et al.	May 1993	A
5226053	Cho et al.	Jul 1993	A
5246002	Prosser	Sep 1993	A
5247931	Norwood	Sep 1993	A
5259381	Cheung et al.	Nov 1993	A
5267562	Ukawa et al.	Dec 1993	A
5267563	Swedlow et al.	Dec 1993	A
5278627	Aoyagi	Jan 1994	A
5297548	Pologe	Mar 1994	A
5313940	Fuse et al.	May 1994	A
5331549	Crawford, Jr.	Jul 1994	A
5335659	Pologe et al.	Aug 1994	A
5337744	Branigan	Aug 1994	A
5337745	Benaron	Aug 1994	A
5341805	Stavridi et al.	Aug 1994	A
5348004	Hollub	Sep 1994	A
5351685	Potratz	Oct 1994	A
5355880	Thomas et al.	Oct 1994	A
5355882	Ukawa et al.	Oct 1994	A
5361758	Hall et al.	Nov 1994	A
5368224	Richardson et al.	Nov 1994	A
D353195	Savage et al.	Dec 1994	S
D353196	Savage et al.	Dec 1994	S
5377676	Vari et al.	Jan 1995	A
5385143	Aoyagi	Jan 1995	A
5387122	Goldberger et al.	Feb 1995	A
5392777	Swedlow et al.	Feb 1995	A
5413101	Sugiura	May 1995	A
D359546	Savage et al.	Jun 1995	S
5421329	Casciani et al.	Jun 1995	A
5427093	Ogawa et al.	Jun 1995	A
5429128	Cadell et al.	Jul 1995	A
5431170	Mathews	Jul 1995	A
5435309	Thomas et al.	Jul 1995	A
D361840	Savage et al.	Aug 1995	S
D362063	Savage et al.	Sep 1995	S
5452717	Branigan et al.	Sep 1995	A
D363120	Savage et al.	Oct 1995	S
5456252	Vari et al.	Oct 1995	A
RE35122	Corenman et al.	Dec 1995	E
5482036	Diab et al.	Jan 1996	A
5490505	Diab et al.	Feb 1996	A
5490523	Isaacson et al.	Feb 1996	A
5494032	Robinson et al.	Feb 1996	A
5494043	O'Sullivan et al.	Feb 1996	A
5503148	Pologe et al.	Apr 1996	A
5520177	Ogawa	May 1996	A
5533507	Potratz	Jul 1996	A
5533511	Kaspari et al.	Jul 1996	A
5551423	Sugiura	Sep 1996	A
5553615	Carim et al.	Sep 1996	A
5555882	Richardson et al.	Sep 1996	A
5561275	Savage et al.	Oct 1996	A
5562002	Lalin	Oct 1996	A
5575284	Athan et al.	Nov 1996	A
5577500	Potratz	Nov 1996	A
5584299	Sakai et al.	Dec 1996	A
5588427	Tien	Dec 1996	A
5590649	Caro et al.	Jan 1997	A
5590652	Inai	Jan 1997	A
5595176	Yamaura	Jan 1997	A
5596992	Haaland et al.	Jan 1997	A
5602924	Durand et al.	Feb 1997	A
5603623	Nishikawa et al.	Feb 1997	A
5630413	Thomas et al.	May 1997	A
5632272	Diab et al.	May 1997	A
5638816	Kiani-Azarbayjany et al.	Jun 1997	A
5638818	Diab et al.	Jun 1997	A
5645059	Fein et al.	Jul 1997	A
5645060	Yorkey	Jul 1997	A
5645440	Tobler et al.	Jul 1997	A
5660567	Nierlich et al.	Aug 1997	A
5662106	Swedlow et al.	Sep 1997	A
5676139	Goldberger et al.	Oct 1997	A
5676141	Hollub	Oct 1997	A
5678544	Delonzor et al.	Oct 1997	A
5685299	Diab et al.	Nov 1997	A
5685301	Klomhaus	Nov 1997	A
5687719	Sato et al.	Nov 1997	A
5687722	Tien et al.	Nov 1997	A
5690104	Kanemoto et al.	Nov 1997	A
5692503	Kuenstner	Dec 1997	A
5697371	Aoyagi	Dec 1997	A
5713355	Richardson et al.	Feb 1998	A
5719589	Norman et al.	Feb 1998	A
5720284	Aoyagi et al.	Feb 1998	A
D393830	Tobler et al.	Apr 1998	S
5743262	Lepper, Jr. et al.	Apr 1998	A
5743263	Baker, Jr.	Apr 1998	A
5746206	Mannheimer	May 1998	A
5746697	Swedlow et al.	May 1998	A
5752914	Delonzor et al.	May 1998	A
5755226	Carim et al.	May 1998	A
5758644	Diab et al.	Jun 1998	A
5760910	Lepper, Jr. et al.	Jun 1998	A
5769785	Diab et al.	Jun 1998	A
5772587	Gratton et al.	Jun 1998	A
5779630	Fein et al.	Jul 1998	A
5782237	Casciani et al.	Jul 1998	A
5782756	Mannheimer	Jul 1998	A
5782757	Diab et al.	Jul 1998	A
5785659	Caro et al.	Jul 1998	A
5790729	Pologe et al.	Aug 1998	A
5791347	Flaherty et al.	Aug 1998	A
5792052	Isaacson et al.	Aug 1998	A
5793485	Gourley	Aug 1998	A
5800348	Kaestle	Sep 1998	A
5800349	Isaacson et al.	Sep 1998	A
5803910	Potratz	Sep 1998	A
5807246	Sakaguchi et al.	Sep 1998	A
5807247	Merchant et al.	Sep 1998	A
5810723	Aldrich	Sep 1998	A
5810724	Gronvall	Sep 1998	A
5810734	Caro et al.	Sep 1998	A
5817010	Hibl	Oct 1998	A
5818985	Merchant et al.	Oct 1998	A
5823950	Diab et al.	Oct 1998	A
5823952	Levinson et al.	Oct 1998	A
5827182	Raley	Oct 1998	A
5830131	Caro et al.	Nov 1998	A
5830137	Scharf	Nov 1998	A
5833618	Caro et al.	Nov 1998	A
5839439	Nierlich et al.	Nov 1998	A
RE36000	Swedlow et al.	Dec 1998	E
5842979	Jarman	Dec 1998	A
5851178	Aronow	Dec 1998	A
5851179	Ritson et al.	Dec 1998	A
5853364	Baker, Jr. et al.	Dec 1998	A
5857462	Thomas et al.	Jan 1999	A
5860919	Kiani-Azarbayjany et al.	Jan 1999	A
5865736	Baker, Jr. et al.	Feb 1999	A
5876348	Sugo	Mar 1999	A
5885213	Richardson et al.	Mar 1999	A
5890929	Mills et al.	Apr 1999	A
5891022	Pologe	Apr 1999	A
5891024	Jarman et al.	Apr 1999	A
5904654	Wohltmann et al.	May 1999	A
5910108	Solenberger	Jun 1999	A
5916154	Hobbs et al.	Jun 1999	A
5919133	Taylor	Jul 1999	A
5919134	Diab	Jul 1999	A
5921921	Potratz et al.	Jul 1999	A
5934277	Mortz	Aug 1999	A
5934925	Tobler et al.	Aug 1999	A
5940182	Lepper, Jr. et al.	Aug 1999	A
5954644	Dettling	Sep 1999	A
5978691	Mills	Nov 1999	A
5983122	Jarman et al.	Nov 1999	A
5995855	Kiani et al.	Nov 1999	A
5995856	Mannheimer et al.	Nov 1999	A
5995859	Takahashi	Nov 1999	A
5997343	Mills et al.	Dec 1999	A
5999841	Aoyagi et al.	Dec 1999	A
6002952	Diab et al.	Dec 1999	A
6006119	Soller et al.	Dec 1999	A
6011986	Diab et al.	Jan 2000	A
6014576	Raley	Jan 2000	A
6018673	Chin et al.	Jan 2000	A
6018674	Aronow	Jan 2000	A
6023541	Merchant et al.	Feb 2000	A
6027452	Flaherty et al.	Feb 2000	A
6036642	Diab et al.	Mar 2000	A
6045509	Caro et al.	Apr 2000	A
6064898	Aldrich	May 2000	A
6067462	Diab et al.	May 2000	A
6068594	Schloemer et al.	May 2000	A
6073037	Alam et al.	Jun 2000	A
6081735	Diab et al.	Jun 2000	A
6083172	Baker, Jr. et al.	Jul 2000	A
6088607	Diab et al.	Jul 2000	A
6094592	Yorkey et al.	Jul 2000	A
6104938	Huiku	Aug 2000	A
6110522	Lepper, Jr. et al.	Aug 2000	A
6112107	Hannula	Aug 2000	A
6122042	Wunderman et al.	Sep 2000	A
6124597	Shehada et al.	Sep 2000	A
6144868	Parker	Nov 2000	A
6149588	Noda et al.	Nov 2000	A
6151516	Kiani-Azarbayjany et al.	Nov 2000	A
6151518	Hayashi	Nov 2000	A
6152754	Gerhardt et al.	Nov 2000	A
6154667	Miura et al.	Nov 2000	A
6157041	Thomas et al.	Dec 2000	A
6157850	Diab et al.	Dec 2000	A
6165005	Mills et al.	Dec 2000	A
6174283	Nevo et al.	Jan 2001	B1
6184521	Coffin, IV et al.	Feb 2001	B1
6192261	Gratton et al.	Feb 2001	B1
6206830	Diab et al.	Mar 2001	B1
6226539	Potratz	May 2001	B1
6229856	Diab et al.	May 2001	B1
6230035	Aoyagi et al.	May 2001	B1
6232609	Snyder et al.	May 2001	B1
6236872	Diab et al.	May 2001	B1
6241683	Macklem et al.	Jun 2001	B1
6253097	Aronow et al.	Jun 2001	B1
6256523	Diab et al.	Jul 2001	B1
6262698	Blum	Jul 2001	B1
6263222	Diab et al.	Jul 2001	B1
6272363	Casciani et al.	Aug 2001	B1
6278522	Lepper, Jr. et al.	Aug 2001	B1
6280213	Tobler et al.	Aug 2001	B1
6285895	Ristolainen et al.	Sep 2001	B1
6285896	Tobler et al.	Sep 2001	B1
6298252	Kovach et al.	Oct 2001	B1
6304675	Osbourn et al.	Oct 2001	B1
6304767	Soller et al.	Oct 2001	B1
6321100	Parker	Nov 2001	B1
6330468	Scharf	Dec 2001	B1
6334065	Al-Ali et al.	Dec 2001	B1
6341257	Haaland	Jan 2002	B1
6343224	Parker	Jan 2002	B1
6349228	Kiani et al.	Feb 2002	B1
6351658	Middleman et al.	Feb 2002	B1
6356774	Bernstein et al.	Mar 2002	B1
6360113	Dettling	Mar 2002	B1
6360114	Diab et al.	Mar 2002	B1
6363269	Hanna et al.	Mar 2002	B1
6368283	Xu et al.	Apr 2002	B1
6371921	Caro et al.	Apr 2002	B1
6374129	Chin et al.	Apr 2002	B1
6377828	Chaiken et al.	Apr 2002	B1
6377829	Al-Ali	Apr 2002	B1
6388240	Schulz et al.	May 2002	B2
6393310	Kuenstner	May 2002	B1
6397091	Diab et al.	May 2002	B2
6397092	Norris et al.	May 2002	B1
6397093	Aldrich	May 2002	B1
6408198	Hanna et al.	Jun 2002	B1
6411833	Baker, Jr. et al.	Jun 2002	B1
6415166	Van Hoy et al.	Jul 2002	B1
6415233	Haaland	Jul 2002	B1
6415236	Kobayashi et al.	Jul 2002	B2
6430525	Weber et al.	Aug 2002	B1
6434408	Heckel	Aug 2002	B1
6441388	Thomas et al.	Aug 2002	B1
6453184	Hyogo et al.	Sep 2002	B1
6455340	Chua et al.	Sep 2002	B1
6463310	Swedlow et al.	Oct 2002	B1
6463311	Diab	Oct 2002	B1
6466824	Struble	Oct 2002	B1
6470199	Kopotic et al.	Oct 2002	B1
6480729	Stone	Nov 2002	B2
6490466	Fein et al.	Dec 2002	B1
6497659	Rafert	Dec 2002	B1
6501974	Huiku	Dec 2002	B2
6501975	Diab et al.	Dec 2002	B2
6504943	Sweatt et al.	Jan 2003	B1
6505059	Kollias et al.	Jan 2003	B1
6505060	Norris	Jan 2003	B1
6505061	Larson	Jan 2003	B2
6505133	Hanna	Jan 2003	B1
6510329	Heckel	Jan 2003	B2
6515273	Al-Ali	Feb 2003	B2
6519486	Edgar, Jr. et al.	Feb 2003	B1
6519487	Parker	Feb 2003	B1
6522398	Cadell et al.	Feb 2003	B2
6525386	Mills et al.	Feb 2003	B1
6526300	Kiani et al.	Feb 2003	B1
6526301	Larsen et al.	Feb 2003	B2
6528809	Thomas et al.	Mar 2003	B1
6537225	Mills	Mar 2003	B1
6541756	Schulz et al.	Apr 2003	B2
6542763	Yamashita et al.	Apr 2003	B1
6542764	Al-Ali et al.	Apr 2003	B1
6545652	Tsuji	Apr 2003	B1
6546267	Sugiura	Apr 2003	B1
6553241	Mannheimer et al.	Apr 2003	B2
6564077	Mortara	May 2003	B2
6571113	Fein et al.	May 2003	B1
6580086	Schulz et al.	Jun 2003	B1
6582964	Samsoondar et al.	Jun 2003	B1
6584336	Ali et al.	Jun 2003	B1
6584413	Keenan et al.	Jun 2003	B1
6591123	Fein et al.	Jul 2003	B2
6594511	Stone et al.	Jul 2003	B2
6595316	Cybulski et al.	Jul 2003	B2
6597932	Tian et al.	Jul 2003	B2
6597933	Kiani et al.	Jul 2003	B2
6600940	Fein et al.	Jul 2003	B1
6606509	Schmitt	Aug 2003	B2
6606510	Swedlow et al.	Aug 2003	B2
6606511	Ali et al.	Aug 2003	B1
6611698	Yamashita et al.	Aug 2003	B1
6614521	Samsoondar et al.	Sep 2003	B2
6615064	Aldrich	Sep 2003	B1
6615151	Scecina et al.	Sep 2003	B1
6618602	Levin	Sep 2003	B2
6622095	Kobayashi et al.	Sep 2003	B2
6628975	Fein et al.	Sep 2003	B1
6631281	Kastle	Oct 2003	B1
6632181	Flaherty et al.	Oct 2003	B2
6639668	Trepagnier	Oct 2003	B1
6640116	Diab	Oct 2003	B2
6643530	Diab et al.	Nov 2003	B2
6650917	Diab et al.	Nov 2003	B2
6654623	Kastle	Nov 2003	B1
6654624	Diab et al.	Nov 2003	B2
6657717	Cadell et al.	Dec 2003	B2
6658276	Kianl et al.	Dec 2003	B2
6658277	Wasserman	Dec 2003	B2
6661161	Lanzo et al.	Dec 2003	B1
6662033	Casciani et al.	Dec 2003	B2
6665551	Suzuki	Dec 2003	B1
6668183	Hicks et al.	Dec 2003	B2
6671526	Aoyagi et al.	Dec 2003	B1
6671531	Al-Ali et al.	Dec 2003	B2
6675031	Porges et al.	Jan 2004	B1
6675106	Keenan et al.	Jan 2004	B1
6678543	Diab et al.	Jan 2004	B2
6681126	Solenberger	Jan 2004	B2
6684090	Ali et al.	Jan 2004	B2
6684091	Parker	Jan 2004	B2
6687620	Haaland et al.	Feb 2004	B1
6690466	Miller et al.	Feb 2004	B2
6694157	Stone et al.	Feb 2004	B1
6697655	Sueppel et al.	Feb 2004	B2
6697656	Al-Ali	Feb 2004	B1
6697657	Shehada et al.	Feb 2004	B1
6697658	Al-Ali	Feb 2004	B2
RE38476	Diab et al.	Mar 2004	E
6699194	Diab et al.	Mar 2004	B1
6701170	Stetson	Mar 2004	B2
6708049	Berson et al.	Mar 2004	B1
6711503	Haaland	Mar 2004	B2
6714803	Mortz	Mar 2004	B1
6714804	Al-Ali et al.	Mar 2004	B2
6714805	Jeon et al.	Mar 2004	B2
RE38492	Diab et al.	Apr 2004	E
6719705	Mills	Apr 2004	B2
6720734	Norris	Apr 2004	B2
6721582	Trepagnier et al.	Apr 2004	B2
6721584	Baker, Jr. et al.	Apr 2004	B2
6721585	Parker	Apr 2004	B1
6725074	Kastle	Apr 2004	B1
6725075	Al-Ali	Apr 2004	B2
6726634	Freeman	Apr 2004	B2
6728560	Kollias et al.	Apr 2004	B2
6735459	Parker	May 2004	B2
6741875	Pawluczyk et al.	May 2004	B1
6741876	Scecina et al.	May 2004	B1
6743172	Blike	Jun 2004	B1
6745060	Diab et al.	Jun 2004	B2
6745061	Hicks et al.	Jun 2004	B1
6748253	Norris et al.	Jun 2004	B2
6748254	Chin et al.	Jun 2004	B2
6754515	Pologe	Jun 2004	B1
6754516	Mannheimer	Jun 2004	B2
6760607	Al-All	Jul 2004	B2
6760609	Jacques	Jul 2004	B2
6770028	Ali et al.	Aug 2004	B1
6771994	Kiani et al.	Aug 2004	B2
6773397	Kelly	Aug 2004	B2
6778923	Norris et al.	Aug 2004	B2
6780158	Yarita	Aug 2004	B2
6788849	Pawluczyk	Sep 2004	B1
6792300	Diab et al.	Sep 2004	B1
6800373	Corczyca	Oct 2004	B2
6801797	Mannheimer et al.	Oct 2004	B2
6801799	Mendelson	Oct 2004	B2
6810277	Edgar, Jr. et al.	Oct 2004	B2
6813511	Diab et al.	Nov 2004	B2
6816741	Diab	Nov 2004	B2
6819950	Mills	Nov 2004	B2
6822564	Al-Ali	Nov 2004	B2
6825619	Norris	Nov 2004	B2
6826419	Diab et al.	Nov 2004	B2
6829496	Nagai et al.	Dec 2004	B2
6829501	Nielsen et al.	Dec 2004	B2
6830711	Mills et al.	Dec 2004	B2
6836679	Baker, Jr. et al.	Dec 2004	B2
6839579	Chin	Jan 2005	B1
6839580	Zonios et al.	Jan 2005	B2
6839582	Heckel	Jan 2005	B2
6842702	Haaland et al.	Jan 2005	B2
6845256	Chin et al.	Jan 2005	B2
6847835	Yamanishi	Jan 2005	B1
6850787	Weber et al.	Feb 2005	B2
6850788	Al-Ali	Feb 2005	B2
6852083	Caro et al.	Feb 2005	B2
6861639	Al-Ali	Mar 2005	B2
6861641	Adams	Mar 2005	B1
6869402	Arnold	Mar 2005	B2
6882874	Huiku	Apr 2005	B2
6898452	Al-Ali et al.	May 2005	B2
6912049	Pawluczyk et al.	Jun 2005	B2
6917422	Samsoondar et al.	Jul 2005	B2
6919566	Cadell	Jul 2005	B1
6920345	Al-Ali et al.	Jul 2005	B2
6921367	Mills	Jul 2005	B2
6922645	Haaland et al.	Jul 2005	B2
6928311	Pawluczyk et al.	Aug 2005	B1
6931268	Kiani-Azarbayjany et al.	Aug 2005	B1
6931269	Terry	Aug 2005	B2
6934570	Kiani et al.	Aug 2005	B2
6939305	Flaherty et al.	Sep 2005	B2
6943348	Coffin, IV	Sep 2005	B1
6944487	Maynard et al.	Sep 2005	B2
6950687	Al-Ali	Sep 2005	B2
6956572	Zaleski	Oct 2005	B2
6961598	Diab	Nov 2005	B2
6970792	Diab	Nov 2005	B1
6975891	Pawluczyk	Dec 2005	B2
6979812	Al-Ali	Dec 2005	B2
6985764	Mason et al.	Jan 2006	B2
6987994	Mortz	Jan 2006	B1
6993371	Kiani et al.	Jan 2006	B2
6996427	Ali et al.	Feb 2006	B2
6999904	Weber et al.	Feb 2006	B2
7001337	Dekker	Feb 2006	B2
7003338	Weber et al.	Feb 2006	B2
7003339	Diab et al.	Feb 2006	B2
7006856	Baker, Jr. et al.	Feb 2006	B2
7015451	Dalke et al.	Mar 2006	B2
7024233	Al et al.	Apr 2006	B2
7027849	Al-Ali	Apr 2006	B2
7030749	Al-Ali	Apr 2006	B2
7039449	Al-Ali	May 2006	B2
7041060	Flaherty et al.	May 2006	B2
7044918	Diab	May 2006	B2
7067893	Mills et al.	Jun 2006	B2
7096052	Mason et al.	Aug 2006	B2
7096054	Abdul-Hafiz et al.	Aug 2006	B2
7132641	Schulz et al.	Nov 2006	B2
7142901	Kiani et al.	Nov 2006	B2
7149561	Diab	Dec 2006	B2
7186966	Al-Ali	Mar 2007	B2
7190261	Al-Ali	Mar 2007	B2
7215984	Diab et al.	May 2007	B2
7215986	Diab et al.	May 2007	B2
7221971	Diab et al.	May 2007	B2
7225006	Al-Ali et al.	May 2007	B2
7225007	Al-Ali et al.	May 2007	B2
RE39672	Shehada et al.	Jun 2007	E
7239905	Kiani-Azarbayjany et al.	Jul 2007	B2
7245953	Parker	Jul 2007	B1
7254429	Schurman et al.	Aug 2007	B2
7254431	Al-Ali et al.	Aug 2007	B2
7254433	Diab et al.	Aug 2007	B2
7254434	Schulz et al.	Aug 2007	B2
7272425	Al-Ali	Sep 2007	B2
7274955	Kiani et al.	Sep 2007	B2
D554263	Al-Ali et al.	Oct 2007	S
7280858	Al-Ali et al.	Oct 2007	B2
7289835	Mansfield et al.	Oct 2007	B2
7292883	De Felice et al.	Nov 2007	B2
7295866	Al-Ali	Nov 2007	B2
7299080	Acosta et al.	Nov 2007	B2
7328053	Diab et al.	Feb 2008	B1
7332784	Mills et al.	Feb 2008	B2
7340287	Mason et al.	Mar 2008	B2
7341559	Schulz et al.	Mar 2008	B2
7343186	Lamego et al.	Mar 2008	B2
D566282	Al-Ali et al.	Apr 2008	S
7355512	Al-Ali	Apr 2008	B1
7356365	Schurman	Apr 2008	B2
7371981	Abdul-Hafiz	May 2008	B2
7373193	Al-Ali et al.	May 2008	B2
7373194	Weber et al.	May 2008	B2
7376453	Diab et al.	May 2008	B1
7377794	Al-Ali et al.	May 2008	B2
7377899	Weber et al.	May 2008	B2
7383070	Diab et al.	Jun 2008	B2
7415297	Al-Ali et al.	Aug 2008	B2
7428432	Ali et al.	Sep 2008	B2
7438683	Al-Ali et al.	Oct 2008	B2
7440787	Diab	Oct 2008	B2
7454240	Diab et al.	Nov 2008	B2
7467002	Weber et al.	Dec 2008	B2
7469157	Diab et al.	Dec 2008	B2
7471969	Diab et al.	Dec 2008	B2
7471971	Diab et al.	Dec 2008	B2
7483729	Al-Ali et al.	Jan 2009	B2
7483730	Diab et al.	Jan 2009	B2
7489958	Diab et al.	Feb 2009	B2
7496391	Diab et al.	Feb 2009	B2
7496393	Diab et al.	Feb 2009	B2
D587657	Al-Ali et al.	Mar 2009	S
7499741	Diab et al.	Mar 2009	B2
7499835	Weber et al.	Mar 2009	B2
7500950	Al-Ali et al.	Mar 2009	B2
7509154	Diab et al.	Mar 2009	B2
7509494	Al-Ali	Mar 2009	B2
7510849	Schurman et al.	Mar 2009	B2
7526328	Diab et al.	Apr 2009	B2
7530942	Diab	May 2009	B1
7530949	Al Ali et al.	May 2009	B2
7530955	Diab et al.	May 2009	B2
7563110	Al-Ali et al.	Jul 2009	B2
7596398	Al-Ali et al.	Sep 2009	B2
7618375	Flaherty et al.	Nov 2009	B2
D606659	Kiani et al.	Dec 2009	S
7647083	Al-Ali et al.	Jan 2010	B2
D609193	Al-Ali et al.	Feb 2010	S
D614305	Al-Ali et al.	Apr 2010	S
RE41317	Parker	May 2010	E
7729733	Al-Ali et al.	Jun 2010	B2
7734320	Al-Ali	Jun 2010	B2
7899507	Al-Ali et al.	Mar 2011	B2
7957780	Lamego et al.	Jun 2011	B2
20010044700	Koboyashi et al.	Nov 2001	A1
20010045532	Schulz et al.	Nov 2001	A1
20020021269	Rast	Feb 2002	A1
20020026107	Kiani et al.	Feb 2002	A1
20020035318	Mannheimer et al.	Mar 2002	A1
20020038078	Ito	Mar 2002	A1
20020038081	Fein et al.	Mar 2002	A1
20020059047	Haaland	May 2002	A1
20020082488	Al-Ali et al.	Jun 2002	A1
20020095078	Mannheimer et al.	Jul 2002	A1
20020111748	Kobayashi et al.	Aug 2002	A1
20020115919	Al-Ali	Aug 2002	A1
20020154665	Funabashi et al.	Oct 2002	A1
20020156353	Larson	Oct 2002	A1
20020159002	Chang	Oct 2002	A1
20020161291	Kianl et al.	Oct 2002	A1
20020165440	Mason et al.	Nov 2002	A1
20020183819	Struble	Dec 2002	A1
20030045784	Palatnik et al.	Mar 2003	A1
20030045785	Diab et al.	Mar 2003	A1
20030049232	Page et al.	Mar 2003	A1
20030109775	O'Neil et al.	Jun 2003	A1
20030116769	Song et al.	Jun 2003	A1
20030117296	Seely	Jun 2003	A1
20030120160	Yarita	Jun 2003	A1
20030120164	Nielsen et al.	Jun 2003	A1
20030135099	Al-Ali	Jul 2003	A1
20030139657	Solenberger	Jul 2003	A1
20030160257	Bader et al.	Aug 2003	A1
20030195402	Fein et al.	Oct 2003	A1
20040006261	Swedlow et al.	Jan 2004	A1
20040033618	Haass et al.	Feb 2004	A1
20040034898	Bruegl	Feb 2004	A1
20040059209	Al-Ali et al.	Mar 2004	A1
20040064259	Haaland et al.	Apr 2004	A1
20040081621	Arndt et al.	Apr 2004	A1
20040092805	Yarita	May 2004	A1
20040133087	Ali et al.	Jul 2004	A1
20040138538	Stetson	Jul 2004	A1
20040138540	Baker, Jr. et al.	Jul 2004	A1
20040147822	Al-Ali et al.	Jul 2004	A1
20040147823	Kiani et al.	Jul 2004	A1
20040158132	Zaleski	Aug 2004	A1
20040158134	Diab et al.	Aug 2004	A1
20040158135	Baker, Jr. et al.	Aug 2004	A1
20040162472	Berson et al.	Aug 2004	A1
20040167382	Gardner et al.	Aug 2004	A1
20040176670	Takamura et al.	Sep 2004	A1
20040181134	Baker, Jr. et al.	Sep 2004	A1
20040199063	O'Neil et al.	Oct 2004	A1
20040204639	Casciani et al.	Oct 2004	A1
20040204868	Maynard et al.	Oct 2004	A1
20040229391	Ohya et al.	Nov 2004	A1
20040262046	Simond et al.	Dec 2004	A1
20040267103	Li et al.	Dec 2004	A1
20040267140	Ito et al.	Dec 2004	A1
20050011488	Doucet	Jan 2005	A1
20050033128	Ali et al.	Feb 2005	A1
20050043902	Haaland et al.	Feb 2005	A1
20050049469	Aoyagi et al.	Mar 2005	A1
20050054908	Blank et al.	Mar 2005	A1
20050070773	Chin et al.	Mar 2005	A1
20050070775	Chin et al.	Mar 2005	A1
20050075546	Samsoondar et al.	Apr 2005	A1
20050085704	Schulz et al.	Apr 2005	A1
20050085735	Baker et al.	Apr 2005	A1
20050124871	Baker et al.	Jun 2005	A1
20050143634	Baker et al.	Jun 2005	A1
20050143943	Brown	Jun 2005	A1
20050148834	Hull et al.	Jul 2005	A1
20050184895	Petersen et al.	Aug 2005	A1
20050187447	Chew et al.	Aug 2005	A1
20050187448	Petersen et al.	Aug 2005	A1
20050187449	Chew et al.	Aug 2005	A1
20050187450	Chew et al.	Aug 2005	A1
20050187452	Petersen et al.	Aug 2005	A1
20050187453	Petersen et al.	Aug 2005	A1
20050197549	Baker Jr.	Sep 2005	A1
20050197579	Baker Jr.	Sep 2005	A1
20050197793	Baker Jr.	Sep 2005	A1
20050203357	Debreczeny et al.	Sep 2005	A1
20050209515	Hockersmith et al.	Sep 2005	A1
20050228253	Debreczeny	Oct 2005	A1
20050250997	Takeda et al.	Nov 2005	A1
20060030764	Porges et al.	Feb 2006	A1
20060210120	Rowe et al.	Sep 2006	A1
20060211922	Al-Ali et al.	Sep 2006	A1
20060211923	Al-Ali et al.	Sep 2006	A1
20060211924	Smith et al.	Sep 2006	A1
20060211925	Lamego et al.	Sep 2006	A1
20060211932	Al-Ali et al.	Sep 2006	A1
20060226992	Al-Ali et al.	Oct 2006	A1
20060229509	Al-Ali et al.	Oct 2006	A1
20060238358	Al-Ali et al.	Oct 2006	A1
20060241358	Al-Ali et al.	Oct 2006	A1
20060241363	Al-Ali et al.	Oct 2006	A1
20110009719	Al-Ali et al.	Jan 2011	A1
20110237914	Lamego et al.	Sep 2011	A1

Foreign Referenced Citations (64)

Number	Date	Country
41 92 23	Mar 1991	EP
0 569 670	Feb 1993	EP
0569670	Nov 1993	EP
0 675 541	Oct 1995	EP
1 895 892	May 2010	EP
2 305 104	Apr 2011	EP
61-28172	Feb 1986	JP
63-275327	Nov 1988	JP
64-500495	Feb 1989	JP
2-145457	Dec 1990	JP
05-207993	Aug 1993	JP
6-505903	Jul 1994	JP
6-237013	Aug 1994	JP
7-281618	Oct 1995	JP
07-325546	Dec 1995	JP
9-192120	Jul 1997	JP
10-216112	Aug 1998	JP
10-509352	Sep 1998	JP
10-269344	Oct 1998	JP
10-295676	Nov 1998	JP
10-305026	Nov 1998	JP
11-163412	Jun 1999	JP
11-164826	Jun 1999	JP
11-506834	Jun 1999	JP
11-183377	Jul 1999	JP
2000-116625	Apr 2000	JP
2002-516689	Jun 2002	JP
2002-228579	Aug 2002	JP
2002-525151	Aug 2002	JP
2002-315739	Oct 2002	JP
2003-507718	Feb 2003	JP
2003-084108	Mar 2003	JP
2003-521985	Jul 2003	JP
2004-070179	Mar 2004	JP
2004-226277	Aug 2004	JP
2004-296736	Oct 2004	JP
2004-532526	Oct 2004	JP
2004-327760	Nov 2004	JP
2005-501589	Jan 2005	JP
2005-253478	Sep 2005	JP
4879913	Dec 2011	JP
WO 8801150	Feb 1988	WO
WO 8802020	Feb 1988	WO
WO 9216142	Oct 1992	WO
WO 9516387	Jun 1995	WO
WO 9613208	May 1996	WO
WO 9701985	Jan 1997	WO
WO 9843071	Oct 1998	WO
WO 98-43071	Oct 1998	WO
WO 0018290	Apr 2000	WO
WO 0042911	Jul 2000	WO
WO 0059374	Oct 2000	WO
WO 0113790	Mar 2001	WO
WO 0130414	May 2001	WO
WO 0158347	Aug 2001	WO
WO 0217780	Mar 2002	WO
WO 0226123	Apr 2002	WO
WO 02089664	Nov 2002	WO
WO 03020129	Mar 2003	WO
WO 03068060	Aug 2003	WO
WO 03-068060	Aug 2003	WO
WO 2004034898	Apr 2004	WO
WO 2005011488	Feb 2005	WO
WO 2006094168	Sep 2006	WO

Related Publications (1)

	Number	Date	Country
	20060226992 A1	Oct 2006	US

Provisional Applications (4)

Number	Date	Country
60657596	Mar 2005	US
60657281	Mar 2005	US
60657268	Mar 2005	US
60657759	Mar 2005	US

Noninvasive multi-parameter patient monitor

Information

Patent Number

Date Filed

Date Issued

Inventors

Original Assignees

Examiners

Agents

CPC

US Classifications

Field of Search

US

International Classifications

Term Extension