Pulse oximetry sensor adapter

A sensor adapter comprising:

• a sensor of a plurality of possible sensor types having a light source and a light detector;
• a plurality of signal paths configured for detachable connection to a monitor, of a plurality of possible monitor types, a first of said signal paths communicating a drive signal from said monitor to said light source, and a second of said signal paths communicating an intensity signal from said light detector to said monitor;
• and
• a plurality of adapter elements in communication with at least one of said signal paths, said adapter elements responsive to said sensor of a plurality of sensor types and said monitor of a plurality of monitor types to allow said sensor and said monitor to be jointly operable as a pulse oximetry system, said adapter selecting said at least one adapter element of said plurality of adapter elements to allow said monitor to operate with said sensor.

A sensor adapter comprising:

• a sensor having a light source and a light detector;
• a plurality of signal paths configured for detachable connection to a monitor, a first of said signal paths communicating a drive signal from said monitor to said light source, and a second of said signal paths communicating an intensity signal from said light detector to said monitor;
• and
• an active adapter element in communication with at least one of said first and said second signal paths, said adapter element responsive to said sensor and said monitor to allow said sensor and said monitor to be jointly operable as a pulse oximetry system, wherein said active adapter element generates a predetermined signal level applied to said first signal path that conveys information regarding a compatible sensor.

A sensor adapter comprising:

• a sensor having a light source and a light detector, wherein said light source has a conductive portion with a predetermined equivalent resistance that conveys information regarding a compatible sensor;
• a plurality of signal paths configured for detachable connection to a monitor, a first of said signal paths communicating a drive signal from said monitor to said light source, and a second of said signal paths communicating an intensity signal from said light detector to said monitor;
• and
• an active adapter element in communication with at least one of said first and said second signal paths, said adapter element responsive to said sensor and said monitor to allow said sensor and said monitor to be jointly operable as a pulse oximetry system, wherein said active adapter element generates a predetermined signal level applied to said first signal path that conveys information regarding a compatible sensor.

A universal adapter configured to provide an interconnection between at least one pulse oximetry sensor of a plurality of possible sensor types and at least one monitor of a plurality of possible monitor types, said adapter comprising:

• a first adapter connector configured to connect said adapter to said at least one sensor of said plurality of possible sensor types;
• a second adapter connector configured to connect said adapter to said at least one monitor of a plurality of possible monitor types;
• a sensor test circuit configured to sense at least one characteristic of said at least one sensor;
• a monitor test circuit configured to sense at least one characteristic of said at least one monitor;
• a plurality of adpater elements, each adapter element of said plurality of adapter elements configured to modify at least one characteristic of said sensor or said monitor, and
• means for selecting at least one adapter element of said plurality of adapter elements in response to said sensed characteristics of said at least one sensor and said at least one monitor to allow said sensor and said monitor to jointly operate as pulse oximetry system.