Spot check monitor credit system
AssigneeMasimo Laboratories, Inc.
InventorsGregory A. Olsen, Marcelo Lamego, Cristiano Dalvi, Johannes Bruinsma, Jeroen Poeze, Massi Joe E. Kiani
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A spot check credit system advantageously includes various embodiments for obtaining authorization or payment for each measurement, groups of measurements, times of measurement or the like. In an embodiment, the system utilizes a server that communicates web pages over a computer network. In an embodiment, the system utilizes a digital communication device such as a photocommunicative key.
Claims20
A photocommunicative key comprising:
- a detector;
- an emitter;
- a memory configured to store information for communication with a patient monitor;
- and
- a processor configured to process signals received from the detector, generate signals to be sent to the emitter, and store information in the memory, wherein the processor is also configured to generate a signal to be sent to the patient monitor, the signal capable of communicating at least some of the information stored in the memory via the emitter and wherein at least a portion of the information to be sent includes measurement credits authorizing the patient monitor to make additional patient measurements.
A method of accounting for use of a medical device, the method comprising:
- generating a signal with a microprocessor, said signal including credit information authorizing said medical device to perform additional measurements;
- and
- driving a light source in a manner responsive to said signal, said light source emitting optical radiation configured to be received by a detector of an optical sensor of said medical device to authorize said device to perform some or all of that device's functions.
A method of accounting for use of a medical device, the method comprising:
- receiving a signal from an electronic device other than said medical device, said signal including credit information authorizing said medical device to perform additional measurements, said reception comprising one of optical communication, wireless communication, and USB communication;
- and
- configuring said medical device to take additional measurements consistent with said signal.
A digital device capable of authorizing a patient monitor to take measurements, the device comprising:
- a communication portion configured to communicate with said patient monitor to provide credits usable by said patient monitor to take measurements on a monitored patient;
- and
- a processing portion configured to receive and send information from and to said patient monitor, said information including said credits.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.