Universal/upgrading pulse oximeter

A measurement apparatus comprising:

• a first sensor port connectable to a sensor;
• an upgrade port connectable to a second sensor port of an external measurement apparatus;
• a signal processor that computes a measurement based on a signal input to said first sensor port;
• a signal generator responsive to said measurement to produce a synthesized signal, said synthesized signal being provided to said upgrade port, wherein said synthesized signal is generated such that said external measurement apparatus will calculate a value generally equivalent to said measurement when said upgrade port is attached to said second sensor port.

A measurement method comprising the steps of:

• obtaining an intensity signal responsive to the oxygen content of blood at a tissue site;
• computing an oxygen saturation measurement based on said intensity signal;
• and
• generating a waveform based on said oxygen saturation measurement, wherein said waveform is configured to cause a pulse oximeter receiving said waveform to calculate an oxygen saturation value generally equivalent to said oxygen saturation measurement.

A measurement method comprising the steps of:

• sensing a physiological signal;
• computing a physiological parameter based upon said signal;
• synthesizing a waveform as a function of said physiological parameter, said synthesizing performed such that an external physiological monitor receiving said waveform will ascertain a value corresponding to said physiological parameter,
• further comprising outputting said waveform to a sensor input of said external physiological monitoring apparatus.

A measurement method comprising the steps of:

• sensing a physiological signal;
• computing a physiological parameter based upon said signal;
• synthesizing a waveform as a function of said physiological parameter, said synthesizing performed such that an external physiological monitor receiving said waveform will ascertain a value corresponding to said physiological parameter,
• further comprising the steps of:
• connecting an interface cable to said sensor input, said cable configured to transmit said waveform to said physiological monitoring apparatus and to provide a plurality of characterization data for said measurement apparatus;
• and
• reading said characterization data from said cable, said synthesizing step based on said data.

A measurement apparatus comprising:

• a first pulse oximeter configured to determine oxygen saturation measurements and pulse rate measurements based upon an intensity signal derived from a tissue site;
• means for creating a waveform signal based upon said oxygen saturation measurement and said pulse rate measurements;
• and
• means for transmitting said waveform signal to a second pulse oximeter.

A measurement apparatus comprising:

• a portable portion having a sensor port, a processor, and a display, said sensor port configured to receive a signal indicative of a physiological parameter, said processor programmed to compute a physiological parameter measurement based upon said signal and to output said physiological parameter measurement to said display, said portable portion configured to operate as a hand-held physiological monitor;
• a docking station configured to receive said portable portion and in communication with said portable portion;
• and
• wherein said portable portion has a docked position with said docking station in which the combination of said portable portion and said docking station has at least one function beyond that of said portable portion,
• wherein said at least one function comprises downloading a web page displaying said physiological parameter measurement when said docking station is addressed by a remote Internet client.

A measurement apparatus comprising:

• a portable portion having a sensor port, a processor, and a display, said sensor port configured to receive a signal indicative of a physiological parameter, said processor programmed to compute a physiological parameter measurement based upon said signal and to output said physiological parameter measurement to said display, said portable portion configured to operate as a hand-held physiological monitor;
• a docking station configured to receive said portable portion and in communication with said portable portion;
• and
• wherein said portable portion has a docked position with said docking station in which the combination of said portable portion and said docking station has at least one function beyond that of said portable portion,
• wherein said portable portion has a key-actuated image rotatable display.

A measurement apparatus configured to function in both a first placement orientation and a second placement orientation, said apparatus comprising:

• a tilt sensor providing an output responsive to gravity;
• and
• a display having a first mode and a second mode, said display responsive to said tilt sensor to operate in a first mode when said apparatus is in said first placement orientation and in a second mode when said apparatus is in said second placement orientation, said first and second mode controlling the orientation of data on said display;
• wherein said measurement apparatus is a physiological monitor, said apparatus further comprising:
• a sensor port configured to receive a signal responsive to a physiological state;
• and
• a processor in communication with said sensor port and said tilt sensor output, said processor programmed to compute a physiological measurement based upon said signal and to determine whether said measurement apparatus is in said first placement orientation or said second placement orientation based upon said tilt sensor output, and to drive said display in said first mode or said second mode, and
• wherein said signal is a detected light intensity responsive to the attenuation at a tissue site and wherein said physiological measurement value is an oxygen saturation value.

A measurement apparatus configured to function in both a first placement orientation and a second placement orientation, said apparatus comprising:

• a tilt sensor providing an output responsive to gravity;
• and
• a display having a first mode and a second mode, sail display responsive to said tilt sensor to operate in a first mode when said apparatus is in said first placement orientation and in a second mode when said apparatus is in said second placement orientation, said first and second mode controlling the orientation of data on said display,
• further comprising a key that, when actuated, changes said display from said first mode to said second mode.

A measurement apparatus configured to function in both a first placement orientation and a second placement orientation, said apparatus comprising:

• a tilt sensor providing an output responsive to gravity;
• and
• a display having a first mode and a second mode, said display responsive to said tilt sensor to operate in a first mode when said apparatus is in said first placement orientation and in a second mode when said apparatus is in said second placement orientation, said first and second mode controlling the orientation of data on said display,
• wherein said measurement apparatus has a rectangular face with a shorter first edge and a longer second edge, said display forming at least a portion of said face, said second spatial orientation being with said first edge aligned generally horizontally and said second edge aligned generally vertically, said second mode providing a portrait presentation for said display.

A measurement method comprising the steps of:

• sensing a signal responsive to a physiological state;
• computing a physiological measurement based on said signal;
• determining the spatial orientation of a tilt sensor;
• and
• displaying said physiological measurement in a mode that is based upon said determining step,
• wherein said signal is an intensity signal responsive to attenuation at a tissue site and said physiological measurement is oxygen saturation.

A measurement method comprising the steps of:

• sensing a signal responsive to a physiological state;
• computing a physiological measurement based on said signal;
• determining the spatial orientation of a tilt sensor;
• and
• displaying said physiological measurement in a mode that is based upon said determining step,
• further comprising altering said mode upon the actuation of a key switch.