Manual and automatic probe calibration

A method of determining the wavelength of a light emitting element positioned on a medical sensor probe, said method comprising the steps of:

• providing a set of a plurality of predetermined ratios, each of said plurality of predetermined ratios corresponding to an associated centroid wavelength;
• contemporaneously with or just prior to patient monitoring, transmitting light from said light emitting element to a first light detecting element to obtain a first intensity;
• transmitting light from said light emitting element through a filter which attenuates the light to a second light detecting element to obtain a second intensity;
• calculating a ratio of said second intensity to said first intensity;
• and
• comparing said ratio to said set of predetermined ratios to reference the centroid wavelength of said light emitting element.

An oximeter sensor configured to transmit light and detect light, said oximeter sensor adapted to be positioned adjacent tissue material, said oximeter sensor comprising:

• at least a first light emitting element, said light emitting element configured with said oximeter sensor such that when said oximeter sensor is positioned adjacent said tissue material, a first portion of light from said light emitting element will pass through said tissue material;
• a light diffuser, said light diffuser adapted to remove polarization of light emitted from said light emitting element;
• a wavelength detection device comprising:
• at least two photodetectors;
• and
• at least one filter positioned such that light from said light emitting element passes through said filter prior to detection by at least one of said at least two photodetectors;
• and
• an interface coupled to said at least two photodetectors and to said light emitting element and adapted to couple said oximeter sensor to an oximeter instrument.

A method of determining the wavelength of a light emitting element for a medical probe, said method comprising the steps of:

• providing a set of a plurality of predetermined ratios, each of said plurality of predetermined ratios corresponding to an associated centroid wavelength;
• in the clinical setting, transmitting light from said light emitting element to a first light detecting element to obtain a first intensity;
• transmitting light from said light emitting element through a filter which attenuates the light to a second light detecting element to obtain a second intensity;
• calculating a ratio of said second intensity to said first intensity;
• and
• comparing said ratio to said set of predetermined ratios to reference the centroid wavelength of said light emitting element.