Medical diagnostic apparatus with sleep mode

A medical diagnostic apparatus comprising:

• a processor;
• a memory coupled to said processor;
• means for measuring a first physiological parameter of a patient and storing measurement data in said memory;
• and
• means for putting said processor in a sleep mode when an amount of data in said memory is below a predetermined level.

A method for conserving power in a medical diagnostic apparatus, said apparatus including electronic circuitry, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) measuring a first physiological parameter of a patient using said apparatus;
• (b) monitoring a stability-indicating physiological parameter of said patient;
• (c) determining when said stability-indicating physiological parameter has been stable for a predetermined stable time period and providing a stability indication signal;
• (d) initiating a sleep mode for at least a portion of said electronic circuitry, in response to said stability indication signal, for a first, sleep portion of each of a plurality of sleep mode time periods;
• (e) exiting said sleep mode for at least some of said portion of electronic circuitry for a second, awake portion of each of said plurality of sleep mode time periods;
• (f) determining whether said stability indicating physiological parameter remains stable during at least periodic ones of said sleep mode time periods;
• (g) repeating steps (a)-(f) if said stability-indicating physiological parameter is determined to not have remained stable during said awake portion;
• and
• (h) repeating steps (c)-(f) if said stability-indicating physiological parameter is determined to have remained stable during said awake portion.

A medical diagnostic apparatus having electronic circuitry and a power saving feature, comprising:

• means for measuring a first physiological parameter of a patient;
• means, coupled to said apparatus, for monitoring at least one stability-indicating physiological parameter of said patient;
• means, coupled to said means for monitoring, for determining when said stability-indicating physiological parameter has been stable for a predetermined stable time period and providing a stability indication signal;
• means, coupled to said means for determining, for initiating a sleep mode for said at least a portion of said electronic circuitry, in response to said stability indication signal, for a first, sleep portion of each of a plurality of sleep mode time periods;
• means for exiting said sleep mode for at least some of said portion of said electronic circuitry for a second, awake portion of each of said plurality of sleep mode time periods;
• means for determining whether said stability-indicating physiological parameter remains stable during at least periodic ones of said sleep mode time periods;
• and
• means for reinitiating said sleep portion if said stability-indicating physiological parameter is determined to have remained stable during said awake portion.