US 6,697,656 B1Granted

Pulse oximetry sensor compatible with multiple pulse oximetry systems

AssigneeMasimo Corporation

InventorAmmar Al-Ali

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Abstract

An oximeter sensor can be used with multiple oximeter systems. The oximeter sensor includes a first light-emitting diode, a second light-emitting diode and a photodetector. Electrical connections to the anode and the cathode of each light-emitting diode and electrical connections to the terminals of the photodetector are provided on a connector. An interconnector is interposed between the connector of the oximeter sensor and a connector in communication with an oximeter system. The interconnector has interconnection wiring selected to electrically connect the sensor connector and the system connector in a manner to configure the light-emitting diodes in a configuration compatible with the oximeter system. In particular, a first interconnector configures the light-emitting diodes in a common anode arrangement. A second interconnector configures the light-emitting diodes in a back-to-back (anode to cathode, cathode to anode) configuration. Either interconnector may be in the form of a shell having two connectors. Alternatively, either interconnector may be in the form of a flexible cable with connectors at each end.

A physiological monitoring system comprising:

a sensor including first sensor elements capable of irradiating a measurement site with light of at least one wavelength and one or more second sensor elements capable of detecting the light after transmission through tissue of the measurement site, wherein the first sensor elements are capable of being passively electrically connected in two or more configurations using all of the first sensor elements;
a sensor connector including a first number of sensor contacts connected to conductive material capable of providing electrical communication to at least the first sensor elements and a second number of sensor contacts connected to conductive material capable of providing electrical communication to at least the second sensor elements;
a monitoring device capable of determining at least one physiological parameter of a patient from one or more signals communicated from the second sensor elements;
a monitor connector including a first number of monitor contacts connected to conductive material capable of communicating signals to or from the monitoring device for the first sensor elements and including a second number of monitor contacts connected to conductive material capable of communicating signals to or from the monitoring device for the second sensor elements, wherein the first number of monitor contacts is different from the first number of sensor contacts;
a cable compatible with the monitor connector and incompatible with the sensor connector, the cable including a first cable connector attached to one end of the cable and adapted to connect to the monitor connector, and a second cable connector attached to the other end of the cable;
a first adapter which is capable of passively electrically connecting the sensor connector to the second cable connector to configure the sensor in one of the two or more configurations, thereby establishing electrical communication between the first number of monitor contacts to the first number of sensor contacts;
and
a second adapter which is capable of passively electrically connecting the sensor connector to the second cable connector to configure the sensor in another of the two or more configurations, thereby establishing electrical communication between the first number of monitor contacts to the first number of sensor contacts.

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Abstract

Claims12